What We Believe
At Toowoomba Christian Fellowship we believe that all Scripture in both the Old and New Testament is inspired by God
and is profitable for teaching, correction and training. 2 Tim 3:16. In RFI churches, we
are also committed to understanding ‘present truth’ which the apostle Peter referred to in
his second letter. He wrote, ‘For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always
of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth’. 2Pet 1:12. In
the preceding verse, Peter said that ‘present truth’ provides us with an abundant entry
into the everlasting kingdom. We believe ‘present truth’ is that specific scriptural
instruction which is theologically relevant to each generation in every time and place. The
verse in Peter’s letter might also be translated as ‘the truth which is present with you’.
This infers that ‘present truth’ is both relevant to us and resident in us.
In the book of Revelation, the apostle John encouraged Christians to hear what the Spirit
is saying to the churches. Rev 2:7. John said, ‘He who has an ear let him hear’. Whilst we do not
seek to add to the Scriptures or ‘exceed what is written’, we are committed to hearing what the
Holy Spirit is saying to His church in our current historical context. 1 Cor 4:6.
Our Structure
At Toowoomba Christian Fellowship and indeed all Restoration Fellowships International churches, we hold
firmly to the doctrine of the Trinity, ‘one Triune God'; that is, one distinct and
intrinsic Father, one Lord Jesus Christ and one Holy Spirit.
We believe that each member of the body of Christ has specific grace and capacity which our
leadership is committed to promoting and facilitating. Opportunity is therefore provided for
individual members to exercise their spiritual gifts in our gatherings.
In all RFI churches, we have modelled our leadership structure on the pattern which the apostle
Paul established in the Ephesian church during his two year stay. Consequently, we have coined
the phrase, ‘Ephesian Pattern’. It comprises a multiple eldership and includes overseers and
deacons who are able to manage the various areas of our church life, which we call
‘administrations’, having adopted the term used by Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians.
1 Cor 12:28.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul declared that Jesus gave gifts to men when He ascended on
high. Eph 4:8. Paul went on to say that Jesus ‘Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets,
some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ’. Eph 4:11, 12. Taking our cue from the
Scripture, we refer to these five capacities as ‘ascension gift ministries’ and we acknowledge
and submit to the men and women who have this kind of grace.