Punchbowl Christian Centre is an autonomous evangelical church affiliated with the Christian Brethren Assemblies of Australia. The church is made up of people who acknowledge their sinfulness before a Holy God and by faith accept God's grace, love and forgiveness, expressed through Christ and His death for us. We now meet together to worship Him because He has made us part of His family in Christ.

As part of the worldwide church of Christ unified by the Holy Spirit we welcome all into our fellowship who, like us, are part of the family of God and desire to join us in His service and in the worshipping of His Name.

Being a Christian Brethren Assembly there are several church distinctives to which we hold, and believe before God and His Word that we should continue do so.

These are:

The plurality of elders as leaders of the church

The leadership and direction of the church is provided by a group of elders rather than through any one leader alone.

The autonomous nature of the church

Although we are in fellowship with other Christian Brethren Assemblies, we operate as an autonomous church responsible to the call of God alone.

The priesthood of all believers

This means that all have access to God through Christ, and that therefore all may function as priests in leading the people in praise, worship and service before God. We do not hold to a clergy/laity system which would operate against this principle. As priests we all have the same access to God, however, because all are gifted by God differently, the expression of our priesthood before God will vary accordingly. The priesthood of all believers does not mean that we all exercise the same gift but that all do their part for the common good as God has determined by His Spirit.

The authority of scripture alone

This is not to be confused with the authority of our interpretation, but means that as a community of Christ all study the Word of God, bowing before it together under the authority of the Holy Spirit, allowing the Scriptures to confront and challenge our preconceived ideas afresh. Thereby providing us with a solid foundation and a pathway to growth and truth.

The unity of all believers in Christ

We accept all those who Christ has accepted by His Holy Spirit into His Family. This form of unity embraces a healthy diversity which leads to a bigger picture of God in our midst - as all work together.

The practice of believers baptism

A person is baptised upon the confession of their personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and their acceptance of Him as their Saviour and Lord.

The weekly observance of the Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper ("Communion" or "Breaking of Bread") is observed each week and is often accompanied by a time of open worship in which all may take part in leading those gathered in worship to God.