Phillip Otterbein
OTTERBEIN, Philip William (1726-1813), German-American, clergyman, who founded the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. He was born in Dillenburg, Germany. Three years after his ordination into the ministry of the German Reformed church in 1749, Otterbein immigrated to the U.S.
OTTERBEIN, Philip William (1726-1813), German-American, clergyman, who founded the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. He was born in Dillenburg, Germany. Three years after his ordination into the ministry of the German Reformed church in 1749, Otterbein immigrated to the U.S.
Settling in Lancaster, PA, he began his successful evangelization in the area of present-day Pennsylvania and Maryland and introduced class meetings, open-air meetings, and prayer meetings to his congregations. He later met the Mennonite bishop Martin Boehm (1725-1812), with whom, in 1769, he founded a new group, the United Brethren in Christ.
Settling in Lancaster, PA, he began his successful evangelization in the area of present-day Pennsylvania and Maryland and introduced class meetings, open-air meetings, and prayer meetings to his congregations. He later met the Mennonite bishop Martin Boehm (1725-1812), with whom, in 1769, he founded a new group, the United Brethren in Christ.
Otterbein assumed the pastorate of the Evangelical Reformed church in Baltimore in 1774, a position he held for almost 40 years. In 1800, at the first annual conference of the United Brethren in Christ, he and Boehm were elected bishops. The United Brethren split into two camps in 1889.
Otterbein assumed the pastorate of the Evangelical Reformed church in Baltimore in 1774, a position he held for almost 40 years. In 1800, at the first annual conference of the United Brethren in Christ, he and Boehm were elected bishops. The United Brethren split into two camps in 1889.
The "liberals" eventually merged with the Evangelical Association and became Evangelical United Brethren Church. The others kept the name Church of the United Brethren in Christ which still exists today.
The "liberals" eventually merged with the Evangelical Association and became Evangelical United Brethren Church. The others kept the name Church of the United Brethren in Christ which still exists today.
Otterbein's Confession of Faith:
Otterbein's Confession of Faith:
Article 1: In the name of God we confess before all men,
Article 1: In the name of God we confess before all men,
that we believe in the only true God, Father, Son and Holy
that we believe in the only true God, Father, Son and Holy
Ghost; that these three are one; the Father in the Son, the
Ghost; that these three are one; the Father in the Son, the
Son in the Father, and the Holy Ghost equal in essence with
Son in the Father, and the Holy Ghost equal in essence with
both; that this God created heaven and earth and all that in
both; that this God created heaven and earth and all that in
them is, visible as well as invisible, and sustains,
them is, visible as well as invisible, and sustains,
governs, protects, and supports the same.
governs, protects, and supports the same.
Article 2: We believe in Jesus Christ; that he is very God
Article 2: We believe in Jesus Christ; that he is very God
and man, Savior and Redeemer of the whole world; that all
and man, Savior and Redeemer of the whole world; that all
men through him may be saved if they will; that this Jesus
men through him may be saved if they will; that this Jesus
suffered for us; that he died and was buried, rose on the
suffered for us; that he died and was buried, rose on the
third day, ascended into heaven, and that he will come
third day, ascended into heaven, and that he will come
again, at the last day, to judge the living and the dead.
again, at the last day, to judge the living and the dead.
Article 3: We believe in the Holy Ghost; that he proceeds
Article 3: We believe in the Holy Ghost; that he proceeds
from the Father and the Son; that we through him must be
from the Father and the Son; that we through him must be
sanctified and receive faith, thereby being cleansed from
sanctified and receive faith, thereby being cleansed from
all the filthiness of the flesh and spirit.
all the filthiness of the flesh and spirit.
Article 4: We believe that the Bible is the word of God;
Article 4: We believe that the Bible is the word of God;
that it contains the true way to our souls’ well-being and
that it contains the true way to our souls’ well-being and
salvation; that every true Christian is bound to acknowledge
salvation; that every true Christian is bound to acknowledge
and receive it, with the influences of the Spirit of God, as
and receive it, with the influences of the Spirit of God, as
his only rule and guide; and that without repentance, faith
his only rule and guide; and that without repentance, faith
in Jesus Christ, forgiveness of sins, and following after
in Jesus Christ, forgiveness of sins, and following after
Jesus Christ, no one can be a true Christian.
Jesus Christ, no one can be a true Christian.
Article 5: We believe that the doctrine which the Holy
Article 5: We believe that the doctrine which the Holy
Scriptures contain, namely, the fall in Adam and salvation
Scriptures contain, namely, the fall in Adam and salvation
through Jesus Christ, shall be preached and proclaimed
through Jesus Christ, shall be preached and proclaimed
throughout the whole world.
throughout the whole world.
1771 250th Anniversary 2021
OLD OTTERBEIN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH