1. The Bible
We believe in the inspired Word of God contained in the Old and New Testaments and the infallibility of the original writings. Likewise, we believe that it represents the ultimate and final authority for faith and life.
2. The Holy Trinity
We believe in one God who exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
3. The Nature of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is truly God and truly Man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and incarnated through the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross, sacrificing himself for the sins of men. After God raised Him from the dead, He ascended to heaven and now stands at the right hand of the Father, being our Priest and Mediator.
4. The Nature of the Holy Spirit
The mission of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Jesus Christ, convict people of their sins, give new birth to those who repent, and to live in the faithful guiding, teaching, protecting, and helping them live a holy life of service to God.
5. The Nature of Humanity
We believe that mankind was created righteous and, in the image, and likeness of God, and that through sin mankind fell from this position. Therefore, all people are spiritually dead and need God’s salvation through repentance.
6. Repentance, Rebirth, Sanctification
Repentance is the act of turning to God and abandoning sin (Mark 1:15; Luke 13: 3; Acts 3:19). Rebirth is the supernatural transformation God performs in a person as a result of their repentance. Sanctification is the state of being free from sin, living life according to the principles of the Bible and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
7. Salvation
We believe that man is saved by following these steps:
- Personal belief in the death, resurrection and exaltation of our Savior Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2: 8-9; Hebrews 11: 1)
- Repentance of sin (Mark 1: 4-15; Luke 15: 17-18)
- Being born again (John 3: 3-5; 1: 12-13)
- Baptism in water (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21)
8. The Church
The true Church is made up of those who, by faith in the saving blood of Jesus Christ, have been born again through the Word and Spirit of God and are united in the body of Jesus Christ, of which He is Head.
9. Church Membership
Any believer who proves that he is born again, submits himself to the sovereignty of the Bible, obeys and respects the leadership of the church, lives a spiritual life of obedience and righteousness, and attends the church at least three (3) months, may become a member of the church.
10. Spiritual Life
We believe in the spiritual presence of Christ who lives in believers through the Holy Spirit, empowering them to follow the commandments of God and to live in unity and respect and to be an example of love and righteousness.
11. Water Baptism
Water baptism is the act of immersion in water officiated in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, according to Christ’s commands. Although this act has no power to wash away sin, it represents the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Only believers who have experienced repentance and rebirth are eligible for water baptism.
12. Baptism with the Holy Spirit
The experience of Baptism with the Holy Spirit is subsequent to sanctification and, most often, subsequent to water baptism. It endows the believer with power for ministry and righteousness. It is the filling of the temple already cleansed by repentance, rebirth and sanctification. It is a gift of God in response to prayer. Baptism with the Holy Spirit is accompanied by the manifestation of speaking in tongues.
13. Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual gifts are given to the Church through the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up the Body of Jesus Christ.
14. The Fruits of the Spirit
Having a life filled with the Spirit is made manifest by the presence of love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and the self-control.
15. The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ to commemorate His death. Only born-again believers who have been cleansed of sin and baptized in water or with the Holy Spirit (the recommendation is from the age of 15) can share with the Lord’s Supper.
16. The Biblical Stance on Sinful Sexual Orientations, Tobacco, Narcotics and Alcohol
We believe that all sexual orientations, except for the marriage of a man and a woman, are forbidden by God; smoking and the use of narcotics (illegal drugs) are forbidden sinful practices (Isaiah 55: 2; Romans 1: 24-32; 1 Corinthians 10: 31-32; 2 Corinthians 7: 1; Ephesians 5: 3-8; James 1:21; Judah 4-8, 10-13). We believe that the Bible forbids the use of alcoholic beverages, contrasting them with restraint and holiness (Proverbs 20: 1, 23: 29-32; Isaiah 28: 7; Galatians 5: 19-21). Such persons cannot become members of the Bethany Church, and if they already are, they will be called to sincere repentance, if they continue to live in sin they may lose their active membership and they will not be able to serve or participate at church general meetings to vote.
17. Marriage, Divorce, and Sexuality
According to God’s will mentioned in the Bible, we only recognize the marriage between a man and a woman (Genesis 1: 26-28; 2: 18-24). Because the Bible qualifies divorce as a worldwide practice, the Pastoral Council will look at each divorce case separately and address it specifically (Matthew 19: 3-9; 1 Corinthians 7: 10-15).
Regarding biblical sexuality and marriage, the following principles and instructions are elaborated to ensure that Bethany Pentecostal Romanian Church operates in accordance with the Word of the Lord.
Each human being is created in the image and likeness of God and is male or female, sex being genetically imprinted and manifested before birth in a physiological way. Marriage is the union between a man and a woman. The families thus formed, on the basis of biblical principles, create the foundation of civil society.
Any effort to violate the order created by God by trying to change or transform human sex is a sin. Because the Bible defines marriage as the union between a man and a woman. All homosexual or polygamous marriages are sinful, as are pre-marriage sexual relations, incestuous relationships, pornography, bestiality, pedophilia, and all sinful relationships outside marriage. Persons who violate God’s Law with such behaviors need, like all sinners, to be urged to turn from their sins and seek repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Participation in any church program or activity that is limited to one-sex persons is limited exclusively to persons of that gender. Access to facilities that are designated for the use of only one sex is limited exclusively to persons of that sex. According to these instructions, it is imperative that people do not violate God’s sovereign will regarding their natural sex by intentionally presenting themselves with a modified physical face resembling the opposite sex or wearing clothing designed and intended for the opposite sex.
Persons who, actively and intentionally, engage in any activity that is sinful or contradictory or undermines the doctrines of the church, will not be received as members of the church. Also, the active and shameless involvement in any sinful activity, which contradicts or undermines the doctrines of the church is a reason for church discipline, until excommunication. An activity is considered sinful when it is contradictory to Bible teachings.
Weddings and funerals that take place at Bethany Church, using the facilities of the church, will only be possible for members of Bethany Church. Bethany Church is actively seeking opportunities to serve its community, making the church facilities available for biblical weddings and funerals. A wedding or funeral involving persons who are not members of the church is permitted only if the ceremony conforms to the teachings of the Holy Bible and doctrinal standards of this church. In case it becomes obvious that a wedding or funeral is not or will not be in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Bible and the doctrinal standards of the church, Bethany Church can, in its sole discretion, cancel or modify the event in order to align it with the biblical teachings and doctrinal standards of the church. In no case will it be allowed to produce a non-biblical event or ceremony.
18. Biblical Position on Belonging to Secret Groups and Parties in the Church
The Bible forbids association with sectarian groups and their membership or obligation by oath (Matthew 5: 34-37; John 18:20; 2 Corinthians 6: 14-17; James 5:12). We understand from the Bible that God forbids the creation and encouragement of these types of parties (Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 5: 11-13; 2 Thessalonians 3: 6, 14; 2 John 10:11).
19. The Future of the Church
We believe in the personal and visible return of Jesus Christ, the bodily resurrection of the saints to eternal life in the presence of God, and the bodily resurrection of the unrighteous for judgment.