Some Guiding Principles
Fellowship
Believers who wish to be received into fellowship with the assembly are interviewed by at least two elders. If they have a clear confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour, subscribe to the statement of faith and are godly in their walk, they are announced to the assembly at the Lord's
Supper meeting one week in advance of reception.
Baptism
Believers who wish to be baptized will be interviewed by at least two elders as to their confession of personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and this being satisfactory, arrangements for baptizing them will proceed without delay.
Baptism and reception into fellowship may be simultaneous, provided that it is announced to the assembly as in the procedure for reception outlined above.
Fellowship Ceased
Believers cease to be associated with the assembly fellowship for reasons such as listed below;
A) They move to another district and therefore are transferred by a letter or commendation (Rom. 16:1-2; Acts 18:27)
B) They may be called home to heaven.
C) They may withdraw voluntarily.
D) They may be asked to withdraw as a matter of discipline for moral sin or doctrinal error (1 Cor.5:7-13; Rom. 16:17-18)
E) They may be absent for prolonged periods of time, in which case active fellowship has ceased.
Marriage
We believe that marriage was instituted by God, and that it is to be between one man and one woman, and it is to be a life-long commitment. God created man and woman to be inseparably joined together in marriage. (Gen. 2:20-24)
The Lord's Supper
See article 8 in the statement of Faith. The Lord's Supper Meeting is held each Sunday. This service is not controlled or organized by one individual. It is neither elaborate nor ritualistic. This does not mean that it is without spiritual order or pattern. The meeting takes the form of spontaneous expressions of worship in hymns, prayers and the reading and expounding of the scriptures by those men who are moved by the Holy Spirit, while the women worship in silence.
The one loaf typifies the body of Christ (Luke 22:19). "Take, eat, this is my body given for you." It also expresses the unity of the church (1 Cor.10:17) "For we being many are one bread and one body."
The wine typifies Christ's shed blood (Matt. 26:28). "For this is my blood of the new testament which is shed of many fo the remission of sins."
After the giving of thanks the loaf is broken and passed from one to another among the believers. Similarly, the wine is passed in cups.
Church Government
1. The assembly shall not be subject to any outside ecclesiastical authority, but to God alone.
2. The Congregation of believers in fellowhsip shall not become part of any sect or denomination. They shall, however, recognize the oneness of the body of Christ (Jn.17:21-23) and extend a hearty fellowhip to any believer of like precious faith, loving all children of God. "That in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both theirs and ours." (1 Cor.1:2)
3. Elders (presbytery) are responsible to guide the assembly in spiritual matters (1Peter 5:2-3) as well as physical and financial matters. Development of an elder comes through the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28). The Holy Spirit raises him up and he is readily recognized by his qualifications (1Tim.3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9), and as he performs his duty (1Peter 5:1-3). The assembly and fellow elders will recognize their Holy Spirit appointment and esteem them (1Thess. 5:12-13). As God develops elders, these should be readily recognized by the elders who are already performing their duties and should welcome same into their position.
Lethbridge Gospel Assembly
2820 18 Ave N, Lethbridge, AB, T1H5K1
Jesse (587) 220-6586
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