PBCC Statement of Belief

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC) holds a set of beliefs that guide their faith and daily life. Here’s an introduction of our core beliefs, which are guided by the Holy Bible:

• We believe in one God who is known through Jesus Christ and exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• We consider the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, as the inspired and infallible Word of God.
• We believe that God created the universe and all living things, including humans, who are made in His image, and that Jesus Christ died to offer forgiveness and eternal life to those who believe in Him.
• We emphasise living a life separated from evil, following the teachings of the Bible, and participating in religious practices like baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
• We uphold the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman and value the family unit, including the care of children and the elderly.
• We believe in the return of Christ and the promise of eternal life for believers.

With this foundational understanding, let’s delve deeper into the specific beliefs and practices that define the PBCC, and how the Holy Bible provides us with the roadmap to our lives:

Faith in God

There is one living God revealed to us in Christ and known through Him as Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the unity of the Godhead.

(1 Tim 2:5, John 1:18, Matt 28:19)

The Bible

Holy Scriptures, comprising the Old and New Testaments are the inspired and infallible Word of God.

(2 Tim 3:16)

Creation

God created the heavens, the earth, and every living thing. God created Man and Woman in his own image. Every life is a gift from God and anyone who terminates a life must answer to God.

(Gen 1:1, Gen 1:24-27, Gen 2:7, Gen 2:21-24, John 1:3, Col 1:16, Heb 11:3, Gen 9:5, Gen 5:2, Gen 2:19, Matt 19:4-6)

Redemption and Salvation

God gave his Son to die for us. Jesus became the Substitute for every offence and for everything in the sinner that is offensive to God. On this basis, He is able to grant repentance, forgiveness and eternal life to sinners who believe in him. For a sinner saved by grace and who loves the Saviour, the main object in life is to be a witness for Christ and to fulfil the duty to serve Him here in a world that crucified Him.

(1 Tim 2:6, Phil 2:8, 1 John 2:2, 1 John 1:7)

Resurrection and Ascension

Christ was raised from among the dead, by the Father, and ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven. After Christ’s ascension upon high the Holy Spirit has been sent to dwell in those who obey God both individually and in the Church collectively.

(Rom 6:4, Col 2:12)

Separation

In order to know union with Christ and unity with God, we separate from evil in this world and hold aloof from every form of wickedness in our daily walk so that God Himself can sanctify our spirit, soul and body to be preserved holy and blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The doctrine of separation does not mean we isolate ourselves from the world. Instead, it encourages us to move closer to God, by distancing ourselves from the beliefs and practices that are contrary to biblical principles – the Lord’s Supper being central to our beliefs. In practice it means we make a commitment to eat and drink only with those whom we would celebrate the Lords Supper.

(2 Cor 6:14-18, 1 John 2:15-17, 2Tim 2:19-22, Matt 16:24-26, 1 Thess 5:22-23)

Ordinances (Sacraments)

The Lord has left two rites or ordinances, both representative of His death. One being baptism which signifies our identification with His death as separating us from the world. The other, a weekly celebration of the Lord’s Supper, the remembrance of His death in the loaf speaking to us of His body and the cup speaking to us of His blood.

(Matt 28:19, Col 2:12, Acts 16:33, Luke 22:19-20, 1 Cor 11:23-26)

Marriage

Like millions of Christians around the world, we believe the sanctity of the marriage bond, as instituted in paradise and confirmed by the Lord, is exclusively between one man and one woman. It is the providential moral bond of the whole world, and representative of Christ’s relationship with His Assembly. We further believe that sexual intimacy is intended for marriage, and that intimate relations outside of marriage is incompatible with God’s desire for holiness and purity in our lives. We happily care for and live in a society with people who have other views, but these are ours.

(Eph 5:25-26, Gen 2:21-24, Matt 19: 4-6, Rom 1:26-27, 1 Tim 5:22, Heb 13:4)

Church Meetings & Family Teaching

The preservation and protection of the family unit is fundamental and children are viewed as a gift from God. Children are included in all Church meetings, which are held daily. The elderly are valued members of the community, for whom their family are expected to care.

(Psalm 127:3-5, Acts 19:9, 2 Tim 1:5, Eph 6:1-4, Prov 22:6)

Eternal Life

The saved will be resurrected to eternal life in the presence of God. Those who believe do not come into judgement but are passed out of death into life eternal.

(John 3:16, 5:24)