The Reformed Life Bible Church
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
BIBLE DOCTRINES: ABRIDGED EDITION
Acts 2:42; I Timothy 4:16; Titus 1:9
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee”(I Timothy 4:16). Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17).
God’s infallible WORD teaches and we believe:
THE HOLY BIBLE
1 That the Holy Bible, consisting of 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament, is the inspired Word of God. We take the Bible as final authority in all matters concerning Christian conduct and works. 2 Timothy 3:16,17; Proverbs 30:5,6; Revelation 22:18,19.
THE GODHEAD
2 That the Godhead consists of three separate, distinct, and recognizable personalities and qualities, perfectly united in one. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are different Persons in the Godhead, not merely three names for one Person. Mathew 3:16, 17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Mathew 28:19,20.
VIRGIN BIRTH OF CHRIST
3 The virgin birth of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God. The crucifixion, death, burial and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 7:14; Mathew 1:18-25; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4.
TOTAL DEPRAVITY
4 The total depravity sinfulness and guilt of all men since the Fall, rendering them subject to God’s wrath and condemnation. Psalm 51:5; Job 14:4; Romans 3:23; 5:12-17; Mark 7:21-23; Ephesians 2:1.
REPENTANCE
5 That repentance is a complete turning away from all sins and its deceitful pleasures and that it is required from every sinner before he can truly and effectively believe in Jesus with saving faith. Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 55:7; Ezekiel 18:21-23; Mark 1:15; Luke 24:46,47; Acts 2:38; 3:19,21; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Hebrews 6:1-3.
RESTITUTION
6 That restitution is making amends for wrongs done against our fellow men, restoring stolen things to the rightful owners, paying debts, giving back where one has defrauded, making confessions to the offended and apologizing to those slandered so as to have a conscience void of offence towards God and man. Genesis 20:1-8; 14-18; Exodus 22:1-7; Leviticus 6:1-17; Numbers 5:6-8; 2 Samuel 12:1-6; Proverbs 6:31; Ezekiel 33:14-16; Mathew 23:24; Luke 19:8,9; Acts 23:1-5; 24:16; James 4:17; 5:6.
JUSTIFICATION
7 That justification (or Regeneration) is the act of God’s grace whereby one receives forgiveness and remission of sins and is counted righteous before God, through faith in the atoning blood of Jesus, standing before God as though he had never sinned. Psalms 32:1,2; Isaiah 1:18; Micah 7:19; John 3:3-8;; Acts 13:38,39; Romans 3:24-30; 4:6-16; 5:1,2; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:23.
WATER BAPTISM
8 That Water Baptism is essential to our obedience after reconciliation with God. Water Baptism is one immersion (not three) “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” as Jesus commanded. Mathew 28:19; 3:13-17; Mark 16:15; Acts 2:38,39; 19:1-6; Romans 6:4,5.
LORD’S SUPPER
9 That the Lord’s Supper was constituted by Jesus Christ so that all believers (all members of the family of God) might partake thereof regularly, to “shew the Lord’s death till He come”. The emblems used are “unleavened bread” and the juice of “fruit of the vine”. Anyone who eats and drinks unworthily brings “damnation”, punishment and chastisement upon himself. Mathew 26:26-29; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30.
SANCTIFICATION
10 That Entire Sanctification is a definite act of God’s grace, subsequent to the New Birth, by which the believer’s heart is purified and made holy. It cannot be attained progressively by works, struggle or suppression, but is obtained by faith in the sanctifying blood of Jesus Christ. Holiness of life and purity of heart are central to Christian living. Luke 1:74,,75; John 17:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 4:3,7,8; 5:22-24; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 2:11; 10:10,14; 13:11,12; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 1:7; Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:14-16.
HOLY GHOST BAPTISM
11 That the Baptism in the Holy Ghost is the enduement of power from on High upon the sanctified believer. It is “the promise of the Father” and when one receives this “gift of the Holy Ghost”, it is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking a language unlearned previously, referred to as speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. Mathew 3:11; Acts 1:88; Luke 3:16; 24:49; John 1:30-33; 7:37-39; 14:16,17,26; 16:12-15; Acts 1:5-8; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:1-18; 10:44-46; 19:1-6.
We do not teach or instruct people how to speak in tongues; the Holy Spirit gives utterance. We also stress the necessity of Purity before Power. The Gifts of the Spirit are for today. 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 14:1-40.
REDEMPTION
12 That Redemption from the curse of the law, Healing of sickness and disease as well as continued Health are provided for all people through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 7:15; Psalms 103:1-5; Proverbs 4:20-22; Isaiah 8:16,17; 1 Peter 2:24; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 13:16; John 14:12-14; 10:10; Acts 10:38; James 5:14-16; 1 John 3:8; 3 John 2; Galatians 3:13,14.
PERSONAL EVANGELISM
13 That Personal Evangelism is a God-given and God-ordained ministry for every believer. Jesus commanded and God requires every believer to be a compassionate and fruitful soul winner, bringing others to Christ. Mathew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; John 17:18; Acts 1:8; 8:1-4; Psalms 126:5,6; Proverbs 11:30; Daniel 12:3; Ezekiel 3:17-21.
MARRIAGE
14 That Marriage is binding for life. Monogamy is the uniform teaching of the Bible. Polygamy is contrary to God’s perfect will and institution. The Bible forbids a believer marrying an unbeliever. Also, under the New Testament dispensation, no one has a right to divorce and remarry while the first companion lives. When a person becomes converted, necessary restitution, on this line must be done without delay if he has married wrongly. Genesis 2:24; Deuteronomy 7:1-4; Joshua 23:11-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Proverbs 31:10-31; Malachi 2:14-15; Romans 7:2,3; Ephesians 5:31-33; Mathew 5:31,32; 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; John 4:15-19; Genesis 20:3,7.
RAPTURE
15 That the Rapture (the first phase or stage of the SECOND COMING OF CHRIST) is the catching away from the earth of all living saints; and all who died in the Lord. The Rapture will take place before the Great Tribulation and can happen any time from now. “In a twinkling of an eye” without a moment’s warning, “the trumpet shall sound”, “and the dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” John 14:1-3; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:4-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7; Philippians 3:11,20,21; 1 John 3:1-3.
RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD
16 That the Resurrection of the dead is taught in the Bible as clearly as the immortality of the soul. Every individual who has ever lived will be resurrected, some to honor and glory and others to everlasting shame and contempt. Job 19:25-27; Psalm 71:20; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28,29; 1 Corinthians 15:12-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16; Hebrews 6:1,2; Philippians 3:8-11; Revelation 20:4,6,12,13.
GREAT TRIBULATION
17 That the Great Tribulation will occur after the Rapture and will be a time of terrible suffering on earth. It is also referred to as the time of Jacob’s trouble. Mathew 24:21,22,29; Revelation 9:16; Mark 13:19; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; Revelation 13. During this time, the Antichrist will take possession of this world for a reign of terror. He will not be a system or organization but a person – a supernatural diabolical being, in the form of a man who will blaspheme and proclaim himself to be God (Daniel 8:23,25; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 13:1-10). The Marriage Supper of the Lamb will take place above while the tribulation continues on earth Revelation 19:1-10.
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
18 The Second Coming of Christ will be just as literal and visible as His going away, and He is coming to execute judgment upon the ungodly. He will also, then, set up His Kingdom and reign on this present earth for a thousand years. Zechariah 14:3,4; Mathew 25:31-46; Mark 13:24-37; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; 2:8; Jude 14,15.
CHRIST’S MILLENNIAL REIGN
19 That Christ’s Millennial Reign is the 1,000 years’ literal reign of Jesus on earth, which will be ushered in by the coming of Jesus back to earth with ten thousands of His saints. At this time He will judge the nations that dwell upon the face of the earth. Jude 14,15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10. During this time the devil will be bound. Revelation 20:2,3. It will be a reign of peace and blessing. Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25; Hosea 2:18; Zechariah 14:9-20; Isaiah 2:2-4.
GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT
20 That the Great White Throne Judgment is when God finally judges all (the living and the dead, small and great) who have ever lived on the face of the earth, according to their works. This is after the Millennium. At this time, the final Judgment known as the Great White Throne Judgment, will be held. All those from all ages, who have not yet been judged (believers’ judgment, as sinners was accomplished by Christ on the Cross – John 5:24; 3:17-19) will stand before God at this time. The devil and his angels are judged at this time also and sent to the lake of fire forever. Dan 12:2,3; Matt 10:15; 11:21-24; 12:41,42; John 5:28,29; Rom 2:15,16; 14:12; 2 Pet 2:9; Jude 6; 1 Cor 6:1-4; Acts 10:42; Rev 20:11-15.
NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH
21 That the New Heaven and the New Earth “wherein dwelleth righteousness” will be made by God and the redeemed shall dwell with God forever. This present earth, which has been polluted by sin, will pass away after the Great White Throne Judgment (Psalm 102:25,26; Isaiah 51:6; 65:17; Mathew 5:18; 24:35; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1). No unclean thing will be there. We shall know each other, our knowledge having been perfected. There will be no more curses upon anything. There will be no more night, the glory of the Lord will be the light thereof. Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:12,13; 1 Cor 13:12; 1 John 3:2,3; Rev 21:1-7; 22:1-5.
HELL FIRE
22 That Hell-fire is a place of everlasting punishment where sinners (all who do not have their names in the book of life) will suffer torments forever and ever. It was prepared for the devil and his angels (Mathew 25:41) but God has decreed that the wicked and those who forgets Him and reject Christ will also be cast there because of their sin and neglect of His salvation. Ps 9:17; Mt 25:46; Lk 12:4,5; 16:19-31; Mt 5:22,30; Mk 9:43-47; Rev 14:10,11; 20:12-15.
Marriage Procedure in the Church
ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD.
Romans 12: 4-8; 1 Corinthians 3:5-11
The Marriage Committee is fulfilling a role which is as necessary for the perfecting of the body of Christ as preaching of sermons. It is therefore necessary for all and sundry to be conversant with the role of the committee in our church setting. In this session, we are going to look at the functions of the Region marriage committee in the Marriage process in the Church. This is necessary especially to enable intending couples see the committees in the right perspective as helpers of their course and not just a hurdle to overcome. Such understanding, we believe, will inspire confidence in the candidates and make for good interaction with the committees. On the part of the committee, their work becomes easier and is better placed to give the help they are meant to render to every seeker that comes before them. The Marriage Committee handles all Marriage matters in the Group or Region. Its main Functions include:
Giving of help and assistance to unmarried brethren in their marriage plans from the day such brethren register with the committee, God’s leading in the area of Marriage, until the Marriage is consummated.
Supervising Marriage processes in the Group or Region while keeping to our uniform practice and Bible Standards.
Providing necessary counseling to intending couples, assisting newly wedded couples, and families that may be having marital or family challenges. The Marriage Committee’s function of overseeing the Marriage process in the Church will be examined in the following five stages.
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REGISTRATION, INTERVIEW, MEDICAL TEST AND PARENTAL CONSENT.
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COURTSHIP
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DOWRY PAYMENT/ ENGAGEMENT
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REGISTRATION AT THE MARRIAGE REGISTRY
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PHYSICAL & MATERIAL PREPARATION BEFORE CHURCH WEDDING.
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REGISTRATION, INTERVIEW, MEDICAL TEST & PARENTAL CONSENT
The Marriage Committee ensures as much as is humanly possible that the salvation of those who come to the Committee is genuine before dealing with their Marriage cases; where there is doubt, to lead such to the experience and contact the Pastor of the person concerned so as to help him / her further before attending to the issue of his / her Marriage. The Committee ensures that only marriageable sisters are seen by the intending brothers who should equally be matured enough for marriage.
After Praying to know the will of God, a brother or sister should first see the leader of his/ her local church who would refer him/ her to the Marriage Committee after proper counseling. When coming to the Marriage Committee for the first time, he/she should come with 2 (two) recent passport photographs and file folder, He/She is then giving an appropriate form to fill .The questionnaire would request detailed information about the Christian life, evidence of God’s leading, state of preparedness, etc. of the candidate. Immediately after completing the questionnaire, such candidate is sent for Medical test. The Marriage Committee Chairman or secretary signs the back of one of the submitted passports and attaches it to the Medical request slip to be taken to the GP by the candidate. The result will be sent directly to the Marriage Committee from the GP (The candidate will need to sign consent for disclosure of medical result to a third party). Thereafter, the Marriage Committee will interview the brother or sister for the correctness or otherwise of his declaration. The Marriage Committee is usually careful not to scare or intimidate the candidate in any way.
A sister who is of age, free and ready for Marriage must pray and hear from God before giving the reply directly to the brother who proposed to her. She is requested and reminded to be polite, courteous, very plain and clear while giving her answer to the brother. Where more than one brother has come to the Marriage Committee for a sister, they are sent in the order of first come first to go‘. Permission to go can only be given to the next brother when it is confirmed that the sister has concluded praying on the previous brother sent and that her answer is negative.
Where many brothers are on queue to see a particular sister and she is not coming up with the will of God, the Marriage Committee can intervene and stop any other person being sent. The sister is then invited and advised to go and pray to determine God’s will. If she comes up with the name of one of the brothers amongst those on the waiting list, he is automatically sent to see her no matter his number on the queue provided there was no pre-arrangement between them. On the other hand, if she is led to someone who has himself not come up to see the Marriage Committee on her behalf and such a brother is free to marry, the sister should be allowed to see him.
After a sister/ brother has given her/his consent, the two of them, are invited to see the Marriage Committee to confirm their convictions. The Marriage Committee will listen to the testimony of the sister preferably without the brother listening. They are then advised to seek their parents consent. While they are free to see other relatives if they choose to, it is mandatory to see their parents for their consent. If they need to travel, they are advised to take along one other person who is mature and approved by the Marriage Committee. Whoever is chosen by the intending couples, will see the Marriage Committee or a representative of the Marriage Committee who will enlighten him/ her on the role he/ she will play. He/ she is made to realize the purpose or the necessity of a third party and that he /she is going as a representative of the Church to help the intending couple not to be too close. He or she is not to be the spokesman for the intending couple who ought to have spoken to their parents individually before presenting the would-be suitor. Where the parents are domiciled in another location, a recommendation or support letter will be issued by the host Overseer or his representative.
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COURTSHIP
After parents consent which need not be in writing, is obtained, the intending couple is allowed to enter into a period of courtship. Before commencement, however the Committee gives the intending couple a very comprehensive courtship briefing, instructions, and warnings which they need to adhere to in order to have a successful courtship. During the courtship sensitive issues such as Money Management in the home, Extended family, career and Marriage etc. are expected to be well thrashed out. Courtship meetings should be in private but not in a secluded place. A couple’s house (with more then one room) having children or where people move in and out is ideal. All doors and windows should be kept open during meeting time. Late night meetings are not permitted. Every meeting should be adequately prepared for the meeting can be divided into 2 parts:
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Bible discussion
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Practical Marriage plans
The Bible discussion can simply be exhortations from the Bible which should be rotated between them. After each exhortation, opportunity should be given for questions. The courtship will be for a period of between 6 and 9 months. If in the course of post courtship interview the MC discovers that a sensitive issue has not been thoroughly discussed, more time is given to the intending couple to deal with such issues. During this period, the intending couples should go together to a recognized and recommended Government hospitals for their last medical test to confirm their genotype and HIV status in company of a recommended third party from the Marriage Committee. Should there be any opposition to the weeding of the intending couple during the announcement; the objection (s) should immediately be resolved.
3. DOWRY PAYMENT AND ENGAGEMENT
Gen. 24: 50-67
Dowry is usually paid to parent in-law either in form of cash or gifts may be required for the bride herself. The dowry list is collected by the brother from the parents of the sister and such list is submitted to the Marriage Committee for scrutiny and approval before payment is made. When list of dowry items have been collected by the brother intending to marry, it should be presented to the Marriage Committee for scrutiny. Nobody should go from one state to another to pay dowry without passing through the State/Central Marriage Committee of the place where the parents of the sister live. The host state should be written for their assistance on how to deal with the customs so as to keep to Bible standards. It must be emphasized that the intending couple should complete their engagement process in the sister’s group/region, after which their file will be finally transferred to the brother’s group/region for the wedding programme.
4. ENGAGEMENT
The period of engagement is the time the dowry of the sister is paid to her parents (see Gen. 34:12; 29, 18: 1 Sam.18:25-27). During the period the intending couple must ensure that they do not offer anything that is ungodly or give money in lieu of such or as an equivalent. When appropriate demands are made by in-laws, the would-be couples are to pray and not to compromise. It is of paramount importance, where the engagement holds outside the sister’s Region that they obtain a letter of introduction for dowry payment to the overseer in the Region where the ceremony will take place so he can monitor the engagement, render necessary assistance and report back to the Region where they came from.
5. REGISTRATION AT THE MARRIAGE REGISTRY
After the payment of dowry, the intending couples will both go to the marriage registry along with two witnesses for filing of notice. A certificate is given from the marriage registry after twenty one working days from the date notice was filed. The certificate must be presented to the CMC before church wedding is conducted. It is wrong to file notice in court before dowry is paid. Church wedding should take place after obtaining court license or marriage certificate. After dowry is paid the bridegroom will collect a letter from the parents of the bride giving the church the right to continue with wedding arrangements. Brothers and sisters who had children before marriage/ conversion should note that the Registry expects such people to make necessary declaration by way of affidavit.
6. PHYSICAL AND MATERIAL PREPARATIONS BEFORE CHURCH WEDDING
Luke 14:28- 30; John 2: 1- 11
The intending couple is expected to have made necessary physical preparation before the wedding ceremony. Among other things, the brother must have a suitable accommodation of at least one room equipped with household materials, such as bed, bedspreads, pillows, chairs, stove or cooker, kettle cooking pots plates and cutleries and of course foodstuff etc. The Marriage Committee should ensure the suitability of the proposed accommodation before the wedding day is fixed. This in effect means that, the Committee is expected to personally visit and inspect such accommodation and not work on mere report. Besides, the would-be bride is expected to be “woman of resource” while the bridegroom must of necessity be gainfully employed, so they do not become a liability after their wedding. The intending couples should, in their preparation, have the following in mind:
1. WEDDING REHEARSAL
Rehearsal for the intending couples and their witness will be done Saturday preceding the wedding date. Emphasis is on punctuality presence of parents or the representatives especially the person giving the sister in Marriage.
2. INVITATION CARDS
Where wedding invitation cards are to be used the design should be simple and scriptural. Worldly and carnal pictures should not be used on the cards.
3. WEDDING DRESSES
The wedding dresses should be modest, decent, presentable and should be such that could be used even after the wedding ceremony.
4. PROGRAMME PAMPHLET
Enough programmes should be printed for the wedding ceremony. Sufficient copies of the pamphlets are to presented to the MC a week to the wedding date.
5. PUNCTUALITY
The intending couples are to be conscious of the time of the service and make adequate preparation to be at the venue one hour before the commencement of the service. The would be bride should ensure her father or his representative who should perform the “giving out in marriage” is at the venue at the same time in marriage.
6. RECEPTION
The couples may desire to have a reception for their guest after the wedding ceremony. Where this is so it should be very brief not exceeding an hour and must scripturally handled. The reception should be done outside the church premises.