Exclusive Brethren

The Exclusive Brethren are a branch of the Plymouth Brethren, an evangelical Christian tradition. The Exclusive Brethren are distinguished from the other major branch of the Plymouth Brethren known as the Open Brethren from whom they separated in 1848. The Exclusive Brethren are now spread into a number of locations, most of which differ on minor points of doctrine or practice. Exclusive Brethren communities include the Lowe Brethren, Glanton Brethren, Alte Elberfelder Brethren, Pre-Aberdeen Outs Brethren and Post-Aberdeen Outs Brethren, among other fellowships. Though most Exclusive Brethren are not organized as such, the Raven-Taylor-Hales group, known as the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC), has a hierarchical structure. In addition to maintianing the core Plymouth Brethren beliefs (such as the necessity of the new birth, the practice of baptism, and the celebration of the Lord's Supper on the Lord's Day), Exclusive Brethren hold to the doctrine of separation from the world and "keeping the unity of the Spirit". The Exclusive Brethren groups have one fellowship in some 19 countries – including France, Brazil, Germany, Spain, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Argentina, Jamaica, Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, but they are more numerous in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and North America, where they are referred to as the Exclusive Brethren or simply the Brethren.