| abstract
| - 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. 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 the United States, do not use musical instruments during services. Most also do not actually use the name "Gospel Hall Brethren," simply referring to themselves as "Christians". 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 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. Although members of the Gospel Halls hold similar beliefs to the Plymouth Brethren and both movements began around the same time, they were distinct and separate movements, involving different groups of people.
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