What We Believe

We desire to make disciples of Jesus Christ who are zealous to spread the glory of God to the ends of the earth.

Bethany distinctives

Doctrinal Statement:

bible

We believe the Bible is God's revelation of Himself and of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. We believe that the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God, and are without error in their original writings. They are the supreme and final authority in faith and life.

See: Psalm 19:7-9; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21

God

We believe in One living and true God. He is eternal in existence, completely holy and sovereign in His actions and nature. God is a triune being: three persons, One in essence. Each part of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, is coequal and co-eternal. There is one God.

See: Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 6:4

Statements of Deity:

• Father - John 6:27; 1 Peter 1:2

• Son - John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:17

• Holy Spirit - Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 6:19 (see 1 Corinthians 3:16)

Salvation

We believe that because Adam sinned all mankind was plunged into sin, which brought spiritual death upon the whole human race. Man in his sinful nature on his own accord, does not seek after God and lives in total rebellion against His Creator. God, in His sovereign plan and purpose, not only provided a way for salvation, but also chose those whom He would in time save. It is God who causes sinners to seek after Him and find Him. The predestination of His elect is accomplished by God's sovereign grace and mercy, through Jesus Christ who paid the ransom for sin to the Father, for those whom He foreknew before the world began. God regenerates the sinner, (brings them to life) by the power of the Holy Spirit, not by any action of their own. God grants to them the gifts of faith and repentance, which they then exercise by believing in Christ and turning from their sins in love for God. As a result of this faith, based upon the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, which satisfied the Father, God justifies (makes righteous) the one who believes, and adopts him as his own child. God's gift of faith and the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of His elect result in good works. These good works flow from true, saving faith. They are a necessary result of faith, but are not to be considered necessary for the gaining of salvation, which is by God's grace through faith alone, so that no man can boast.

See: John 6:37, 44; 10:25-29; Romans 3:9-20; 5:12; 6:23; 8:29-30; Ephesians 2:1-10

Baptism

We believe baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, commanded for every believer, in which he is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The ordinance of baptism is a sign of the believer's fellowship with the death and resurrection of Christ, of his remission of sins and of his giving himself up to God to live and walk in newness of life. (Baptism is a picture of salvation)

See: Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-5

Communion

We believe the Lord's Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, for believers, to be administered with the elements of the bread and the cup, and to be observed by his church until the end of the world. It is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designed to commemorate Christ's death and resurrection, and anticipate His imminent return.

See: Matthew 26:26-30; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

Second coming of christ

We believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ for His church (the rapture), followed by a seven-year period where the wrath of God is poured out on the Earth (the tribulation). At the end of the tribulation the Lord Jesus will physically return to earth to reign for one thousand years (the millennium).

See: John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 6-19

Church leadership

We believe that each local church is to be governed and led by a plurality of biblically qualified men. The Bible uses several terms for these men: elders or pastors or overseers. (These three titles refer to the same office.) The primary responsibility of the elders is the spiritual oversight of the church. Under the leadership of the elders is a plurality of biblically qualified  deacons, whose primary responsibility is to serve the physical needs of the church.

See: Acts 6:1-6; 14:23; 20:17-32 Timothy 3:1-8; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4

The Five Solas:

“SOLA GRATIA” Grace Alone- Salvation is not of works but is of God’s grace alone, for he redeems his people on the basis of Christ’s sacrificial atonement (1 Pet. 3:18). Salvation is the gift of God to sinners (Eph. 2:5-8). 

“SOLA FIDE” Faith Alone- Salvation comes by grace alone and through personal faith alone in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:8-9). God imparts new life at the moment of conversion, which is displayed through an obedient faith (1 Pet. 1:23; John 3:1-14). God grants salvation through this faith. While works save no one, authentic faith produces good works (Eph. 2:10; Jas. 2:14-26).

“SOLUS CHRISTUS” Christ Alone- Salvation comes through the redeeming work of Christ alone (Rom. 5:18-21). As the God-man, Christ alone is able to reconcile humans to God. As salvation comes through Christ’s work alone; therefore, our faith in God goes through Christ alone (Acts 4:12). Christ Jesus alone is the image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15). 

“SOLA SCRIPTURA” Scripture Alone- The Bible is God’s Word, and it reveals everything we need for life and godliness (2 Tim. 3.16-17). As God’s Word, Scripture alone is perfect, inerrant, and sufficient for the man of God. Since Scripture is God’s special revelation to man, it is the final earthly authority for life and conduct. 

“SOLI DEO GLORIA” Glory to God Alone- As salvation is God’s work all glory belongs to God alone (Rom. 16:27; Eph. 1:6). Moreover, as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, everything exists to glorify God (Col. 1:15-20). All glory and honor ultimately belong to him (Jude. 1:24-25). Christ Bible Church exists to bring glory to God alone for all that he has done, especially through the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 10:31).