- Indian Brethren
The Brethren are a Christian Evangelical
premillennial [ [http://www.keralabrethren.net/webelieve_eng.asp What Brethren believe _ KeralaBrethren.net ] ] religious movement.The "Brethren" churches or Assemblies are completely independent of each other. Local assemblies are autonomous but are often informally linked with each other.There is no denominational headquarters or any governing body to which local assemblies are accountable.Brethren remain affiliated with one another, mostly through common support of missionaries, area conferences, Youth Ministries, and the ministry of travelling preachersEach church will have a number of Elders and these Elders are the spiritual leaders of the assemblies.tart of Brethren Movement in India
This spiritual movement of
Plymouth Brethren found its way toIndia in1833 throughAnthony Norris Groves , who was professionally a dentist. His activities centered in the Godavari delta area of Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.John Arulappan , who was a disciple of Groves, acted on Groves' principles and as a full-time worker lived "by faith." Through Arulappan's ministry, a revival broke out in Tinnevelly in South India and many congregations were formed.Kerala Brethren
In 1872, this movement was spearheaded in Kerala by Mathai Upadeshi, a disciple of John Arulappan, who took the baton from Groves. In December 1894, a well-known gospel preacher, Tamil David visited Kerala and preached on assurance on salvation and many were saved.
J.G.Gregson, a Baptist preacher from England delivered sermons in the Convention at Maramon, Kerala. His Bible classes inspired several people in Kerala. In AD 1896 Gregson came to the place Ayroor near Kumbanad and preached gospel. Later he conducted a series of bible studies on the Epistle to Romans and taught that through water baptism a believer identifies with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and becomes a disciple of Christ. Rev PE Mammen (Kumbanattu Achen, a Priest of Marthoma Church) was one of the attendees of these meetings. Later he went to Kunnamkulam and took believers baptism. Bro Handley Bird administered the baptism. Later Rev P.E. Mammen left the MarThoma Church and became a gospel preacher
On March 9, 1899, following the Dublin example, four men congregated at the residence of Kuttiyil Mathai, Kumbanadu, for the breaking of bread, without a priest. This marked the beginning of Brethren movement in Kerala. They were PE Mammen, his brother PE John,
P.C. John , and PC Chacko. There were a few others who also attended but did not take part in bread and wine.Later the missionary work of V.Nagal, Handley Bird, E.H.Noel, Mahakavi
K.V. Simon , andP.C. John went a long way in the growth of brethren Assembly in Kerala.It was an ardent task for Kerala Brethren to spread the message in Andhra Pradesh, India.
Mr. M.T.Yohannan fromMylapra took the Gospel to Andhra Pradesh.Present
Today this movement has over 600 churches in Kerala and is estimated to have over 2200 churches in India.
References
External links
* [http://www.brethren.in/ Brethren India Forums]
* [http://www.keralabrethren.net/ Kerala Brethren discussion forum]
* [http://www.ibfus.org/ IBF Conference]
* [http://www.fibana.com/ FIBA Conference]
* http://www.indianbrethren.co.uk Christian Web Site for Brethren from India Living in UK
* http://www.brethrenassembly.com/IndiaBreth1.htm
* http://www.freegroups.net/groups/grace_peace A brethren assembly electronic periodical.
* [http://www.keralabrethren.net/webelieve_eng.asp Statement of Kerala Brethren beliefs]
* [http://www.bahrainbrethren.com/ Bahrain Brethren] A site exclusively for the brethren and by the brethren.
* [http://www.ebrethrenassembly.com/ Brethren Assembly] Plymouth Brethren Assembly, Bangalore, India.
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