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.
CHARTER · VERSION 6 · 10 OCTOBER 2026
The Praeceptorium: permanent doctrinal fidelity
The Circle of the Elders is the Praeceptorium, the internal teaching and oversight Order within This Grace Bible Churches. Bishop Wesley Ray, Founding Bishop, is the original and sole Praeceptorius. His personal title is exclusive and does not transfer through incapacity, death, temporary appointment, or succession.
The foremost judgment of the Order is fidelity to the Gospel of Christ in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJB, sound doctrine, the King James Bible, and Pauline Dispensational Doctrine. Article I-A sets permanent limits on every authority created by the Charter.
The Order shall not go to Greek or Hebrew for its studies or attempt to change or supposedly correct the King James Bible. It shall avoid corrupt doctrines and religious influences contrary to its foundations, and shall not practice, require, or authorize water baptism for the Church, the Body of Christ.
Membership requires separate qualification as a bishop or elder and express admission. Temporary continuity uses an accepted Acting Overseeing Bishop, a named alternate, and an administrative fallback within existing authority. Incapacity never becomes permanent succession.
Document status: Version 6 is a revised draft, operative only upon authorized adoption. Publication does not certify adoption.
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.