WHAT WE BELIEVE
Ministerios Bethel welcomes the following statements regarding the truth. The Bible is our only and sufficient standard of faith and habitual practice. This Declaration of Fundamental Truths is simply intended to form a basis for fellowship among us (eg.: that we all speak the same thing [1 Corinthians 1:10, Acts 2:42]). We do not say that it contains all the biblical truth, but it satisfies our needs in regard to these fundamental doctrines. We do not say that the phraseology used in this Declaration of Fundamental Truths is inspired or that it is the final work on biblical truth. However, we are persuaded that it is correct and in agreement with the Holy Scriptures to "compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us" (Luke 1: 1).
God
There is one and only one true and living God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being. Creator, Redeemer, Preserver and Governor of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. God is all powerful and knows everything; his perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present and future, including the future decisions of his free creatures. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence and obedience. The eternity and trinity of God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with different personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.
The Scriptures Inspired
We believe that the Sacred Scriptures, which consist of the Old and New Testaments, were written by holy men and inspired by the Holy Spirit, and constitute the Word of God revealed to man. They are the sufficient and infallible rule and guide for salvation and all Christian worship and service (II Peter 1: 20-21; II Timothy 3: 15-17; I Thessalonians 2:13). The Bible is the inspired Word of God, equally in all its parts and in its totality; It is completely flawless in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme revelation from God and concerning God, superior to consciousness and reason, but not contrary to them; and therefore it is our infallible rule in every way. All the Scriptures focus on the Lord Jesus Christ; so the scriptures cannot be properly read or understood in any portion until the reader is guided to Him.
Repentance
Repentance is making the decision to turn away from sin. It is not a condition for salvation; Faith in Christ as Savior is the only condition for salvation (John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2: 8-9).
Salvation
Humanity's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. Through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, by grace being justified by means of faith, one becomes heir of God according to the hope of eternal life. The internal evidence of salvation is a direct testimony of the Spirit and external proof for all human beings of a life of justice and true holiness (Luke 24:47, John 3: 3, Romans 10: 13-15, Ephesians 2: 8 Titus 2:11; 3: 5-7; Romans 8:16; Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12). Salvation is an inclusive word, which brings together all acts and processes of redemption (viz., Justification, redemption, liberation, imputation, sanctification, glorification, etc.). The Hebrew and Greek words for "salvation" imply the ideas of liberation, security, preservation, healing and integrity. Salvation is by grace through faith, a free gift and completely without human works (Romans 3: 27-28; 4: 1-8; 6:23; Ephesians 2: 8). Salvation remains in three times:
1. The condition of salvation: The grace of God has been manifested, bringing salvation to all men by the preaching of repentance towards God and faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, by grace being justified through faith, and he becomes heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Romans 10: 13-15 Luke 24:47, Titus 2:11, 3: 5-7, Ephesians 2: 8-9).
2. Evidence of salvation: The believer's internal evidence of his salvation is the direct testimony of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The external test for all men is a life of unconditional love, justice and true holiness, demonstrated by the fruit of the Spirit (John 13:35, Galatians 5: 22-23, Ephesians 4:24).
3. Final result of salvation: The spirit of the believer who dies in Christ will immediately be with the Lord (Ecclesiastes 12: 7, Luke 23: 42-43, II Corinthians 5: 8).
Evangelism
Evangelism, which is communicating the message of the Good News, includes a warning, an explanation and a call. Such evangelism includes a warning to people about sin and the consequences of sin (John 16: 8, Acts 24:25, Revelation 20: 11-15). In addition, it includes an explanation of God's remedy for sin - the Gospel (Acts 8: 29-35; Romans 3: 21-26; II Corinthians 5:21) - and includes the clear call to repentance (turning away from sin) and belief in the Gospel by faith (Mark 1:15, Luke 13: 1-5, Acts 17: 29-31, Romans 1:17, 10: 9-13).