Bethesda Worship Center COGOP

Statement of Faith

...We believe and accept the Bible as the inspired and only infallible Word of God. We believe the Bible to be God's written revelation of himself to man and our guide in all matters of faith. Therefore we look to the Bible as out highest authority for doctrine, practice, organization, and discipline.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)

...We believe that there is only one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 8:6)

...We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14) in his virgin birth (Matt 1:23), in his sinless life (1 John 3:5), in his miracles, in his atoning death on the cross (Colossians 1:20, Revelation 1:5), in his bodily resurrection (Luke 24:1-6), in his ascension to the right hand of the father (Acts 1-9), in His personal return to this earth in power and glory at his second coming (Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

...We believe that man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the son of God. To be born again is to become a new creature in Christ, justified by faith. The new birth is a result of repentance. The fruit of the spirit will be manifested in the new believer’s life according to Galatians 5:22-23. (Also see Mark 1:15, John 3:3-17, 5:20, Acts 3:19, Romans 3:23-26, 2 Corinthians 7:10)

...We believe that in sanctification by the blood of Christ, one is made holy. Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God. This enables a person, by God's grace, to live a life of holiness. (1 John 1:9, Romans 6:1-11, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Hebrews 13:12)

...We believe the baptism of the Holy Ghost, according to Acts 2:4, is for all believers and is endowment of power of service. ( Matt 3:11, Luke 11:13, John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, 10:44-46, 19:6)
The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church to demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the gospel. The Bible lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of biblical parameters. 1 Corinthians 12.

...We believe in holy living-walking in obedience to God's Word in this present world. (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:14-16, 2:1-5)

...We believe human life, in all forms, is sacred and a gift from God. Therefore, we believe that abortion, suicide, and euthanasia are against the will of God. (John 10:10, 14:16)

...We believe in and are strongly committed to the sanctity of marriage, and the importance of strong, loving, biblical families. We believe the following relationships are unbiblical and displeasing to God. A) An intimate relationship outside of marriage. (Galatians 5:19), B) Homosexuality (Romans 1:21-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Jude 7) (also see Malachi 2:14-16, Matt 5:32, Mark 10:1-12, Ephesians 5:22-23)

...We believe in divine healing. Christ atoning sacrifice provided not only for salvation of souls but also for the healing of our physical ailments. Divine healing is accomplished by the power of God and is available to all who believe. (Psalm 103:2-3, Isaiah 53:3-5, Matt 8:17, James 5:14-16, 1 Peter 2:24)

These few doctrinal areas do not constitute a creed, nor is it a complete statement of belief. BWC accepts and embraces the entire Bible, rightly divided and the New Testament as the only rule of faith, practice, government, and discipline. We encourage believers in ...matters that are not clear in scripture, to "work out their own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12)

Heaven is the eternal dwelling place of all believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:3,12,20,6:20, 19:21, 25:34; John 17:24; II Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; I Peter 1:4

After living one life on earth, the unbelievers will be judged by God and sent to hell where they will be eternally tormented with the devil and the fallen angels. (Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11, 20:12-15,21:8)