Doctrine and counsel
Examine doctrinal questions, counsel Bishops and Deacons, and help preserve the Gospel of Christ and right division.
Read moreIDENTITY AND PURPOSE
The Circle within TGBC
An ecclesiastical governing body serving the doctrine, order, integrity, and continuity of This Grace Bible Churches.
Its place in the association
The Circle of the Elders exists within This Grace Bible Churches, an independent, unincorporated religious association. Its charter establishes responsibilities under the Constitution and Articles of Association.
The designation Elder identifies participation in this governing body. TGBC recognizes the ordained offices of Bishop and Deacon; participation in the Circle does not create a third ordained office.
The Circle exercises the authority granted by the governing documents. Scripture remains the final written authority, and the constitution controls subordinate organizational instruments.
Responsibilities
Recognition and accountability
Assist with ministerial recognition, doctrinal disputes, correction, restoration, and assembly matters under the governing documents.
Read moreRecords and succession
Maintain significant ecclesiastical records and administer the established succession process following the Founding Bishop’s natural death.
Read moreAppointment and participation
During the Founding Bishop’s lifetime, Circle members are appointed or recognized through procedures approved by him and consistent with TGBC governing documents. Membership is formally recorded; a title or local leadership position alone does not confer Circle membership.
Qualifications include doctrinal agreement, spiritual maturity, sound judgment, and integrity. The charter governs composition, appointments, meetings, voting, and removal of Circle members.
OUR NAME IN SCRIPTURE
Why This Grace Bible Churches?
The exact consecutive phrase “this grace” occurs in four verses in the King James Bible, all in the epistles of the Apostle Paul. Romans 5:2 speaks of access by faith and our standing in grace. In 2 Corinthians 8:7 and 8:19, the immediate context is gracious giving and the administration of that gift. Ephesians 3:8 speaks of the grace given to Paul to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.Romans 5:2 KJB
Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.2 Corinthians 8:7 KJB
And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:2 Corinthians 8:19 KJB
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;Ephesians 3:8 KJB
PRAECEPTORIUM
The Elders’ Circle / Circle of Elders
PRAECEPTORIUM is the internal ecclesiastical teaching and oversight body of This Grace Bible Churches. Membership is limited to expressly admitted qualified bishops and elders. The Founding Bishop is its sole initial member. Deacons serve in their recognized office and do not enter the Circle by ordination or administrative delegation.
Read the current Circle charterTHE PRAECEPTORIUM AND THE PRAECEPTORIUS
The Order and the Founding Bishop’s exclusive title
Praeceptorium names the Circle of the Elders, the internal teaching and oversight Order within This Grace Bible Churches.
Praeceptorius is Bishop Wesley Ray’s exclusive personal ecclesiastical title. He is the original and sole Praeceptorius. Membership in the Circle, temporary appointment, incapacity, death, or succession does not confer or transfer that title.
These ecclesiastical designations create neither a separate legal entity nor a third ordained office. Sound doctrine, the Gospel of Christ, the King James Bible rightly divided, and Pauline Dispensational Doctrine govern the Order’s work.
Identity and House to House Assembly
Our identity
This Grace Bible Churches, the Circle of the Elders (the Order, the Praeceptorium), and Church in Thy House are not a denomination, are not part of a denomination, are not a religion, and are not part of Christianity. They are not Jewish and are not Catholic. They are not corruptors of the Word of God.
Our assembly and practice
We are not part of the "corporate" American Christian Church setup. We have no religious buildings, statues, baptistries, altars, or pastors, and none of the trappings of the religion known as Christianity.
Saved believers gathering house to house
This Grace Bible Churches consists of true saved believers who rightly divide the word of truth and meet house to house. Church in Thy House is the mode by which This Grace Bible Churches gathers together. The Gospel of Christ that saves today is found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJB. Our standard for rightly dividing the word of truth is 2 Timothy 2:15 KJB.
King James Bible only
We use only King James Bibles: the 1769 edition of the 1611, Pure Cambridge Text. The King James Bible is our final written authority. We do not change, supposedly correct, or corrupt the Word of God.
The Order and the Bishop title
The Circle of the Elders, the Order, and the Praeceptorium name the same internal teaching and oversight body within This Grace Bible Churches. Praeceptorius is the Bishop title within that body. Bishop Wesley Ray is the original and sole Praeceptorius; admission to the Circle does not confer that title. Within This Grace Bible Churches, Bishop Wesley Ray is known as the Founding Bishop.