Praeceptorius and Praeceptorium
These definitions describe the titles and Order within This Grace Bible Churches.
The Circle of the Elders, the Order, the Praeceptorium
These names identify the same internal teaching and oversight Order within This Grace Bible Churches. The Praeceptorium is the name of the Order. Its first governing judgment is fidelity to the Gospel of Christ, sound doctrine, the King James Bible, and Pauline Dispensational Doctrine. Qualification as a bishop or elder does not automatically admit a person to the Circle; express admission is required. Deacons are not members of this Order by virtue of their office.
Founding Bishop and Praeceptorius
Within This Grace Bible Churches, Bishop Wesley Ray is known as the Founding Bishop. Within the Circle of the Elders, the Order, the Praeceptorium, Praeceptorius is his exclusive personal bishop title. Bishop Wesley Ray is the original and sole Praeceptorius. This title does not create a third ordained office and is not conferred by Circle membership, temporary appointment, incapacity, death, or succession. Praeceptorius names the title; Praeceptorium names the Order.
Continuity and document interpretation
The existing charter safeguards for temporary oversight, a named alternate, administrative fallback, incapacity, and succession remain in place. An acting or succeeding bishop does not receive the Founding Bishop title or the Praeceptorius title. The identity and terminology above are the proposed replacement wording wherever an earlier draft describes TGBC as a denomination, a Christian sect, a micro-denomination, a separate religious system, or a pastor-led institutional church. Earlier draft terminology must be read with this clarification. This revision concerns declared doctrinal identity and internal order; it does not amend provisions dealing with civil administration, property, banking, records, or applicable law.
Meaning within TGBC
The title is defined here by TGBC's own governing framework. This page makes no claim that Praeceptorius was a standard historical bishop title.