Chapter Three: Identity of the Durban Christian Centre
3.4 DCC theology
3.4.2 The Bible
Roberts (2004: 14) gave a summary of his beliefs concerning the Holy Spirit, his gifts and speaking tongues:
1. Your success in life and ministry is dependent on your reliance on the Holy Spirit;
2. Be continually aware of his presence and indwelling;
3. Never ignore Him. He is your best friend;
4. Do not be ignorant of his gifts and abilities within you;
5. Pray daily and much in tongues, also trusting Him for the interpretation; and 6. He is very sensitive. Make sure never to grieve Him.
words of the Bible still have the power to convict, convince, challenge and change individuals. In the DCC the "Bible roulette" game, that is, the closing of the Bible and opening to any page for "a word from God" is discouraged and the people are encouraged to join cell groups and read the book systematically and thoroughly. Some do still claim "the Lord has placed a word in my heart". This refers to a particular text that the person believes has been brought to their attention by God. People testify about the word of God being their sustenance in severe times of hardship and suffering. One woman explained;
It's true that man cannot live by bread alone but by the word of God, when my life was on the line it wasn't food, friends or family that helped me pull through, I am sure that it was the word of God. I just read throughout the day, everyday till I began to have some strength again. Now I share those same Bible verses that helped me with others in need76.
3.4.3 The Trinity
The DCC holds the following views concerning the Trinity:
God is one, yet three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The existence of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit is called the Trinity.
When Jesus returned to the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to the earth to guide us to Himself. Even though Jesus is not with us physically, he has not left us alone; the Holy Spirit now brings to us the presence of Jesus - John 16:7 (The Bulletin October 2002 Vol.1 No4: p 2).
We believe in one God, eternal and self-existent, self-revealed and manifested to man as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4;
Mark 12:29; Isaiah 43: 10-11; Matthew 28:19) (Constitution: p5).
3.4.4 The Church
The DCC describes the nature of the church as being "based upon the spiritual concept that all true believers are members of the body of which Christ is the head: "for as the body is one and has many members and the members of that
Informal conversation with congregant.
body being many are one, so also is Christ, for by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be slave or free and have all been made to drink of one Spirit 1 Cor 12:12-13" (Constitution: 3).
The DCC "Statement of Faith" includes the following affirmation with regards to the church:
The true Church is composed of such persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 2:24 & 25; Ephesians 2:19-20) (Constitution: 5);
The full function of the five-fold ministry, which was given to perfect and equip the saints so they can enter into the work of the ministry, thereby edifying the whole body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Cor 12:28) (Constitution: 6);
We believe in the present day ministries of the apostles and prophets, which Christ has set in the church as foundational and revelational ministries. We believe these two ministries will be restored in full power and authority before the second coming of Christ (Ephesians 2:20; Acts 3:21) (Constitution: 6-7);
We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ is God's instrument to establish and extend God's Kingdom until the literal coming of Christ to reign over all the earth.
(Revelation 11:1-5) (Constitution : 7);
We believe in the autonomy of each of the DCC branches and that itinerant ministers should be based out of and related to a branch of the DCC with accountability to the Senior Pastors. (Acts 13:1; Acts 15).... We believe that the Church is the body of Christ expressed as the church individual, the church local and the church universal and invisible. As such we believe the church to be more than just a building or a gathering of people. It is a body living in relationship and harmony under direction of the Head, Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 6:15; 2 Cor 1:1, Romans 12:4,5; Ephesians 4:11-16) (Constitution:?); and
We believe as members of the same body of Christ, baptised by one spirit into one Body we must endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and as such we should not bring a lawsuit against another Christian, individual or ministry unless all scriptural principles have been complied with through efforts of mediation. We believe that all such disputes should be resolved within the body of Christ without taking them before unbelievers for judgement. (1 Cor 6:1-8;
Ephesians 4:3-6) (Constitution: 7).
3.4.5 Sin
"We believe that man [sic] was created in the image of God, but fell into sin (Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21)" (Constitution: 5).
The DCC is very outspoken about what it considers to be disobedience to Biblical moral codes and instruction. Immorality, "rejection of part or whole of the doctrine of Christ", strife and division, domineering and quarrelsome
behaviour among other things are considered to be sinful behaviour.
Concerning issues such as pornography, substance abuse, ill temper and fraudulent behaviour, the church encourages its members to seek deliverance from these evils. Divorce is considered a sin. However the DCC believes that
"God hates divorce but loves the divorcee". In a sermon on deliverance John Torrens describes sinful behaviour as "compulsion, defilement, and deception".
Compulsion, for example, refers to addictive behaviour such as smoking, drinking, being too talkative and having a judgemental and condemning attitude.
Defilement refers to exposing oneself to unclean thoughts, music and movies etcetera. Deception refers to compromising and disregarding the "truth". When one is deceived, one falls into error.
3.4.6 Salvation
At the heart of DCC theology is the "salvation of the lost". Salvation is regarded as the fundamental priority of the church, which firstly and most crucially concerns the soul. The soul must be saved from unbelief and the consequent eternal death that sin brings. In the Hope Centre Patient Booklet (this contains vital information about living with AIDS and management of the virus) under the title "What it means to be saved?" is the following statement:
If you are unsure of the answer to this question, or if you are afraid that you will not spend eternity in Heaven, there's good news for you 'God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes on him should not perish but have
EVERLASTING LIFE' (John 3:16).... Salvation does not come by joining a church, following a certain religion, doing good deeds, or living a good moral life. The Bible says there is only one way to receive salvation. You must be born again by accepting Jesus Christ as your saviour.
Every service concludes with an altar call for those who want to receive salvation. The preacher will often begin by saying that the time to make an
important decision about life has come: "those who have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, and would like to make a commitment to him please raise your hands, while heads are bowed and eyes closed". The speaker will go on to add, "Don't leave here without making that decision". The choir begins to softly sing, "there's room at the cross for you, though many have come, there's still room for one, there's room at the cross for you". The altar call continues as the preacher requests that all those who raised their hands stand up, and once they stand up they are told to "take a step of faith" and come to the front. At this point people from across the auditorium come forward, toward the altar/stage.
After a call to repeat the "sinner's prayer", and an impassioned prayer from the preacher for the repentance and salvation of the people, those who make this decision are immediately led to a special room adjoining the main auditorium.
Here their details are taken, together with their prayer requests. They are also presented with a booklet entitled Welcome to Your New Life77, which outlines the meaning of salvation and steps for spiritual progress:
1. Start reading God's word every day.
2. Begin to pray.
3. Experience water baptism.
4. Find a Bible believing church.
5. Receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost (: 2-3).
The theology adopted by the DCC states that those who believe in Jesus Christ (believers) will live eternally in the presence of God. "In the resurrection of the saved and the lost, one will have everlasting life and the other everlasting damnation" (:3).
Concerning salvation, the DCC Statement of Faith includes the following: -
We believe that man (sic) can be justified only by grace through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-12; Romans 3:24-28)" (Constitution p: 5);
The only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious Blood of Christ (The Bulletin, October Vol.1 No.4); and we believe in everlasting blessedness for the believer, with judgement and everlasting punishment for the unbelievers. (Matthew
7:21-23; Revelation 20:11-15; John 5:29) (Constitution: 6).
See appendix K p.310.
The emphasis on salvation extends from the city of Durban to the rest of the world. It is seen in the leaders' missionary impulse and passion for those who have not accepted Jesus Christ into their lives. The work has expanded, and today there are churches throughout South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritius, Reunion, Portugal, Holland, England and the United States. These churches are part of an International Network of Churches, of which Fred Roberts is the President.
The DCC includes this scriptural justification for its global expansion:
We believe that Christ wants the members of His church to carry the Gospel into all the world. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8) (Constitution: 6).