Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the Sword of the Spirit Bible Institute is to equip the body of Christ for ministry as pastors, ministers, teachers, worship leaders, and laity for a lifetime of service to the Lord. Our central focus is to bring glory to God by preparing His servants. The servant of God who is properly taught will know how to teach, preach, evangelize, counsel and administrate. Growth, development and success of the students are our ultimate intentions.
We are committed to educating the people of God with the essential biblical foundation and theological knowledge, which will allow one to integrate Christian principles with academic discipline and life experiences. Upon graduation our students are prepared to begin operating kingdom principles from a level of excellence in this end-time ministry.
Sword of the Spirit Bible Institute (SSBI) believes, as seriously as you take your course work, will be as serious as you take your ministry. In fulfilling your studies, SSBI places the highest priority on completion of course work, research, and your success and growth in the ministry God has called you to work.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…”
II Peter 3:18a
Mission Statement
The mission of the Sword of the Spirit Bible Institute is to provide the academic preparation for persons who have been called to the Gospel Ministry as pastors, elders, ministers, worship leaders, teachers, directors as well as laity interested in Biblical maturity. Courses will be offered in an intellectual, enriching atmosphere, designed to challenge the students and produced servants of leadership and integrity. Curricular offerings will have a pragmatic basis-flexibility without sacrificing quality.
Dr. Benjamin W. Robertson, Sr. whose vision was to stretch one’s experience, mind, capacity and commitment in training for Christian Ministries founded Richmond Virginia Seminary. In establishing the Richmond Virginia Seminary, Dr. Robertson was motivated by the realization that people grow by being challenged to do their very best by being exposed to models of excellence in academia.
In keeping with the mission statement, we direct energy toward the achievement of the following major objectives:
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Guidance – to provide students with informed personalized counsel and learning experiences to help them gain a deeper understanding of the Bible and its message.
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Religious Training – to provide a stimulating setting which fosters the acquisition of knowledge.
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Specialized Preparation – to provide individuals with challenging opportunities for the acquisition of practical and/or specialized skills necessary to function successfully as pastors, ministers, directors or outreach persons in the ministry of the Christian church.
Affiliations
Recognized in 1982 by the Council of Higher Education of the Commonwealth of Virginia by Resolution from provisions of the Code of Virginia, Chapter 21, to the extent specified in subsection A. Section 23-266 which gives permission to confer degrees in religion--Bachelor, Master and Doctoral Degrees.
Statement of Faith
The Scripture
We believe the Bible is the inerrant authoritative Word of God. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” II Timothy 3:16
God
We believe in the Godhead constituting three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who created all things. Matthew 28:19-20 - “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Genesis 1:1 - “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary death and was resurrected from the dead and ascended to heaven. Jesus is true God and man.
Man
We believe that man was created in the image of God, that he disobeyed God and thereby incurred spiritual death, which is separation from God and also physical death as a consequence, and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature.
Salvation
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who repent and believe on Him by faith are justified on the grounds of His shed blood. We believe that all that receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become the Children of God.
The Church
We believe the Church is an elect company of believers baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body; its mission is to witness concerning its head, Jesus Christ, preaching the Gospel among all nations. Acts 1:8 - “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Ephesians 1:3-4. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” The church is the organism chosen of God to evangelize the world. God guides the church through the leadership of divinely called men and women. The fruits and gifts of the Spirit should be operational in the church and are integral to the spreading of the gospel of Christ.
The Resurrection
We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord Jesus Christ, His ascension, into heaven, and His present life for us as High Priest and Advocate.
