Campbellite
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Campbellite refers to any of the religious groups historically descended from the Restoration Movement, a religious reform movement in the early 19th century in the United States. The major groups are:
- The Churches of Christ movement
- Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- The Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ
- The churches of Christ (non-institutional)
Some (though not all) members of these groups consider the term "Campbellite" derogatory, saying that they are followers of Jesus, not Campbell. They draw parallels with Martin Luther's protest of the name "Lutherans." Others deem it a neutral tribute to the origins of their churches in the work of Thomas Campbell and Alexander Campbell (among others). These groups were originally called "reformed Baptist", but were not related to the Reformed Baptist tradition.
Other prominent individuals in the early movement included Sidney Rigdon and Parley P. Pratt, who, along with more than 3,000 of their adherents converted to Mormonism in the 1830s in Ohio.
