Statement of Faith

STATEMENT OF FAITH

DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES

We believe that every word of God is inspired and is for our guidance. The Scripture guides us into Salvation, Spiritual Maturity, and into a life of Service. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; John 6:63). The Old and New Testament Scriptures are all of God's special revelation to man (Luke 24:44-48; 2 Peter 3:14-18; Ephesians 2:19-20; Rev. 22:19). Though the Scriptures are not intended to be exhaustive in their discussion of branches of knowledge other than those concerned with man's relationship to God, man can be certain that the Scriptures contain no inaccuracy or contradiction when they touch upon these subjects (Psalm 19; Hebrews 4: 12-13).

DOCTRINE OF GOD

In His nature, our God is a unity consisting of a trinity (Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 4:6; 1 Cor. 12:4-6): God the Father (Eph 1:2), God the Son (Matt. 1:22-23), and God the Spirit (Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 3:17-18).

A. God the Father, Yahweh, Jehovah, Elohim, El Elyon, Adonai

God is the eternal, coexistent, and coequal Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (John 17:1-26). He is also the spiritual Father of all who have become part of the family of God by faith in Jesus Christ (John 1:12; Eph. 3:14-15). 

B. God the Son, Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach — Jesus the Anointed One

Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, is the Creator and Sustainer of all creation, the Redeemer of mankind from the bondage of sin, the Head of His body the Church, and the Express image of the Invisible God (Col. 1:14-22). He was born into this world of a virgin by the activity of the Spirit of God (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matt. 1:20-25; Galatians 4:4-6). He lived and grew as a sinless human being (Luke 2:52; 4:1-14; 1 Peter 1:18). He ministered among men, was crucified, buried, and raised up by God the Father (Acts 2:21-24). The shedding of His Blood, His burial, and His resurrection accomplished salvation for all who will believe (Heb. 9:11-12; 1 Cor. 15:3-4). Jesus Christ completes a good work in us (2 Timothy 1:12). Keeps us from falling and presents us faultless before the throne (Jude 1:24).  Jesus Christ will reward righteous men for their good works (2 Cor. 5:10) and will judge wicked men for their rejection of Himself and their evil works (Revelation 20:11-15).

C.  God the Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, Comforter, Spirit of Truth—Ruach HaKodesh

The Spirit of God convinces the world of sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come (John 16:8-11). He is a person, not merely an influence (Heb. 9:14; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Psalm 139:7-10). He regenerates (John 3:5-6), indwells the believer (Romans 8:11; 2 Timothy 1:14), seals the believer (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 9:2), empowers (Acts 1:8; Eph. 3:16), instructs (John 14:26, and sanctifies the believer (Ga. 5:22-25). He glorifies Christ in the world, today through the character and service of the believer (John 16:13-14; 1 Cor. 13:1-13) and through the Motivational, Ministry, and Manifestation gifts (Romans 12:6-8; Ephesian 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:8-12). This empowering of the Spirit is the same today, as it was in the day of Pentecost (Shavuot), as recorded in the Book of Acts. The infilling and gifts of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) are still available and operative in the lives of His redeemed precious saints. The Spirit (Ruach) writes God’s law (Torah) on the hearts of His people to bring them to a place of loving obedience to the commandments of God (John 14:26, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1 Corinthians 12:4-14, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:14-19, John 15:26-27, Ezekiel 36:26-28).

DOCTRINE OF CREATION

The Genesis account of creation is authoritatively true (Genesis 1:1-2:25) and is the most substantial scientifically. Accepting this account mitigates against creation occurring by any means other than a direct and immediate act by Jesus Christ (Col. 1:16). Specifically, believing God created man or anything else by an evolutionary process is a contradiction of the main sense of Scripture.

DOCTRINE OF MAN

Adam and Eve were the first man and woman. Both were created in innocence, without sin, in the image of God (Gen. 1:27, 31; 2:25). Their creation and placement in the garden as man and wife establishes the preeminent importance of the institution we call the family (Gen. 1:24). By a free choice of their will, Adam and Eve disobeyed God, experienced spiritual death, and the curse of physical death (Gen 3:1-24). The action of Adam brought the curse of sin on all men (Rom. 5:17-18). All men have concurred with this curse by choosing to sin (Rom. 3:10). Only through faith in Christ's death on the cross and resurrection (Jesus Christ the Savior) can a man be freed from spiritual death, and be given eternal life culminating in Heaven (John 14:1-3; Romans 5:19-21). Those who reject Christ as Saviour bring God's wrath upon themselves which ends in just judgment and Hell (Rev. 20:11-15; Luke 16:19-31).

DOCTRINE OF SIN

Sin is the violation of God's law (1 John 3:4). All men are sinners (Rom. 3:10-23). Sin entered into the world through one man, the first Adam (Rom. 5:12). Man in a condition of sinfulness is deserving of eternal death (Rom. 6:23).

DOCTRINE OF SALVATION

Before God created He knew man would sin. His plan from the beginning was to send His Son to redeem mankind (Rev 13:8). His first word to us concerning His Son is (Gen. 3:15). The chief aim of Christ in His incarnation was the salvation of sinners (Matt. 18:11; Rom. 1:16; Ga. 6:14; Luke 19:10). The recipient of salvation is regenerated and, thus, immediately begins new, spiritual life (2 Cor. 5:17). The saved sinner is justified by faith in Christ; therefore, he is innocent of all charges brought against him for sin (Rom. 5:1). Salvation brings with it sanctification which is both an act and a process by which the believer is set apart from sin unto God and by which he continually becomes more conformed to the image of Christ (Eph. 2:6; Eph. 1:16-23; Rom. 8:29; 1 Thess. 5:23-24). Though the believer is sanctified, he still possesses his sinful nature along with the new nature given in regeneration. Successful Christian living depends upon his yielding to the direction of the new nature (Eph. 5:18; Ga. 5:16-26; 6:1-10; Rom. 6-8). Salvation reaches its apex in glorification. The believer is physically changed in the rapture or resurrection (1 Thess. 4:16-17). He is spiritually changed when he faces his Lord (1 John 3:1-3). 

THE RIGHTEOUS WALK 

Regrettably, this is where most of Western Christianity stops with regards to God's righteousness. Scripture, however, goes on to teach that, once a person receives God's imputed righteousness by grace through faith, they are called to live righteously in word, thought, and deed just as Jesus did:

"Little children, let no one deceive you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous." (1 John 3:6-7 NAS; see also 1 John 2:6)

The "practice of righteousness" is best described as behavioral righteousness which is lived out in our daily lives. Unfortunately, the knowledge of how to live a righteous life does not come automatically, but by studying the scriptures. This is why the Apostle Paul instructs us to study and apply (rightly divide) God's word in our lives:

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim 2:15 KJV)

DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

The Church exists in two aspects:

A.  As an organism

The church is the body of which Christ is the Head (Eph. 1:20-23). It is also a holy temple built upon the chief cornerstone which is Christ and indwelt by God through the Spirit (Eph. 5:24-32). This organism is single and universal to all who put their trust in Jesus for salvation.

B. As an organization.

The church is a local organization of baptized believers who have united together for instruction and fellowship (Acts 2:41-42). Worship of our Lord, prayer, evangelism, discipleship, reproof of evil, loving service to men, love for one another, and anticipation of Christ's return are essential features of a living, vibrant, local assembly (1 Thess. 1:8-10; 1 John 2:10; Phil. 3:3).

There are two ordinances participated in by the church. These ordinances are symbolic, not sacramental.

A.  Baptism

Baptism by immersion is an act of obedience by the believer who wishes to identify himself with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Matt. 28:18-20; Rom. 6:4). This act of obedience follows conversion (Acts 8:12, 26-39) and is a prerequisite for local church membership (Acts 2:41).

B.  Lords Supper

The Lord's Supper is meant to commemorate the death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for sin until His second coming (1 Cor. 11:23-26). It is also a time of heart searching and renewal of fellowship with Christ and His saints (1 Cor. 11:27-32).

DOCTRINE OF SATAN

Satan is a fallen angel who is the author of sin (Isaiah 14:12-15; Gen. 3:1-4). He is the enemy of Christ (Luke 4:1-14) and his people (1 Peter 5:8-9). If the believer resists the devil, he will flee (James 4:7). Though this enemy has awesome power granted him by God (Job 1:6-12), he will ultimately be defeated and tormented for all eternity (Rev. 20:10).

DOCTRINE OF ESCHATOLOGY

The believer awaits the return of his Lord, whom he will meet in the air at His coming (1 Thess. 4:17). The rapture, the next biblical prophecy to be fulfilled (Rev. 4:1), will deliver the Christian from a seven year period of severe tribulation on this Earth which will be a demonstration of God's wrath against the rebellion of man (1 Thess. 5:1-9; Rev. 6-19). After this great tribulation, Christ will reign on this Earth for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:7-9). Christ will then judge the wicked (Rev. 20:11-15). Eternity will begin consisting of the New Heaven and New Earth for God's people (Rev. 21-22) and the Lake of Fire for the damned (Rev. 20:14).

DOCTRINE OF SEPARATION

The Scriptures teach that believers are not to enter into close social or religious association with the ungodly (2 Cor. 6:14-18; 1 John 2:15-17), false teachers (Ga. 1:6-9; Eph. 5:11; 1 Tim. 4:1-7), and Christian brethren who refuse to repent of flagrant sin (1 Cor. 5:1-13; Matt. 18:15-17; 2 Thess. 3:6-7). In separating from the world, the believer must always remember the golden text of the New Testament (John 3:16) that tells us to have loving compassion on sinful man, though we do not condone their lifestyle. (Ga. 1:6-9; Eph. 5:11 and 1 Tim. 4:1-7) instruct us to love the brethren enough to publicly and forcefully denounce false teachers who would mislead God's people. Lastly, whenever a Christian must attempt to restore a brother who has fallen into sin, he should never have a vindictive spirit but one of loving concern for the brother in error. Love for Christ and man should be that which motivates us to separate from sin unto Him. 

DOCTRINE OF MARRIAGE, THE FAMILY, AND DIVORCE

We believe the family is the basic unit of the community of faith founded through the uniting of one man to one woman in holy matrimony. The Scriptures teach that Biblical weddings are a celebration of marriage for a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:21-24) that: promotes the bearing and rearing of children (Genesis 1:28), promotes the exercise of stewardship over creation, and promotes the teaching of the Bible (Ephesians 5:25-29). Scripture teaches that family was God's idea and that marriage is a divine, not merely human, institution. The implication of this truth is significant indeed, for this means that humans are not free to renegotiate or redefine marriage and the family in any way they choose but that they are called to preserve and respect what has been divinely instituted. This is in keeping with Jesus' words, uttered when his contemporaries asked him about the permissibility of divorce: "What therefore God has joined together let not man separate" (Matthew 19:6). For this reason, marriage is far more than a human social contract; it is a divinely instituted covenant. Believers should not be un-equally married with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). Bethel firmly believes “missionary dating” will end in disaster. We should teach our young people and adults to stay clear of this practice. It must be noted that adultery, abuse, and abandonment are serious acts against a believer and can easily kill any marriage. We further recognize, it does not have the be the death of a marriage if true repentance takes place. When the offending member in a God Ordained marriage refuses to repent we must let them depart. Abuse and abandonment are covered in 1Co 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. When applying 1 Corinthians 7:15, the key question is not “Who walked out?” but “Who caused the separation?” Would it be sensible to say that David was the sinful rebellious one when he left Saul’s court? No, he left because of Saul's abuse. David left, but Saul was the cause of his leaving. An abuser who professes to be a Christian typically resists the call to repentance, either by overtly fighting against having to take responsibility for his abusive behaviour, or by counterfeiting repentance to get the admonishers off his back and make them think he is really changing.

What is “the same spiritual root” that adultery, abandonment, and abuse have in common? The Word makes the very clear connection that the reason sexual adultery is grounds for divorce is because human marriage is a picture of our relationship with God, with the marital one-flesh relationship being a picture of our worship and one-ness with God. Adultery is equivalent to idolatry — that is why it is grounds for divorce. When two are married they become ONE – this is not just a sexual thing. They are ONE unified whole. This is why abandonment and abuse have the same root as adultery. Two cannot be one if one has abandoned the other. Two cannot be one if one is driving the other away. This matters because of what Jesus said repeatedly about the spirit of the law (Matthew 5:20-44; Romans 2:28-29) being more important than the letter of the law. Abandonment, abuse, and adultery are the same violation – because it is a violation of the spirit of the law; of the one-flesh marriage covenant. Further, it is a violation of fact; not just the opinion of a whining spouse who wants an excuse for a divorce.

RETURN OF MESSIAH

We believe in the literal and personal return of Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ) in power and glory to establish His kingdom on earth for 1,000 years and to judge both the quick and the dead (Dan. 7:9-14; Matt. 26:64; Acts 1:9-10; 2 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 19 and 20).

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"Let the elders who perform the duties of their office well be considered doubly worthy of honor [and of adequate financial support], especially those who labor faithfully in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain,' and again, 'The laborer is worthy of his hire.'"
- 1Timothy 5:17-18 AMP
(Deuteronomy 24:15; 25:4; Leviticus 19:13; Luke 10:7)

Bethel receives financial donations and other support according to the biblical principle that God's people are to provide for the physical needs of ordained ministers or Pastor-elders who teach and minister the Gospel as their primary vocation. The foundation of this principle comes from God's Torah which says, "Be careful that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land" (Deut. 12:19 NAS).

The Wycliffe Bible Commentary explains this principle as "The one who is taught in the word shares his material goods with the one who teaches him. In this way he participates in the work of the Lord. This is the divine plan." The concept is about bearing one another's burdens in a way that allows the supporter to participate in the work of the ministry. This fulfills the Law of God and produces eternal rewards for both (2 Cor. 11:9; 2 Thess. 3:8).