Bethany Christian Church, a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), values:
The Centrality of Jesus Christ - John 3:16-17
The only confession of faith required in becoming a member of this congregation - and therefore the universal Church - is the affirmative confession of faith in response to the question,
"Do you believe that Jesus is
the Christ, the Son of the living God,
-Matthew 16:16
and do you proclaim him Lord -Romans 10:9
and Savior of the world?" -1 John 4:14
At the heart of Bethany faith, with its roots firmly planted in the Disciples of Christ tradition, we do not ask, "In what do you believe?" but rather, "In whom do you believe?". While affirming that creeds are helpful in understanding one's faith, as a non-creedal church we reject creeds as tests of membership or requirements for salvation. We affirm the old slogan of the Stone-Campbell movement: "No creed but Christ." Ordinances of Corporate Worship
Because we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and Lord and Savior of the world, each week in worship we offer our sincerest gratitude and joyful praise to Jesus Christ and God, our Father and Creator, for the forgiveness of sin and for the grace that triumphs over death. We believe that this grace and forgiveness is offered to all humanity. In celebration of God's radical act of love in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and our yearning to be fully united with Christ, we have two ordinances of worship: baptism and communion. Baptism - Luke 3:21-22; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-5
By the grace of God, in baptism one symbolically participates in Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection; receives the gifts of forgiveness of sin and the power of the Holy Spirit; affirms the promises of abundant and eternal life; and accepts the responsibility of repentance, sacrifice, and holiness. We practice baptism by immersion following one's confession of faith in Christ Jesus. Yet, because we also affirm all who believe in Christ Jesus, we receive into membership those of other baptismal traditions without requiring re-baptism. Communion - Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Each week, we practice Open Communion, meaning that any and all who believe in Christ Jesus are fully welcomed to the Lord's Table, remembering that Christ is the Host, and we are his guests. Communion is the central act of devotion within the worship service. The sharing of the one bread and the common cup reminds us of our unity in Christ. Freedom of Belief and Authority of Scripture - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Because we have only the one confession of faith in Jesus Christ, we recognize and affirm the great breadth of perspective and diversity of thought beyond this one required tenet of faith. The result is that each individual receives enormous latitude of freedom of belief, as well as a great deal of responsibility for her or his own faith in light of Scripture. We affirm that the Christian Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is inspired by God, and that each individual has the freedom and responsibility to interpret Scripture and historical Christian teachings according to his or her own conscience and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The freedom of belief and the responsibility of interpretation are extended to all. Ministry of the Priesthood of All Believers - 1 Peter 2:5, 9
There is no intermediary between an individual and Christ; this is symbolized by both clergy and lay elders serving at the Lord's Table. Likewise, both clergy and laity are responsible for the congregation's carrying out the mission of the church. We accomplish this through a congregational governance system, meaning that the official church board is responsive to the directives of the congregation. Mission and Faith in Action - James 1:22 (RSV)
James, the brother of our Lord, instructs: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only... ." In faithfulness to our Lord, we are called to live lives of integrity and harmony with Jesus Christ. Putting our faith in action requires living faithfully in five Christian missions: evangelism, justice, service, spirituality, and the oneness of the church. Evangelism - Matthew 28:16-20
Every member of the priesthood of all believers is responsible for the Great Commission. Since we have a singular love for Christ Jesus, we seek to "make disciples of all nations...." Justice - Micah 6:8
All Christians are responsible for the prophet Micah's instruction to "do justice." Disciples of Christ have a long tradition as vanguards of Christian ministries of social justice and peace. Service Matthew - 25:31-46; 1 John 3:17; Micah 6:8
The people of God are and always have been called to care for those who cannot help themselves. As God has been merciful to us, we are called by God to be merciful to others. Spirituality - Micah 6:8
Christians also have the responsibility to "walk humbly with thy God." Prayer, study, worship, and the other spiritual disciplines are central to a vibrant, healthy relationship with God in Christ Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Oneness of the Church - John 17:20-23; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
A hallmark of the Disciples of Christ is the belief, articulated by Thomas Campbell, that "the church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one." We recognize all who confess Christ as Lord as members of the one church. We intentionally engage in cooperative mission efforts with all parts of the body of Christ, in all of its denominations and manifestations.
