Inception & Vision of the
Payne Bible College

'Having done everything to stand firm, stand firm therefore'
(Ephesians 6:13-14)

In the years prior to 1900 there was an approaching interdenominational move of God loosely organized throughout the known Christian world. This move of God provided an ongoing platform for preachers to respond to the unbiblical teaching that was spreading among denominational leaders, seminary professors, and pastors. Then around the 1900s, a powerful doctrinal response came to this movement called the The Fundamentals.

First, one great truth came out in this movement, it was that true biblical theology was presented and defended. Secondly, last day apostasy was again exposed. Thirdly, the Bible-believing, New Testament believers were galvanized into a more cohesive force -- a force that was evident in the Acts of the Apostles. And fourthly, the advent of the Holy Spirit as it was on the Day of Pentecost came. A new name was given to those who were involved in the movement as "Bible-believers", "Fundamentalists" and simply "Saints" of this modern age.

By the 1920's many ministers and congregations began to withdraw from their parent denominations in wake of what was called in some circles as the Apostolic Faith Movement. Departure from their historic doctrines by the leadership and involvement in movements contrary to faith gave the churches reason to "come out from among them and be separate," (2 Corinthians 6:17). They did this at great cost, losing many benefits of association and often valuable properties such as church buildings, parsonages, and pensions. But there was a great move of the Holy Spirit set for the defense of the new awakening of this Pentecostal Fire Gospel and those committed to an uncompromising stand for the truth of God's word. New churches were birthed and formed with the Apostle's principles.

If The Foundations Are Destroyed,
What Can The Righteous Do? Ps.11:3

The time has come for an uncompromising Gospel, rooted in the Christ-centered message of the Cross that the early church practiced, studied and preached. The inception of the Payne Bible College was founded in 1970 with a missionary zeal and vision to equip it students with an International burden. This was reflected in the world-wide missionary vision and the increasing emphasis placed upon Bishop Payne to reach the lost at any cost. The first class to complete studies was numbered at over 50 students that were prepared to serve in local and foreign lands. The historical significance of the school is that the school stands for a movement firmly fixed upon the principle: "the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:20). The nature of the Payne Bible College is a fellowship for study, not a "church" as in a denomination, but focusing on teaching the basic body of biblical truth that establishes and builds individual bodies of believers in the church controlled by the Head of the church, Christ Jesus through Personal Relationship with Him and the Holy Spirit. The Articles of Faith and Doctrine of the Church Fellowship and School are essentially the same. We have established cardinal beliefs of the historic biblical Christian faith as taught in the beginning of the new testament church era by Jesus Christ and the epistles later written by the Apostles and we take serious accounts of the history of God dealing man in the ages of both Old and New Testament times. We teach scriptural principles necessary to bring us into oneness of the Lord's work world-wide with others that there may be One Fold.

Payne Bible College Was Designed To
Prepare Workers For Christ's Vineyard

Seeing the increasing need for the church to, "Occupy or do the business of our Lord till I come again." (Luke 19:13), it became the primary concern of PBC to equip the local church leadership to proclaim the Full Gospel and apply its message and pattern to world-wide outreach at home and foreign soil. The early churches set the example, PBC is an extended ministry of the call to duty.

The Payne Bible College extends its growth in both online and offline correspondence courses. It must do more than simply provide a study for its students and church leadership. It has to extend into assisting the fellowship of churches and their Pastors to begin new churches by church extension programs through maturing leadership. The development of planting churches through a program of maturing spiritual leadership in study and experience has been a vision of the Bible College since its inception.

' In-Action' Program

A vision in place during the 1970's founding of the school, spoke of a program to the effect of 'in action' coupled with study -- in which students practice their learning skills during their study. We were given this charge to practice our preaching through field labors. This 21st Century has given an era of opportunity. Thus in a recent college assembly there was adopted a new movement of commitment to this mission of action and the vision is stable for this new century as well as excellence in the pursuit of learning and study. The college staff is dedicated to this ongoing cultivation of God's plan for the Payne Bible College. May our students join us in this pursuit of excellence adding to a balanced, biblical education, developing a growing fellowship with those who consider PBC as their 'Alma mater.' We must always remember those who have gone on to other fields of ministry and gave us legacy for this institution of Biblical Learning. We will keep our doors open to those coming and keep the torches burning for those coming in the future.

Benevolence Committee Speaks

We welcome you today for your interest and vision in this institution. This institution has been founded and set on its course to face the challenges of the 21st Century. Saints, friends, churches, brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world, please remember your part is vital in standing with us, until our Lord returns!