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What We BelieveOf the ScripturesWe believe that the Holy Bible as originally written is God breathed, verbally inspired, and the product of
Spirit-controlled men. Therefore, it is truth without any admixture of error in its matter. We believe the
Bible to be the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, history, and opinions shall be
adjudged. Of the True GodWe believe there is one, and only one, eternal, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Creator
and Supreme Rule of heaven and earth, inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor,
confidence and love. In the tri-unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work
of redemption. Of the Virgin BirthWe believe that Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a
virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman. He is the Son of God, and God the Son
from eternity. Of the Holy SpiritWe believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father, and God the Son, and of the
same nature. He was active in the creation. In His relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains the evil one
until God's purpose is fulfilled. He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He bears witness to
the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony. He is the agent of the new birth; He seals, endues,
guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. He is God's advocate with believers as Jesus
Christ is the believer's advocate with God. Of the CreationWe accept the Genesis account of creation literally, in its entirety, and believe that man came by direct
creation of God and not by the process of evolution. Of the Fall of ManWe believe that man was created in innocence and in the spiritual and moral likeness of God and lived
under the law of his maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in
consequence of which all mankind is now guilty and condemned not only by constraint, but of choice, and is
therefore without defense or excuse. Fallen man is incapable of redeeming himself and must rely upon a
merciful God for salvation. Of the Atonement for SinWe believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of
God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the
divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins.
His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was a voluntary
substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the just dying for the unjust; Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins
in His own body on the tree. Having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven, and uniting in His
wondrous person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection. He is in every way qualified to be a
suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior. He died for all sinners, His salvation is effective only
unto those who believe on Him. Of the Grace in the New CreationWe believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated or born again. The new birth is a new
creation in Jesus Christ; it is instantaneous and not a process. It is the exclusive work of the Holy Spirit in
the soul of man. In the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made partaker of the divine nature
and receives eternal life, the free gift of God. The new creation is brought about in a manner beyond our
comprehension, employing divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel. Its proper
evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, newness of life, and love for the brethren. Of Faith and SalvationWe believe that repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are the essential factors in the
salvation of a soul. Of JustificationWe believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification;
(a) that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness.
(b) that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but
solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, and in the fact of His resurrection that His
righteousness is imputed unto us. Of The Resurrection, Personal, Visible Pre-millennial Return of Christ, and Related Events(a). We believe in the Bodily Resurrection of Christ. (Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2-6) Of The Security Of The SaintsWe believe that all who are truly born again are kept eternally by God the Father for Jesus Christ. It is
impossible for the validity of a Christian experience to be annulled. Of The Righteous And The WickedWe believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such
only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the Spirit of our
God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His
sight wicked, and under the curse. This distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the
everlasting conscious physical suffering of the lost, following the great white throne judgment. Of The Local ChurchWe believe that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers, associated by covenant of faith
and friendship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising
the gifts, right, and privileges invested in them by His Word. Its officers are pastors and Elders, whose
qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe the Bible to be the
sole standard for faith and practice. We believe the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing
for Christ to all men unto the ends of the earth. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of
self-government, free from the interference of a hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the
one and only true Head is Christ, through the Holy Spirit. It is scriptural for true local churches to
cooperate with each other in contending for the faith for the furtherance of the Gospel. Each member has
priestly rights and a conscience to be respected. Each local church is the sole judge of the measure and
method of its cooperation, and on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, and
of benevolence. The will of the local church as expressed in democratic procedure is final. Of Baptism And The Lord's SupperWe believe that Christian baptism is, according to the scriptures, the immersion of a believer in water to
show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, setting
forth our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is a prerequisite to the privileges of local church
membership. We believe that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes, and
should be preceded always by solemn self-examination. It is to be partaken of only by prepared, bona fide
believers. Of the Devil (Satan)We believe in the personality of Satan and that his present peculiar realm of activity is the atmosphere and
scheme of this present world. He is the unholy god of this age and the author of all the powers of darkness.
He is destined to be judged by an eternal justice in the lake of fire. Of Civil GovernmentWe believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society.
Those in authority are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except in things opposed to
the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the
Kings of the earth. |
Bethany Baptist Church, 7422 North Heinz Lane, Edwards, IL 61528
info@bethanycentral.org | Phone: (309) 692-1755 | Fax: (309) 692-1779
Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved.