About us
What we believe
What we believe shapes who we are and why we do what we do.
In plain words
What we believe, simply put.
Bethany is an evangelical, charismatic church in Harpenden, part of Catalyst and the Newfrontiers family of churches.
Here’s what we believe, in plain words. You don’t need to believe any of it to join us on a Sunday. Come and ask your questions.
The short version
- One God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- Jesus died and rose again. He conquered sin and death, and gives us eternal life.
- Through Jesus we’re welcomed into God’s family as sons and daughters.
- The Holy Spirit empowers us to live this out today and to share the good news.
- We love God’s word, the Bible.
The full statement
Eight things we hold to.
Jesus
God with us, and our rescue
Jesus is God the Son. He took on human form and lived among us. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to the virgin Mary, fully God and fully human, and he lived a sinless life.
We deserved death for our sin, but Jesus died in our place. His death removed the barrier between us and God, and broke the power of evil. He rose from the dead, and so we have hope beyond death. He ascended to be with the Father and reigns over all creation. Jesus is the only way to God, full of truth and grace.
Key verses: John 1:14, Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, John 14:6
God
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
There is one true God, existing eternally as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God created everything, sustains it, and rules over it. He will one day restore all that’s broken.
God is the righteous judge, who decides what is right and just. He is also full of love, and gives grace freely, which is something we could never earn. No one is above him.
Key verses: Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, Colossians 1:16-17
The Holy Spirit
God with us now
The Holy Spirit is a person, not a force. He shows us where we fall short, empowers us to live God’s way, and helps us love others and share the message of Jesus.
Through the Spirit we’re born again and find our identity and purpose in Christ. He guides us and keeps us close to Jesus. We believe all the gifts of the Spirit described in the Bible are for today, and we welcome them.
Key verses: John 16:8, Acts 1:8, Romans 8:14-16, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
The Bible
God’s word
The Bible is the inspired word of God. Through it God shows us who he is and gives us wisdom. It’s the foundation of what we believe, and it guides us in living lives that honour him.
We rely on it to shape what we believe, what we value and what we do.
Key verses: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 119:105
Humanity
Made in God’s image
Every person is precious. Each one is made by God and in his image, with a capacity to love, to know God, and to look after his creation.
Sin has damaged that design, and we’re accountable to God for it. That’s why we need rescue and restoration, and we find both in Jesus.
Key verses: Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:14, Romans 3:23
Salvation
A gift
Salvation is the gift of God’s mercy and grace. We can’t earn it. Through faith in Jesus and his death in our place, we’re reconciled to God.
Eternal life isn’t only for the future. It begins now, and it shapes how we live today with purpose and hope.
Key verses: Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16
The Church
God’s people
The Church is God’s people, and a sign of his presence in the world. It’s made up of local communities of believers, and it’s part of a global family of Christians. Every believer has direct access to God.
The Spirit equips the Church with many different gifts. Our purpose is to share the good news of Jesus, to invite everyone into a relationship with God, and to pursue justice and love in our communities and beyond.
Key verses: 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Matthew 28:19-20, Micah 6:8
When Jesus returns
The hope we look forward to
We look forward to Jesus coming back, personally and visibly. He’ll bring fulfilment to his people, and everyone will rise again and be accountable for their life.
Those who are in allegiance to Christ will go on to everlasting life, and those who are not will go on to everlasting judgement. God will make a new heaven and a new earth, one place, full of joy and perfection that never ends.
Key verses: Acts 1:11, John 5:28-29, Revelation 21:1-4
Standing with others
Part of the wider church.
We hold to the historic Christian creeds and to the Evangelical Alliance statement of faith. We’re part of Catalyst and the Newfrontiers family of churches, and members of the Evangelical Alliance.
Still wondering?
Questions about what we believe?
Some questions deserve a conversation more than a paragraph on a website. If there’s something you’d like to ask us about what we believe, or how we live it out, we’d love to hear from you.