Early Connections christadelphians cogaf.pptx

describes relationships between two small religious denominations

1. Early Connections Church of God Across the Ocean

2. Summary John Thomas (1814 – 1871) had many connections with the founders of the Church of God, particularly Benjamin Wilson and Joseph Marsh He also was instrumental in helping found a group, found mainly in Scotland, called “Baptized Believers in the Gospel of the Kingdom of God” It is the connections between these two groups, Church of God and Baptized Believers, that we are concerned I will deal with the Scottish Group Particularly By 1867 at least John Thomas was estranged from all these groups, as was Robert Roberts, his successor

3. The CGAF and The Baptized Believers In the period 1850 to 1865 it is clear that Dr . Thomas was considered part of a loosely knit group of “Believers in the Kingdom of God.” Their common distinguishing belief was in the restoration of the Jews to the land in the future Millennium, sometimes known as the “Age to Come” doctrine. Made up of followers of Dr. Thomas, Benjamin Wilson and his associates in America, and the “Dowieites” in Scotland, with a few in England, there were perhaps 1,000 in total around 1862. There are lists published, both in the Gospel Banner and Bible Messenger , including what we would now recognize as both “Christadelphian” and “ CGAF ” names. By his return from the UK in 1863 Dr. Thomas had separated from the group in the USA, and by 1864 Robert Roberts in England had lead the split in the United Kingdom. The group in the USA survived, becoming the CGAF , but in the UK it seems to have died out by around the turn of the century, after becoming part of the Conditional Immortality Association.

4. The Groups with which John Thomas had Success. He essentially captured what was left of the Millerites , and decimated the Campbellites. It was out of the Campbellites that both Robert Roberts and George Dowie came.

5. John Thomas declines to fellowship member of Cleveland Church in 1867

6. Glasgow, Sept 1848 – Initial Contact with George Dowie (British Millennial Harbinger, 1848 p 528) John Thomas first contact with George Dowie

7. George Dowie George Dowie (1824-95) was a Scot. He had become persuaded of John Thomas's views by at least by March 1853. From that date, he and twenty-three other believers began to meet at his house at 12 Beaumont Place, Edinburgh, for their 'Breaking of Bread' meetings. Dowie‘s group was loath to adopt any distinguishing name, as were most early Christadelphians, but eventually agreed to call themselves 'Baptized Believers in the Gospel of the Kingdom of God .'

8. Edinburgh Church/ Dowie ites Organized in 1853 Grew to 90 by 1863 Reduced by disputes to about 60 or so Split from Robert Roberts by 1866, basically over freedom to believe in personal devil Gradually moved towards mainstream Christianity, joining with group publishing “Rainbow” and “Conditional Immortality Association” (or Mission).

9. Robert Roberts Born 1839 in Aberdeen Spent about a year in Edinburgh in 1857 Married Jane Norrie in 1859 (by George Dowie ) Met John Thomas in 1862 Moved to Birmingham 1863: started ‘Ambassador’ (later ‘Christadelphian’)

10. His place of birth Bro Robert Roberts 10 Mother had been educated in London and came to Aberdeen as a school teacher after father’s death When mother married, raised a large family with little money Mother was religious and applied ‘wholesome discipline’ Was Campbellite, and subscribed to Thomas’ Magazine Born: Link Street, Aberdeen, Scotland on 8 th April 1839 Father was a seaman, later became captain of a small coastal vessel, often away from home

11. Portly form Florid complexion Red & straggling beard & moustache Dark hair, oiled and brushed back Deep set penetrating eyes Short sighted Source: Islip Collyer Robert Roberts Bro Robert Roberts 11

12. Recommended by his sister becomes an apprentice and learns Latin and Pitman’s shorthand Was baptised in 1853 (aged 14) in the River Dee after being examined by 2 brethren Devised a system for reading his Bible, now known as the Bible Companion and marked his Bible Saw the start of the Crimean war, signs of the times, but disappointed when Russia driven back Convinced Christ’s return was imminent Wrote to Brother Thomas of his zeal for the Truth Bro Robert Roberts 12 RR is baptised

13. Joins the Aberdeen Daily Telegraph but leaves on a matter of principle Does odd freelance reporting jobs, one of which was regarding the building of a railway through Aberdeenshire (talk on Daniel 2) Well paid (bought a watch) but still out of work Visited brethren at Edinburgh ( met his wife to be, Jane Norrie: married her in 1859, married by George Dowie) Recommended by a brother to work for The Caledonian Mercury in Edinburgh Bro Robert Roberts 13 Starts his career as a reporter

14. Left Aberdeen and moved to Edinburgh Was drawn to Jane Norrie Became disappointed with the Edinburgh brethren Was just 19 (Jane was 27) when became engaged Sacked from his paper because of an transcription error Bro Robert Roberts 14 Reporter in Edinburgh

15. John Thomas falls out with Dowie in around 1860 over Dowie’s interpretation of Revelation Edinburgh’s subsequent antagonism to Brother Thomas emerges, and George Dowie allows brethren freedom to decide on immortality among many other topics (“discussing everything and settling nothing”) RR leads a withdrawal from Edinburgh Ecclesia in 1864-1866, primarily over Dowie’s belief in personal devil The two groups, “Baptized Believers” and “Christadelphians” became separate Bro Robert Roberts 15 Troubled times

16. Conditional Immortality Association (William Laing was member of Edinburgh “Bible Believers” Church)

17. William Laing

18. Associated Churches (1887)

19. Death Of George Dowie (Note Fraternal Visitor was a dissident Christadelphian Magazine)

20. Publications in Dowie’s Magazine, 1860

21. Letter from New York, 1859 (Note many of these groups became “Christadelphians)

22. Messenger 1890 p 264 Brooklyn