GBC Distinctive
The Scripture
We believe in the Sufficiency of the Scripture asserts that the Bible is sufficient for all our spiritual needs and provides all that we need to know for salvation and sanctification. This means that there is no need for any additional revelation beyond what is revealed in the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
We submit to the authority of the Scripture as opposed to any leader or church. This means that the Bible is the supreme source of divine revelation and the ultimate standard for all Christian beliefs and practices.
(2 Peter 1:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 2:13)
Creation
We believe events mentioned in Genesis are literal in their nature and historicity. Therefore, we hold on to the literal six days of creation as described in Genesis Chapters 1-2, and all the other events mentioned in Genesis are literal as well.
Soteriology
We are reformed in Soteriology. We adhere to five Solas, i.e. Christians are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed by Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone.
Believer's Baptism
We believe that once a person believes and follows Jesus Christ, he/she demonstrates his/her faith by taking a baptism (Acts 2:38-42; 8:35-39). Baptism is typically performed by full immersion in water, symbolizing death to sin and resurrection to new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-4). It is an outward sign of an inward transformation, rather than a means of salvation.
Sign Gifts
Based on our understanding of the Bible, we believe the sign gifts, such as tongue speaking, prophetic utterances, and miraculous healings accompanied the original Apostles for their authenticity and the foundation of the church. (Ephesians 2:20; Hebrews 2:4)
With the completion of the 66 books of the Bible as well as the church is established by the Apostles who were directly appointed by God, we do not see the need for the purpose of the sign gifts being exercised today.
Recognising the various warnings from the scriptures about the false teachers, prophets and apostles, and the dangers of any extra-Biblical revelation, we do not see any of these sign gifts practised today inconsistent with the scriptures.
Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; 2 Peter 2; 1 John 4
Biblical Counseling
We hold to the use of the Bible as the authority to diagnose and change the root of all heart issues. We believe that Biblical counseling is relevant and practical for all issues of life because it relies on the Bible and the God of the Bible for every aspect of counseling, who is the Author and Creator of all. Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Peter 1:3-4; Ps 119:45
We believe that before a person is in Christ they are unable to understand spiritual things, therefore we will not use philosophies or tools derived from outside the Word of God to tell us why a person is the way they are and how to help them change (Psalm 1:1; I Corinthians 1:18, 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3). We will not set aside real-life issues, but we will work to understand their origin, impact and involvement in a person’s life from a biblical perspective. We will seek to hear and understand a person, both past and present, to appropriately offer and apply the truths of Scripture and use God’s resources given to us (the gospel, the work of the Holy Spirit, prayer, the local church and all the biblical elements of change) for the person’s growth. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Galatians 6:1; I Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Peter 1:3-4)
We believe man’s greatest need for all matters of life is God’s gift of salvation, which changes a person from within. (Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9) After salvation, through Jesus Christ, man cooperates with God’s work in sanctification. Biblical counseling is a means to help a person in sanctification. (Philippians 2:12-13) We believe that through Jesus Christ there is always an opportunity for restoration where there once was brokenness (Rev 21:5)
Biblical Leadership
We believe in the plurality of the leadership, hence we are an Elders-led church (1 Timothy 5:17). We believe the Scripture has given the responsibility to be an Elder or Pastor only to men, so we call ourselves complementation (1 Timothy 2:11-14). Although, we are not just an elder-run church where all the decisions are made by elders; rather the members of the church have a voice and can vote on certain issues the elders bring before them.
Communion
We participate in the Lord’s table (also known as ‘the breaking of bread’ or ‘Communion’) on the first Sunday of every month. This is a reminder of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we humbly and prayerfully participate in this as the Church is commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ. We do not believe that by participating in the Lord’s table we are literally eating Jesus’ body and drinking Jesus’ blood, which is also referred to as transubstantiation. Also, we do not believe that a person receives special grace from God by participating in it. A member who is disciplined should refrain from participating in the Lord’s table 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.
