Unity of the Brethren
The Unity of the Brethren today has beliefs far from what they originally believed. Their original doctrines can be found in the early accounts of the book compilation Net of Faith. This book records all the important doctrinal advancements the Unity of the Brethren had during its formative years.
Contents
In 1490, The Edict of Brandýs allowed community members to hold public office and opened the door to further reforms of the social policy of the Unitas. Furthermore, many of them made alliances with the Hussites and in the long run resulted to the formation of what is now known as the Moravians. They changed a lot of their doctrines to lessen the persecution they are experiencing from both the Catholic and Protestant churches.
Minor and the Major Party
However, a few of them believed that these reforms were inaccurate. They stood up for the original doctrines and later they were called as the Minor Party separating themselves from the Major Party, those who accepted the reforms. The Minor Party believed that they are the only ones who followed the Net of Faith.
Beliefs of the Minor Party
1 They believe that the term minister must not be limited to those who finished a course on theology or ministry or to those ordained by the clergy. They believe that all Christians must be considered ministers.
2 They avoid holding any public offices. They don’t participate in politics and the military.
3 They preach God’s word from house to house, though this was severely observed during their times because of persecution.
4 They believe that images should not be used in worship.
5 They believe that Purgatory is a wrong teachings.
6 They consider Bible as the only basis of faith.
It is interesting to note that though the Minor Party has similar beliefs with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, it is the Major Party who used the Tetragrammaton, the Hebrew name of God, usually translated as Jehovah in English, in their publications.
The Minor Party, oppressed by the persecution from other churches and the Major Party, eventually came to dissolution after their last leaders were executed by their persecutors. Some of them were absorbed into the rising Anabaptist movement.