"We, the members of the THE SOVEREIGN GRACE BIBLE CHURCH OF CEBU, INC., a non-profit organization, do ordain and establish the following articles, to which we voluntarily submit ourselves."

ARTICLE 7:    AFFILIATION

CONTENTS:  1  Institution  2  Membership  3  Leadership  4  Commission  5  Order  6  Congregational Meetings  7  Affiliation

SECTION 1.    THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE CHURCH

       Although the only triune God, is to be worshipped daily in private and by families in the home, God has mandated that His people gather together for worship every first day of the week (Gen 2:1-3; Exo. 20:8-11; Col. 2:16,17; 1 Cor. 16:1,2; Acts 20:7; Rev. 1:10). The constituent elements of worship are set forth and limited by God in Scriptures of which nothing is to be added or neglected (Deut. 12:29-32) and which are the following: prayers (1Tim. 2:1f), the public reading of the Scriptures (1Tim. 4:13), the preaching, and hearing of the Word of God (2 Tim. 4:1-4, Lk. 8:18), teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs , singing praises with grace in the hearts to the Lord (Heb. 2: 11,12; Heb. 13:15; Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19); the giving of our tithes and offerings to the Lord (1Cor. 16:1,2; Phil. 4:18; Heb. 13:16); as also the administration of baptism (Mat. 28:19,20) and the Lord's Supper (1Cor. 11:26). All parts of the religious worship of God are to be performed in obedience to Him, with understanding , faith, and in the climate of joy and reverential awe (Heb. 12:28,29). Therefore it is necessary that worshippers come to worship God with due preparation of heart (Mal. 1; 1Cor. 11:28).

SECTION 2.    THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF CHURCHES

       The church may and should cooperate with other like-minded churches in matters of mutual interest and concern (2Cor. 8:18- 24). We may seek the assistance (1Cor. 16:1,2) and should seek the counsel (1Thess. 1:7; 2:14) of other churches in matters of special importance and concern to us, but the decision of no other church or group of churches shall ever be binding to this church (Acts 14:21-24; Phil. 4;15).