About Us

The German Baptist Brethren Church was founded in 1708 in Scharzenau, Germany, when eight persons were baptized. The New Testament is the Brethren’s only creed. Persecuted in Germany, some of the Brethren came to America in 1719, landing near Philadelphia. On Christmas Day, in 1723, the first congregation of the German Baptist Brethren was organized in Germantown, PA. More Brethren came to America in 1729, including Alexander Mack. The Brethren spread quietly westward over Pennsylvania and southward in the farming valleys of VA, MD, and WV.

The Church spread further westward after the beginning of the Great Migration of the 1800s. In the early 1880s, a major schism took place, resulting in a three-way split. The largest branch after the schism was the German Baptist Brethren, who changed their name to the Church of the Brethren in 1908. During the 20th and 21st centuries, the Church of the Brethren loosened its commitment to the New Testament by treating biblical authority lightly, weakening its standards on divorce and remarriage, and accepting diverse ideas on abortion, temperance, and homosexuality. Through the year, the mission of our Congregation has been to maintain New Testament biblical teachings and principles. By majority vote, the desire to uphold these principles led to the decision in 2023 to separate from the Church of the Brethren denomination. In 2026, our congregation, formerly called Heidelberg Brethren Church, selected the name One Hope Brethren Church as the new name of our fellowship.

We firmly accept and teach the fundamental evangelical doctrines of the inspiration of the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21); the personality of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-13); the virgin birth (Matthew 1:18)’ the deity of Christ (Colossians 2:8-9); the sin-pardoning value of His atonement (Ephesians 1:7); His resurection from the tomb, ascension and personal and visible return (1 Corinthians 15:1-15, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18); and the resurrection both of the just and unjust (John 5:28-29).

We observe the following New Testament rites: baptism of penitent believers by trine-immersion for the remission of sins (Matthew 28”19, Acts 2:38); feet-washing (John 13:1-20; 1 Timothy 5:10); love feast(Romans 16”16; Acts 20:37); the Scriptural head veiling (1 Corinthians 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; 1 Timothy 4:14). These rites are representative of spiritual facts which ened to be experience in the lives of true believers, and as such, are essential factors in the development of the Christian life.

Headship covering – We as a congregation ask that each member support and encourage the principle and practice of God’s order of headship and the symbols that accompany it as prescribed in 1 Corinthians 11:1-16. We believe that the head covering for a woman should not be used as a form of fashion or follow cultural fads, but should rather be a simple, literal symbol of willing submission and obedience to God’s Word and His order of Headship.

We emphasize daily devotion for the individual and family worship for the home (Ephesians 6:18-20; Philippians 4:8-9); stewardship of time, talents, and money (Matthew 25:14-30); taking care of the fatherless, widows, poor, sick, and aged (Acts 6:1-7). We 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. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-116; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

We opposes on scriptural grounds: war and taking of human life (Matthew 5:21-26; 43-44; Romans 12:19-21); violence in personal and industrial controversy (Matthew 7:12, Romans 13:8-10); intemperance in all things (Titus 2:2, Galatians 5:19-26; Ephesians 5:18); going to law, especially against our Christian brethren ( 1 Corinthians 6:1-9)’ divorce and remarriage (Matthew 19:9), every form of oath (Matthew 5:33-37); James 5:12); membership in secret, oath-bound societies (2 Corinthians 16:14-18); games of chance and sinful amusements (1 Thessalonians 5:22; 1 Peter 2:11; Romans 12:17); extravagan and immodest dress (1 Timothy 2:8-10; 1 Peter 3:1-16).

We defend that marriage is an institution ordained by God from creation that unites one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union as outlined in Scriptures (Genesis 2:18-25). Any other definition of marriage, including but not limited to homosexuality and the remarriage of a divorced person with a living spouse, is contrary to the teachings of Scripture (1 Corinthians 6:18, 7:2-5, Hebrews 13:4).

1. It is the commitment of the Ministers of the Congregation that we cannot remarry someone who is divorced and has a living spouse.
2. We believe that divorced and remarried, those involved in continual unrepentant immoral and/or adulterous behaviour, shall not be a member of the local Church body.
3. According to the Scriptures, Christian couples can separate, but not divorce (1 Corinthians 7:10-11, 15). These couples should seek reconciliation to their spouse or remain single for life. Persons who have been victims of divorce, but choose to live a celibate lifestyle, will be accepted in the fellowship.
4. We believe that according to Scripture (Romans 1:24-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11), persons involved in the homosexual lifestyle are out of the will of God, and shall not be a member of this local Church body.
5. We believe God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity is to be engaged in outside of the marriage of a man and a woman. Any form of child molestation, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, bisexuality, incest, pedophilia, or pornography is a sinful perversion of God’s gift of sex. We believe God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. (Genesis 2:22-24, Genesis 19:5, 13, Leviticus 18:1-30, Matthew 19:-4-6, Romans 1:26-29, Romans 7:2-3, 1 Corinthians 5:1, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 5:3-5, 22-23, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, Hebrews 13:4).
6. Because of these Scriptural beliefs, we will not rent or allow our properties or facilities to be used for a homosexual/lesbian wedding, reception, or any type of function that would indicate acceptance or approval of these sinful practices.
7. A person’s sex is either male or female and is determined at birth. Access ot facilities that are designated for use by only one sex is exclusively limited to individuals who are persons of that sex.
8. The local church is willing to assist all such people toward salvation and deliverance.

As members of the One Hope Brethren Church, in agreement with the Church’s statement of faith and practice, we humbly commit ourselves to the following principles of Christian life and service.

1. To make this Church, MY CHURCH, by giving to it something of myself, my service, and my substance.
2. To grow in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and Man. 
3. To study the Word of God regularly and to lead a life of prayer and devotion.
4. To attend the services of the Church regularly and to participate joyfully and intelligently in its sacraments.
5. To bring my offering regularly for the promotion of the work of the Church.
6. To cooperate fully in the work of Christian education, mission, charity, temperance, peace, and spiritual uplift.
7. To live in love and harmony with my brethren and at peace with all men.
8. To do justly, love kindness, and walk humbly with my God.
9. To perform to the best of my ability whatever Christian service my Church requests.
10. To continue the work of Christ, preach the gospel to all men, bring healing to the broken-hearted, proclaim liberty ot the captives, and the recovery of sight to the blind.