Baptist Church
WHAT WE BELIEVE
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE CORE BELIEFS OF
BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH
GOD
He is holy and perfect. God reveals Himself to us as Father, who rules with care over his universe; as Son, in the person of Jesus Christ who was born of a virgin, lived, died on a cross, and was raised from the dead; and as Holy Spirit, who inspired the Bible, convicts of sin, guides in truth, and empowers the believer and the church.
Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14; 15:11; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; 32:6; I Chronicles 29:10-16; Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 6:9; 7:11; Luke 1:35; 23:33; 24:6; John
16:7-14; Acts 1:8; I Peter 1:1-2.
THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s revelation of himself to us. It is truth without error. It reveals the way of salvation and is the full and final authority on all matters of truth and discipleship. It is important to the believer for teaching and training in righteousness.
Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-12; Joshua 1:7-8; Nehemiah 8:1-8; Psalm 19:7-10; 119; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:17-19; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; II Timothy 3:15-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 1:1-2.
At the Fall, sin entered the world. We are by nature sinners and have each sinned against God. We need forgiveness of sin and to be brought into a right relationship with God. Forgiveness and righteousness were accomplished through the gracious work of Christ on the cross by which we are called to our original purpose of fellowship with God.
Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7; Psalm 8:4-8; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; 5:8; I Corinthians 1:9; II Corinthians 5:17-21
HUMANITY
SALVATION
Salvation is offered freely to all who repent of sin and by faith receive Christ as Savior and Lord. Salvation involves election, which is God’s gracious choice of us; regeneration, which is the new birth we experience when we respond to Christ; justification, which declares us right with God; reconciliation, which brings peace with God; adoption, which makes us children of God; sanctification, which is spiritual growth by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; and glorification, which is eternal fellowship with God in heaven.
Matthew 1:22; Luke 5:32; John 3:1-18; Acts 2:21;38; Romans 6:23; 8:29-30; 10:9-13; Ephesians 1:3-8; 2:8-9; Titus 3:3-8; I Peter 1:2; 2:2; II Peter 1:3.
The church is the body of Christ and the family of God. Jesus, as head of the body, is the One who builds his church. The whole church includes all believers of all time who have been reconciled to God through Christ.
The local church is made up of baptized believers who join together under biblical leadership to edify and love one another in order to love others and to participate in making disciples of all peoples.
The church observes the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Matthew 16:15-19; Acts 2:41-47; 6:1-7; 13:1-3; I Corinthians 1:2; I Corinthians 11:2-3; Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:6-10, 20-21; 4:4-16; 5:26-27; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 10:23-25; Revelation 19:7.
THE CHURCH
EVANGELISM
& MISSIONS
We seek to win lost people to Christ personally and by supporting the efforts of the local church. Local churches undertake missionary endeavors to make disciples in their community and throughout the world.
Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 6:8-9; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 13:1-3; Romans 1:16; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Colossians 1:28-29; I Thessalonians 1:8; II Timothy 4:5
Discipleship involves the process of growing in the knowledge of God and learning how to live out who we are in Christ. Having been transformed, followers of Jesus apply the Bible to their lives in real and practical ways, as they grow in demonstrating Christ-like character, in love for and service to the family of God, and in ministry to the world.
Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 9:23-26; 14:25-35; John 8:31-32; 13:34-35; 15:1-17; Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13; Colossians 1:28; II Peter 3:17-18
DISCIPLESHIP
LAST THINGS
Jesus Christ will return personally to the earth. The dead will be raised, and Christ will judge all people. Unbelievers will be separated from God in hell, which is the place of everlasting punishment. Believers will receive their reward and will live forever in heaven with the Lord, according to his gracious will.
Matthew 16:27; 24:27; 25:31-46; Romans 14:10; Philippians 3:20-21; I Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1-11;
II Thessalonians 1:5-12; II Peter 3:7-13;
Revelation 3:11; 20-22
Bethany is a voluntary participant with the Southern Baptist Convention and affirms the statement of faith outlined in the Baptist Faith and Message.
