General Info

Background History

The Independent Church of India (ICI) had established a Bible School by the name of R. Dala Memorial Bible School at Senvon around the year 1940. When the Indo-Burma Pioneer Mission (IBPM) New Development started, the Headquarters of the Independent Church of India and the IBPM was shifted to Sielmat in 1956. The R. Dala Memorial Bible School was also shifted to Kangvai for a few years after which it was again shifted to Sielmat. When the Independent Church of India and the IBPM parted in 1965, the Bible School went to the IBPM. The IBPM did not continue the School for unknown reasons. The R. Dala Memorial Bible School, therefore, stopped function and was closed down.

The Independent Church of India, since then, began to establish a number of secular educational institution. But there was no school for theological studies as the R. Dala Memorial School was no more. The ICI’s cherished dream to start a theological institution for imparting evangelical theological education to the people who are being called by God continued, though nothing could be done to fulfil it for some years.

The dream came true in March, 1980 when the 30th General Assembly approved the opening of a Bible School at Sielmat, Churachandpur, Manipur. Accordingly, on 1st April, 1980, the School started with only fourteen students, with Rev. D. Ruolngul, B.A., B.D., as the first Principal, assisted by Rev. Lalngaisang and Rev. H.B. Hluothang who joined them in June of the same year. Over the past few decades, it has grown in size and strength through the guidance of God. In 1995, it was upgraded to a college under Rev. H.B. Hluothang, B.A., B.D., M. Th. as the Principal. With the introduction of Bachelor of Theology (B. Th.) course in 1995, Englilsh became the medium of instructions.

The motto of the College is, “Rightly Handling the Word of Truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

 

Location

Sielmat Bible College is located in Sielmat, the General Headquarters of the Independent Church of India. Sielmat is an elevated place with mild and fresh air. It is within the municipal area of Churachandpur Town, 65 kilometres south of Imphal, the state capital of Manipur.

 

Aims and Objectives

  1. To give adequate theological training to potential men and women for future leadership.
  2. To impart sound biblical and theological knowledge as an effective means to defend the church from heretical teachings.
  3. To provide in-depth training to cross-cultural missionaries.
  4. To give theological education and training to lay men who are actively involved in local church ministries.
  5. To promote biblical spirituality in the lives of the students so that they will develop Christ-like character.

 

Doctrinal Statement

The College believes in:

  1. The full divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ who was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin Mary, his atoning death, his bodily resurrection, his ascension, and his personal return in glory to judge the living and the dead.
  2. The Holy Scriptures composed of the sixty-six books of the Old and the New Testaments originally given by God, uniquely inspired, authentic, infallible and supreme authority over men.
  3. One God eternally existent in three persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
  4. The dignity of men created in the image of God, his subsequent fall, universal sinfulness, his salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, and bodily resurrection.
  5. The Spiritual unity of all believers in Christ, expressed in worship, fellowship and service.

 

 Emblem of the College

The College emblem is a round seal within which the name and address of the College encircles an open Bible in the centre on which is written “Rightly Handling the Word of Truth.” In the middle of the open Bible is a bright torch. It signifies that the foundation and central focus of SBC is the Holy Scriptures. The SBC exists to light the world of darkness in the lives of those who follow the teachings of the Scriptures.

 

Accreditation

Our three years’ B. Th. and M. Div. programs are accredited by the Asia Theological Association (ATA), the coordinating body of Evangelical Theological Education in Asia.