Who and when found RBS?
RBS ministry started in 1991 in St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad). It became possible due to efforts of several Christian missions. We still are partners with some of them.
Who supports you financially?
Our mission is supported by members of many different churches. In addition to that. Some Christian publishers, such as Eastern European Mission, provide us Bibles and other literature free of charge.
Is your organization a church?
No, we are not a church, we don’t have religious meetings, as organization we don’t perform the Lord’s Supper or baptism, but our staff members go to church and are ministers in their local congregations.
Is that true that you teach and send out literature free of charge?
Yes, both teaching and literature distribution are free for all our students. But we can’t afford free mailing outside of Russia, so we have to charge those who live outside of Russia for postal expenses.
Who are authors of Russian Bible School courses?
All our courses were written by Russian teachers, minsters of local Church of Christ congregations and Russian Bible School instructors.
What Bible translation do you use?
We use different translations. We also use New Testament original coine Greek texts. Among Russian translations we prefer Synodal translation, because it’s the most common Russian translation.
What are your admission requirements?
You simply need to desire to study. No other requirements are necessary. You can apply for enrollment using any method you choose.
Who can be saved?
We believe that in order to be saved a person need to go at least through several stages: believe, repent, confess, be baptized, become a church member and live in faith and obedience to God’s Word. We talk about it n details in our Bible courses.
Is water baptism necessary for salvation and why?
Yes, we believe that water baptism is not only desirable, but necessary step on the way to salvation. We base our teaching on this subject on Scripture passages (such as Acts 2:37-38 and Peter 3:21) and on practice of the early church.
What are visible manifestations of gifts of the Holy Spirit in human being?
We believe that love is the main gift of the Holy Spirit (John 13:34-35). We can read about other gifts in the following passages in New Testament: 1Cor.12:1-11, 1Cor.14, Galatians 5:22-23 and in many others. Spiritual gifts are not necessarily supernatural.
How can a man return to God?
If somebody has already been baptized by true Biblical baptism, but then left his way of faith, he needs to deeply repent and renew his commitment to devote life to Christ. We also would encourage this person to confess and reconcile with people of his local congregation.
How can one grow in his faith?
First, it takes a firm decision of a person and a help of good spiritual mentors. Correspondence Bible lessons also may be of some help, but they can’t replace completely sincere real fellowship with someone who knows well your life, sins, gifts and weaknesses
Can a believer remain a Christian without being a member of local congregation?
We convinced that believers are saved not in isolation. It takes Church to be saved, because it gives opportunity to serve brothers and sisters, use your spiritual gifts, strengthen ones faith and participate in the Lord’s Supper.