The Brethren Card

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; I Thess. 4:13-18).

3. Observes the following New Testament rites: Baptism of penitent believers by trine immersion for the remission of sins (Matt 28:19; Acts 2:38); feet-washing (John 13:1-20; I Tim. 5:10); love feast (Luke 22:20; John 13:4; I Cor. 11:17-34; Jude 12); communion (Matt. 26: 26-30); the Christian salutation (Rom. 16:16; Acts 20:37); proper appearance in worship (I 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; I Tim. 4:14); Holy Christian matrimony as being between one man and one woman (Mark 10:6-8). 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; Phil 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 (Matt. 5:21-26, 43, 44; 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 (I Cor. 6:1-9); divorce (Matt. 19:9) and remarriage (Luke 16:18; Rom. 7:2-3); same sex marriage or any alternative to Holy Christian Matrimony (Rom. 1:24-32); same sex/alternative lifestyles and adulterous relationships (I Cor. 6:9-10); every form of oath (Matt. 5:33-37; James 5:12); membership in secret, oathbound societies (2 Cor. 6:14-18); gambling and sinful amusements (I Thess. 5:22; I Pet. 2:11; Rom. 12:17); jewelry, and extravagant and immodest dress (I Tim. 2:8-10; I 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.