A message to all who may like to study with the International Bible College.

We are different to the Bible Colleges of the world. It will help you if we explain how & why we are different so that your expectations of studying with us can be in harmony with our expectations of you as a student.

We will not try to change you ourselves, as that is done by Jesus through the Holy Spirit being active in your life & with your free & willing participation. Your change will happen to the degree that you accept Jesus as your Saviour & submit to Him. The changes you experience will range from zero to total transformation & a new way of being you. The level of change will depend upon your personal relationship to Jesus, not reading our material.

We also change as we serve Jesus. In the relationship between you & us at the college you will be introduced to ideas that may be new to you. We welcome your questions but please maintain a respectful interaction with us. Do not try to change us into a worldly college so that you can compete with others from other colleges in the number of certificates or degrees you have gained.

Jesus had many disciples from whom He chose 12 to be future rulers over the 12 tribes of Israel. The word “apostle” simply means “messenger” or “one sent”, it is not a title of holiness as most people use it today. The 12 were given titles that meant “messenger”, Paul’s title was “messenger to the Gentiles”. The word “apostle” then is a job description as is “leader sent with a message”. We do not promote competition with titles or degrees. We promote unity in the Spirit as acts of submission to Jesus & the glory that He deserves.

Money:

Worldly Bible Colleges typically charge huge fees to cover their costs of buildings, wages, etc. Because of inflation & for other reasons they regularly raise their fees so that they can continue to exist. They have a “user pay” approach. This means there are many who are excluded from their teaching because they are unable to afford the tuition.

The International Theological Seminary

When face-to-face classes are conducted, the charges to students are at a rate that is set as low as possible for covering the costs of materials used. No genuine disciple will be denied participation because of lack of money.

We are not a money making organisation. We ask those that can help us cover the costs of running ITS, to pay $75 for a course if they can, to also help us and those who can’t afford to pay. This amount has not changed from 1998 until the present.

Qualifications:

Most other Bible College students are considered successful if they graduate with a certificate, diploma or degree. These different levels of qualification are considered as indicators of the value or worth of their students. These qualifications are an acknowledgement of completion of study, honour for the graduate & easily promote pride in the person as well as from the community. They are also a measure of the success of the college in producing graduates.

ITS does not have any pass or fail status. Every student who accepts Jesus, who grows in His likeness, who is a son or daughter of God is successful. The qualification that each will receive is a crown of glory & eternal life in the Family of God. This qualification is given by God, not us. All Jesus’ disciples, in the first century, were called saints & sometimes martyrs. We leave it up to the Lord to place people where He chooses & give them whatever honours He sees are appropriate for the work He has for them.

We realise this approach is very unusual, though there are others who have adopted it before us. Never the less, it is the way we have chosen to operate.

If you are studying with us because we are cheap or free you are in the wrong place. The cost with the Lord is your whole life.

If you want qualifications so you can present yourself as a learned person for employment or prestige reasons, again, you are in the wrong place.

Matt 5:5 "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."

Matt 5:6 "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."

Matt 11:29 "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

Our goal is to help you, by the grace of God, to grow into whatever the Lord has decided for you, to know Him better & increase in your personal understanding of your relationship with Him. This is between you & Him.

Accreditation:

The Degree, Diploma or Certificate qualifications of the world’s Bible Colleges, carry the most prestige in the worlds eyes, if the college is accredited by some Government Department. This in turn requires submission by the college to Government legislation that will attract Government funding. Such submission provides funding but costs freedom. It typically requires major administration compliance which frequently changes with the politics of the day. A burden we do not carry.

We have chosen to NOT accept Government funding so that we can be free to offer discipleship development as we have been led. We are therefore a small, private, Bible College, dependent on free donations from those the Lord prompts to support us. A faith work, with no established church to support us.

The consequence of this is that we are not accredited by any branch of the Australian Government & from time to time are criticised & devalued in the eyes of the community as being of no or little value. This is something we must accept as the price of remaining faithful to what we believe.

We have no intention of seeking accreditation so please either accept our status or go to another college which is accredited. We support the disciples the Lord brings to us.

We know this is an unusual approach to Tertiary Education. We believe it is appropriate to Disciplining. If what is presented above is not in harmony with who you are or how you think, please, first take it to the Lord & ask Him how to proceed. Then make a decision that works for you.

For those who like formal qualifications we offer:-

Certificate, Diplomas, Degrees as of May 2019

The Team

George Matti (President)

Wayne Elfverson (Dean)

Breeanna Rennie (Director)

August 2021

How and Why we are different to other Bible Colleges.

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