208.64.12.4 at 01:03, 4 May 2021

2021-05-04T01:03:16Z

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{{Short description|Christian denomination in India}}
{{refimprove|date=October 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox Christian denomination
| name = Kerala Brethren
| image =
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| main_classification = [[Protestant]]
| orientation = [[Plymouth Brethren]]
| polity = [[Congregationalist polity|Congregationalist]]
| founder =
| founded_date = 1899
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| separated_from =
| leader/moderator =
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| fellowships =
| associations =
| area = [[Kerala]], [[India]]
| hospitals =
| nursing_homes =
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| congregations = 600
| members =
| ministers =
| missionaries =
| temples =
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{{Christianity in India sidebar}}
'''The Kerala Brethren''' are a significant subset of the [[Indian Brethren]], who are connected with the [[Open Brethren]] movement internationally. In the South [[India]]n [[states of India|State]] of [[Kerala]], four Syrian Christian ([[Saint Thomas Christians|Nasrani]]) men who came from traditional churches were [[believer's baptism|baptised]] in 1898, and many of the Kerala Brethren consider this event to have been the start of their movement. Some 600 of the 2,200 Brethren assemblies (as their churches are generally called) in India are located in Kerala.

==Characteristics==
The Brethren have no central hierarchy or governing body. They see themselves as an informal network of like-minded autonomous local churches, not as a denomination in the organizational sense. Common support for itinerant preachers, publications, [[seminary|seminaries]], and missions agencies, however, often leads to a high degree of cooperation among Brethren assemblies, and among Kerala's Christians, the Brethren are noted for their strong sense of identity.

The Brethren assemblies in Kerala are also known as "verpaatu sabhakal" due to their heavy emphasis on separation from the world for greater devotion to [[Jesus Christ]]. This emphasis on separation, although common among the Brethren throughout India and in some streams of the Brethren internationally, is particularly pronounced in Kerala.

==History==
Many Indian Christians believe that the Apostle [[Thomas the Apostle|Thomas]] brought the Christian message to [[India]] in 52AD. In the words of an Indian hymn, ''"...It was his mission to espouse India to the One-Begotten...."''<ref>{{cite book|last1=St Ephraem|editor1-last=Lamy|editor1-link=Ephraem, Hymni et Sermones, IV|title=Hymns of St Ephraem}}</ref> Some Indian Brethren disclaim their missionary origins, instead making a case for historical continuity with the First-Century converts of the Apostle Thomas,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.biblebeliever.co.za/Brethren%20Assemblys/Brethren%20Information/FAQ.htm#27.|title=Brethren Assemblies FAQ|access-date=2015-05-28}}</ref> claiming that for several centuries Christians on the [[Malabar coast]] (modern Kerala) followed what Brethren believe to have been the [[New Testament]] model of church organization and worship, with no clergy, and that clericalism began to creep in only after 345 AD, when seventy-two families belonging to seven [[Jewish]] clans followed [[Thomas of Cana]] from [[Iraq]] to [[Kodungalloor]], which is now in Kerala. Thomas of Cana, they claim, brought in [[bishop]]s and [[deacon]]s, changing the practices of the Kerala Christians. This interpretation of history is not widely shared by non-Brethren Christians, however.

The modern Brethren movement was introduced into India in 1833 by [[Anthony Norris Groves]],<ref>[http://www.bahrainbrethren.com/features.php?action=view&id=222 Bahrain Brethren]</ref> a dentist turned missionary who was one of the original [[Plymouth Brethren]] pioneers in [[Ireland]]. The Brethren movement began to take root in Kerala when [[Mathai Upadeshi]], who had been an ([[Anglican]]) [[Church Missionary Society|CMS]] evangelist from [[Thirunalveli]], arrived in 1872. Another early preacher was [[Yusthos Joseph]], also known as [[Vidwankutty]], a Tamil [[Brahmin]] and also a CMS priest like Mathai Upadeshi. He arrived in Kerala in 1875, but his ministry declined after the failure of his [[prophecy|prediction]] that [[Jesus Christ]] would [[Second coming|return]] in 1881.

A second wave of growth among the Kerala Brethren started in 1894 with the arrival of '''V.D. David''', better known in Kerala as [[Tamil David]], and [[L.M. Wordsmith]], the latter an [[Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka|Indian Tamil]] from [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka]]. They were joined by [[Handley Bird]], who established assemblies in Northern Kerala.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Matthew|first1=John|title=Dr.|url=http://www.atlantabrethren.org/index2.php?view=history|website=History of Brethren|publisher=ACBA.com|access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref> They were helped by [[Baptist]] preacher and [[Keswick Convention]] speaker [[J.G. Gregson]], who visited Kerala in 1896. Although a Baptist, he was sympathetic to Brethren viewpoints and helped to found the first Brethren assembly in [[Travancore]], central Kerala. He also preached in [[Ayroor]], near [[Kumbanad]], paving the way for [[Germany|German]] missionary [[Volbrecht Nagel]] to conduct the first Brethren "meeting" (as they usually call their services) there on 19 March 1899.

===Persecution===

Meanwhile, a period of persecution from the older churches had broken out in 1897. Concerned about losing members, some priests in the [[Mar Thoma Syrian Church]] spoke out against the Brethren movement. [[P.C. John]], a young Mar Thoma Christian influenced by Brethren ideas, was physically assaulted by his priest. John and his cousin, P.E. Mammen, who was a Mar Thoma priest, subsequently left that church and joined the Brethren.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brethrenpedia.com/India|website=BrethrenPedia|publisher=BrethrenPedia.org|access-date=29 May 2015|title=Archived copy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923194446/http://www.brethrenpedia.com/India|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Brethren further strengthened by continued defections from the Mar Thoma Church. [[K.V. Simon]] was [[excommunication|excommunicated]] from the Mar Thoma Church in Edayaranmula for undergoing and practicing [[believer's baptism]]. After this event, which took place on 25 December 1915, Simon joined the Brethren movement. Sporadic persecution of the Brethren continued. Lonappan, an evangelist, and Kidangoor Thaipparambil Joseph were physically attacked in November 1921 by a mob which burned Bibles and destroyed their agricultural produce.

===Brethren unity===
1929 was a significant year, when a small group of [[Viyojitha]] assemblies that stemmed from the work of [[K.V. Simon]] came into fellowship with the wider [[Indian Brethren]] movement on 20 January. In practical terms, this meant that the Indian Brethren, who were similar in doctrine to the [[Open Brethren]] movement, recognized the Viyojitha Brethren as fellow-believers who shared the same principles of church order. [[E.H. Noel]] of the Indian Brethren was instrumental in this coming together. They were subsequently joined by the Kerala Brethren, under the encouragement of [[P.E. Mammen]].

==Conventions and conferences==
There is no General Convention for Brethren Assemblies in Kerala. Local assemblies throughout Kerala often conduct their own conventions and gospel meetings.

==Charitable work==
In 1906, [[Volbrecht Nagel]], who had been leading the Brethren work at [[Kunnamkulam]] in [[Thrissur]] District on the [[Malabar Coast]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Plymouth Brethren|url=http://keralabrethrenassembly.com/wp/?p=52|publisher=Kerala Brethren Assembly|access-date=Dec 9, 2014}}</ref> purchased 75 acres of land and started a school and orphanage in [[Nellikkunnu]]. Tiruvalla Medical Mission (TMM) Hospitals have since been established at [[Tiruvalla]], [[Mannmaruthy]], & [[Vazhoor]] and the College of Nursing at Tiruvalla.

===Schools/colleges===
* Brethren Bible Institute, Pathanamthitta (Offering B.Th., M.B.S., M.Div. & M.Th.) www.bbipta.com
* Brethren English Medium High School, [[Kumbanad]].
* Clarence High School, [[Bangalore]]
* Noel Memorial High School & UP School, [[Kumbanad]].
* Noel Memorial High School & UP School, [[Kariamplavu]].
* Noel Memorial U P School, [[Kalanjoor]],
* Noel Memorial Upper Primary School, [[Keekozhoor]],
. Noel Memorial Upper Primary School, [Edayaranmula],
. Noel Memorial Upper Primary School, [Kangazha],
* Noel memorial LP Chethackal, [[Ranny]],
. Noel Memorial Lower Primary School, [Kanakappalam],
. Noel Memorial Lower Primary School, [Thrikkannamangal (Kottarakkara)],
* Noel Memorial Lower Primary School (N.M.L.P.S), [[Vilangara]], [[Kottarakkara]]
. Noel Memorial Lower Primary School, [Oottupara],
. Noel Memorial Lower Primary School, [Mannarathara],
. Noel Memorial Lower Primary School, [Sabarimankal],
. Noel Memorial Lower Primary School, [Uthimood],
. Noel Memorial Lower Primary School, [Paamala],
. Noel Memorial Lower Primary School, [Pampady],
. Noel Memorial Lower Primary School, [Mylapra],
. Noel Memorial Lower Primary School, [Kariamplave]
* TMM Hospital College of Nursing, [[Thiruvalla]]
* Hope Academy of Theology and Sciences (HATS), [[Bhopal]].
* Rehoboth Theological Institute (''RTI''), Nellikunnu, Trissur.
* Madurai Bible School & College, [[Madurai]]. www.maduraibiblecollege.org

===Mission funds===
* Kerala Evangelistic Missionary (KEM) Fund
* General Gospel Fund
* [[Gospel Missions of India]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Gospel Missions of India|url=http://www.gospelmi.org/}}</ref>
* Gospel Fellowship Trust of India
* Hope Assembly Workers Fund (HAWF)
* Stewards Association of India

===Homes for the elderly===
* Brethren Mercy Trust, [[Kumbanad]]
* Rehoboth Old Age Home, [[Nellikkunnu]]

==References and sources==
*[http://www.brethrenpedia.org/ Brethren Wiki] BrethrenPedia
*[http://www.tmmhospital.org/ Thiruvalla Medical Missions]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081014022509/http://www.keralabrethren.net/history_eng.asp Keralabrethren.net History page]
*[http://www.thekkel.com/brethren.html/ Thekkel.com brethren history page]
*[http://missionaryvoice.org/indianbrethren.html/ Missionaryvoice.org]
*[http://hopethroughgrace.com/?p=151/ Brethren institutions]
* Mahaakavi K. V. Simon, ''History of the Malankara Brethren Churches (malankarayile verpaatu sabhakalute charithram)'' – republished by Sathyam Publications, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India. in Feb 1999.
* [[G.H. Lang|Lang, G. H.]], ''The History and Diaries of an Indian Christian: J. C. Aroolappen'', USA, Schoettle Publishing Co., Inc., 1988

==Kerala Brethren pioneers==
* Handley Bird
* M.E. Cherian, [[Madurai]]
* K.V.Cheru
* J.M. Davies
* Y. Ezekiel
* Silas Fox
* [[J.G. Gregson]]
* [[P.C. John]] Upadeshi
* P.C. Joseph - Jospeh Chethackal
* P.C. Joseph - Poikayil Joseph
* K.G. Kurien
* M.M. John (Kumbanad)
* Mammen Kurien
* T.A. Kurien - Sagar
* P.E. Mammen, "Kumbanattachen" - former Vicar of [[Kumbanad]] and [[Eraviperoor]] [[Marthoma]] parishes
* V.T. Mathai
* E.J. Mathew
* A.T. Mathew, ([[Gudalur, Nilgiris]])
* [[Volbrecht Nagel]]
* Edwyn. H. Noel
* [[K.V. Simon|Mahakavi K.V. Simon]]
* T.K. Samuel
* Alex Souter
* K.G. Thomas
* Avarachan Upadeshi
* E.P. Varghese
* K.K. Chacko
* Raveendran Vattappara
* M.M.Andrews Pongumoodu

==See also==
*[[Assemblies Jehovah Shammah]]
*[[Indian Brethren]]
*[[Open Brethren]]
*[[Plymouth Brethren]]
*[[K. V. Simon]]
*[[P.C. John]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.keralabrethrenassembly.com/ Kerala Brethren Assembly ]
*[http://keralabrethrenassembly.com/phpbb/index.php/ Kerala Brethren Assembly-Forum ]
*[http://www.keralabrethren.net/ Kerala Brethren ]
*[http://www.keralabrethren.net/ Kerala Brethren discussion forum]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20171105105118/http://brethrenassembly.com/ brethrenassembly.com ]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150529161931/http://www.adelphoinews.com/ * Adelphoi News.com]
*[http://www.hatsindia.com HATS - HOPE ]

{{Christianity in Kerala}}

[[Category:Christianity in Kerala]]
[[Category:Christian missions in India]]
[[Category:Plymouth Brethren]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1898]]
[[Category:1898 establishments in India]]

Kerala Brethren - Revision history

208.64.12.4 at 01:03, 4 May 2021