History
The first assembly of Christians commenced in Jerusalem around AD32 as described in the Bible in Acts 2:42. Gospel Hall brethren consider this to be their true historical roots. As Christianity spread throughout the Near Eastern world, other assemblies were planted in new locations (see Revelation chs 2–3). Throughout the centuries of church history there has always been a remnant independent evangelical testimony as documented in a popular book among Gospel Halls called The Pilgrim Church by E.H. Broadbent. Andrew Miller's mammoth work Church History traces the same theme. In the early decades of the 19th century hundreds of new such independent assemblies appeared almost simultaneously in various places around the world particularly in Ireland, Scotland, England, and continental Europe. This is believed to have been a recovery of numerous New Testament beliefs and practices which had been largely lost in Christendom over the centuries. Many books have been written to tell this story one of the least known of which, an anonymous work called Assembly Life Experiences by "an old disciple", records the unique and fascinating record of a group of Christians who were converted in the 1859 revival in Scotland. Through reading only their Bibles they concluded that clerisy and denominationalism were unscriptural and subsequently met together to break bread and depend on God for gifting and leadership.
There are hundreds of Gospel Halls in the UK. As for the USA and Canada, the 1859 "Revival" that affected much of Northern Ireland and Scotland in particular, inspired evangelists such as Alexander Marshall, Donald Ross and Donald Munro to cross the Atlantic and preach the gospel, leading to numerous assemblies being planted there. Mr. Norman Crawford has documented this story in a chapter of his book Assembly Truth published by Gospel Tract Publications (Glasgow, 1994). The chapter is available online. (See also J.J. Rouse for information on an early Canadian Gospel Hall pioneer).
In North America, Gospel Halls are distinguished from "Bible Chapels" over numerous issues such as the use of musical instruments and the need for letters of commendation for participation in assembly activities such as "breaking bread". Elsewhere around the world there may be more coming and going between different types of assemblies, depending on local factors and regional history.
Numerous hymn books are in wide circulation among Gospel Halls such as The Believer's Hymn Book, Hymns of Light and Love, The Gospel Hymn Book and others.
Read more about this topic: Gospel Hall Brethren
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