Members of the Bethel Ministerial Association have joined together over the years with a common understanding of scripture and the ability to lovingly disagree where doctrinal issues are not as fundamental. No one argued the doctrines of the Bible more faithfully than its founder "Doc" Varnell as he helped found the organization we enjoy today. Though we may disagree occasionally on minor doctrinal differences, love has always guided us in our fellowship with one another. Like Brother Varnell guided, in things essential, we strive for unity. In things non-essential, we enjoy liberty. In all things, we share charity. We share with you in the pages that follow, our doctrinal beliefs taken from our statement manual, It Does Make a Difference What You Believe. We welcome you to enjoy them, study them with Bible in hand, and should the occasion arise, even discuss them with us in the spirit that has always characterized our fellowship.
ARTICLES OF FAITH
PREAMBLE
The Bethel Ministerial Association, Inc. is an association of ministers allied for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as was taught by the Apostles, which we believe to be as follows:
FELLOWSHIP
The true basis of fellowship is walking in the light of God’s Word. The Brethren of the Bethel Ministerial Association, Inc. are not compelled, under sentence of excommunication, to surrender their conscience to the dictates and personal interpretation of Scripture of a few religious over-lords; but meet in council, as the Apostles, in the fifteenth chapter of Acts, to discuss any and all points of doctrine with the aim in view of arriving at the truth. “In the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). We welcome into our churches all Christians or other denominations and organizations who respect our doctrinal views, exercise Christian principles and ministerial courtesy.
Our motto is: “We are all Brethren, and One is our Master.”
DIVINE INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURE
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21).
The Bible, being a revelation of the supernatural God, is a supernatural Book - a Book of miracles - not understood by the natural mind (1 Corinthians 2:14). The Bible gives the only explanation of life. The wisest of men, so called, who do not believe the Bible must admit: “Concerning the origin of life, we know nothing.” The Bible reveals God as the source of all life. The Divine authorship of the Bible is further proved by the scientific and biological fact that God made all creation with seed in itself able to reproduce after its kind according to the record in Genesis 1:11, 21, 24, 28. And the Genesis account that man was made from dust (chemical substances in the ground) is corroborated by the fact that man must subsist from that which the ground produces (same chemical substances). The prophecies of the Bible prove conclusively that the Bible is divinely inspired. No man could predict 4000 years ahead concerning future events and describe those events in minute detail, as does the Bible.Jesus Christ sanctioned all the writings of the prophets (Luke 24:27-32). He sanctioned all the Old Testament Scriptures (Luke 24:32). He sanctioned the Genesis account of the creation of man (Matthew 19:4). Jesus Christ proved that He was Divine by His resurrection from the dead. Since Jesus Christ was Divine, and He sanctioned all the Scriptures, we must conclude that the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, and the true revelation of God to man.
CHURCH GOVERNMENT
Local assemblies are sovereign in themselves.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT
The Bethel Ministerial Association, Inc., hereby declares its loyalty to our government and to its Chief Executive, and hereby states its fixed purpose to assist our government in every way morally possible consistent with our faith (Romans 13:1-7).
The Bethel Ministerial Association, Inc. believes that nations can and should, whenever possible, settle their differences without going to war; however, in the event of a war, if a member engages in combatant service, it will not affect his status with the Association. In case a member is called into military service who has conscientious objections to combatant service, the Association will support him in his constitutional rights.
MAN
Man was created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). Adam’s sin was passed on to the human family (Romans 5:12-14). “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). In the last man Adam (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) all are made alive (Romans 5:15-21).
SALVATION
Salvation is obtained through obedience to the Gospel, which is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). God’s plan of obedience is faith, repentance and baptism in order to receive the Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of Christ (Acts 2:38, Acts 15:31-33, Acts 10:44-48).
WATER BAPTISM
Baptism is burial with Christ by immersion in water in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and should be administered immediately after one has thoroughly repented of sins and turned from the world (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:4,5, Acts 16:33).
THE VIRGIN BIRTH
Jesus Christ was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23).
SPIRIT BAPTISM
Baptism in the Spirit is the new birth which places one in the Body of Christ, which is the Church (1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:27). The evidence of the new birth or baptism in the Spirit is the love of God (1 John 3:14, Colossians 1:4, Galatians 5:22,23). On the day of Pentecost there was a two-fold operation of the Spirit which formed the Church, the Body of Christ, and they were also immediately filled with the Spirit (Acts 1:5, Acts 2:4).
THE FILLING OF THE SPIRIT
We teach that every Christian who has received the Spirit through the new birth, or baptism into Christ, should yield to the Spirit to be possessed or filled with the Spirit to the extent of speaking with other tongues and the operation of all the gifts of the Spirit according to 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Acts 2:4, Acts 10:46, and Acts 19:6. To receive the Spirit, and be possessed or filled with the Spirit are two different experiences in a believer’s life. This is the same Spirit but greater possession.
THE GODHEAD
There is one God in three manifestations: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is an invisible Spirit (John 4:24, Colossians 1:15). Jesus Christ is God, the invisible Spirit, manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16, John 1,4).
TITHING
Tithing is God’s financial plan to provide for His work, and has been His only plan since the days of Abraham. It was practiced under Moses’ law and Jesus endorsed it (Matthew 23:23). If a Christian gives less than one-tenth of his increase to the work of God, he is robbing God (Malachi 3:10). It is our privilege to give tithes and offerings.
THE CHRISTIAN’S CONDUCT
Christians should dress in modest apparel and not follow the extreme, immodest fashions of the world (1 Timothy 2:9-10). His speech should be as becometh saints (Colossians 4:6).
TOBACCO, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, AND DRUGS
Since tobacco, alcoholic beverages and drugs are poisonous and habit forming and components of the old sinful nature, no Christian can advance spiritually and continue their use because using either in any manner is a lustful habit of the flesh. Therefore, we refrain from the use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages and hallucinogenic drugs in any form (Galatians 5:24, 1 Peter 2:11, 2 Corinthians 7:1).
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
The second coming of Christ is in two stages, the Rapture and Revelation. In the Rapture, Jesus will come for His saints before the Great Tribulation period starts (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). In the Revelation, Jesus will come with His saints (Revelation 19:11-16) to smite the Anti-Christ and set up the millennial kingdom.
ETERNAL SECURITY
The Bible teaches the eternal security of the believer. As long as a person retains his belief in Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, he may be assured of Heaven as his home. However, the Bible clearly teaches that while God’s love will never forsake anyone, a person, once a professing believer, who completely rejects Christ as his personal Savior, sentences himself to Hell. A person is saved only once. If he ever truly and completely disbelieves in Christ, these is no hope of restoration (2 Peter 1:10, 2:20, 21, Hebrews 6:4-6, 1 John 5:16,17).
The person who declares he has been saved several times is in error. A better terminology in line with Scripture might be that he has re-dedicated his life to the Lord several times since being saved. On the other hand, the person, who professes faith in Christ but claims he can live however he wants to and still go to Heaven, is also in error. The person who truly repents will undergo a basic life change as a result of the New Birth, especially when he is exposed to the teaching of the Word (2 John 1:9).
RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS
The Scripture teaches the restoration of all things that were spoken of by the mouth of the prophets, but the prophets did not include the devil and his angels, nor sinners who reject the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 3:21).
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE
Christians should marry Christians. It is wrong for a Christian to marry a non-Christian (2 Corinthians 6:14). Divorce is not permissible between two born-again people, except in the case of fornication (Matthew 5:31,32). When a Christian is already married to a non-Christian, the marriage should nevertheless be preserved, if possible.
STANDARDS FOR MARRIAGE
God has ordained marriage and all that pertains therein between a man and a woman. Because we believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of a marriage Bethel Ministerial Association, Inc. will not hire nor retain personnel who live inconsistent with this standard.
We will not solemnize or officiate a civil union or marriage, and will not take any action in support of a civil union or marriage such as granting membership to one or both parties of such a union or marriage. Members who violate God’s standards for marriage will be subject to membership discipline.
Genesis 2:24 “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
ABORTION
We are opposed to abortion. “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood” Proverbs 6:16-17. (Exodus 20:13, Isaiah 49:1, Exodus 21:22-23, Luke 1:39-45, Psalms 51:5, Jeremiah 1:5, Psalms 139:13-14, Genesis 25:19-26)
HOMOSEXUALITY
We are opposed to homosexuality. God considers homosexuality a sin...one of few He calls an abomination. Lev 18:22-23 "you shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination...It is perversion." God clearly defines sexual deviance as perversion. For such sin, He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. See also Romans 1:26-27. Just as with other sins, we seek to see salvation for the sinner, correction and restoration for the wayward and Christ-likeness for all saints.
THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Lord Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-29). This is an ordinance of the church and as such is to be taken literally. Self examination should proceed partaking of the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial service to show the Lord’s death till He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). The order and meaning of the Lord’s table is set forth in 1 Corinthians 11:23-34.
HEAVEN AND HELL
There is a literal hell for those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior (Matthew 10:28, Revelation 20:15). There is a literal Heaven for those who accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and live a life of obedience unto Him (John 14:1-2, Revelation 7:9).
DIVINE HEALING
It is the privilege of the Christian today to go to the Lord for the healing of his body (James 5:14-15). During the earthly ministry of Jesus, He went about healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people (Matthew 4:23).
THE CHURCH
The Church had its beginning on the day of Pentecost and consists of all who are truly born again or baptized in the Spirit, wherever they may be found (Acts 1:5, Galatians 3:27, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 1:22-23).
The Bethel Ministerial Association, Inc. is an association of ministers allied for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as was taught by the Apostles, which we believe to be as follows:
FELLOWSHIP
The true basis of fellowship is walking in the light of God’s Word. The Brethren of the Bethel Ministerial Association, Inc. are not compelled, under sentence of excommunication, to surrender their conscience to the dictates and personal interpretation of Scripture of a few religious over-lords; but meet in council, as the Apostles, in the fifteenth chapter of Acts, to discuss any and all points of doctrine with the aim in view of arriving at the truth. “In the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). We welcome into our churches all Christians or other denominations and organizations who respect our doctrinal views, exercise Christian principles and ministerial courtesy.
Our motto is: “We are all Brethren, and One is our Master.”
DIVINE INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURE
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21).
The Bible, being a revelation of the supernatural God, is a supernatural Book - a Book of miracles - not understood by the natural mind (1 Corinthians 2:14). The Bible gives the only explanation of life. The wisest of men, so called, who do not believe the Bible must admit: “Concerning the origin of life, we know nothing.” The Bible reveals God as the source of all life. The Divine authorship of the Bible is further proved by the scientific and biological fact that God made all creation with seed in itself able to reproduce after its kind according to the record in Genesis 1:11, 21, 24, 28. And the Genesis account that man was made from dust (chemical substances in the ground) is corroborated by the fact that man must subsist from that which the ground produces (same chemical substances). The prophecies of the Bible prove conclusively that the Bible is divinely inspired. No man could predict 4000 years ahead concerning future events and describe those events in minute detail, as does the Bible.Jesus Christ sanctioned all the writings of the prophets (Luke 24:27-32). He sanctioned all the Old Testament Scriptures (Luke 24:32). He sanctioned the Genesis account of the creation of man (Matthew 19:4). Jesus Christ proved that He was Divine by His resurrection from the dead. Since Jesus Christ was Divine, and He sanctioned all the Scriptures, we must conclude that the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, and the true revelation of God to man.
CHURCH GOVERNMENT
Local assemblies are sovereign in themselves.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT
The Bethel Ministerial Association, Inc., hereby declares its loyalty to our government and to its Chief Executive, and hereby states its fixed purpose to assist our government in every way morally possible consistent with our faith (Romans 13:1-7).
The Bethel Ministerial Association, Inc. believes that nations can and should, whenever possible, settle their differences without going to war; however, in the event of a war, if a member engages in combatant service, it will not affect his status with the Association. In case a member is called into military service who has conscientious objections to combatant service, the Association will support him in his constitutional rights.
MAN
Man was created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). Adam’s sin was passed on to the human family (Romans 5:12-14). “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). In the last man Adam (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) all are made alive (Romans 5:15-21).
SALVATION
Salvation is obtained through obedience to the Gospel, which is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). God’s plan of obedience is faith, repentance and baptism in order to receive the Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of Christ (Acts 2:38, Acts 15:31-33, Acts 10:44-48).
WATER BAPTISM
Baptism is burial with Christ by immersion in water in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and should be administered immediately after one has thoroughly repented of sins and turned from the world (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:4,5, Acts 16:33).
THE VIRGIN BIRTH
Jesus Christ was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23).
SPIRIT BAPTISM
Baptism in the Spirit is the new birth which places one in the Body of Christ, which is the Church (1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:27). The evidence of the new birth or baptism in the Spirit is the love of God (1 John 3:14, Colossians 1:4, Galatians 5:22,23). On the day of Pentecost there was a two-fold operation of the Spirit which formed the Church, the Body of Christ, and they were also immediately filled with the Spirit (Acts 1:5, Acts 2:4).
THE FILLING OF THE SPIRIT
We teach that every Christian who has received the Spirit through the new birth, or baptism into Christ, should yield to the Spirit to be possessed or filled with the Spirit to the extent of speaking with other tongues and the operation of all the gifts of the Spirit according to 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Acts 2:4, Acts 10:46, and Acts 19:6. To receive the Spirit, and be possessed or filled with the Spirit are two different experiences in a believer’s life. This is the same Spirit but greater possession.
THE GODHEAD
There is one God in three manifestations: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is an invisible Spirit (John 4:24, Colossians 1:15). Jesus Christ is God, the invisible Spirit, manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16, John 1,4).
TITHING
Tithing is God’s financial plan to provide for His work, and has been His only plan since the days of Abraham. It was practiced under Moses’ law and Jesus endorsed it (Matthew 23:23). If a Christian gives less than one-tenth of his increase to the work of God, he is robbing God (Malachi 3:10). It is our privilege to give tithes and offerings.
THE CHRISTIAN’S CONDUCT
Christians should dress in modest apparel and not follow the extreme, immodest fashions of the world (1 Timothy 2:9-10). His speech should be as becometh saints (Colossians 4:6).
TOBACCO, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, AND DRUGS
Since tobacco, alcoholic beverages and drugs are poisonous and habit forming and components of the old sinful nature, no Christian can advance spiritually and continue their use because using either in any manner is a lustful habit of the flesh. Therefore, we refrain from the use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages and hallucinogenic drugs in any form (Galatians 5:24, 1 Peter 2:11, 2 Corinthians 7:1).
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
The second coming of Christ is in two stages, the Rapture and Revelation. In the Rapture, Jesus will come for His saints before the Great Tribulation period starts (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). In the Revelation, Jesus will come with His saints (Revelation 19:11-16) to smite the Anti-Christ and set up the millennial kingdom.
ETERNAL SECURITY
The Bible teaches the eternal security of the believer. As long as a person retains his belief in Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, he may be assured of Heaven as his home. However, the Bible clearly teaches that while God’s love will never forsake anyone, a person, once a professing believer, who completely rejects Christ as his personal Savior, sentences himself to Hell. A person is saved only once. If he ever truly and completely disbelieves in Christ, these is no hope of restoration (2 Peter 1:10, 2:20, 21, Hebrews 6:4-6, 1 John 5:16,17).
The person who declares he has been saved several times is in error. A better terminology in line with Scripture might be that he has re-dedicated his life to the Lord several times since being saved. On the other hand, the person, who professes faith in Christ but claims he can live however he wants to and still go to Heaven, is also in error. The person who truly repents will undergo a basic life change as a result of the New Birth, especially when he is exposed to the teaching of the Word (2 John 1:9).
RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS
The Scripture teaches the restoration of all things that were spoken of by the mouth of the prophets, but the prophets did not include the devil and his angels, nor sinners who reject the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 3:21).
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE
Christians should marry Christians. It is wrong for a Christian to marry a non-Christian (2 Corinthians 6:14). Divorce is not permissible between two born-again people, except in the case of fornication (Matthew 5:31,32). When a Christian is already married to a non-Christian, the marriage should nevertheless be preserved, if possible.
STANDARDS FOR MARRIAGE
God has ordained marriage and all that pertains therein between a man and a woman. Because we believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of a marriage Bethel Ministerial Association, Inc. will not hire nor retain personnel who live inconsistent with this standard.
We will not solemnize or officiate a civil union or marriage, and will not take any action in support of a civil union or marriage such as granting membership to one or both parties of such a union or marriage. Members who violate God’s standards for marriage will be subject to membership discipline.
Genesis 2:24 “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
ABORTION
We are opposed to abortion. “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood” Proverbs 6:16-17. (Exodus 20:13, Isaiah 49:1, Exodus 21:22-23, Luke 1:39-45, Psalms 51:5, Jeremiah 1:5, Psalms 139:13-14, Genesis 25:19-26)
HOMOSEXUALITY
We are opposed to homosexuality. God considers homosexuality a sin...one of few He calls an abomination. Lev 18:22-23 "you shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination...It is perversion." God clearly defines sexual deviance as perversion. For such sin, He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. See also Romans 1:26-27. Just as with other sins, we seek to see salvation for the sinner, correction and restoration for the wayward and Christ-likeness for all saints.
THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Lord Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-29). This is an ordinance of the church and as such is to be taken literally. Self examination should proceed partaking of the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial service to show the Lord’s death till He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). The order and meaning of the Lord’s table is set forth in 1 Corinthians 11:23-34.
HEAVEN AND HELL
There is a literal hell for those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior (Matthew 10:28, Revelation 20:15). There is a literal Heaven for those who accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and live a life of obedience unto Him (John 14:1-2, Revelation 7:9).
DIVINE HEALING
It is the privilege of the Christian today to go to the Lord for the healing of his body (James 5:14-15). During the earthly ministry of Jesus, He went about healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people (Matthew 4:23).
THE CHURCH
The Church had its beginning on the day of Pentecost and consists of all who are truly born again or baptized in the Spirit, wherever they may be found (Acts 1:5, Galatians 3:27, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 1:22-23).