The River Brethren originated near the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. In about 1780, a small group of Christians led by Jacob Engle met there to form a new fellowship. Most were of Mennonite background but were strongly influenced by the Brethren (Dunker) movement and the Pennsylvania German revivalists that later became the United Brethren Church. The River Brethren developed a unique blending of Christian practice from these three sources.
In the 1850s the River Brethren divided into three groups: the Brethren in Christ, the United Zion Church and the Old Order River Brethren. There are currently Old Order River Brethren congregations (often called simply River Brethren) In Lancaster and Franklin Counties (Pennsylvania) and in Dallas County, Iowa. York County, Pennsylvania played an important part in the early history of the group which is why the River Brethren are sometimes referred to as the "Yorker" Brethren Church.
We Believe:
1. In the one triune God who is self existent, and self revealing in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19 & II Corinthians 13:14)
2. That man was created by God in His holy image and lived in innocence until by disobedience in Eden, he sinned and lost fellowship with God (Genesis 1:26-28 & 3:6)
3. In the holy scriptures as the inerrant word of God as our only rule of faith and practice. (II Timothy 3:16 & II Peter 1:21)
4. That all humanity is under the curse of sin and can be restored to fellowship with a righteous God only by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23-25)
5. That redemption occurs when the individual is made aware of his sin by the conviction of the Holy Spirit, repents, confesses and forsakes his sin. He then by faith experiences forgiveness through the atoning blood of Christ. This produces conversion (I John 1:9; Luke 19:8; II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22-24)
6. That following conversion, this new believer confesses his faith in Christ by entering into covenant relationship with a Christian community (brotherhood), publically declaring his faith by trine immersion baptism. He then becomes accountable to other believers. (Matthew 18:15-18; 28:20 & Romans 6:4)
7. That discipleship includes:
a. The new believer faithfully attending all public worship services and taking part in all church activities. He will daily hold family worship, prayer at meals, and have private devotions. He will be a ready witness. He will participate in Bible study. (Hebrews 10:25 & I Corinthians 14:26)
b. Jesus calling the new believer to a life of continual obedience in the faith upon which God's blessings are contingent (Colossians 1:21-23 & Matthew 16:24)
c. A renunciation of carnal warfare, non-swearing of oaths, modest dress and simple living, faithfulness to the marriage vows and rejection of worldly pleasures and sinful activities. (Romans 12:2; I Timothy 2:9-10; I Corinthians 6:1-9; Matthew 5:43-48)
8. That the Lord Jesus Christ will return with a shout in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. The Christian church will be caught up in the air to be forever with the Lord. (I Thessalonians 4:16-18 & Revelation 1:7)
9. That all mankind will be judged by Christ at the Great Judgement Day. (Matthew 25:31-46)
Life and Practices:
River Brethren live as a brotherhood and practice Biblical principles in their everyday lives. The teachings of Jesus in His sermon on the mount including non-resistance to enemies are emphasized. These beliefs call for honest relationships with neighbors and fellow workers, daily family worship, careful nurture of children, respect for the elderly, helping, visiting and counseling each other and volunteering to help the poor or victims of natural disasters.
Worship services are central to brotherhood life. Three hour Sunday morning services include testimonies from members and preaching from the plural ministry. Special meetings include love feasts (communion), councils, harvest meetings, prayer meetings, bible studies, singings and youth meetings. Meetings are usually held at members' homes or in rented community buildings. The singing is a capella and is characterized by a slow, regular cadence.
People interested in joining the brotherhood are expected to first verbally acknowledge the need for Jesus' purifying power and control in the heart, adopt the dress style of the members, and speak occasionally in the experience meetings. The dress of the River Brethren is a distinctive and traditional one that expresses modesty and identification with the brotherhood, and provides freedom from changing fashions. Women's dress includes an opaque head covering. After a year or more of learning, maturing and identifying with the brotherhood, the convert typically requests baptism and membership. Baptism is performed by immersion in a stream or pond.
Previous generations of River Brethren farmed, but today their occupations reflect the economy of the areas in which they live. Occupations that would obviously conflict with New Testament practices, such as the military, law enforcement or politics are avoided. Technological developments are generally adopted as they are useful and practical. Members do guard against materialism by avoiding conspicuous consumption and public entertainment.
1. In the one triune God who is self existent, and self revealing in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19 & II Corinthians 13:14)
2. That man was created by God in His holy image and lived in innocence until by disobedience in Eden, he sinned and lost fellowship with God (Genesis 1:26-28 & 3:6)
3. In the holy scriptures as the inerrant word of God as our only rule of faith and practice. (II Timothy 3:16 & II Peter 1:21)
4. That all humanity is under the curse of sin and can be restored to fellowship with a righteous God only by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23-25)
5. That redemption occurs when the individual is made aware of his sin by the conviction of the Holy Spirit, repents, confesses and forsakes his sin. He then by faith experiences forgiveness through the atoning blood of Christ. This produces conversion (I John 1:9; Luke 19:8; II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22-24)
6. That following conversion, this new believer confesses his faith in Christ by entering into covenant relationship with a Christian community (brotherhood), publically declaring his faith by trine immersion baptism. He then becomes accountable to other believers. (Matthew 18:15-18; 28:20 & Romans 6:4)
7. That discipleship includes:
a. The new believer faithfully attending all public worship services and taking part in all church activities. He will daily hold family worship, prayer at meals, and have private devotions. He will be a ready witness. He will participate in Bible study. (Hebrews 10:25 & I Corinthians 14:26)
b. Jesus calling the new believer to a life of continual obedience in the faith upon which God's blessings are contingent (Colossians 1:21-23 & Matthew 16:24)
c. A renunciation of carnal warfare, non-swearing of oaths, modest dress and simple living, faithfulness to the marriage vows and rejection of worldly pleasures and sinful activities. (Romans 12:2; I Timothy 2:9-10; I Corinthians 6:1-9; Matthew 5:43-48)
8. That the Lord Jesus Christ will return with a shout in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. The Christian church will be caught up in the air to be forever with the Lord. (I Thessalonians 4:16-18 & Revelation 1:7)
9. That all mankind will be judged by Christ at the Great Judgement Day. (Matthew 25:31-46)
Life and Practices:
River Brethren live as a brotherhood and practice Biblical principles in their everyday lives. The teachings of Jesus in His sermon on the mount including non-resistance to enemies are emphasized. These beliefs call for honest relationships with neighbors and fellow workers, daily family worship, careful nurture of children, respect for the elderly, helping, visiting and counseling each other and volunteering to help the poor or victims of natural disasters.
Worship services are central to brotherhood life. Three hour Sunday morning services include testimonies from members and preaching from the plural ministry. Special meetings include love feasts (communion), councils, harvest meetings, prayer meetings, bible studies, singings and youth meetings. Meetings are usually held at members' homes or in rented community buildings. The singing is a capella and is characterized by a slow, regular cadence.
People interested in joining the brotherhood are expected to first verbally acknowledge the need for Jesus' purifying power and control in the heart, adopt the dress style of the members, and speak occasionally in the experience meetings. The dress of the River Brethren is a distinctive and traditional one that expresses modesty and identification with the brotherhood, and provides freedom from changing fashions. Women's dress includes an opaque head covering. After a year or more of learning, maturing and identifying with the brotherhood, the convert typically requests baptism and membership. Baptism is performed by immersion in a stream or pond.
Previous generations of River Brethren farmed, but today their occupations reflect the economy of the areas in which they live. Occupations that would obviously conflict with New Testament practices, such as the military, law enforcement or politics are avoided. Technological developments are generally adopted as they are useful and practical. Members do guard against materialism by avoiding conspicuous consumption and public entertainment.
River Brethren live as a brotherhood and practice Biblical principles in their everyday lives. The teachings of Jesus in His sermon on the mount including non-resistance to enemies are emphasized. These beliefs call for honest relationships with neighbors and fellow workers, daily family worship, careful nurture of children, respect for the elderly, helping, visiting and counseling each other and volunteering to help the poor or victims of natural disasters.
Worship services are central to brotherhood life. Three hour Sunday morning services include testimonies from members and preaching from the plural ministry. Special meetings include love feasts (communion), councils, harvest meetings, prayer meetings, bible studies, singings and youth meetings. Meetings are usually held at members' homes or in rented community buildings. The singing is a capella and is characterized by a slow, regular cadence.
People interested in joining the brotherhood are expected to first verbally acknowledge the need for Jesus' purifying power and control in the heart, adopt the dress style of the members, and speak occasionally in the experience meetings. The dress of the River Brethren is a distinctive and traditional one that expresses modesty and identification with the brotherhood, and provides freedom from changing fashions. Women's dress includes an opaque head covering. After a year or more of learning, maturing and identifying with the brotherhood, the convert typically requests baptism and membership. Baptism is performed by immersion in a stream or pond.
Previous generations of River Brethren farmed, but today their occupations reflect the economy of the areas in which they live. Occupations that would obviously conflict with New Testament practices, such as the military, law enforcement or politics are avoided. Technological developments are generally adopted as they are useful and practical. Members do guard against materialism by avoiding conspicuous consumption and public entertainment.