Personal Story of Becky Kew - "In our small town of 800 people, it seemed as if drinking was all there was to do. I remember times when my Mom and Dad fought. I used to wonder: Why do they love this brown bottle so much when it brings so much misery? Why don't they love me? Is this all my fault?  One time he had her pinned down on the coffee table and I really thought that this time, he would kill her." (more)

• About this site

Phil Sarlo's Personal Story

• About this site

• About this site

Grace Taufeek's Story - "...an ultrasound showed a mass around my spinal canal. I was confused, sad, mad, and scared as I was trying to realize what was really happening. I was quite scared – sometimes even to tears – but deep down, I always had a sense of peace..." (more)

• About this site

Ann Wielenga

• About this site

Heidi McCandless - Procrastination.  Every one of us deals with this to some degree.  In some situations it doesn’t make much difference, in others, it can change the course of your life!  I almost missed the most important thing ever because I was too slow to realize how important it was.  I’m speaking of course of my own life – eternal life that is.

• About this site

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH
Does the Holy Spirit go back to Heaven with the Church at the close of the present Dispensation, or, does He still remain here, to convict of sin, righteousness, and judgment?

In other words, is He here in Person only from Pentecost until the “Rapture”?

We learn from 2 Thessalonians 2:5" TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 2:5 that the common view that the apostle in this passage was correcting the teaching of the first epistle is quite mistaken. Exactly the reverse is the case; he was confirming it; “Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things?” Add to this the fact that in verse 10 he actually appeals to “the coming of the Lord and our gathering together unto Him,” as revealed in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-20" TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 4:11-20 to counter the false teaching abroad “that the day of the Lord” was then present (see R.V.), for the other must take place first. Verse 6 teaches, I believe, the same truth. Some suggest that “that which letteth” is law, and “he who letteth” the executive of law, government But this seems forced and unnatural. Is it not more in harmony with the context to interpret “that which letteth” to be the Church indwelt by the Spirit, and He who letteth, the Spirit indwelling the Church? When the Church goes at the coming of the Lord, the Holy Spirit will, as an indwelling Person, go too. He will therefore be no longer in this scene as the One in Whom the Church is baptised and united to a Risen Christ. That wonderful and unique work of God belongs only to the present dispensation.

But the departure of the Spirit in this sense does not mean that He will cease to work in the world. He will resume His activities of pre-Pentecostal times toward God’s people and the world. What we read in Revelation 7" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 7 and 14, shows clearly that He will carry on a mighty work of conversion, through the sealed of Israel, far beyond, it would seem, anything known in the present dispensation. This began with 120 sealed ones, that will begin with 144,000 and the zenith will be, “a multitide that no man can number.” We must, however, avoid the thought that the wicked one will be revealed at the moment of the rapture of the Church. This chapter warns us against such an idea, for the apostacy will first fully develop and then the way will be open for the manifestation of the Man of Sin.

W.H.

• About this site

• About this site

• About this site

• About this site

• About this site

Can we approach the Lord Jesus to worship Him apart from the Father?

We are on holy ground when considering any aspect of divine truth, but especially do we need to approach “with unshod feet,” when it is a question of the Being of God! We can only know what He is pleased to reveal, and even then it is “as in a glass darkly,” and “in part.” There is one God—that is, one Divine Essence; but in that unity there are three Divine Persons or Subsistencies, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; co-equal, co-eternal, and co-substantial: that is, each of the three possesses the whole Divine substance. We must neither divide the substance, nor confound the persons.

These three Persons are in necessary relations to one another, and it is important not to confound these relations. Each possesses the Personal properties essential to Himself, and which cannot be predicated of or communicated to the others. Thus it belongs to the Father to “beget:” His are the eternal counsels; the Son is the Only-begotten, the Incarnate One; He alone suffered for sin. The Spirit proceedeth from the Father and the Son. The Spirit reveals the Son, by whom the Father is declared or interpreted. Now, it is not derogating from one Divine Person to refrain from attributing to Him what the Holy Scriptures assign to Another.

Thus we never read of worship being offered to the Holy Spirit, though He is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, eternal, divine as the Father and the Son. But we do read, even in the days of His humiliation, of worship being rendered to the Lord Jesus, and He accepted it. And in Revelation 5:8-13" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 5:8-13 Divine worship is paid to the Lamb in heaven. Nevertheless, the Lord proclaims in John 4:23, 24," TARGET="_blank">John 4:23, 24, that the true Worshippers will worship the Father, and that it is the “Father who is seeking worshippers”—”God is Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” The apostle Paul indicates, too, in that pregnant verse (Eph. ii. 18), the true Divine order. “Through Him (Christ Jesus) we both (believers from Jew and Gentile) have access by the Spirit unto the Father.” The Lord is the way to the Father and the substance of worship; the Spirit the power; the Father the recipient of the worship of the people.”

W.H.

• About this site

THE ATONEMENT
It has been stated that Atonement is an Old Testament truth, which has no place in the New Testament, Is this so?

I am surprised that any Christian “apt to teach,” should make such a statement. Perhaps it is owing to the fact that in the one place in our King James Version, where the word “atonement” occurs, it ought to be “reconciliation”: “By Whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Romans 5:11)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 5:11). This however, does not prove that the truth of atonement is not expressed in other passages of the New Testament, under a different form of words, for which “atone” or “atonement” might be correctly substituted.

The fact is that the atonement of the Old Testament is only a shadow of the truth, and that if we had not the substantial, divine thing in the New Testament, we could not have the shadow in the Old. The Hebrew word for atonement constantly occurring in the Old Testament, especially in Leviticus is the root, “Kaphar,” which primarily means “to cover,” then by a simple transition, it gets to mean that by which alone God can righteously cover sin—namely by full satisfaction being offered to His holy claims, or in other words, by atonement. The word, “atone,” has long since lost its philological, or derived, meaning of “at-one,” for that by which God and the sinner can be “at-one”—the atoning work of Calvary.

This root,”Kaphar,” also occurs in the substantival form,”Kapporeth” (mercy-seat)—the place where the blood of atonement was sprinkled, therefore, one would suggest, better translated the “atonement-seat.” The verb is sometimes translated in our version—”make reconciliation” (e.g. Ezekiel 45: 15, 17;" TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 45: 15, 17; Daniel 9: 24)," TARGET="_blank">Daniel 9: 24), “purge” (Psalm  79:9), “pacify” (Proverbs 16: 14)," TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 16: 14), “appease”—”I will appease him (Esau) with the present” (Genesis 32:20)," TARGET="_blank">Genesis 32:20), but in the vast majority of occurrences “atone” or “make atonement.” What then, we may enquire, is the Hellenistic Greek equivalent used in the Septuagint? In nearly every case, “exilaskomai,” or in a few cases simply, “hilaskomai”—which is, we see, the same verb without the preposition “ek”—denoting here “entirely,” “perfectly”—though we need not press this, as “hilaskomai” means practically the same thing, for atonement, if of any value, must be complete. Turning to the New Testament, we find this same root (hilaskomai) employed (and N.T. Greek is much the same as found in the Septuagint) in six passages: In the publican’s prayer we read, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18: 13," TARGET="_blank">Luke 18: 13, lit, be propitiated). As the publican was standing in the temple area—”afar off,” i.e., probably outside and in full view of the altar of burnt offering, we can see no reason to assert, as Alford does, that the publican could not have had any idea of the ground of his acceptance—though he would naturally not know what the lamb prefigured.

Then in Romans 3" TARGET="_blank">Romans 3: 25 and Hebrews 9" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 9: 5 there occurs the substantival form—”mercy-seat.” In Hebrews 2" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 2: 17 we have, “A merciful and faithful high priest.. . to make reconciliation for the sins of the people”; and finally in 1 John 2" TARGET="_blank">1 John 2: 2 and 1 John 4:10" TARGET="_blank">1 John 4:10  the translation is, “propitiation for our sins.” I think it is clear and reasonable that we have in these passages the sense of atonement, applied, except in the case of Hebrews 9" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 9: 5 and Luke 18: 13," TARGET="_blank">Luke 18: 13, directly to the work of Christ, as the ground on which God can come out to man in grace and the gospel be preached to every creature.

W.H.

• About this site

• About this site

What is a Gospel Hall?

Gospel Hall the name of the building where Christians meet to “gather to the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Matthew 18:20)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:20).  The churches who meet in Gospel Halls are sometimes referred to as Plymouth Brethren churches.

For simplicity sake, http://www.gospelhall.org/ is much easier to remember than http://www.christiansgatheredtothenameofourlordjesuschrist.org/ 

Where can I find a Gospel Hall?

You can look at the section called Assembly Directory on this site. 

Why the name Gospel Hall?

The word “Hall” is a general name for a public building.  Since the Gospel is preached regularly in a Gospel Hall, the name is appropriate for its use.  To distinguish the church (group of people) from the building, the name is distinguished.  Some assemblies choose to name their building a “Gospel Chapel” or use the name of the town or street such as “Smithville Hall”.  Gospel Hall is a common name used in many English speaking North American assemblies.

Are you associated with the Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall?

Absolutely Not.  Unlike a Kingdom Hall, the teachings at the Gospel Hall are based on salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from good works or membership in any organization.

What are the beliefs at the Gospel Hall?

God's Word is the foundation on which a healthy church is built. Our mission is based on the commands of the Lord Jesus to worship, preach the gospel, help believers learn more about Him and honor the Lordship of Christ.  Some of his words include

Matthew 18:20" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 28" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 28

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

1 Corinthians 1123" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 1123 …the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.What is a church service like?

What are the Services held in a Gospel Hall?

Following the pattern of the first churches in Acts, church meetings in the gospel hall will include devotional worship on Sunday, Bible studies, Gospel preaching, pastoral teaching for believers, reports from missionaries and meetings for elders of the church.

1. Every Sunday, the assembly will meet to break bread.  This meeting is either called the “worship meeting”, “breaking of bread” or the “remembrance meeting” based on Jesus’ actions and 1 Corinthians 11:23-26." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11:23-26.  The focus of this meeting is Christ - his divine character, death, resurrection and Lordship.  Each man will take turns in leading the congregation in prayer, reading a scripture or choosing an appropriate hymn.  After a set period of time (30 to 90 minutes depending on the size of the assembly), someone will specifically thank God for the bread which symbolizes the Lord’s body.  The loaf of bread is handed around the congregation so everyone can take a piece.  Similarly, someone offers a prayer of thanks for Christ’s blood which is symbolized by the cup.  It too is shared and then placed back on the table.  Someone will close with a hymn or prayer or both. This is the Lord’s pattern of worship for the church (Matthew 26:26-38;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 26:26-38; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11:23-26).  It allows for the practice called the “Priesthood of all believers” (1 Peter 2:5-9)." TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 2:5-9).  Far from being an entertaining experience, the breaking of bread is an expression of reverence where Christians enter the Heavenly Sanctuary, that is the Holiest of All, to offer praise through the value of the blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:10-15)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:10-15).
2. The ministry meeting is a teaching meeting for the “edification, exhortation and comfort” (1 Corinthians 14:3)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:3).  One person will take 30 to 60 minutes to read a portion of the Bible and teach the meaning, its context and apply it to daily living.  The teaching meeting typically is scheduled after the Breaking of Bread.  Many assemblies will conduct an annual Bible conference where hundreds of believers will meet in a rented auditorium for a more intensive or in-depth session of teaching.
3. Sunday evening is the customary time for a Gospel Meeting.  At the Gospel Meeting two speakers will preach from the Bible regarding salvation themes – sin, the soul, redemption, the character of God, eternity, faith, assurance etc.  From time to time, the assembly will conduct a series of nightly gospel meetings that may last several weeks.  Sometimes these are conducted in the Gospel Hall.  Often they are in community buildings, tents or schools.
4. An assembly will usually conduct a prayer and bible study meeting one evening mid-week.  The correspondent for the assembly typically will read a few thank-you letters from missionaries and preachers who have received financial support from the assembly.  Several of the men will lead the congregation in prayer for various needs.  The assembly will then conduct a bible study on a portion of scripture or specific subject.  One person will give a short synopsis of the topic and then the remaining time is an open forum to compare ideas on the meaning of the chapter.  This is the forum to learn bible doctrine, ask questions, and consult commentaries or dictionaries. 
5. Sunday school classes are typically offered on Sunday mornings during the same time period as the ministry meeting.  Very often families who are not part of the assembly get their first impression of the assembly meetings through their children.  The goal of a Sunday school is to plant the gospel message into young minds that might not have any other source for their spiritual knowledge.
6. The elders of an assembly meet periodically to pray, discuss the needs of the people in the assembly, schedule “house calls” for infirmed believers, plan the assembly calendar and discuss other matters.

What type of church government exists at the Gospel Hall?

The leadership of the church features servant-leaders called elders.  According to the Bible in 1 Timothy 3" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3 and Titus 2," TARGET="_blank">Titus 2, the men who lead a church must be of good moral character, able to teach the bible and care about the people of the church.  These leaders are ultimately responsible for the doctrine taught in the church, the integrity of the use of funds and pastoral care of the church.

The men who serve as elders are recognized in their role by informal consensus of the church by their pattern of living.  Elders usually serve as “unofficial” elders for years before being recognized for their work.  That is, he teaches, encourages, mentors, supports and cares for people long before his elder status is recognized as “official”.

This method of recognition is based on the words in 1 Timothy 3" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3 verses 1 and 6  “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work”.  It is a work, not a position.  “Not a novice…” means he is proven trustworthy to the other people of the assembly.

Is the Gospel Hall part of a denomination?

No.  Each Gospel Hall building is owned and maintained by the local church that meets there.  Although a loose link of friendship exists between many of these churches, there is no central office or membership organization to report statistics, finances or doctrinal creed statements. There is no official list of assemblies.

The historical heritage shared at the Gospel Hall comes from the early 1800’s United Kingdom group known as the Plymouth Brethren. Some historical information about early Plymouth Brethren can be found at http://www.brethrenonline.org/. There are many other brethren history sites, some of which are here http://dmoz.org/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Christianity/Denominations/Plymouth_Brethren/  

Each assembly is a unique story of the people who were saved in a community because of sound gospel preaching.  No one history defines the entire group of assemblies worldwide.  So while the Plymouth Brethren of England may be defined as the starting point for the movement, there are others who were similar.  The assemblies represented on this page take their history from men in Scottland.  See the history section of the online book Gathering Unto His Name for more details.

Where can I find a Gospel Hall?

You can look at the section called Assembly Directory on this site for North American assemblies of believers.

Some other directories for assemblies include:

• www.gospelhall.org.uk/ (United Kingdom)
• www.geocities.com/andyabel/assemblies.html (United Kingdom)
• http://www.bibletruth.net/ (United States)
• http://www.assemblynews.com/ (Australia)
• christianbrethren-nsw.org.au (Australia)
• http://www.keralabrethren.net/ (India)
• www.biblebeliever.co.za/Brethren%20Assemblies%20Main%20Index.htm (South Africa)
• http://www.elimgospel.com/ (Malaysia)
• www.mycgc.info/english/links.asp (Malaysia)
• www.palabrasdevida.cl/listado.html (Chile)

• http://www.brethren.org.nz/ (New Zealand)

Who are Open Brethren and Exclusive Brethren?

For a history student, the terms “Exclusive” and “Open” refer to groups of assemblies who have formed lines of membership based on doctrinal differences.  The "open" brethren believe that each assembly (church) is an independent entity.  Each group handles its business of teaching, finances and receiving new members as an independent action from other assemblies. 

The "exclusives" believe that since each assembly is part of the body of Christ, in order to maintain unity of the body, a decision rendered by one assembly needs to be recognized by all others in order to maintain the fellowship of the body.  The practical results of their views are chronicled in the various books and articles about the Brethren but you will not find their story here.  Exclusive assemblies often use the name “Gospel Hall” for their building, but these assemblies have very little relationship to the assemblies listed on this site. You can read about the exclusive brethren on their own web site at http://www.theexclusivebrethren.com/ 

Is a Gospel Hall part of the “exclusive brethren” or “open brethren”?

Most of the assemblies listed on this site could be called “conservative open brethren”.  Exclusive assemblies often use the name “Gospel Hall” for their building, but these assemblies have very little relationship to the assemblies listed on this site. 

The Gospel Halls are “open” in the sense that any person may join the fellowship who has experienced salvation from his/her sin through faith in Christ Jesus.  It is also required that a Christian's life and beliefs conforms to the general pattern of godly New Testament living.  Believers who are unknown to the elders of an assembly are welcome to the fellowship if they first have a meeting with elders to discuss their standing in regards to salvation, relationships with others and their standing on doctrines of the bible.

The Gospel Halls are "open" in the sense that each assembly is independent.  That is to say, a decision made in one assembly does not need to be ratified or reviewed by other assemblies.

The Gospel Halls are “exclusive” in the sense that a person may not join the fellowship if their beliefs and life reputation are either known to be in error or unknown to the assembly.  A person may attend assembly gatherings as a visitor, but is not invited to speak from the platform, pray publicly, contribute financially or share the bread and wine at the Lord’s Supper. 

The Gospel Halls are “exclusive” in the sense that unity and fellowship between assemblies is maintained by sharing common doctrines.  For example, if one assembly began to promote speaking in tongues or promoted a teaching for a works-based salvation, other assemblies would no longer cooperate with them in evangelism, conducting confereces or by providing financial help when needs arise. 

The majority of "open brethren" assemblies in North America meet in a building named “Gospel Chapel”.  These assemblies share much of the same doctrine as a Gospel Hall, but may have a less direct approach in gospel preaching and some may have an open policy of fellowship with all other churches in their community. Outside of North America and in other languages, there is a variety of names applied to buildings for groups that meet in a similar manner. 

More information

You can find teaching, news from various assemblies at these publications

• Truth and Tidings (USA) http://www.truthandtidings.com/ 
• Words in Season (USA) http://www.saved.com/wis/  
• Precious Seed (UK) http://www.preciousseed.org/ 
• Uplook (USA) http://www.uplook.org/
• Assembly Testimony (UK) http://www.assemblytestimony.org/

You can read another FAQ about the brethren at http://www.brethrenonline.org/faqs/Brethren.htm 

Who wrote this FAQ?

Shad Sluiter is the author and site manager for http://www.gospelhall.org/.  You may send feedback on the contact form.  Since no official brethren headquarters exists, there will be different opinions about the accuracy and tone of language used in these answers.  I believe many assemblies who meet in North American Gospel Halls will agree with the statements on these pages.  Your mileage may differ depending on the city where you live. 
 

• About this site

• About this site