What We Believe
THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible is the divinely inspired word of God, accurate and infallible, our only authority in all matters of faith, life and practice.
(1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
GOD
We believe there is one God, Creator of all things, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(Genesis 1:1; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1; Ephesians 4:6; Hebrews 1:8, 9:14)
JESUS
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ (the son of God) is truly God and truly man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. Being sinlessly perfect, He died on the cross, a substitute and a sacrifice for the sins of all. He rose bodily from the dead and ascended to His Father's right hand, where He is now our High Priest and Advocate.
(John 1:14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 4:14-16, 9:24; 1 Peter 2:22-24; 1 John 2:1-2)
HOLY SPIRIT
We believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, to convict of sin and to regenerate and indwell the believing sinner at the point of salvation. The person of the Holy Spirit guides, instructs and empowers the believer for godly living service and edification of other believers in the church. Each believer is sealed by the Holy Spirit until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His Church.
(John 14:26, 15:26; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 12-13; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 1:13-14. 4:30)
SIN
We believe everyone is created in the image and likeness of God. As a result of Adam and Eve's disobedience, sin entered the human race, and therefore every human being is fallen and sinful resulting in physical death and spiritual alienation from God.
(Genesis 1:26-27; John 8:24; Romans 3:10-12, 3:23, 5:12, 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15)
GOD'S REMEDY
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins through the shedding of His blood on the cross. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ Jesus and His sacrifice. Only those who repent and receive Christ as their personal Savior are born again and have eternal life.
(John 3:3-7. 5:24; Acts 4:10-12; Romans 8:16, 10:19; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Peter 1:18-19)
OUR HOPE, CHRIST'S RETURN
We believe in the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet His Church in the air known as the "rapture." This "blessed hope" impacts the daily life and service of each believer. We believe also in His personal, visible, bodily, and pre-millennial return to this earth to establish His kingdom.
(Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Titus 2:13, Revelation 1:7)
OUR ETERNAL DESTINY
We believe that, at the point of death, the believer's spirit and soul are "absent from the body and present with the Lord "raised to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord in heaven. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead whereas the unbeliever is raised to judgement and is eternally separated from God in Hell.
(Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:22-28; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Philippians 1:23; Revelation 20:10-15)
What We Practice
PRACTICE OF THE CHURCH
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is head of the Church. The Church, world-wide and local, is not an organization but a living organism known as the body of Christ and is His representative to the world. This local church is composed of believers who gather in Christ's name as a corporate testimony of the Lordship of Christ to the community in which we live. These believers meet to worship God, to study the Bible, to pray, to fellowship and to proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation. Church government and discipline are the responsibilities of each local church. The local church is guided by Elders, also known as Overseers, who are responsible to God for the spiritual edification of the members and for correction in spiritual matters of those who are in fellowship. The duties of the Elders are to serve the flock as shepherds would their sheep in teaching, protecting, hospitality and love. The members recognize the leadership of the Elders and respond accordingly.
(Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Acts 1:8, 2:42; Galatians 6:10)
PRACTICE OF THE BELIEVER
We believe that God desires believers to live holy lives and give witness of their faith in both word and deed. Practical holiness develops as believers obey scripture and so become more like Christ in every aspect of their daily lives. Practical faith, being "salt and light" in society, is shown through caring and loving concern for all those in need, starting with members of this church family.
(Matthew 5:13-16; Romans 12:1; Galatians 6:9-10; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)
BAPTISM & COMMUNION
We believe the two Christian ordinances are baptism by immersion and celebration of the Lord's Supper. Baptism, identifying with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, is for each individual believer who has received Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. The Lord's Supper, instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ, was celebrated by the early church on the first day of the week. It is a time of worship focused on the person and work of Jesus Christ through the breaking of bread and drinking of wine. We believe it is the privilege and duty of all believers to heed the Lord's request, 'This do in remembrance of Me."
(Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 8:35-39, 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
SERVICE IN THE CHURCH
In our gatherings, we recognize the priesthood of all believers and the diversity and exercise of spiritual gifts of the believers for the edification of the body. We believe that Jesus has established a pattern for the local church that has distinct roles for both men and women so that the church functions properly and in an orderly manner. The Bible clearly expresses the equality of men and women, By God's design, men are charged to lead in roles related to preaching, praying and teaching. Women are charged with similar roles in ministries that God has appropriated to them. The practice of the head covering (men's heads being uncovered and the women's being covered) is encouraged as a symbol of our acknowledgement of Christ's desire. These practices are a symbolic way of giving God glory. we support the Lord's work at Bethel-Park Bible Chapel, as well as local and foreign missions, through free-will offerings of the congregation.
(1 Peter 2:5-9; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, 12:7-7, 14:34-35, 1 Timothy 2:11-14)