Schwarzenau Brethren - The Brethren Card

The Brethren Card

Brethren are noncreedal, but have summarized their beliefs in a variety of ways for the purpose of evangelical outreach. One such statement, developed during the late nineteenth century was the Brethren's Card, a version of which was endorsed for general distribution by the 1923 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. Variations on the Card were used by both the Old German Baptist Brethren and the Church of the Brethren. This is an early version that was widely circulated:

Be it known unto all men,

1. That there is a people who, as little children (Luke 18:17), accept the Word of the New Testament as a message from heaven (Heb. 1: 1–2), and teach it in full (2 Tim. 4: 1–2, Matt. 28:20).
2. They baptize believers by triune immersion (Matt. 28:29), with a forward action (Rom. 6:5), and for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), and lay hands on those baptized, asking upon them the gift of God's Spirit (Acts 19:5–6).
3. They follow the command and example of washing one another's feet (John 13:4–17).
4. They take the Lord's Supper at night (John 13:30), at one and the same time, tarrying one for another (1 Cor. 11:33–34).
5. They greet one another with a holy kiss (Acts 20:37, Rom. 16:16).
6. They take the communion at night, after supper, as did the Lord (Mark 14:17, 23).
7. They teach all the doctrines of Christ, peace (Heb. 12:14), love (1 Cor. 13), unity (Eph. 4), both faith and works (James 2:17, 20).
8. They labor for nonconformity to the world in its vain and wicked customs (Rom. 12:2).
9. They advocate nonswearing (Matt. 5:34, 37), anti-secretism (2 Cor. 6:14, 17), opposition to war (John 18:36), doing good unto all men (Matt. 5:44, 46).
10. They anoint and lay hands on the sick (James 5:14, 15).
11. They give the Bread of Life, the message of the common salvation unto all men without money or price (Matt. 10:8).
12. Dear reader, for the above we contend earnestly, and you, with all men, are entreated to hear, to examine and accept it as the word, which began to be spoken by the Lord, and the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

The 1923 version, influenced by both increasing formalism and the Fundamentalist Christianity of the 1910s differed in both tone and content:

1. This body of Christians originated early in the eighteenth century: the church being a natural outgrowth of the Pietistic movement following the Reformation.
2. Firmly accepts and teaches the fundamental evangelical doctrines of the inspiration of the Bible, the personality of the Holy Spirit, the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, the sin-pardoning value of his atonement, his resurrection from the tomb, ascension and personal and visible return; and the resurrection, both of the just and unjust (John 5: 28–29; 1 Thess. 4:13–18).
3. Observes the following New Testament rites: Baptism of penitent believers by triune immersion for the remission of sins (Matt. 28:19, Acts 2:38); feet-washing (John 13:1–20, 1 Tim. 5:10); love feast (Luke 22:20, John 13:4, 1 Cor. 11:17–34, Jude 12); communion (Matt. 26:26–30); the Christian salutation (Rom. 16:16, Acts 20:37); proper appearance in worship (1 Cor. 11:2–16); the anointing for healing in the name of the Lord (James 5:13–18, Mark 6:13); laying on of hands (Acts 8:17, 19:6; 1 Tim. 4:14). These rites are representative of spiritual facts which obtain in the lives of true believers, and as such are essential factors in the development of the Christian life.
4. Emphasizes: daily devotion for the individual, and family worship for the home (Eph. 6:18–20, Philpp. 4:8–9); stewardship of time, talents and money (Matt. 25:14–30); taking care of the fatherless, widows, poor, sick and aged (Acts 6:1–7).
5. Opposes on Scriptural grounds: War and the taking of human life (the Antithesis of the Law; Rom. 12:19–21, Isa. 53:7–12); violence in personal and industrial controversy (Matt 7:12, Rom. 13:8–10); intemperance in all things (Titus 2:2, Gal. 5:19–26, Eph. 5:18); going to law, especially against our Christian brethren (1 Cor. 6:1–9); divorce and remarriage, except for the one Scriptural reason (Matt 19:9); every form of oath (Matt. 5:33–37, James 5:12); membership in secret oath-bound societies (2 Cor. 6:14–18); games of chance and sinful amusements (1 Thess. 5:22, 1 Pet. 2:11, Rom. 12:17); extravagant and immodest dress (1 Tim. 2:8–10, 1 Peter 3:1–6).
6. Labors earnestly, in harmony with the Great Commission, for the evangelization of the world; for the conversion of men to Jesus Christ; and for the realization of the life of Jesus Christ in every believer (Matt. 28:18–20, Mark 16:15–16, 2 Cor. 3:18).
7. Maintains the New Testament as its only creed, in harmony with which the above brief doctrinal statement is made.

This version was officially circulated by the Church of the Brethren in its publications until the middle part of the twentieth century, and it continues to be issued through the efforts of Brethren Revival Fellowship.

The teachings of some other groups are similar to this, but can differ widely in emphasis and scope. For example, the Grace Brethren are varied on the requirement of triune immersion, do not practice the Christian salutation, do not oppose war, and do not formally adhere to plain dress or modesty. Only the Conservative Grace Brethren Churches have retained a published use of the motto, "The Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible".

In the larger Church of the Brethren, significant emphasis is placed on social issues. In the Brethren (Ashland) and Grace Brethren groups, significant emphasis is placed on exegesis of the Bible. Several of the groups maintain a larger "Doctrinal Statement" or treatise, but only for the purpose of clarifying their Biblical position.

Most Brethren groups maintain that the Bible is the sole authority and will revise their statement of faith if they perceive any difference between it and sound Biblical doctrine. Some of the Old Order groups incorporate church authority as a mechanism for unifying the interpretation and application of Biblical teachings.