Bethany Chapel Beliefs

Scripture

We believe that “all Scripture is God-breathed”; that in its entirety, the Bible is God’s Word, without error in its original manuscripts and is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:21).

God

We believe that the one living and true God eternally exists in three distinct persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – and that these three possess the same nature, attributes and glory (Deut 6:4; Matt 28:19; John 1:1, 14; 10:30).

HUMANITY

We believe that humanity, designed biologically as male and female, was created directly by God, and by disobedience fell into sin. Therefore, men and women are liable to eternal punishment and cannot save themselves. (Gen 1:26; 2:17; Rom 3:23; Heb 9:27; Eph 2:1-3; Rev 20:11-15). Creation’s original marriage design was/is between a man and a woman, and the resulting children were/are, by their very nature, male and female (Gen 1:27-28). 

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son and that through His virgin birth, true humanity and undiminished deity were united in one person forever (John 1:1, 14; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6; Heb. 1:1-3).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died upon the cross as a full and perfect substitutionary sacrifice for sins, and that His bodily resurrection and ascension to heaven marks Him as Lord of all (Matt 20:28; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:24; 3:18; Phil 2:9-11; 1 Cor 15:3-4).

Salvation

We believe that salvation is entirely of God’s grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. The believer is forgiven, regenerated, given eternal life and unfailingly kept by the power of God to salvation on the sole basis of faith in Christ as personal Savior (Eph 2:8, 9; Rom 3:24, 25; John 10:27-30; 1 Pet 1:5; John 5:24).

The Holy Spirit

We believe that God the Holy Spirit has united all believers to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection by Spirit baptism, and that He indwells all believers to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and guarantees their ultimate salvation (1 Cor 12:13; John 7:37-39; 14:16-18; Acts 1:8; Rom 8:9; Eph 1:13-14).

We believe that Spirit baptism enables and empowers the believer to be transformed through the process of sanctification; i.e. being made holy or set apart unto God and for His service. This applies to every aspect of the believer’s life, including but not limited to marriage, family life, sexual expression, witness in the world, spiritual disciplines, and the believer’s general transformation from the works of the flesh to the fruit of the Spirit (John 17:17; Eph 5:22-31; Gal 5:18-24).

The Church

We believe that the Church is composed of all true believers and that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only head of His church (1 Cor 12:13; Eph 1:22; 4:11-14; 5:23).

We believe that a local church is under the direct authority of the Lord Jesus Christ through His Word, and that in obedience to Him, it is to practice believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper as ordinances. Elders are appointed to shepherd God’s people (Eph 1:22-23; Matt 28:18-20; 1 Cor 11:23-34; Acts 20:28).

The Return of Jesus Christ

We believe that the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ for His church is imminent; that He shall reign in glory upon the earth, and that those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation shall enjoy eternal blessing in heaven (Matt 24; 1 Thess 5:1-2; Rev 21-22).

The Great Commission

We believe that believers live in the world under the mandate of the Great Commission, which calls us to bear witness to the Lord Jesus Christ in the entire world (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).

Values

Our values are biblically-based principles that we use to guide and direct the ministries at Bethany Chapel. They are not simply what we do but define why we do what we do. They function as accountability guideposts. These values direct our ministries and interpret our efforts.

Biblical Truth

We believe that the Bible is the only source of truth that can help us to live the lives for which we were created. {sermon link}

Cultural Relevance

We believe that changing our methods without compromising our message is essential as we bring timeless truths to each new generation. {sermon link}

Outward Focus

We believe that reaching beyond ourselves reflects the value of people as well as God’s desire to be in a relationship with every person everywhere. {sermon link}

Loving Community

We believe that loving and grace-filled relationships fill our need for connection and touch the heart of a broken world. {sermon link}

Faithful Prayer

We believe that faithful prayer and prayerful faith unleash the activity of the most powerful Person in the universe. {embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBfnguiMSPk[/embed]}

People Development

We believe that discipling people into their full potential as Christ-worshippers is the best way to expand God’s influence in our world. {sermon link}