Statement of Faith

ARTICLE I - THE WORD OF GOD

TGBC believes that God inspired His Word and preserved His Word. The King James Bible, Authorized Version of 1611 received in its standardized 1769 textual tradition, is the official Bible and final written authority of TGBC for faith, doctrine, conduct, preaching, teaching, ministry, assembly order, and ecclesiastical determinations.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJB

“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” - Psalm 12:6-7 KJB

No creed, constitution, bishop, elder, council, tradition, commentary, translation committee, doctrinal paper, or administrative policy stands above the Word of God.

ARTICLE II - THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

TGBC shall faithfully proclaim for salvation today the Gospel of Christ declared by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJB

TGBC shall not substitute a ritual, institution, sacrament, law work, human achievement, or another saving message for the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

ARTICLE III - SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

TGBC teaches salvation by the grace of God through faith, apart from human works as a means of obtaining salvation. The sinner is justified by God's grace through faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” - Ephesians 2:8-9 KJB

ARTICLE IV - RIGHT DIVISION

TGBC teaches the Word of God according to the command to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Scripture is all inspired and profitable, while distinctions made by God concerning persons, dispensations, promises, covenants, prophecy, and Mystery are to be recognized rather than confused.

ARTICLE V - THE DISTINCTIVE APOSTLESHIP OF PAUL

TGBC recognizes the distinctive apostleship and ministry of the Apostle Paul to the Gentiles and the revelation committed to him concerning the present Dispensation of the Grace of God. Pauline doctrine is central to TGBC's teaching concerning the Church, the Body of Christ.

ARTICLE VI - THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY

TGBC teaches the revelation of the Mystery concerning the Church, the Body of Christ, made known through the Apostle Paul. TGBC distinguishes that Mystery from the prophetic program spoken by the prophets concerning Israel and the nations.

ARTICLE VII - ISRAEL AND THE BODY OF CHRIST

TGBC maintains a distinction between God's prophetic program concerning Israel and the revelation of the Mystery concerning the Church, the Body of Christ. TGBC shall not teach that the Body of Christ is a continuation or replacement of Israel's prophetic kingdom program.

ARTICLE VIII - ONE BODY, ONE NEW MAN, NEW CREATURE

TGBC identifies the present Church as the Body of Christ and teaches the Pauline identity of the one Body, the one new man, and the new creature. This identity is not treated as a continuation of Israel's kingdom program.

ARTICLE IX - WATER BAPTISM

TGBC does not recognize water baptism as a required ordinance for salvation, membership in the Body of Christ, or participation in TGBC fellowship.

ARTICLE X - THE LORD'S SUPPER

TGBC does not recognize observance of the Lord's Supper as a required ordinance imposed upon the Body of Christ.

ARTICLE XI - THE CATCHING AWAY AND PROPHETIC RETURN

TGBC distinguishes the catching away of the Body of Christ, as revealed through Paul, from the prophetic return of Christ connected with the things spoken by the prophets concerning Israel and the nations.

ARTICLE XII - ECCLESIASTICAL OFFICES

The recognized ecclesiastical offices of TGBC are Bishop and Deacon. TGBC does not establish Pastor as a separate ecclesiastical office. Participation in the Circle of the Elders is an ecclesiastical governing designation and does not create a third ordained office.

ARTICLE XIII - QUALIFICATION FOR OFFICE

Bishops and Deacons shall be examined according to the Pauline qualifications applicable to their offices. Ordination recognizes demonstrated qualification; it does not manufacture spiritual qualification, impart salvation, or confer apostolic succession.

TGBC understands the phrase 'husband of one wife' within the complete Pauline qualifications and does not treat a bare history of divorce or remarriage as an automatic, universal disqualification without examination of the man, his present conduct, doctrine, household, testimony, and circumstances.

ARTICLE XIV - FOUNDING BISHOP AND CONTINUITY

Wesley Scott Ray is the one and only Founding Bishop of This Grace Bible Churches and shall serve in that historical office for the duration of his natural life. The title shall never be transferred, inherited, recreated, or bestowed upon another individual.

Following his natural death, the office and title of Founding Bishop permanently cease, and succession shall proceed according to the Constitution, Bylaws, Circle Charter, and Founding Bishop & Succession Declaration.

ARTICLE XV - RELIGIOUS AND ECCLESIASTICAL IDENTITY

TGBC is an independent, unincorporated religious association and Pauline Dispensational Assembly. It shall not place itself under external denominational or ecclesiastical control contrary to its Constitution. Its doctrine, ministry credentials, discipline, fellowship, assembly recognition, and internal spiritual government shall be administered through its duly adopted ecclesiastical processes.

ARTICLE XVI - DOCTRINAL INTEGRITY

This Statement establishes foundational doctrine. Official doctrinal position papers may explain these subjects in greater detail but shall not contradict this Statement, the Constitution, or the King James Bible. No subordinate policy, resolution, charter, credential, or administrative act may alter TGBC's foundational doctrine contrary to superior governing documents.