OUR HISTORY
Bethany Baptist Church was founded by Pastor Robert Altman in Barnwell, SC in January 2008. The church started with just a handful of people and now ministers to around 180 to 200 people weekly. The church was chartered on September 14, 2008 with 37 members. Bethany Baptist Church continues to grow and build and the Lord is blessing continuously.
10 Core Doctrines
1. The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of Heavenly instruction; that it has God for its Author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore, It will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. Luke 16:29-31; II Tim. 3:15-17; Eph. 2:20; Heb. 1:11; Ps. 19:7-10
2. God (The Trinity)
There is one and only true and living God, an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being; the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe; infinite in holiness and all other perfections; to Whom we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. He is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct, personal attributes; but without division of nature, essence, or being. Gen. 1:1; I Cor. 8:4-6; John 15:26; I Tim. 1:17
3. Salvation
The salvation of sinners is totally of grace, through the mediatory office of the Son of God. Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Col. 1:21; Eph. 1:7-10; Gal. 2:19,20; 3:13
4. The Security of the Believer
All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. John 10:28,29; II Tim. 2:19; I Cor. 11:32; Rom. 8:30; 9:11,16
5. Pre-tribulation Rapture
We believe the church will be caught up and raptured out of this world to live with Christ prior to the 7 year tribulation period. Rev. 4:1; Rom. 5:9; 1 Thes. 1:10; 2 Cor. 5:20
6. Stewardship
God is the source of all blessings both physical and spiritual. All that we have and are we owe to Him. We have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the Gospel, and a binding stewardship in our possession. We are, therefore, under obligation to serve Him with our time, talents, and material possession; and we should recognize all these as entrusted to us to use for the glory of God and helping others. Christians should cheerfully, systematically, proportionally, and liberally contribute to their means to advance their Redeemer’s cause on earth. Luke 12:42; 16:1-8; Titus 1:7; I Peter 4:10; II Cor. 8:1-7; 8:11-19
7. Sanctification
Sanctification is the process by which the regenerate gradually attains to moral and spiritual perfection through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in their hearts. It continues throughout the earthly life, and is accompanied by the use of all the ordinary means of grace, particularly by the Word of God. Acts 20:32; John 17:17; Rom. 6:5; Eph. 3:16
8. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The act is a symbol of our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior. It is the prerequisite to the privileges to a church relationship and to the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the church, by the use of bread and drink, commemorate the dying love of Christ. Matt. 28:19, 20; I Cor. 4:1; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Mark 1:4
9. The Church
Our church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith of the fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ, being governed by His laws and by His Word, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Matt. 16:18; 18:15-18; Rom. 1:7
10. Good Works
We believe that it is our works and actions that leave an impression on others. In order to lead others to the Lord and give glory to God we must leave a positive testimony. Our good works will leave seeds in others lives that they may come to know the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Matt. 5:16; Eph. 2:10; James 2:18
