Mailer Street Gospel Hall

Priesthood of all believers

a: All Believers

All believers irrespective of sex, lineage or social status become priests by Divine appointment at conversion and are holy priests in their service to God on behalf of mankind, and royal priests in their service to mankind on behalf of God.

b: Difference in Public Sphere of Service

While the public aspects, functions and appearance of priestly service are different by gender, according to the order God has decreed, there is no difference in rank, orders or scope of service, or of the exercise of faith.

Worship

Religious worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and to Him alone, not to angels, saints, images, icons or any other creature, fetish or form and since the fall, not without a Mediator; nor in the Mediation of any other but of Christ alone.

Prayer

Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one special part of spiritual service, is by God required of all men: and that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son, by the help of His Spirit, according to His will, with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and, if vocal, in a known language.

Temperance

Whilst the scripture does not expressly forbid the imbibing of alcoholic beverages, it openly condemns excess and drunkard-ness.

The Gifts of the Spirit

Whilst it is clear the Spirit of God equips the assemblies locally with divinely imparted gifts to allow them to function as He has ordained, it is not the belief or practice of the Assembly nor does the Assembly permit the claimed exercise of such gifts where the claimed exercise of such gifts involves:

• one or a group of individuals vocalizing in a language used that they claim is something other than what they have learned by the normal linguistic learning process,
• is unrecognizable to any hearer as a language they have learned or can be recognized as a known language or dialect.
• claim to instantaneous healings by an individual at their will,
• the laying of hands where the person who is receiving the “blessing” suddenly for a time becomes, in- tranced, comatose, incoherent or unable to control their actions or speech.

Order of the sexes

• God created male and female as separated identifies as complementary to each other but separate.
• There is no difference between the sexes in equality, status or position however there are clear God appointed differences in role and function.
• The bible expressly states that God created male and female and there is no scripture that warrants for gender realignments, gender self-identification, the concept of fluidity or malleability of gender or non gender as it related to human individuals.

Sanctity of Marriage

Marriage is to only ever be between a man and a woman and is formally solemnized by the exchange of vows before God and witnesses in the presence of a marriage celebrant, and the signing of the relevant legal documentation.

Sexual Morality

• The bible is clear that life begins at conception and therefore any intervention from conception until natural death in murder and is openly and expressly forbidden.
• The scripture expressly forbids any homosexual relationship between man and man or woman and woman, and such lusting and conduct is a stated sign of rebellion against God’s revealed and explicit order. Those who engage in such God defying behaviors and rebellious activity – be that overt or covert – do by their own action dis-fellowship or disqualify themselves from the membership, fellowship and any participation in any of the activities of the Assembly.
• Sexual activity outside of marriage, including prostitution is immoral and condemned directly by scripture.

Sinful Christian conduct

It is affirmed that all those who accept by faith alone the forgiveness of sin and its penalty offered by the God, on the basis of the vicarious death of Jesus Christ, and on the basis of that belief and faith are forgiven and eternally secure, are therefore Christians however post conversion conduct, or support or promotion of conduct that is improper or immoral is sin against God and cannot be condoned or tolerated by the Assembly and the Assembly has no scriptural consent or mandate to interact (other than as required by law) with individuals, trusts, concerns or identities that condone or support such activities.

Such activities include (but are not limited to) the rejection of the order of the sexes, prostitution, fornication, adultery, drunkenness rejection of the spiritual sanctity of marriage, homosexuality,

As a Christian Assembly, the Assembly within the bounds of its beliefs may support efforts to help Christians who have fallen into these sins with their repentance and restoration to true Christian living but it cannot be involved with those who agree or promote sinful living as acceptable.

Subjection to Lawful Government

God, who is supreme Sovereign over all creation, has ordained governments and civil authorities, to be, under Him, over the people, for His own glory, and the public good: To this end, he has armed them with the power of the sword, for the defense and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil doers.

Christians are therefore obliged to obey such laws and regulations of such governments, except where such laws, statutes or regulations contravene or contradict the standards God has communicated through the inspired Bible for moral, physical and spiritual life and conduct of mankind on earth.