Foundation

Based on our doctrinal statement the following core values serve to guide the BBI training and discipleship approach to theological education.

  1. We affirm the authority and sufficiency of Scripture: We are unapologetically committed to the absolute authority, inerrancy, and sufficiency of God’s word in all areas of life and ministry (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
    Therefore, the BBI approach to training is committed to grounding men in the Scriptures with the skills and conviction to exposit the whole counsel of God’s word and shepherd the flock of God (Acts 20:20-28). The BBI curriculum and emphasis is designed to equip approved workmen who can accurately handle the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).
  2. We affirm the centrality of the local church: The church is divinely ordained to be the pillar and support of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15) because it is a Christ built institution (Matt. 16:18). For this reason, BBI training is committed to strengthening Christ’s church for His glory. It is our desire to work with the local church, not against it. By training pastors, missionaries, and evangelists the church is strengthened and edified in accordance with Ephesians 4:11-16.
  3. We affirm the priority of the gospel: It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that alone is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes (Rom. 1:16). Therefore, the faithful handling and accurate proclamation of the gospel is vital to BBI’s mission.
  4. We affirm the vital importance of character training and development in theological education. Integrity for spiritual leaders is not optional (1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1). For this reason, BBI seeks to provide accountability in the areas of theological training, personal character development, and practical ministry. This cannot be achieved through the sole means of online training but requires personal contact with the instructors and other students. In this, BBI does not seek to replace a student’s primary spiritual accountability to his local church, but rather to augment it.

Emphasis on Biblical Ministry

Based on our philosophy of ministry, BBI’s training for pastoral ministries emphasizes the following:

  1. Sound biblical hermeneutics (interpretation) through the original biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek) exegesis.
  2. Faithful expositional preaching which seeks to exposit the whole counsel of God’s word (Acts 20:28).
  3. Training in biblical counseling that works from the Scriptures, through the Scriptures, and to the Scriptures when addressing the fallen nature in a fallen world.
  4. Intentional discipleship through student interaction.
  5. Purposed outreach ministries that seek to reach the lost and engage the culture and secular worldview.
  6. Systematic theology that is applied to the prevailing culture and worldview.
  7. Practical shepherding that rightly and faithfully applies biblical truth to everyday concerns and needs of the flock of God.

Distinctives

  1. BBI Holds to a dispensational hermeneutic which includes a commitment to a consistent literal grammatical-historical interpretation of Scripture. Such a hermeneutical approach maintains a clear distinction between Israel and the church. Therefore, we hold to a futuristic premillennial eschatology.
  2. BBI upholds to a biblical view of complementarianism with its gender distinction and gender specific roles for marriage, church, and ministry. Therefore, our primary goal is to train biblically qualified male leaders, though wives are encouraged to study alongside their husbands. While training men for ministry is our primary goal, BBI encourages men and women laypersons to audit BBI courses for their own spiritual growth and edification.
  3. BBI defends and promotes the biblical view of marriage, gender distinction, and human sexuality (see Nashville Statement).

Mission Statement

The Berean Bible Institute of Cape Town exists for the sole purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20) by training men to be church leaders as approved pastor-teachers who, in turn, can equip their respective churches for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11-16).

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