The Anselm Bible Fellowship

Our Location:

120th Street @ Wilmington: The Genesis Center

Our Fellowship Times:

This Coming Sunday Sharply At  10:00 AM

Theme: Admonitions

“Why Anselm Bible?”

By Tamon Pearson

Anselm, the one-time Bishop of Canterbury, lived from 1033 to 1109 AD. He is considered by many to be the father of scholasticism, in which men of God sought to systematize their theologies. In his illustrious career he defended the Trinity against tritheism, formulated many theological and cosmological arguments, and wrote several theological theses. He is best known, however, for three things: 1) his argument for the existence of God (God is “the Being that which none greater can be conceived”. He must therefore exist in reality, because to exist in reality and thought is greater than to exist in thought alone. Therefore, by definition, God cannot not exist); 2) his argument on salvation entitled Why God Became A Man (Cur Deus Homo--man’s sin creates a debt to God that we could never pay. God came in the flesh as Christ, and so as the God-man His death sufficiently paid off our debt); and 3) his view that while faith precedes reason, reason was essential to one’s faith (“I do not understand in order to believe; but I believe in order that I might understand--credo et intelligium”). In light of the abundant lack of cognitive reasoning within today’s fellowships, the Anselm church takes his name in honor of that third point.

In a world where objectivity is being increasingly trod upon, the Bible remains the final authority on all truth at Anselm Episcopal Bible Church. The 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament are considered by the Anselm church to be the inerrant, fully inspired Word of God. The Bible’s divine origins can be seen in at least four secular external evidences: manuscript, archeological, prophetical, and statistical; and several scriptural internal evidences, including Matthew 4:4; 1st Thessalonians 2:13; 2nd Timothy 3:16-17, and 2nd Peter 1:20-21. Therefore as the inspired canon (measuring rod, standard), all teaching (including that of the Pastors of Anselm) is to be measured by the objective standard of the Bible. Anselm maintains that all teaching and preaching from its ministers must be rooted in, developed out of, and gleaned from the Bible. The Bible is always to be interpreted in its proper hermeneutical context, using the principles of interpretation (literal, grammatical, historical, literary and theological). Preaching at Anselm can range from textual-topical to fully expositional, but it must always be Biblio-centric. Anselm adds the word Bible to its title to illustrate its emphasis on Biblio-centric teaching.

The Church (ekklesia; assembly, congregation) consists of those who truly know Christ, truly believe in Him, and truly trust in Him alone for their salvation. The Universal Church is the entire sum of all of these people all throughout the world. The Local Church is a group of these people in a particular location who meet together (Hebrews 10:25) for prayer (1st Timothy 2:1-2), exhortation (1st Timothy 4:13), worship (), evangelism (Matthew 28:19-20), edification (Ephesians 4:11-13) and the partaking of the sacraments (Acts 2:41; 1st Corinthians 11:20-34). The members of Anselm meet, therefore, for these purposes.

“I JUST CAN’T STAY AWAY”

by Tonia Tomlinson 

What exactly is it about Anselm that keeps folks coming back?  Some say that it is Pastor John, the radio personality.   Others say it is those people looking and anticipating what ordeal will “finally” wipe out the ministry.  Yet, others are simply drawn in by the mere fact that we are not begging any and everyone to become members of Anselm Bible Church.  This seems to create an intense challenge that the simple mind cannot resist.  But, as for me, the answer is not complicated at all.  I am rooted and grounded in the Word.  The Word is at Anselm.  Thus, I must be where the ground is fertile to provide nourishment to the very roots that feed my soul.  So, belonging to Anselm Bible Church presents no difficulty.  I came to Anselm near death from Word starvation.  Prior to Anselm, I was fed watered down Word, unclear Word, and Man’s Word.  Now I am being fed one hundred per cent, God’s Word.  I will stay where the food is. 

At Anselm, nothing is done out of selfish ambition.  There is nothing perfect about Anselm.  But, on the other hand, there is nothing pretentious or preposterous at Anselm either.  At Anselm, I know that I am amongst many who need to know what God says.  I sit with people who strive to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  The Biblical mandate is well defined and expected.  It is our measuring tool.  Everyone is given the Truth and expected to embrace it.  At Anselm it is available.  That is the beauty of belonging to such a body.  We are an imperfect group, bonded together through Christ, fervently pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God.  Anselm is the place where we come together as brothers and sisters and enjoy fellowship no matter what the setting.  We are learning how to enjoy the richness of this life given to us, even in the midst of such a contemptuous and arrogant world where true Christianity is rapidly diminishing. 

Anselm is a church where women can truly find honor and respect.  Ladies are treated as ladies should be treated.  We learn what God has laid before us and recognize what He wants from us.  The position is tremendous and responsibility enormous within the Anselm structure.  The Anselm woman is studied, prepared, and growing in the Lord daily.  We are a vital part of this Apologetics Ministry which stands in defense of what we know is true.  The woman at Anselm is constantly encouraged to grow in her relationship with Christ through the pure, untainted Word of God.  In our understanding and love for His Word, the women at Anselm simply want to appear precious in the sight of the Lord.  The means to attaining this understanding is accessible at Anselm through the in-depth teaching presented continuously.   

At Anselm, all that you are looking for probably cannot be found.  But, all that you need can. 

Please keep in mind that these articles are just from Christians that attend on a weekly basis.  The changes take place as one places emphasis upon the word and not the man of God.  The Lord would have it that way.  Keep reading. .

Our worship starts around 10:00 AM. I promise you the purpose of the drive will bear fruit as you consider what you hear and read. Pastor John E. Coleman