Our Distinctives
Grace Bible Fellowship
Distinctives.
What is a “Distinctive”?
A distinctive is some characteristic that distinguishes an object or an organization from the rest. Church distinctives or assembly distinctives are characteristic practices that distinguish a specific church or church group from other gatherings of Christians.
We believe that the distinctives mentioned below are Scriptural, and not acquired from any system or denomination. While we hold to these distinctives with conviction, we also recognize that there may be other gatherings of believers or congregations who have the same distinctives.
Distinctives are NOT the fundamentals of the faith (e.g., inerrancy of the Bible, the Trinity, Deity of Christ, Salvation through grace alone by faith alone). The specific distinctives reflect the teachings of Scripture and the apostolic practice of the early church.
What are the distinctives of Grace Bible Fellowship?
Independence of the local church
Each church is an independent local body of believers with its own distinct body of elders accountable to the Lord Jesus. While each such church is independent, they are free to associate with similar-minded churches for fellowship, ministry and mutual support.
Priesthood of all believers in practice with no clergy-laity distinction
While the concept of the priesthood of all believers is clearly taught in Scripture and generally accepted, in practice many churches limit public ministry and participation to a selected set of people designated as pastors, staff, or other such terms. The distinctive here is that we strive to develop and engage all those who are gifted in carrying out various ministries in the church. We also specifically allow an open time of worship each week which serves as a practical expression of the priesthood of all believers.
Plurality of qualified male elders leading the church
The church is led by a group of multiple elders who meet scriptural qualifications of the office of elder. The group of elders are equal in standing and authority, with no hierarchy, explicit or implied. There are no titles (e.g., Senior Pastor, Head Elder) that would imply any distinction in authority or rank among the elders.
Believers’ baptism by immersion
This is one of the two ordinances for His church instituted by the Lord Jesus. The purpose and meaning of the ordinance given by Christ (Matt. 28:18-20, Romans 6:3-4) and the practice of the early church (numerous examples in the book of Acts) indicate that baptism is only for those who have trusted in Christ for salvation (i.e., believers) and is to be by immersion. We do not see justification in Scripture for any other type of Baptism.
Weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is the other ordinance for His church instituted by the Lord Jesus. The pattern of the early church indicates that they continued in this practice steadfastly or regularly (Acts 2:42) and that this was done weekly by baptized believers who were added to the church (Acts 20:7).
Commendation to ministry rather than ordination
There is no ecclesiastical ordination, but only recognition and commendation of individuals to ministry. The commended servants of the Lord are not given fixed salaries but look to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the church, for their financial support. The Lord moves the hearts of people as individuals and collectively as a church to meet the needs of His servants.
Head covering by sisters
We follow the practice of head-covering by sisters in meetings of the church, based on the teachings of 1 Cor. 11:2-16.
These distinctives reflect our best understanding of what the Scripture presents as the practices of the New Testament church. We recognize that there are various believers who have a different understanding of the matters discussed above. So, we hold to these distinctives with grace and humility, while respecting the views of others.