The Gospel Hall Brethren are an aggregate of independent and autonomous Christian fellowships at different locations, which are networked together through a set of shared Biblical doctrines and practices. Theologically, they are in the evangelical Protestant tradition, and in practice, share a lot in common with the Open Brethren movement, of which they are a sub-set.
The Gospel Hall Brethren believe a scriptural Christian fellowship (or “assembly” as they are commonly known) should avoid any distinctive sectarian name. As an example, they consider it improper for an assembly to take the name of any current or historical leader. They prefer to describe themselves simply as "Christians" and their buildings as "Gospel Halls." To differentiate one assembly from another, the title Gospel Hall is usually preceded by some reference to the street or town associated with the building's locality (ex. Main Street Gospel Hall). They oppose the idea of their assemblies being characterized by any one distinctive Biblical doctrine or system of church government and strongly reject any attempts to be regulated by a central ecclesiastical authority. They consider this being faithful to the pattern of corporate gathering described in the New Testament.
Even though Gospel Hall Brethren assemblies are independent, they often have many similar characteristics to each other. Their basis of fellowship and reception to the Lord's Table differs from both the Exclusive Brethren and the Bible Chapel Brethren assemblies. While both the latter groupings generally believe that the basis for reception is that all Christians are united together as members of the Body of Christ, the Gospel Hall Brethren teach that reception is based on Christians being united together by a variety of shared doctrinal beliefs. As such, to receive a Christian to the Lord's Table, even a visitor, is to receive them to the full rights and responsibilities of the assembly. Taking this principle, they do not accept casual or occasional fellowship and base this on the Scripture, "continuing steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine" Acts 2:42. These assemblies generally receive only from other assemblies, and some assemblies only receive from other Gospel Hall Brethren assemblies. Unless the believer is very well known, a 'letter of commendation' formally introducing them is required, in keeping with a practice found in the New Testament (Romans 16:1-2). Many, particularly in Canada, the United States, and Northern Ireland, do not use musical instruments during services. Most also do not actually use the name "Gospel Hall Brethren," simply referring to themselves as "Christians", "believers", or "the brethren".
Sometimes the Gospel Hall Brethren are known as Closed-Open, Tight Brethren, or Conservative Open Brethren (some of these terms may be considered disparaging). Such terms can sometimes refer to the careful or 'tight' manner in which they do not receive other Christians, who may not attend a Gospel Hall, to the fellowship of their assembly. Gospel Hall Brethren assemblies can often be characterised as "Open with a closed table." This is the practice of restricting the Lord's Table to those who are members of the assembly, yet still being willing to associate with other Christians outside the Gospel Hall.
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The first assembly of Christians was located in Jerusalem around 30 AD as described in the New Testament book The Acts. The Gospel Hall Brethren consider this assembly to be their true historical roots. As Christianity spread throughout the Near Eastern world, other assemblies were planted in new locations (see Revelation, chapters 2–3). Gospel Hall Brethren believe that Christian assemblies in the latter part of the 1st century, and onward, were gradually marked by doctrinal error and departure from New Testament church principles. Even so, they believe there has always been a remnant of assembly testimony upon earth, however small. This historical remnant is documented in a popular book amongst the Brethren called The Pilgrim Church by E.H. Broadbent. Broadbent traces the history of assembly testimony from the first century to the early decades of the 19th century when assembly movements appeared almost simultaneously in various places around Ireland, Scotland, England, and continental Europe. The result is believed by Gospel Hall Brethren to be a blessed recovery of much divine truth which had been long buried under accumulated rubble of ecclesiastical tradition and superstition (which were identical to the local churches).
The Gospel Hall Brethren movement spread out from a work in Scotland after the great Revival of 1859. Evangelists like Alexander Marshall and Donald Ross, who were in fellowship with the Open Brethren assemblies, did much work in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and beginning new assemblies. Many of the Gospel Halls in Canada were pioneered by these Scottish evangelists (see J.J. Rouse for information on an early Canadian Gospel Hall pioneer).
In the middle of the 20th century, and continuing onward, a division formed in the Open Brethren movement in North America. A distinction between Gospel Halls and Bible Chapels became pronounced. In his Open Letter to the Assemblies, Robert McClure, who was welcome in both groups, lamented this division.
There was an early connection between the Scottish evangelists like Donald Munro, Ross, Marshall, Ritchie, Vine, etc., and the Needed Truth Brethren movement.[1] Alexander Marshall broke with the Needed Truth faction early on over their insistence that any "two or three gathered together" could not be called an assembly and could not break bread together. He believed this was not in keeping with the New Testament pattern for corporate gathering. The Needed Truth Brethren continued to assert that only gatherings connected to an already existing assembly could be considered an true assembly. "Informal" gatherings were not recognized as being the Lord's Table.
Open Brethren assemblies in Northern Ireland are usually characteristically similar to either Gospel Hall Brethren or Bible Chapel brethren in North America. However, a strict line of separation does not exist as it generally does in North America. The result is that Christians from either background might fellowship together in a Northern Ireland assembly, though fellowshipping separately in their respective countries. This can pose a dilemma for United Kingdom preachers speaking in North America, who have to choose who to fellowship with while visiting.
Gospel Hall Brethren continue the Biblical commandment to preach the gospel, disciple new Christians, and gather in local assemblies. Their assemblies support many preachers who are dedicated to full-time evangelism and Bible teaching.