Smith's Friends
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Smith's Friends is a worldwide Christian fellowship with no official denomination. They were established in Norway during the early 20th century, and are known as The Christian Church in official correspondence.
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[edit] Background
Johan Oscar Smith (1871-1943), credited as the founder of this Christian group, was originally a member of the Methodist church. He experienced a personal awakening in 1889 and began preaching to small gatherings. In 1905, his brother Aksel Smith (1880-1919) joined him and for nearly a decade, beginning in 1906, they worked closely with the Norwegian Pentecostal movement. However, the two groups drifted apart as the Pentecostals became more structured; it was sometime after the split that this particular group of Christians became known by some as Smiths Venner, which translates in English to Smith's Friends. In 1908, Johan Oscar Smith met Elias Aslaksen (1888-1976) while serving together in the Norwegian Navy and the group began to grow quickly, especially during the wartime years. It was these three men (Johan Oscar Smith, Askel Smith, and Elias Aslaksen) who were the main leaders, working together to establish the first congregation.[1]
The time of revival for Smith's Friends (1992-1993) was not the first that Norway had seen.[2] Along with the spiritual renewal came a struggle for power that divided the congregation and resulted in the estrangement of approximately 400 dissenting members. Although some began new churches of their own, few were able to form a cohesive bond. Leadership for the group quickly passed on to Kåre J. Smith (grandson of Johan Oscar Smith), with the continued support of the previous leader, Sigurd Bratlie.
Today, Smith's Friends still centers around Norway and a conference center called Brunstad. There are Christian fellowships in more than 50 countries who identify themselves as being a part of The Christian Church (Den Kristelige Menighet).
The church has its own publishing house, publishing books and distributing audio-visual media intended for edification and spiritual help. In 1912, the church first published a monthly journal called "Skjulte Skatter," (in English, "Hidden Treasures.") It has been published every month since then.
[edit] Teachings
Faith in victory over sin plays an important role in their beliefs. They preach that Jesus was tempted, but did not sin and that it is possible now by faith in Him to follow His example. The birth and life of Jesus Christ, His temptations and victories and His crucifixion and resurrection are central to their doctrine.
In many aspects, they follow a distinctive and characteristic way of explaining their teachings.
The denomination has little to nothing to do with other Christian groups.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.brunstad.org/norsk/misjon/index_3.html - A site in Norwegian by Smith's Friends.
- ^ A History of Norway's Revivals During the Last 1,000 Years by Ingulf Diesen
