Our Beliefs
New Bethel's Essential Beliefs
What Are Essential Beliefs?
Essential beliefs are the foundational truths that supply the framework of life and meaning for the Christian faith. These truths are the non-negotiables of our faith and are absolute. Non-essential beliefs are beliefs that are not foundational to the Christian faith or to the stats of one's relationship with God.
In keeping with the understanding, we hold the following to be essential beliefs:
God
We believe there is only one true God, eternally existed in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that He is loving, holy, and righteous and does not desire anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance and have abundant life, both in the life now and to come.
Deuteronomy 32:39; Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, by Him only can a person be saved. We believe that He was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and arose from the dead. We believe that He makes intercession for us at the right hand of God the Father, has given believers the gift of the Holy Spirit, and that He is coming again.
Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5; Hebrews 4:14-15; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit dwells in every Christ follower. He helps to conform us to the example Jesus Christ set with guidance in doing what is right, understanding the truth, and the power to live rightly.
Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 8:16-17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Acts 8:14-17, 10:44-48; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Romans 11:29
Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us and is the accurate, supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. The Bible is our guide for what to believe and how to live and it reveals God, the fall of man, the way of salvation, and God's plan and purpose in the ages.
2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 12:6, 119:105; Proverbs 30:5
The Church
We believe the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptized believers on mission to make disciples and grow God's Kingdom. The purpose of the church is to bring glory to God through showing Him our love, sharing our faith with the lost so others will know Him, growing closer to Him personally, and reflecting Jesus in our lives to those who need to see Jesus.
Acts 2:41-44; Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23
Salvation
We believe that the gift of God is salvation, and to take part in it we must accept that gift. Forgiveness of sin cannot be achieved by good works but is only available by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When a person confesses sin and repents in faith, they experience a spiritual rebirth and are given everlasting life.
Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1, 10:9-10
Eternity
We believe there is life after physical death, and that we will be held accountable and judged by God; and that we will exist eternally with Him through our forgiveness and salvation, or will be separated from Him because of our sin. Heaven is an eternal joining with God, while Hell is to be eternally separated from Him.
John 3:16, 14:16-17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15, 1 Corinthians 2:7-9
Marriage
We believe that marriage is a covenant between man and woman and according to God's Word, it is meant, as it is with the rest of our lives, to bring honor to the Lord.
Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23
