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What We Believe

Our Statement of Faith

The basis of our common faith is found in the following sections.

Section 1: The Godhead

We believe in the one, true God who gives us a general revelation of Himself through His creation and our conscience and a special revelation through His word. (1-2) He exists eternally in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, who are the same in nature and equal in power and glory. (3-5) God is the creator, sustainer and ruler of all that is, both visible and invisible. (6-8) The Lord is all-knowing, all-powerful, self-existent and unchangeable. (9-12) He is Spirit, His presence is limitless, and He is perfect and infinite in His holiness, righteousness, justice, goodness, wisdom, truth and love. (13-21)

Scripture References

1. General Revelation | Psalms 19:1, Romans 1:18-20, 2:14-15

2. Special Revelation | Exodus 3:14, 32:15-16, 1 Corinthians 2:13-14

3. God is Eternal | Genesis 1:1, Psalms 90:2, Isaiah 44:6, Hebrews 1:10-12, Revelation 1:8

4. The Trinity | John 1:1-4, 10:30-38, 14:8-11, Acts 5:3-4, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Ephesians 1:3-14, 1 Peter 1:2

5. The same in nature or essence | John 8:54-58, 14:6-11, 16:15, 17:5

6. God is the Creator | Genesis 1:1, Job 38:1-7, John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-17

7. God is the Sustainer of all things | Job 37: 3-24, Acts 17:28, Hebrews 1:3

8. God is the Ruler of all things | Isaiah 6:1-4, Matthew 28:18, 1 Timothy 6:13-16

9. God is Omniscient (all- knowing) | Isaiah 40:13-14, Psalms 139:1-10

10. God is Omnipotent (all- powerful) | Job 38:1-7, 42:2

11. The Aseity of God (self-existence) | Psalms 90:2, John 5:26, Revelation 4:10

12. God is Immutable (unchangeable) | Psalms 33:11, Hebrews 13:8

13. God is a Spirit being | John 4:24, 2 Corinthians 3:17

14. God is Omnipresent (present everywhere) | Jeremiah 23:24, Psalms 139:7-10

15. God is Holy | Isaiah 6:1-3, Revelation 4:2-11, 5:11-14

16. God is Righteous | Psalms 145:17, Philippians 3:8-9, 2 Timothy 4:8

17. God is Just | Psalms 9:16, Matthew 25:31-46, Romans 3:25-26

18. God is Good | Psalms 136:1, Romans 2:4

19. God is Wise | Isaiah 28:29, Romans 11:33-34

20. God is Truth | Psalms 43:3, John 7:17-19, 14:6,16-17

21. God is Love | Psalms 33:5, John 3:16; Ephesians 3:16-19

We believe the Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is the living, inspired, and eternal word of God. (1-3) The Bible contains the revealed will of God to humanity and is the only infallible and sufficient guide to our Christian faith and practice. (4-6) We believe Scripture is completely true and therefore free from any falsehood, fraud, deceit or contradiction. (7)

Scripture References

1. God’s Word is living | Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 1:24-25

2. God’s Word is inspired | 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Galatians 1:11-12, 2 Peter 1:20-21

3. God’s Word is eternal | Matthew 5:17-18, 24:35

4. The Bible reveals God’s will | Exodus 32:15-16, Psalms 119:95-105, 2 Peter 1:20-21

5. The Bible is infallible | 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 1:1-18

6. The Bible is sufficient | Joshua 1:7-8, Matthew 4:4-10, Revelation 22:18-20

7. The Bible is inerrant | Psalms 33:4, 119:97-10

We believe God created man and woman in His own image, for the purpose of bringing glory to Himself. (1-2) Because we are created in His image, we understand that God has forever established the sanctity of human life (which begins at conception) and has afforded us the capability of a personal relationship with Him, through His Son Jesus Christ. (3-4) Prior to the fall, Adam and Eve lived in perfect union with the Father and enjoyed an unblemished relationship with each other. (5) This marriage relationship was declared by God to be between a man and a woman, with the expression of sexual intimacy reserved exclusively for the marriage relationship. (6)

Influenced by the temptation of Satan, Adam and Eve willfully violated God’s protective command, bringing upon themselves guilt and shame and alienating them from God. (7) As descendents of Adam and Eve, we are born spiritually dead, under the curse of sin and separated from God; unable to save ourselves physically or spiritually. (8)

Scripture References

1. We are made in God’s image | Genesis 1:26-27, 5:1

2. We are created for God’s Glory | Isaiah 43:7, John 17:1-2, 9-10, Revelation 5:13

3. We are precious in God’s sight | Exodus 20:13, 21:12, Acts 17:24-28

4. Reconciliation with God | John 3:16, Ephesians 2:11-18

5. Created in Perfection | Genesis 1:31, 2:21-25

6. Marriage | Genesis 2:21-25, Matthew 19:3-6, Romans 1:24-27, Hebrews 13:4

7. The Fall | Genesis 3:1-24

8. Original Sin | Romans 1:18-20, 3:9-20, Ephesians 2:1-7

We believe Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Christ, our Lord and our Savior. (1-3) Jesus, willingly and humbly, set aside the privileges of deity to take on human flesh. (4) Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin Mary. (5) Jesus, being fully human and fully God, lived an earthly life without sin and fulfilled, perfectly, the righteous law of God. (6-9) We believe that Jesus, out of His love for the world, took upon Himself the penalty for our sin. (10-11) While on the cross, He endured not only physical torment and death, but also God’s wrath against sin, fully satisfying God’s justice and righteousness. (12-14) Jesus overcame death, being physically resurrected by the power of God, therefore giving us the assurance of eternal life and a bodily resurrection. (15-16) He then ascended to the right hand of the Father where He now reigns over all creation in truth and grace. (17-18) Jesus, in His majesty and power, intercedes on behalf of His people and will one day return to earth in glory and judgment. (19-20)

Scripture References

1. Jesus is the Messiah | Matthew 16:16-17, John 1:41, 4:25-26

2. Jesus is Lord | Acts 2:22-36, 1 Timothy 6:13-16, Revelation 19:11-16

3. Jesus is Savior | Luke 2:11, Acts 4:12, 1 John 4:14-16

4. The Incarnation | John 16:27-28, Philippians 2:6-11, 1 Peter 1:20

5. The virgin birth | Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:26-35, 2:6-7

6. Jesus is fully human | Hebrews 2:14-18, 4:14-16, 1 John 4:2

7. Jesus is fully God | John 1:1-14, 14:8-11, Hebrews 1:2-13

8. Jesus lived a sinless life on earth | 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:21-22

9. Jesus fulfilled the Law of God | Romans 5:18-21, 8:1-4, Philippians 2:8

10. Jesus is motivated by his love for us | John 3:16, 13:1, 17:24-26

11. Jesus was punished for our sin | Romans 3:25-26, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Colossians 2:13-15, Hebrews 2:17, 9:25-28, 12:2

12. Jesus endured physical punishment for our sin | Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-20

13. Jesus endured God’s wrath against sin | Isaiah 53:4-12, Psalms 90:11, Matthew 27:46, Revelation 14:9-12

14. Jesus’s work on the cross was a satisfactory atonement for our sin | John 3:35-36, Romans 3:25-26, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Col 1:20-22

15. Jesus was resurrected from death | Luke 24:5-6, Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 15:3-6

16. Assurance of eternal life and a bodily resurrection | John 3:16, 14:1-4, 17:24, 1 Corinthians 15:35-49, Revelation 7:9-14

17. Jesus ascended back into Heaven | Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, Acts 1:9-11

18. Jesus Session (He reigns over all creation) | Matthew 28:18-20, Philippians 2:9-11, Hebrews 1:3-4, 10:12-14, 1 Peter 3:22

19. Jesus intercedes on behalf of his church | Acts 2:32-36, Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:22-23, Hebrews 7:25

20. Jesus is coming back to gather his church and judge the world | Mark 8:38, John 5:25-30, Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

We believe the Holy Spirit has inspired the writing of all Scripture and illuminates the minds of believers so that we may have the mind of Christ. (1-2) The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin and regenerates the souls of the saints, giving us a spiritual rebirth. (3-4) Having believed, the Holy Spirit then dwells within the Christian and serves as a deposit, guaranteeing our eternal inheritance in Christ. (5) The Holy Spirit engages in our sanctification and gifts all Christians with at least one spiritual gift for the building up of the body of Christ. (6-7) He constantly works to bring glory to Jesus and testifies in truth to the reality of our risen Savior. (8)

Scripture References

1. The inspiration of Holy Scripture | 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21

2. Illumination, the Holy Spirit gives us understanding | 1 Corinthians 2:10-16

3. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin | John 16:7-15

4. The Holy Spirit regenerates us or gives us a spiritual rebirth | John 3:3-8, 1 John 2:29, 3:9

5. The Holy Spirit dwells in us and guarantees our future in Heaven | 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2:22

6. Sanctification, the Holy Spirit helps us in following Jesus and becoming more like Him | Romans 8:9-13, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

7. The Holy Spirit gives Christians spiritual gifts to build up the church | Romans 12:5-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

8. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus and testifies about Him | John 15:26, 16:13-15, Hebrews 10:15

We believe we are justified before God by grace, through faith, and in Christ alone and “if you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (1) We believe we are forgiven for our sin and through Christ’s life, death and resurrection are adopted as children of God so that we are now not our own. (2-3)

We have been “bought at a price,” and are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus. (4) An individual’s conversion to Christ is demonstrated by a changed life; a turning toward a life of obedience and the things of God. (5) Jesus calls us to be holy. (6) Our sanctification is a cooperative effort between us and the Holy Spirit and as we grow in grace, the Holy Spirit will produce in us the fruit of the Spirit. (7-8) Jesus has promised our Christian life to be one of abundance and victory. (9) Jesus is also clear that living out our faith will involve overcoming obstacles and burdens. (10) However, while enduring hardships, we shall have the “peace of God which transcends all understanding.” (11) Ultimately, we look forward to our perfection and glorification, as we will one day see our Lord face to face. (12)

Scripture References

1. Our justification as sinners before a Holy God | John 14:6, Acts 4:10-12, Romans 1:16-17, 3:21-28, 4:1-8, 10:8-13, Ephesians 2:3-10

2. We are forgiven for our sin |  Luke 1:77, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:13-14

3. We are adopted into the family of God | John 1:12-13, Romans 8:16-17, 23, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

4. Imputation, (we are covered by Christ’s righteousness) | Romans 4:18-25, 5:18-19, 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, Philippians 3:8-9, Revelation 7:14

5. We are called to repentance | Luke 9:23-26, 13:2-5, Acts 26:20, 2 Corinthians 7:10

6. Sanctification, we are called to live a holy life and grow in likeness of Jesus | Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:17-5:21, 1 Peter 1:13-16

7. Our sanctification is synergistic, (we need to cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit) | John 15:4-8, Romans 6:11-14, 8:9-14, Ephesians 4:22-24, Philippians 2:12-13, 2 Peter 1:5-11

8. Our faithfulness and yielding to the guidance of the Holy Spirit results in the Fruit of the Spirit | Galatians 5:16-26

9, Abundance and victory | John 10:10, 16:33, Romans 5:1-11, 1 Peter 1:3-11

10. Obstacles and burdens |  Romans 8:17, Philippians 3:7-11, 1 Peter 2:19-22, 4:12-14

11. God gives us peace in all circumstances | Matthew 11:28-30, Philippians 4:4-7

12. Perfection, glorification and Heaven | Romans 8:18, 28-30, 1 Corinthians 13:10-12, 15:40- 44, Hebrews 10:14, Revelation 7:17, 22:4-5

We believe God the Father, in His perfect plan of redemption and out of His perfect love for His Son, gave Him the Church; the Bride of Christ. (1) Jesus is the head of the Church and He uses His Church to make visible here on earth his invisible kingdom in Heaven; we are citizens of his kingdom. (2) We believe He brings Christians into fellowship with one another in the form of the local church, for the building up of that kingdom. (3) We practice the sacraments of baptism and communion, which the Lord Himself instituted as signs and seals of our covenant relationship with Him. (4) The Lord’s call on Bethany Church, through devotion to prayer, is for us to be faithful in fulfilling both His Great Commandment and Great Commission. (5-6) We are confident in Jesus’ proclamation; “I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not overcome it.” (7)

Scripture References

1. The covenant of redemption and intra-Trinitarian love | Genesis 3:15, John 3:35,5:20-21, 6:35-40, Ephesians 1:3-12, Colossians 1:15-17

2. Citizenship in God’s Kingdom and the role of the Church | Ephesians 1:18-23, 2:19-22, 3:2-12, 5:23

3. The local church | 1 Corinthians 1:2, 12:12-27, Hebrews 10:25

4. The Sacraments | Matthew 26:26-28, 28:19, Acts 10:47-48, Romans 6:3-4, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

5. Prayer | John 15:16, Acts 1:14, 2:42, 4:24, Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 4:6-7

6. The great commandment and great commission | Matthew 22:34-40, 28:18-20, Mark 12:28-31

7. Jesus’ proclamation concerning his Church | Matthew 16:18

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