Our Denomination
Bethel is a church that holds to the historic doctrines of Christianity (as expressed in the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed), and subscribes to the Westminster Confession of Faith. Visit https://opc.org/ for more information about our beliefs.
Our Faith
We embrace the summary of the Christian faith provided by the Reformers in the five Solas.
Sola Scriptura: Scripture alone
The Bible is the very Word of God and inerrant. It is Truth and the authority for what we believe and how we are to live. Jesus said in reference to the Scriptures, “Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) The Apostle Paul taught, “from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:14-16)
Sola Gratia: Grace alone
Salvation is by grace which is God’s undeserved and unmerited favor. We do nothing to earn God’s mercy, in fact, there is nothing we could do to deserve God’s redeeming love. It is a gift bestowed upon those whom God chooses to give it. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Sola Fide: Faith alone
Sinners are justified through simple faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is through faith alone, apart from any good work. Paul writes, “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:9-11)
Solus Christus: Christ alone
The salvation of sinners is through Jesus Christ alone, for there is “no other Name under haven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) It is through the sinless life and substitutionary death of Christ alone that we are made right with God.
Soli Deo Gloria: To the glory of God alone
God is redeeming a people unto Himself to the end that He is praised and honored. Man is not at the center of what God is doing in the universe, God is. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (II Corinthians 10:31)
Regarding salvation we believe that sinners are redeemed:
By Grace alone
Through Faith alone
In Christ alone
To the Glory of God alone
