Who Are the Two-by-Twos?
Distinguishing Characteristics
Clergy - Members
- Bible - Hymnal - Churches
- Services - Communion/Eucharist
- Baptism - Name - Doctrine
- Outreach/Membership - Organization
The Two-by-Twos are the largest of three existing groups which branched off
from a religious movement founded at the end of the nineteenth century by William
Irvine. The other two groups are those who continue to follow the founder (known
as "The Testimony") and the the followers of early "Worker"
Edward Cooney (known to outsiders as "Cooneyites"). None of the three
groups acknowledge an official name, although the Two-by-Twos' ministers have
officially, albeit clandestinely, registered and incorporated
under official denominational names for the group in many countries.
Referred to as "Workers," "Apostles," and "Ministers,"
but also called "servants," "handmaidens," and "true
shepherds." Shun all formal religious training. State that true ministers
must be homeless itinerants, remain unsalaried, give up all possessions, and
go out preaching "Two and Two." Ministers remain unmarried, although
in the past a handful of married couples were allowed to remain in "the
Work." The laity provides the "Workers" with shelter, food, transportation,
clothing, money and all other physical needs.
Usually referred to as "the friends," or "the saints."
Sometimes called "the children and family of God," "Spiritual
Israel," or "the Kingdom."
King James Version is used (in English-speaking areas).
Use their own compilation titled: Hymns Old and New (latest edition
copyright 1987 and published by R.L. Allan & Son, England).
Oppose all church buildings as conclusive evidence of false churches. "Friends"
are assigned to Sunday, Wednesday and Union Fellowship "Meetings,"
which are always held in designated homes. Visitors may attend "Gospel
Meetings" or "Services" held in rented halls or other convenient
buildings. "Conventions" are large annual regional gatherings and
are usually held in rural areas in buildings specially constructed and maintained
for this purpose.
Consist of (1) Sunday and midweek: hymn singing (acapella),
prayers, testimonies; (2) Gospel Meetings: hymns (often with piano
accompaniment), prayer, preaching by "Workers;" (3) Union Fellowship
Meetings: larger version of #1; (4) Convention: extended preaching
sessions, testimony, eating and sleeping over several days; (5) Special
Meeting: a one-day version of "Convention."
Served weekly at Sunday morning "Meetings," and reserved for those
baptised into their group.
By complete immersion. Sprinkling and infant baptism are opposed. Member
must conform to standards set by the "Workers" before baptism will
be granted.
Claim to have no official name, though they refer to their fellowship as
"The Truth," "The [or this] Way," and "the Friends."
They have been known by a variety of names in the past, but are today widely
known as "the Two-by-Twos." Their ministers have officially registered
the group with various government agencies under the names of: "the Christian
Conventions" in the U.S.A., "the United Christian Conventions of Australia"
in Australia, "The Testimony of Jesus" in the United Kingdom, "the
United Christian Conventions of New Zealand" in New Zealand, and various
other names in other countries. The Two-by-Twos are sometimes confused with
the Cooneyites, with whom they were once united, though the Cooneyites are now
the smaller of the two sects.
Claim none, and refuse to publish any, other than to state that they believe
and follow "the teachings of the New Testament." Doctrinal issues
are not emphasized, preferring to stress the importance of their celibate, unsalaried,
homeless, itinerant ministry and "meetings in the home." This appears
as well to be the sum of the "gospel message" which they proclaim.
Though their doctrine is often presented to outsiders and new members in
deceptive, vague and orthodox-sounding terminology, the following represent
a brief sampling of the areas of doctrine in which this group differs from most
orthodox Christian beliefs:
- They believe that salvation can only be acquired through hearing and
"professing" through one of their "Workers
- They do not believe that Jesus and the Father are one and the same God.
Jesus is held to have been a god-like human on whom the "Christ Spirit"
settled, and who gave the world a pattern of "perfect ministry."
Will sometimes refer to Jesus as "divine," "god the son,"
or "a god" -- though they do not mean by these that Jesus is viewed
by them as being in any sense God, in the manner that the Father is called
"God."
- The "Word made flesh" of John 1:1, 14 is held to be the "Workers"
themselves.
- Have taught, and most continue to assert, that the group is a direct,
historical continuation of the "New Testament Church," having
no earthly founder.
- Do not ascribe Godhood to the Holy Spirit, believing "the Spirit"
to be an attitude, emotional feeling, or force originating from God.
- They do not believe that the propitiatory sacrifice of Jesus on the
cross and the gracious imputation of Christ's righteousness is sufficient
to produce salvation, instead holding that one must continue faithfully
in their belief system through self-effort, self-denial, and unquestioning
submission and obedience to their "shepherds" until death.
- Hold that Jesus died to save those who follow their ministers, and that
His "pattern life" and "pattern ministry" were the primary
goals of His earthly sojourn.
Global. Claim to have preached in every country. Members estimated to number
up to 600,000 worldwide. In 1988, Canada listed 226 "Workers" and
the U.S. listed 845 (of which 63% were female, 37% male).
Claims to have no organization. No discernable headquarters maintained. However
this church is run by a group of senior "Head Workers" (known also
as "Overseers"). Each state, province or region is controlled by a
male "Head Worker" who assigns "fields" to the "Workers"
under his authority. "Elders," who have "Meetings" in their
homes are the lowest rung in the chain of command. Not all "Overseers,"
"Workers," and "Elders" are equal -- position being influenced
by many factors. In the U.S.A., six "national Workers" oversee other
"Head Workers." "Workers" and "Head Workers" hold
regional, national and international "Workers' Meetings" periodically
to discuss controversies and coordinate other positions. The group has long
been registered with various governments, and has
also incorporated in some areas (though they have
traditionally and vigorously denied having any name and have ridiculed other
churches for having incorporated).
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