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Who We Are?
The Society of Biblical Christian Church of Pakistan (SBCCP) is an alliance of The United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan and Orthodox Church of Pakistan is a group of Bible believing Protestant churches and our roots go back to the great Reformation of the 16th century. Our motto is that of the reformers: "The Scriptures Only."
Believing the Bible to be the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God, we hold it to be the final authority for all our belief and practice. We acknowledge the Bible's revelation of God as One who is absolutely sovereign, preaching that "salvation is of the Lord".
As Society of Biblical Christian Churches of Pakistan, we adhere to the exposition of Scripture doctrine that is set forth in the Westminster Confession of Faith, The Thirty Nine Articles of Religion and the Articles of Faith of the Society of Biblical Christian Church of Pakistan (SBCCP). We are part of a growing denomination of the SBCCP Churches that is serving the Lord with more than 200 churches and congregations in Pakistan.
Our Message: We preach the “Christ crucified and resurrected" (1. Corinthians 1:23). This is the message of God's Word that every soul needs to hear. Therefore, Christ is central to all our preaching. We believe that salvation is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that the love of Christ is the Christian's motivation for holy living. Thus, we have a message of grace and salvation for guilty souls and hope and encouragement for burdened souls. Many have never discovered the peace, joy, and assurance a truly Christ-centered ministry can bring. We invite you to come and learn for yourself the glorious fullness that there is in Christ, "The Way, The Truth, and The Life." (John 14:6).
POINTS OF EMPHASIS:
We encourage God's people to an earnest and serious study of God's Word, as it is the direct revelation of His Will and the source of spiritual growth and strength. Believing that prayer is the life of the Church. We stress the vital importance of the prayer life of the Christian, seeking to foster the sense of our total dependence upon God alone. In these days of great spiritual apathy, we pray continually that God would once again send a gracious revival to His Church.
OUR BELIEFS:
1. The Absolute Authority and Divine Verbal Inspiration of the Old and the New Testaments as the Word of God.
2. There is but one living and true God, and in the Godhead, there are three Persons, Equal in power and glory, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.
3. The Eternal Son ship, Virgin Birth, and Deity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
4. The personality of God the Holy Spirit, and the absolute necessity of His work in Regeneration and Sanctification, and His In-filling of the In-dwelt Believer for power. To live and witness for Christ.
5. The Substitutionary Death of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Resurrection as the only way of Salvation through Faith.
6. God has appointed besides the Word and Prayer the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
7. Baptism. The Society of Biblical Christian Church of Pakistan (SBCCP) , under Christ the Great King And Head of the Church, Realizing that bitter controversy raging around the mode And proper subjects of the ordinance of Christian baptism has divided the Body of Christ when that Body should have been united in Christian love and Holy Ghost Power to stem the onslaughts and hell-inspired assaults of modernism, hereby Affirms that each member of the Society of Biblical Christian Church of Pakistan shall have liberty to decide for himself which course to adopt on these controversial issues, each member giving due honor in love to the views held by differing brethren, but none espousing the error of baptismal regeneration.
8. The Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper has been appointed by our Lord for Remembrance of Him in His work as Savior. Its purpose to the child of God is for Strengthening, and putting a visible difference between the redeemed and the unregenerate. This Sacrament will be observed once each month in every SPCCP Congregation, or more frequently as each local congregation shall decide.
9. The visible and personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
10. These Articles, together with the Larger Catechism, , the Shorter Catechism, The Westminster Confession of Faith, The Thirty Nine Articles of Religion, form the Subordinate Standards of the Society of Biblical Christian Church of Pakistan (SBCCP)
APOSTLES CREED: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontus Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. AMEN. THE NICENE CREED: We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontus Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. INTRODUCTION:
The Society of Biblical Christian Church of Pakistan (SBCCP) is an independent alliance of Bible believing Churches in Pakistan. The work SBCCP Churches spreads from Karachi in the South to Kohat in the North and from Narowal in the East to Sargodha in the West. The main office or the Synod Secretariat and Bishop’s office is located in city of Gujranwala, 68 Kilometers or 42 miles towards North of Lahore the Second largest City of Pakistan. It is connected to the other parts of Pakistan through rail and road. The nearest international airport i.e. Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore is only two hours drive on a busy day through Grand Trunk Road or the Motorway. The Society of Biblical Christian Churches has over 200 Pastors Evangelists and Elders all over Pakistan mainly in villages. The Society of Biblical Christian Church of Pakistan (SBCCP) is the largest single Protestant alliance with a membership of over 2,75,000.
HISTORY:
The United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan.
The United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, commonly known as “U. P. Church” is one of the oldest churches in Sub-Continent. The Church was established in 1855 under the name the United Presbyterian Mission. As the membership increased “The Punjab Synod of the United Presbyterian Church of North America was established on 9th November 1892. Following Presbyteries were established before and after the establishment of the PSUPCNA. 1. Sialkot Presbytery. 18th December, 1856 2. Gurdaspur Presbytery. 17th October 1892 3. Gujranwala Presbytery. 17th October 1892 4. Rawalpindi Presbytery. 15th October 1902 5. Layalpur (Now Faisalabad) Presbytery. 29th March 1913 6. Sargodha Presbytery. 29th March 1913 7. Pasroor Presbytery. 29th March 1934.
From 1934 to 1947 the PSUPCNA had Seven Presbyteries. In 1947 with the independence of Pakistan, the area of Gurdaspur Presbytery went in India. Therefore the Layalpur Presbytery was divided into Two Presbyteries mainly The Layalpur Presbytery and Sheikhupura Presbytery on 28th May 1958. Memorial of the Gujranwala Presbytery was adopted on 30th March 1960 with the aim of getting an autonomous states of the U. P. Church for the following reasons. 1. Though spiritually we are very close yet physically we are too far from Presbyterian Church USA that it is difficult to have closer understanding on all issues. 2. The social and cultural values differ on the grounds that what is proper and legal in the United States of America is improper in Pakistan. Such issues as women ordination. The term of the Elders. Election System and the different field of work of the Synod and the Mission.
THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BECOMES AUTONOMOUS:
On 11th April 1961 the Synod of the United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan became an autonomous church with the approval of the General Assembly of the PC (USA). The First Moderator was Rev. K. L. Nasir.
SPLITE IN THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND BREAKING OFF ITS RELATIONS WITH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA) AND THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES:
In 1964 it was brought to the notice of the leadership of the Synod that the PC (USA) has planned to introduce the controversial version of the Holy Bible (RSV) in Pakistan. A protest was launched with the PC (USA) which was taken as an offence by the PC (USA). The struggle to dislodge the national leadership and impose the leadership loyal to PC (USA) started in 1966. Meanwhile the PC (USA) adopted the 1967 Confession of Faith which was rejected by the United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan. It was decided that the time has come to safe guard the sanctity of the Holy Bible and the historic Christian Faith. On 1st April 1968, sick and tired of the negative tactics of the Mission workers in Pakistan and the PC (USA), the United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan decided to brake all relations with the Presbyterian Church of United States and the World council of Churches. On 24th April 1968, the Synod of the United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan left PC (USA) and WCC and joined the International Council of Christian Churches (ICCC). This shock the PC (USA) and the WCC. The United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan was given the name of "McIntire" after the name of the President of the ICCC. This was all they could do. In following years the Anglican Church, The Methodist Church, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and the Lahore Church Council (LCC) joined ICCC. This was a big blow for all so-called mainline churches. From 1968 to date the PC (USA) and other WCC affiliated churches have tried every thing to finish the above mentioned churches but it has failed. In 1994 the United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan became a member of the Association of Biblical Christian Churches Worldwide. Under the leadership of the greatest Christian scholar of Twentieth Century, late Dr. Kundan Lall Nasir (K. L. Nasir) the church flourished in every field despite all kinds of “sanctions” by the PC (USA) and its partner churches. After the death of Dr. K. L. Nasir, Rev. Dr. Timotheus Nasir a reservist officer of Pakistan Army was given the task of rebuilding the church in the view of tough resistance of the PC (USA) and WCC affiliated church bodies and churches. By the grace of our Lord the United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan has made tremendous progress ever since. The United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, holds the position of a beacon for other church bodies to fight the apostasies and heresies that have engulfed the so-called mainline churches abroad and in Pakistan. More and more members of the PC (USA) sponsored Presbyterian Church of Pakistan (PCP) and other churches are coming out and joining the United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan or other affiliated church bodies. In year 1999 a committee was formed to find out the reason for all kinds of problems that the Church faced after the independence of Pakistan. A two years study revealed that whenever a Lay Person held the highest office in the Synod of the United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, he worked to strengthen the Mission and not the Church. To avoid further deterioration, it was decided to abolish the office of the Moderator and replace it with the Office of Bishop. This action blocked the laity from holding the highest office in the Church. Thus Fifty Four years of laity interference was blocked keeping in view the attitude of the Lay Leaders of Pakistan in past. On 4th of October 2001 Rev. Dr. Major (Retired) Timotheus Nasir was elected, consecrated and installed as the First Bishop of the United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan.
PERSECUTED CHURCH:
Very often we read in church news about the persecution of church in various countries. The churches and Christians are persecuted for their faith and loyalty to the Word of God. However in Pakistan the situation is other way around. Though the Christians in Pakistan face all those difficulties that any minority would face even in United States of America, yet it would sound strange that in Pakistan Christians are persecuted by Christian leadership of the so-called Mainline Churches. For persecuting Pakistani Christians the Loyalty to the Word of God or Lord Jesus Christ has been overshadowed by the loyalty claimed by the so-called Mainline Churches. Since 24th April 1968 the doors of all schools, colleges, hospitals and vocational institutions are closed to all who want to remain loyal to Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible. The feudal system in 21st Century exists in the so-called Mainline Churches. It is much easier to meet the senior most civil and military official in Pakistan but common Christians face difficulty to meet their own Christian leaders. It has been experienced that the Moderator or the Bishop is present yet a visitor is told that he is not present. Prior appointment is required to meet even a very junior church official. Only "privileged elite" have the right to meet the church leaders. Reportedly the church offices are bought by the people who have gathered wealth by pocketing the money for poor people. No Christian can afford to annoy the leadership of the so-called Mainline Churches. The poor Christians are getting poorer and the church leadership is getting richer. One of the Christian journalists states "after independence the Indian Film industry and Pakistan's Church industry has made great progress". These so-called Mainline Churches exploit every thing in Pakistan. They collect huge funds from the West to help so-called victims of persecution in Pakistan. They indulge in all political activities suiting their own agenda. In May 1998 a Catholic Bishop was killed under mysterious circumstances. The church leadership kept mysteriously silent to date and the "murder case" has been filed. Unfortunately the Christians of Pakistan are the only community in the world which is persecuted by the Christian leadership it self.
SOME IMPORTANT POINTS:
The Society of Biblical Christian Church of Pakistan views the following.
1. Women Ordination as UN-Biblical and dose not endorse it.
2. Drinking of any kind of alcoholic beverages is not allowed. This includes all kinds of wines, liquor and beer.
THE ANGLICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF PAKISTAN.
The founder of Anglican Orthodox Church USA, Rt. Rev. James Parker Dees. He was the first bishop and International leader. Bishop James Parker Dees served the Church from 15th March 1964 till he was called Home by Lord on 25th December 1990. The presiding Bishop of the Anglican Orthodox Church is Most Rev. Jerry L. Ogles, who was consecrated on 22nd October 2000. Under the able and dynamic leadership of Bishop Jerry L. Ogles the Anglican Orthodox Church has made tremendous progress. The Anglican Orthodox Church is the Beacon of Light for all Bible believing churches and Lord’s people.
The revival that started by the United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan did not go un noticed by the other churches. Many churches of the “Church Missionary Society” (CMS) basically part of Church of England discussed the Biblical and theological issues with their leadership and found out that it was not the Presbyterian Church (USA) but all the churches affiliated with the World Council of Churches (WCC) had deviated from the historic Christian faith. In year 1969, a large number of Anglican churches, under the leadership of Rev. Khursheed Alam, decided to come to give up the CMS membership and joined the International Council of Christian Churches. They became the members of the ICCC in 23 March 1969. The presiding Bishop of Anglican Orthodox Church Bishop James Parker Dees invited Rev. Khursheed Alam and consecrated him as the first bishop of the Anglican Orthodox Church of Pakistan. Bishop Khursheed Alam was a great Biblical scholar and theologian. The AOC made tremendous progress. In May 1982 after the death of Bishop Khursheed Alam, his family refused to hand over the church property to the Anglican Orthodox Church and the Headquarter of the AOC remain in her occupancy. She finally handed it over to the Lahore Diocese of the Church of Pakistan. Rev. P. L. Jacob was elected the next Bishop 17th February 1984 but went to be with the Lord in 16th March 1984. Rev Jamal Masih was elected the 3rd Bishop of Anglican Orthodox Church on 26th June 1986. He went be with Lord on 9th September 1998. In September 1998, Rev. Earnest Jacob was elected the fourth Bishop of Anglican Orthodox Church of Pakistan. On 22nd October 2000 the Bishop Elect Rev. Earnest Jacob was consecrated in Statesville North Carolina U. S. A, and was installed as the fourth Bishop of the Anglican Orthodox Church of Pakistan on 5th November 2000 in Peshawar Pakistan. Rt. Rev. Dr. Earnest Jacob is a young energetic servant of Lord with a very active team that includes Rev. Mushtaq Jamal, Wicker General and Perish Priest of Islamabad.
OUR PRIMARY AIM: The primary Aim of the Society of Biblical Christian Churches is to reach and preach the Living Word of God and to look after and help the poor Christian Community of Pakistan in various fields. We provide spiritual awareness through our local Pastors who are especially trained in Faith Theological Seminary Gujranwala, Pakistan, to look after the local Christians. We also provide “Social Assistance” in the field of Education, Medical help, Widows Help Programme, Vocational Training and give and Accidental assistance to every needy person. We also provide Emergency assistance to our people as and when required. OUR PROJECTS: Educational Project. The Society of Biblical Christian Churches is providing educational help to more than 400 students in Pakistan. We are running Seven Schools in various parts of Pakistan, mainly in villages. We provide free education, books and stationary to the needy students. At the same time we are providing help to needy students who are studying in various schools and colleges in near by cities. Though the help is very small yet lot of Christian students are being benefited from this project. Medical Help Project: The Society of Biblical Christian Churches provides medical help to any one who contacts our local Pastor. The local Pastors then look after them and they inform us via telephone and the help is dispatched through fastest possible means. We are also looking after sick people with serious ailments and arrange for their regular medication. Widow Help Programme: To help the Widows we take help from the Holy Bible. We extend help to those widows who have no one to look after the death of their husbands. We have a fixed amount of help for each widow that is sent to them through our local Pastors. Vocational Training Programme: We extend help to as many students as we can to get Vocational Training and learn some skill so that after their training they can earn their own living. Thus the whole family is benefited and the young boys can help their parents and brothers and sisters. We also provide vocational training to young girls and women who learn the skill of sewing and embroidery. One they have learnt this skill they can be of great help to their families and also earn some money to assist their husbands/ parents. They can stitch the women and children clothing which becomes a source of income for the family.
Accidental Help: This help is extended in extra ordinary cases. In this we prove “Dowry” to the girls who are getting married. Funeral expenses and any other unforeseen need.
Theological Traning: The Faith Theological Seminary which you can find on this web site is the institution that finds energetic young men and encourage them from Theological Training. They spend Three years in the Faith Theological Seminary for extensive Biblical and theological training. Once they graduate from the Seminary, they become our trained workers to look after the congregations and to help them spiritually and in their day to day social life. Pastors Help Program. We have 108 Pastors mostly in the villages serving Lord’s people both Spiritually and in Social Field. There income is very low and they travel on bicycles to far off places to look after the flock of Lord Jesus Christ. The Society of Biblical Christian Churches of Pakistan try to help the Pastors belonging to the United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan and the Anglican Orthodox Church of Pakistan. Their field extends from Karachi in the South and Peshawar in the North of Pakistan. (Please visit our Projects for our needs) DONATIONS:
DONATE: The Society of Biblical Christian Church of Pakistan serves the poor Christian community of Pakistan. Please send your Donations, Gifts and Tithes to Central Office of the Society of Biblical Christian Church of Pakistan.
Please send your donations for the poor, needy and neglected Christians of Pakistan to our sponsors in the United States of America;
Most Rev. Jerry L. Ogles Presiding Bishop of Anglican Orthodox Church. P. O. Box 128 Statesville, North Carolina 28687-0128
In United Kingdom, Europe and Germany
Mr.
Shaleem Nasir
Rt. Rev. Dr. Major (Retired) Timotheus NasirP. O. Box No - 570 Gujranwala 52250 Pakistan. Donations Can Be made Through "Cross Cheques”, Money Orders Or Through Bank Remittance To:- Account # 5760-5 Muslim Commercial Bank Limited, Fatomand Branch, Sialkot Road, Branch # 0248, Gujranwala - Pakistan. Tel: 0092-55-385-9391Fax: 0092-55-373-2229 Cell: 0092-300-864-5305 E. Mail. Gunner@brain.net.pk
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