About us

Who are we?

Southside Bible Chapel is a group of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who come together, just like the New Testament church did (Acts 2:42), to teach and learn from the Word of God, to fellowship, to pray, and to worship around the Lord’s Supper. As a group, Southside Bible Chapel tries to model the principles of church organization and purpose as found in the New Testament. We have no denominational affiliation and see only our Lord Jesus Christ as the head of our local body.

How do we meet?

Southside Bible Chapel follows the example shown in the New Testament of recognizing men from within the body of believers to act as elders and deacons-men who oversee the work and growth of the assembly. There is no designated “pastor”; rather, men within the assembly lead the many areas of service, including Sunday morning worship meetings and the teaching meetings where the body of believers study God’s Word. In this way Southside Bible Chapel recognizes the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9).

How do we worship?

Our breaking of bread service is based on the Lord’s command in 1 Corinthians 11:25-26. The night the Lord Jesus was betrayed, He celebrated the Passover supper with His disciples. As He shared the bread and cup with His disciples, He explained that they were symbolic of his body and blood that would be broken and shed for them. He instructed “This do in remembrance of Me”, asking them to do this in the future to “proclaim the Lord’s death until He come”. This is our central worship service, and there is no pre-arranged program. We depend upon the Holy Spirit to lead the worship as men request songs, share Scripture, or lead in prayer. Women are asked to worship silently. The bread and cup are passed among the body of believers at the conclusion of the worship service. Scripture teaches that this is the unique privilege and responsibility of those who have been born anew through faith in the person and work of Christ.

How do we view the Bible?

The Bible is the true Word of God, infallible, God-breathed, and the only authoritative and all-sufficient rule of faith and practice.

How do we view God?

There is one true God, subsisting in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Who is Jesus?

The Lord Jesus Christ is God, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died for the sins of mankind, rose from the grave bodily on the third day, and ascended to the right hand of the Father.

Where does that leave us?

Every man and woman is born with a sinful nature and cannot please God or earn his or her way into heaven through “good” works. Mankind can only be saved by believing the good news of Jesus Christ: that He died, the just for the unjust, to satisfy God regarding our sin, and that salvation is found in faith apart from any effort to earn God’s grace through works.

How do we view baptism?

Baptism is an act of obedience by believers to show that they have believed and have been born anew in Christ. Baptism itself does not save anyone.

What does the future hold?

The Lord Jesus Christ has promised to return to claim those who are His own and judge those who have rejected His offer of grace.