Editing Open Brethren (section)

====Dispensationalism====
Most Brethren have always considered what many call [[Dispensationalism]] to be the proper interpretation of what the apostles taught. Many of them believe that Brethren pioneer [[John Nelson Darby]] was the first in modern times to "rediscover" this "forgotten" teaching of the apostles. A number of influential non-Brethren Evangelical leaders were influenced by Darby's teaching, men such as [[D. L. Moody]] and, indirectly, [[C. I. Scofield]], who popularized this view through his [[Scofield Reference Bible]]. In essence, Dispensationalism as taught by the Brethren sees a clear distinction between "law" and "grace", Israel and the Church. It also holds that the Church, consisting of all genuine NT believers, will be [[rapture]]d when the Lord returns '''in the clouds''', not to the earth, with the spirits of the NT believers who had previously died. At this time the bodies of the living believers will be transformed and the bodies of the NT believers who had previously died will be resurrected and united with their spirits. This will be followed by a seven-year [[Great Tribulation]] during which God will turn his attention back to the Jews, who will ultimately recognize The Lord Jesus Christ as their [[Messiah]], thus triggering his return '''to the earth''' to save them from annihilation. This period will be followed by a thousand-year [[Millennium]] during which The Lord Jesus Christ will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Although generally held by most Brethren, both historical and contemporary, there have always been some Brethren who rejected Dispensationalism. [[George Müller]] and [[G. H. Lang]] were among the prominent Brethren leaders who never accepted this doctrine, and non-Dispensationalism has always been followed by a significant minority of Open Brethren in the United Kingdom. Until much more recently, however, Dispensationalism was much more universally held among Brethren outside of the United Kingdom.