Bethel Baptist Church

Bethel Baptist Church Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Bethel Baptist Church, Religious organisation, 60 Ketron Avenue, Lebanon, VA.

06/17/2026

Heb 6:19-“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.” Paul continues to enumerate the virtues of this “…hope…” we have in Jesus as he stated in the previous verse-“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.”, by adding now “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul…”. This “…hope…” is the source of us being settled and steadfast in our walk with the Lord which Paul avers as “…an anchor of the soul…”. Of this “…hope…” and “…anchor…”, we know that it represents our salvation as being solid and secure in Jesus, as Adam Clarke adds-“…The hope of eternal life is here represented as the soul’s anchor; the world is the boisterous, dangerous sea; the Christian course, the voyage; the port, everlasting felicity; and the veil or inner road, the royal dock in which that anchor was cast. The storms of life continue but a short time; the anchor, hope, if fixed by faith in the eternal world, will infallibly prevent all shipwreck; the soul may be strongly tossed by various temptations, but will not drive, because the anchor is in sure ground, and itself is steadfast; it does not drag, and it does not break; faith, like the cable, is the connecting medium between the ship and the anchor, or the soul and its hope of heaven…”. We can be secure steadfastness which is in Jesus. Next, Paul adds of this “…anchoring hope…”, that it is “…both sure and stedfast…”, which denotes its stability and durability. Albert Barnes chips in-“…So with the soul of the Christian. In the tempests and trials of life, his mind is calm as long as his hope of heaven is firm. If that gives way, he feels that all is lost. Among the pagan writers, “hope” is often compared with an anchor. So Socrates said, “To ground hope on a false supposition, is like trusting to a weak anchor.” Again - “A ship ought not to trust to one anchor, nor life to one hope.” Both sure and steadfast. Firm and secure. This refers to the anchor. That is fixed in the sand, and the vessel is secure…”. Are you “anchored…” in Christ? He died so you could be so. Paul closes with “…and which entereth into that within the veil.”, which pictures our faith in the One, “…within the veil…” or the most holy place, in the Levitical system, and to heaven now where Jesus has entered, and is “…at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us…” (Heb. 1:3, Rom. 8:34). Of this “…entereth into the veil…”, Barnes continues “…The allusion to the “anchor” here is dropped, and the apostle speaks simply of hope. The “veil” here refers to what in the temple divided the holy from the most holy place; The place “within the veil” - the most holy place - was regarded as God’s special abode - where he dwelt by the visible symbol of his presence. That holy place was emblematic of heaven; and the idea here is, that the hope of the Christian enters into heaven itself; it takes hold on the throne of God; it is made firm by being fastened there. It is not the hope of future riches, honors, or pleasures in this life - for such a hope would not keep the soul steady; it is the hope of immortal blessedness and purity in the world beyond…”. No wonder Paul could add emphatically in Tit 2:13-“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Look up child of God. Our hope is real and our anchor is strong. Jesus, lead on. Hallelujah!

06/16/2026

Heb 6:18-“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.” Continuing from the previous verse which stipulated “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath.”, Paul now shares more specifics of this “…immutability…”, in sharing “That by two immutable things…”, which are the promises of God and the oath of God, that are aforementioned, we have great hope. Of these, John Wesley reflects-“…That by two unchangeable things - His promise and his oath…”. Albert Barnes adds-“…It seems to me, therefore, that the apostle refers to the “promise” and to the “oath” of God, as constituting the two grounds of security for the salvation of his people. Those things were both unchangeable, and when his word and oath are once passed, what he promises is secure…”. Also, John Gill concurs with-“…God's counsel and oath, which never change and alter, and from which he never varies…”. Surely the certainty of “God’s promises…” and His “oath…” in which it was certainly ascertained that “…it was impossible for God to lie…”. God’s truth and character are revealed in His promises and particular oaths that He gave. Paul similarly adds in Tit 1:2-“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” Let us be reminded that Jesus is “…the way, the truth, and the life (Jn. 14:6). Thus, Paul adds-“… we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.” This is the great security of the believer. Of this “…strong consolation…”, Barnes continues-“… The strongest of which the mind can conceive. The consolation of a Christian is not in his own strength; his hope of heaven is not in any reliance on his own powers. His comfort is, that God has “promised” eternal life to his people, and that He cannot prove false to his word; Tit_1:2…”. How true and faithful is our God! Paul concludes with “…who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.” Surely this is the “…ark of safety…”, the “shelter in the time of the storm…”, and the certainty that what God has begun, He will continue and finish it…” (Phil. 1:6). How thankful that we should be that we have a “Haven or Rest…”, which is found in the “…name of the Lord…” as shown in Pro 18:10-“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Of this “…fled for refuge…”, Adam Clarke injects-“… There appears to be an allusion here to the cities of refuge, and to the persons who fled to them for safety. As the person who killed his neighbor unawares was sure if he gained the city of refuge he should be safe, and had strong consolation in the hope that he should reach it, this hope animated him in his race to the city; he ran, he fled, knowing that, though in danger the most imminent of losing his life, yet, as he was now acting according to an ordinance of God, he was certain of safety provided he got to the place…”. We have the “hope of eternal life…” (Tit. 1:2) and the “…blessed hope…” (Tit. 2:13) that Jesus is coming and that we can spend eternity with Him in heaven. Could there be a greater hope? Have you “fled to Jesus…”, repented of your sins, and received eternal life? He is the only way (Acts 4:12). Don’t go on in sin. Run to the anchor of Jesus today and be saved. Hallelujah!

06/15/2026

Heb 6:17-“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath.” Having established that men “swear…” or make an oath by a higher entity, as he stated earlier-“For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.”, and that in the oath, “God could not swear by any greater than himself…”, and “For men verily swear by the greater…”, which means to authenticate an oath, it needs the supporting cast of someone greater, Paul now shares the continuing faithfulness of God as he adds “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel…”, which precludes that God was most “…willing…” to reveal the faithfulness of his covenant by affirming “…the immutability of his counsel…”, or the assurance and trustworthiness of it to reassure man. Of this “…to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel…”, Albert Barnes relates-“… The heirs to whom the promise of life pertained; that is, all who were interested in the promises made to Abraham - thus embracing the heirs of salvation now…The immutability of his counsel - His fixed purpose. He meant to show in the most solemn manner that his purpose would not change. The plans of God never change; and all the hope which we can have of heaven is founded on the fact that his purpose is immutable. If he changed his plans; if he was controlled by caprice; if he willed one thing today and another thing tomorrow, who could confide in him, or who would have any hope of heaven? So in religion. If there were nothing fixed and settled, who would know what to do? If God should change his plans by caprice, and save one man by faith today and condemn another for the same faith tomorrow; or if he should pardon a man today and withdraw the pardon tomorrow, what security could we have of salvation? How grateful, therefore, should we be that God has an “immutable counsel,”…”. Adam Clarke follows with-“… His unchangeable purpose, to call the Gentiles to salvation by Jesus Christ; to justify every penitent by faith; to accept faith in Christ for justification in place of personal righteousness; and finally to bring every persevering believer, whether Jew or Gentile, to eternal glory…”. Of his unchangeableness, God relates in Mal 3:6-“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Paul concurs as he states in Heb 13:8-“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” So, surely his “…counsel…” is likewise consistent, reliable, trustworthy and worthy of our deepest trust. Paul concludes with the fact that God thus revealed the trustworthiness of His counsel as he “…confirmed it by an oath.”, or reassured its viability as he states in Heb 6:13-“For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself.” Of this “…confirmed by an oath…”, Matthew Henry asserts-“… The promise of blessedness which God has made to believers is not a rash and hasty thing, but the result of God's eternal purpose. (2.) This purpose of God was agreed upon in counsel, and settled there between the eternal Father, Son, and Spirit. (3.) These counsels of God can never be altered; they are immutable. God never needs to change his counsels; for nothing new can arise to him who sees the end from the beginning…The promises of God, which are founded upon these immutable counsels of God, and confirmed by the oath of God, may safely be depended upon. Are you trusting in Jesus for the salvation of your soul? He will never fail to keep His Word and establish his covenant. Hallelujah!

Amos 4:12-“Therefore, thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God,...
06/13/2026

Amos 4:12-“Therefore, thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.”
We cordially invite you to join us for Sunday School at 9:45 AM and Worship at 11:00 AM in the morning @ Bethel Baptist Church. Our message will be "Come Prepared" (Series - "How Do We Become Sanctified and Approach Church?" Part 3). You will find a warm welcome. Let us prepare for Jesus' return. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

06/12/2026

Heb 6:16-“For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.” In seeking to advance the faith of Abraham, and how he “…inherited the promise…”, and how that in “…blessing, God blessed him…”, and that in the oath, “God could not swear by any greater than himself…”, Paul now continues this line of thought by illustrating how men perform or swear oaths by stating “For men verily swear by the greater…”, which means to authenticate an oath, it needs the supporting cast of someone greater. Of this “…greater…”, Albert Barnes stipulates-“…That is, they appeal to God. They never swear by one who is inferior to themselves. The object of the apostle in this declaration is to show that as far as this could be done it had been by God. He could not indeed swear by one greater than himself, but he could make his promise as certain as an oath taken by people was when they solemnly appealed to him. He could appeal to his own existence and veracity, which was at any time the most solemn form of an oath, and thus put the mind to rest in regard to the hope of heaven…”. In essence every oath is in the arena or awareness of God’s knowledge and omniscience, but some are particularly so, because they are done in the purpose of God’s blessing and favor. Let’s make sure we are cognizant of the seriousness of making oaths or promises and be sure we carry them out. Paul next adds-“… and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.” Arguments and disagreements are solved often by an emissary or advocate which seeks to reconcile the different parties. Of this “…oath for confirmation…”, Barnes continues-“… That is, when two parties are at variance, or have a cause at issue, an oath binds them to adhere to the terms of agreement concluded on, or contracting parties bind themselves by a solemn oath to adhere to the conditions of an agreement, and this puts an end to all strife. They rest satisfied when a solemn oath has been taken, and they feel assured that the agreement will be complied with. Or it may refer to cases where a man was accused of wrong before a court, and where he took a solemn oath that the thing had not been done, and his oath was admitted to be sufficient to put an end to the controversy. The general meaning is clear, that in disputes between man and man, an appeal was made to an oath, and that was allowed to settle it. The connection here is, that as far as the case would admit of, the same thing was done by God. His oath by himself made his promise firm…”. John Wesley follows with-“… Men generally swear by him who is infinitely greater than themselves, and an oath for confirmation, to confirm what is promised or asserted, usually puts an end to all contradiction. This shows that an oath taken in a religious manner is lawful even under the gospel: otherwise the apostle would never have mentioned it with so much honour, as a proper means to confirm the truth…”. How glad we should be that our God is a great God of His word and that his promises are always reliable and trustworthy. He is a God that “…cannot lie…” (Tit. 1:2), and his promises are without doubt or controversy (2 Pet. 1:4). We can place our utmost trust in our Lord who never changes as we see in Heb 13:8-“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” I trust that you know Jesus in the forgiveness of sins and the reception of eternal life. He did it all for you. You can believe His word and trust his promises. Let us rejoice in that today. Hallelujah!

06/11/2026

“Some Biblical Certainties in an Uncertain World” (Part 2) 1 Cor. 2:9

06/11/2026

Heb 6:15-“And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Continuing the pursual of the attributes of Abraham’s faith, and that God in “…blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying, I will multiply thee…”, Paul next moves to how, and in what context that God blessed him in saying “And so, after he had patiently endured…”, which say what he endured and overcame to attain such a standing, which is averred in Heb 11:17-19-“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” Of this “patiently endured…”, Albert Barnes infers-“…After he had waited for a long time. He did not faint or grow weary, but he persevered in a confident expectation of the fulfillment of what God had so solemnly promised…”. John Gill follows-“… He waited long for a son, from whom the Messiah was to spring, after he had had the promise of one; and he endured many afflictions with patience, in his journeys from place to place, throughout his life to the end…”. So, it is with our faith also. There are tests, trials, setbacks, failures, and obstacles that we all must overcome if we are also to “…patiently endure…”, as Jesus ascertains in Joh 16:33-“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Next, Paul states-“… he obtained the promise.” Surely there is a sweet kinship between “…endured…” and “…obtained…”. Albert Barnes injects-“… Evidently the promise referred to in the oath - that he would have a numerous posterity. The apostle intimates that he had waited for that a long time; that his faith did not waver, and that in due season the object of his wishes was granted. To see the force of this, we are to remember: (1) That when he was called by God from Haran, and when the promise of a numerous posterity was made to him, he was seventy-five years old; Gen_12:1-5. (2) Twenty-four years elapsed after this, during which he was a sojourner in a strange land, before the manner in which this promise would be fulfilled was made known to him; Gen. 17:1-16. (3) It was only when he was an hundred years old, and when he had persevered in the belief of the truth of the promise against all the natural improbabilities of its accomplishment, that he received the pledge of its fulfillment in the birth of his son Isaac; Gen_21:1-5. (4) The birth of that son was a pledge that the other blessings implied in the promise would be granted, and in that pledge Abraham may be said to have “received the promise.” He did not actually see the numerous posterity of which he was to be the honored ancestor, nor the Messiah who was to descend from him, nor the happy influences which would result to mankind from the fulfillment of the promise. But he saw the certainty that all this would occur…”. You and I may not see the actuality of every promise that we read in the Bible, but there is plentiful assurance that “…we are more than conquerors…” (Rom. 8:37), and that “faith overcomes the world…” (1 Jn. 5:4), and that we are assured that we have “…the victory over death…” (1 Cor. 15:57) because of the blood of Jesus and His resurrection, and promised “rest…” (Rev. 14:13). Do you know Jesus today? Repent and believe upon Him. You will be forever glad you did. Hallelujah!

06/10/2026

Heb 6:14-“Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.” Connecting to the aforementioned verse which assured “For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself”, Paul now explains or expounds further that God did make “…promise to Abraham, because he could swear by not greater , he sware by himself.”, by “Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.”, which is the context of what God did “sware…” or pledge by His own character and power. Of this “…blessing I will bless thee…”, John Gill stipulates-“… Which is expressive of the certainty of the blessings; the reality and substantiality of them; the abundance of them, and the continuance of the same: and of this nature are all spiritual blessings; as to be chosen of God; to have God to be a covenant God and Father; to be justified, pardoned, adopted, and sanctified, and so have a right and title to eternal happiness…”. Albert Barnes adds-“… That is, I will certainly bless thee. The phrase is a Hebrew mode of expression, to denote emphasis or certainty - indicated by the repetition of a word; compare Gen_14:23; Exo_8:10; Jol_3:14; Jdg_5:30; Jdg_15:16…”. Matthew Henry summarizes thus-“…What was the promise: Surely, blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. The blessing of God is the blessedness of his people; and those whom he has blessed indeed he will go on to bless, and will multiply blessings, till he has brought them to perfect blessedness…”. Let us all rejoice that the God who has blessed us, is blessing, and will continue to bless in the future and in eternity. Do you know this “blesser…”? Have you repented of your sins and put your faith in Jesus who died for you on the cross? He did it all for you. He died for your sins and to give you eternal life. Turn to Him today. He wants to have you among the “.blessed…”, as was Abraham. We, like Abraham, attain this blessing by the gracious gift of God and our faith, as we see in Gen 15:6-“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Let us be people of faith and strong resolution to obey God and finish well. Look to Jesus today and “…believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31). You can be now and forever with Jesus. All praise to Him. Hallelujah!

06/09/2026

Heb 6:13-“For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself.” Paul next moves to illustrate one who was “…not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”, by showing that Abraham was such a one, in stating “For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater , he sware by himself.” To “…sware…” means to establish an oath or promise. Of this, Albert Barnes inserts-“…That he would bless him, and multiply his seed as the stars of heaven; Gen_22:16-17. The object of introducing this example here is, to encourage those to whom the apostle was writing to persevere in the Christian life, This he does by showing that God had given the highest possible assurance of his purpose to bless his people, by an oath. Reference is made to Abraham in this argument, probably, for two reasons: (1) To show the nature of the evidence which Christians have that they will be saved, or the ground of encouragement - being the same as that made to Abraham, and depending, as in his case, on the promise of God; and, (2) Because the “example” of Abraham was just in point. He had persevered. He had relied firmly and solely on the promise of God. He did this when appearances were much against the fulfillment of the promise, and he thus showed the advantage of perseverance and fidelity in the cause of God…”. What a joy that we too can know the assurance of God’s promises to save, sustain, and enable us to grow to maturity and completion in Christ. Next, Paul adds of this work of God-“…because he could sware by no greater, he sware by himself.” There was no one any higher or substantial than God Himself, no greater witness, no greater power or authority. Barnes continues-“… There is no being greater than God. In taking an oath among people it is always implied that the appeal is to one of superior power, who is able to punish for its infraction. But this could not occur in the case of God himself. There was no greater being than himself, and the oath, therefore, was by his own existence…”. No one greater or more powerful than God exists now or ever existed. He is His greatest witness of that. Matthew Henry concurs-“…He staked down his own being and his own blessedness upon it; no greater security can be given or desired…”. God adds of Himself in Isa 45:5-6-“I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: So people may know, from the rising of the sun to the west, that there is no one besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.” Let us all say “Amen” to this. In conclusion, John Gill adds-“… swearing is ascribed to a divine person after the manner of men, and in condescension to them; and who is never introduced swearing, but in matters of moment and of great importance; the note of Philo the Jew (n) on the passage in Gen_22:16 from whence the following words are cited, is worthy of observation, being very near the apostle's words; "well does he (God) confirm the promise with an oath, and with an oath that becomes God; for you see that God does not swear by another, for nothing is better than himself, but by himself, who is the best of all; but some have suggested as if it was inconvenient to swear, for an oath is taken for the sake of faith; but God alone is faithful, &c.''…”. Surely, we can all attest to the faithfulness of God. Let’s recall and rejoice today! Hallelujah!

06/08/2026

Heb 6:12-“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Having earlier determined and admonished that his readers should “…shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.”, and “…God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”, in the previous two verses, Paul now further admonishes them “That ye be not slothful…”, which is to not be lazy, frivolous, lackadaisical, or inattentive. Strong’s Greek Dictionary defines “…slothful…” as –“… sluggish, that is, (literally) lazy, or (figuratively) stupid: - dull, slothful…”. Websters follows with “…Inactive; sluggish; lazy; indolent; idle…”. In his time, and in our time, it behooves us be alert and active in our service of the Lord and to give ourselves diligently to obey Him. Of this “…slothful…”, John Gill inserts-“… With respect to hearing the word, and attendance on every ordinance; with respect to the use of means for the increase of knowledge, faith, and hope; and with respect to ministering to the saints; but on the contrary, should take every opportunity of improvement and doing good…”. Let us “…be about the Father’s business…” (Lk 2:49) today with diligence and attention. He gives us strength to do so (Psa. 27:1). Paul now moves to next expound-“…, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”, which is the opposite of “…slothful…”, because we are to “…through faith and patience inherit the promises…”, which means we follow in keeping the “…faith…” and serving with “…patience…” or perseverance. Of this “…faith…” and “…patience…”, Albert Barnes relates-“… not that "faith" is the cause of, or what gives right to the inheritance, but it designs a course and walk of believing, at the end of which, saints come to glory; and faith is connected with salvation, and salvation with that; and through faith believers are preserved unto it: and "patience" is joined with faith, as a fruit and evidence of it; and supposes troubles which are patiently endured before men come to the possession of the inheritance: now the apostle exhorts these Hebrews to be followers and imitators of such, in diligence, faith, and patience, when they need not doubt of inheriting the same promised blessedness they do…”. We too must follow the Lord in faith in the steps of our journey. It is dubbed that we “…walk by faith, not by sight…” as we see in 2Co 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”. Later we shall see that by “…faith…” is the only way to please Him as shown in Heb 11:6=”But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” We also must persevere in our walk and not be discouraged or quit, as he states here in “…through faith and patience inherit the promises…”, or that we shall see the fruit of our faith as revealed in seeing that the promises were true. Today, let us know that truth as Paul expresses it in Gal 6:9-“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Let us keep “…looking unto Jesus…” (Heb. 12:2) and finish in faith. What a life! Hallelujah!

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60 Ketron Avenue
Lebanon, VA
24266

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