New Bethel Vision Statement: “To manifest and make known the glory of God, so that individuals may experience and be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
New Bethel Statement of Faith:
Our statement of faith as in the constitution and listed below does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of church doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Council is the church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.
GOD
There is only one true and living God, the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. Genesis 1:1, 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, Mark 12:29, Deuteronomy 6:4, John 17:11, 1 Peter 1:2, Matthew 28:19, John 1:1, John 17:5, Isaiah 46:9-10
JESUS
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary by miraculous conception, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days demonstrating His power over sin and death. He ascended into heaven where, at the right hand of God, is now our High Priest and Advocate. He is the only Mediator between God and people. Jesus will return again and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Matthew 3:16-17, John 1:14-18, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew1:20-21, John 3:16, John 14:6, John 12:44-45, Luke 1:35, John 17:1-5, Acts 1:9-11, Mark 16:19, Matthew 17:22
HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living; understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily. John 14:16-18, John 20:22, 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, John 16:13-15, Acts 1:4-5, Acts 2:4, Acts 8:14-17, Romans 8:26-27
SCRIPTURE
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is God’s word to all. It is alive, powerful and active. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures are inspired by God, and are infallible and inerrant in the original manuscripts. They are the final authority in all matters of faith and practice and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God. Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 6:18, Matthew 4:4, Hebrews 1:1-2, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Peter 3:15-16, Luke 1:1-4, Numbers 23:19, Proverbs 30:5, Psalm 119:4, Psalm 119:11,Psalm 119:109, Psalm 119:160, Romans 10:17
MARRIAGE, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. Rejection of one’s biological gender is a rejection of the image of God within that person. (Psalm 139:13-16; Genesis 1:27) We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (Genesis 2:18-24; Ephesians 5:31) We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, and attempting to change one’s biological sex or otherwise acting upon any disagreement with one’s biological sex) is sinful and offensive to God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 7)
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of the church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:13-14; Colossians 1:20-22; 1 Timothy 2:5-6) We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of the church. (John 13:34-35)
SALVATION
We are made in the image of God, to be like Him in character. We are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although we have tremendous potential for good, we are all born with a sinful nature. Sin separates people from God. Salvation is a gift from God to all people. Men and women can never make up for their sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can a person be saved from sin’s penalty. Romans 3:23-24, Romans 6:23, Romans 7:14-25, Romans 10:9, Romans 10:13, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 14:6, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 103:10-12
THE CHURCH
The one body of Christ, for which He will return, composed of all from every tongue, tribe, people and nation who have trusted Christ alone for their salvation. Jesus commissioned the church to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are Holy Sacraments to be observed by the Church. They are visible and tangible expressions of the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer. Matthew 3:13-15, Matthew 16:18, Matthew 28:5-6, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Romans 8:1, Romans 12:4-8 Luke 22:19, Luke 23:42-43, Acts 10:47-48, Ephesians 4, Ephesians 25:27
CHRIST’S RETURN
We believe in the personal and bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, requires constant expectancy and as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission. John 14:1-3, Acts 2:17-21, Acts 9:11, 1 Peter 4:7, Matthew 24:27-50, Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:20, Revelation 16:15
ETERNITY
People are created to exist forever. In the resurrection of the dead every person will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through the forgiveness and salvation of Jesus Christ. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is heaven. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence. John3:3-6, John 3:16, John 5:24-29, John 6:40, John 11:25, John 14:2-3, Matthew 25:31-46, Hebrews 2:3, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Philippians 3:14, Revelation 21:4, Isaiah 65:17