Peter Nead

Peter Nead (7 January 1796 - 16 March 1877) was an American preacher in the German Baptist Brethren church. He wrote several theological works, which were (and remain) influential in the GBB and related churches, perhaps the most prominent being "A Vindication of Primitive Christianity."

Title page of Nead's Primitive Christianity, 1834.

Life

Nead was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, and was raised as a Lutheran. His family wanted him to become a Lutheran preacher, but he instead chose to learn the trade of a tanner. He later converted to the Methodist church, but then after reading a pamphlet from the Brethren church converted to that faith, and soon took up preaching. In 1825 he married Elizabeth Yount, originally of Rockingham County, Virginia. He resided at the Tunker House until 1839. He later relocated to Augusta County, Virginia, then Botetourt County, and finally settled in 1850 near Dayton, Ohio where remained until his death, preaching at the Lower Stillwater church.

Ministry

Nead was known as the "English preacher" because of his ability to preach in English. But his greatest impact was in his writings. In 1833 he published "A Vindication of Primitive Christianity," which was widely read. In 1845 he published "Baptism for the Remission of Sins." Both of these works were published together in 1850 as "Nead's Theological Works." His last book, "The Wisdom and Power of God, as Displayed in Creation and Redemption," was published in 1866. He assisted in launching and was a frequent contributor to the church periodical The Vindicator, which was largely devoted to advocating against reformation of the church.

References

Winger, Otho, "The Life of Elder R. H. Miller," Google Books (Online: Google, 2006) [Original published Elgin, Illinois:Brethren Publishing House, 1910], pp. 241-243, The Life of Elder R. H. Miller, accessed August 2008.