What We Stand For

The people who meet at Bethany comprise a diverse group of followers of Jesus. While we come from a variety of backgrounds and see things from different points of view, there are some things we all believe. These can be divided into two main parts: our Statement of Faith and our Values. The items listed below come from a large document which has more details. It is called "A Look To The Future" and is available by contacting the elders.

Our Statement of Faith
1. Regarding THE BIBLE, we believe in the Divine Inspiration, Authority and Sufficiency of the Holy Scripture. See 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 5-39; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Isaiah 40:6-8; Isaiah 55:10-11.

2. Regarding THE LORD JESUS, we believe in the Trinity of the Godhead, necessarily including the deity of the Lord Jesus equally with the Father and the Holy Spirit. See Mark 12:29-30; John 17:3; 1 John 4:2,15; John 8:19,42,58; John 10:30; John 16:8,15.

3. Regarding THE GOSPEL, we believe in the Atoning sacrifice of Christ as a propitiation for the remission of sins, the fall of the human race and its consequent depravity necessitating the Holy Spirit's work in regeneration and sanctification, the Justification of the sinner before God by faith in Christ alone, that the dead will be raised either to life or condemnation, and that the blessings of the righteous and the punishment of the unrighteous will be alike eternal. See Romans 3:23; Romans 5:1-11; Galatians 2:15-21; Luke 18:9-14; 1 Peter 2:24-25; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Hebrews 11; Luke 24:47; Acts 20:21.

4. Regarding THE HOPE OF GLORY, we believe in the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ. See 1 Thessalonians 4:13 to 5:11; John 14:1-3; Matthew 24; 1 Peter 1:3-9; 1 Peter 1:7-11; 2 Peter 3:1-13; Titus 2:11-13; Revelation 21:1-4.

5. Regarding THE CHURCH AND ITS ORDINANCES, we believe in the ordinances of the Lord's appointment shall be observed, i.e. the immersion of believers on their personal confession of faith in Christ, and the observance of the Lord's Supper upon the first day of the week. We desire fellowship with every true follower of Jesus Christ provided that he or she confesses Christ as Scripture teaches. See 1 Corinthians 1:27-32; Philippians 2:1-5; Ephesians 4:1,5,33; Ephesians 1:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12-12-13; Matt. 18:18-20; 1 John 4:2,15; Gal. 2:15-21; John 1:1-18.

6. Regarding BAPTISM, we practice water baptism by immersing those believers who wish to confess their faith in Jesus Christ as a sign of their baptism in the Spirit. See Acts 2:40-43; Romans 6:1-11; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 8:26-40; Matthew 3:11-17.

7. Regarding THE LORD’S SUPPER, we practice the regular weekly celebration of the Lord's supper in remembrance of His death and anticipation of His return. See 1 Corinthians 11-23-29; Luke 22:14-20.

8. Regarding SPIRITUAL GIFTS, we believe every believer is endowed by God for a spiritual ministry and should have opportunity provided to discover and use his or her gift or gifts. We affirm the rich diversity of gifts of the Spirit given individually and variously when a person receives the Spirit at the time of his conversion. See 1 Corinthians 12-1-31; Ephesians 1-: 1-16; Romans 12:1-13; John 13:14; 1 Corinthians 14:1-25; 1 Corinthians 13.

9. Regarding CHURCH LEADERSHIP, we regard the prevailing pattern of New Testament leadership to be the provision by God of a plurality of ELDERS who will give spiritual oversight and shepherding to the flock. We do not recognize a general communal democracy, but realize that the influence of a spiritual fellowship will produce and encourage mature leadership. See 1 Corinthians 16:15-16 2 Timothy 1:13; Acts 14:23; Acts 20-17-35; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Peter 5:1-6; Hebrews 13-7,17; 2 Corinthians 8-16 Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 5:1-3; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5,9,10; James 5:14; Galatians 6:1 -11; 2 Samuel 23:3.6; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1-5-9; Acts 6:1-6; Acts 15:22.
The elders are supported in their spiritual work by DEACONS. We look to God's continuing provision of deacons and deaconess's, men and women who meet biblical qualifications and whom the elders, in consultation with the members, believe are called to assist the elders in the care of the church. See Philippians 1:1; Romans 16:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13; Acts 6:1-6.