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The Brethren in Christ Church (BIC) is a River Brethren Christian denomination. Falling within the Anabaptist tradition of Christianity, the Brethren in Christ Church has roots in the Mennonite church, with influences from the revivals of Radical Pietism and the holiness movement. They have also been known as River Brethren and River Mennonites. The Canadian denomination, which formerly shared a name with its American counterpart, is now called Be In Christ.

History

The Brethren in Christ have their headquarters in Pennsylvania. It loosely shares an early connection with the United Brethren back to 1767. The Brethren in Christ trace their denomination back to a group of Mennonites who lived just north of Marietta, Pennsylvania, on the east side of the Susquehanna River. As they met to study the Bible and to worship God in the 1770s, the people of this group who became known as the River Brethren searched early church history and developed a conviction that believer's baptism by triune immersion was the scriptural form of baptism. The River Brethren of the 18th century also held to a firm reliance on the centrality of Jesus in Scripture, especially the literal application of the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5–7.

Being Anabaptists, the River Brethren emphasized the beliefs of nonresistance and nonconformity to the world. Pennsylvania remains the hub of the denomination, with nearly half its congregations and a majority of its members. However, there are numerous congregations in other states, particularly Florida, Ohio, and California. and Christian Light Bookstores in Indiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

BIC Canada

In 2012, the Canadian Conference of the Brethren in Christ and the General Conference of the Brethren in Christ recognized the advantage for both of being independent Churches. Both approved a separation affirmation. The result was the development of BIC Canada and the BIC in the US. They continue to work collaboratively with each other and yet recognize their distinctive national identities and structures. In 2017, BIC Canada changed its name to "Be in Christ Church of Canada."

Be In Christ Canada has three different expressions of churches: Community Churches, The Meeting House, and Reunion.

Noted Brethren in Christ people

  • Jay Smith, Christian apologist
  • Bruxy Cavey, author and former pastor
  • Harold Albrecht, Canadian former Member of Parliament for the riding of Kitchener—Conestoga in Ontario, founder of Pathway Community Church in Kitchener, Ontario.

See also

  • Brethren in Christ Church Society

Notes

References

  • Encyclopedia of American Religions, J. Gordon Melton, editor
  • Handbook of Denominations in the United States, by Frank S. Mead, Samuel S. Hill, and Craig D. Atwood
  • Profiles in Belief: the Religious Bodies of the United States and Canada, by Arthur Carl Piepkorn
  • Religious Congregations & Membership in the United States (2000), Glenmary Research Center
  • Quest for Piety and Obedience: The Story of the Brethren in Christ, Carlton O. Wittlinger (1978)
  • Two Hundred Years of Tradition and Change: The Brethren in Christ in Canada, E. Morris Sider (1988)
  • Brensinger, Terry L., ed. Focusing Our Faith: Brethren in Christ Core Values. Nappanee, IN: Evangel Pub. House, 2000.
  • beinchrist.ca - Official Be In Christ Church of Canada
  • Official BIC US website
  • Brethren in Christ Historical Library and Archives – Archives of Messiah College
  • The Sider Institute
  • LibraryThing.com BIC Catalog – unofficial listing of librarything.com catalog of BIC related books.
  • Profile of Brethren in Christ Church on the Association of Religion Data Archives website
  • GAMEO