Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa
The website of the Local Church of the Saints in Toronto, also known as the Local Church in Toronto, indicates the following as its core beliefs:
- The Bible is the complete divine revelation inspired word by word by God through the Holy Spirit
(2 Pet. 1:21, 2 Tim. 3:16) - God is uniquely one, yet triune - the Father, the Son, and the Spirit
(1 Tim. 2:5a, Matt. 28:19) - The Son of God, even God Himself, was incarnated to be a man by the name of Jesus Christ
(John 1:1, John 1:14) - Christ died on the cross for our sins, shedding His blood for our redemption
(1 Pet. 2:24, Eph. 1:7a) - Christ resurrected from among the dead on the third day
(1 Cor. 15:4) - Christ ascended to the right hand of God to be Lord of all
(Acts 1:9, Acts 2:33, Acts 2:36) - Whenever any person repents to God and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, he is regenerated (born again) and becomes a living member of the one Body of Christ
(Acts 20:21, John 3:3, Eph. 1:22-23, Rom. 12:5) - Christ is coming again to receive His believers to Himself
(1 Thes. 2:19). (The Local Church in Toronto n.d.)
In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a director of the Local Church in Toronto also indicated that its members "preach the gospel to unbelievers that they may meet the Lord Jesus and be regenerated with the divine life to become members of His Body, the church" (ibid. 4 July 2012).
With regard to concurrent practice at another Christian church, the director indicated that
[i]t is our endeavour to help members of the Local Church to see the vision concerning the genuine ground of the church, which is the Body of Christ, being expressed locally. A believer, who has seen this vision clearly, is unlikely to practice simultaneously at another Christian denomination.
(References: Ephesians 1:22-23; 1st Corinthians 1:2, Revelation 1:11-12). (ibid.)
With regard to registration practices within the Local Church in Toronto, the director indicated that
we do not keep track of the members’ participation, but we do encourage them to attend small group home meetings, usually on a weekly basis. We also encourage members to attend corporate meetings on the Lord’s Day (Sunday) to partake of the Lord’s Table, following which is a time of Bible study, mutual speaking on the enjoyment of the Word throughout the week. (ibid.)
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
The Local Church in Toronto. 4 July 2012. Correspondence sent to the Research Directorate by a director of the church.
_____. N.d. "Our Beliefs." <http://thelocalchurchintoronto.org/beliefs.php> [Accessed 22 June 2012]
Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sites, including:Church in Brampton, Church in Markham, Church in Richmond Hill, Church in Toronto, Concernedbrothers.com, Toronto City Church.
