Brethren (plymouth) Assemblies

Plymouth Brethren limit the sacraments to those actions commanded in Scripture by Christ. Some differences in baptism practices exist between Open Brethren and Exclusive Brethren, while all Brethren practice Communion weekly in a service known as the Breaking of the Bread. Some congregations have introduced minor changes in recent years, but Brethren remain essentially nonsacramental. The (Plymouth) Brethren are not a sacramental movement. They typically afford no legitimacy in their practice to such things as confirmation, ordination, or any rites of healing. Ordination, in particular, is disallowed by the brethren since it suggests a clergy/laity distinction that places the ministry in the hands of the special few rather than leaving it in the hands of the gifted many. Instead, they practice commendation (cf. Acts 14:23, 25, kjv), which is simply praying and giving certain individuals over to the Lord's care for itinerant, local, or foreign ministry. Following the thinking of the…