**CRISTADELPHIANS (BRETHREN OF CHRIST).** - A Protestant sect founded by the Englishman JOHN THOMAS. In 1844, after moving to the United States and following extensive biblical studies, he became convinced that the principal doctrines of all existing sects and Churches were those of the apostate Church foretold in Holy Scripture. Therefore, he believed it necessary to return to the doctrines, precepts, and practices of the primitive Church, maintaining that the Bible alone was sufficient for this purpose. He thus devoted himself to active proselytism to “draw from paganism a people who would glorify the name of God.”
During the American Civil War (1861–65), Thomas’s followers adopted the name CRISTADELFIANS. They are anti-Trinitarian; according to their belief, the soul is naturally mortal, and immortality is granted only to the righteous. They also hold that JESUS CHRIST will soon come personally to earth to resurrect the dead and