Our Beliefs
We at Bethesda believe that there is no substitute for a right relationship with God our Creator. This peace with our Maker is only possible through His Son Jesus Christ. The Bible, God's Word to mankind, informs us how to receive Jesus Christ and have a meaningful life in this world. Therefore, we endeavor to share our understanding of God, Jesus Christ and the Bible in practical ways that make sense, and which will enrich all who attend our Services.
The Bible
We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as verbally inspired of God (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21), and inerrant in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life (Hebrews 4:12).
The Godhead
We believe in one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; John 10:30), eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit (I Timothy 2:5; II Corinthians 13:14).
Person of Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35), and born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man (Philippians 2:6-9; John 1:1-2, 14; Romans 1:3-4).
Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is a person, who convicts the world of sin (John 16:8), and who regenerates, baptizes, indwells, enlightens, and empowers (Titus 3:5; I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13, 17, 18; 3:16).
Man's Condition
We believe that man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), but that in Adam’s sin the race fell (Romans 3:23; 5:12), inherited a sinful nature, became alienated from God (Ephesians 2:1-3, 12), and is totally unable to please God in this lost condition (Romans 3:9-12; 8:7-8).
Redemption
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sin according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice (II Corinthians 5:21), and that all who believe in His finished work are justified by His shed blood (Romans 3:23-26; Ephesians 1:7). This complete salvation is bestowed as the free gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). All those who are thus saved are eternally secure in Christ (Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:1, 38-39; Ephesians 4:30).
Salvation
We believe that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:31; Romans 6:23, Ephesians 1:13), and thereby become children of God (Romans 8:15-17), and members of the Body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13).
Resurrection
We believe in the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:12-20), in His ascension into heaven, and in His present life there for us as High Priest and Advocate (I John 2:1). Likewise, we believe that all men will be raised, the just to everlasting glory (I Corinthians 15:21-22), and the unjust to everlasting conscious suffering (John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:11-15).
Return of Christ
We believe the rapture of the Church and the second coming of Christ will be pre-millennial. He will come first to receive the Church unto Himself (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Philippians 3:20, 21), and then come to establish His Millennial Kingdom, over which He will reign (Zechariah 14:4, 9; Acts 1:10,11; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-4). Because of the nature of the Body of Christ, the resurrection and rapture of the Church, which is His Body, will take place before the Great Tribulation (Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:15-31; I Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9) at His appearing in the air (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Philippians 3:20, 21; Titus 2:13, 14; I Corinthians 15:51-53), the resurrection of the Old Testament and Tribulation saints will occur after the Tribulation and they will reign with Christ for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6).