Bethany -
A Bible Based Church
What does that mean? Old fashioned? Out of date? Irrelevant?
To be a Bible Based or 'evangelical' church means that we believe the Bible to be the inspired authority for what God wants us to know about Himself, how we can be at peace with Him and how to live in His world. The Bible is actually very relevant giving us truths that make sense of everyday life and a real hope for now and the future!
The
Church
Family:
Teaching Point: ‘The Church Family’ from the Pastor's Newsletter February 2026
A few weeks ago, in a Sunday morning study in Mark’s Gospel, we looked at some startling words of JESUS: Mark 3:35 Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother.”
We heard that the LORD was not being disrespectful to His natural family – Mary and his half-brothers; He was making the point that His mission was to create a new Family of believers. The Church, or Gathering is made up of all people who trust in and follow JESUS.
We all know that a church is not a building, it is a gathering of Christian people. We so easily slip into saying, “I’m going to church.” when we know that doesn’t make sense! Now, we’re not considering policing all our words and phrases! However, there is an important point here. Of all the different word-pictures that the New Testament uses for the ‘church’, the Family or household of God is the most common.
Some examples: A qualified elder must be able to manage his own family well in order to effectively manage the church family - household. [1 Timothy 3:4]
Christians are members of the same family as Jesus!Hebrews 2:11 tells us that He is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters!
All throughout the NT letters, fellow Christians are referred to, even by Apostles as dear brothers & sisters!
In 1 Peter 2:17, the apostle instructs us: ‘Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers...’ Peter shows us one practical way that we are to show love for the church Family: Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9 We are to pray for one another and to love each other deeply from the heart! 1 Peter 1:22
In a society with so many broken homes and community divisions, the Church-Family should be such a beautiful contrast!
Purpose built church buildings were not on the scene when the NT was written – they came later. There are great advantages in having a chapel or hall for the church family to meet in and use for fellowship and Gospel outreach – but it is always the church that meets in the building!
Keeping this in mind helps us to see the priority: To develop our church-family relationships, teamwork and our mission. We have such a great calling – to proclaim and display Gospel truth!
Paul writes to Timothy with instructions for the behaviour of the church family. …you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household [family], which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15
How we speak, care and work together are vital for the Church-Family and her mission. Let’s make strengthening our relationships a core priority!
Bethany - an Independent Church
Independent & Interdependent
Bethany is not part of a denomination. However we are affiliated to large family of other independent local churches across the UK - well over 500! [Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches] We are blessed with preachers from other churches who support us and we have many personal friendships with churches in the UK and across the world!.
FIEC Article on Gospel Unity:
Church Stories within the FIEC
Click on the link below to see what is going on amongst churches in the FIEC family:
Beliefs & Church Practices:
1. God
There is one God, who exists eternally in three distinct but equal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is unchangeable in his holiness, justice, wisdom and love. He is the almighty Creator; Saviour and Judge who sustains and governs all things according to his sovereign will for his own glory.
2. The Bible
God has revealed himself in the Bible, which consists of the Old and New Testaments alone. Every word was inspired by God through human authors, so that the Bible as originally given is in its entirety the Word of God, without error and fully reliable in fact and doctrine. The Bible alone speaks with final authority and is always sufficient for all matters of belief and practice.
3. Humanity
All men and women, being created in the image of God, have inherent and equal dignity and worth. Their greatest purpose is to obey, worship and love God. God created us male and female, which is identified by our biological sex. Marriage is the exclusive union of one man and one woman and is a picture of the relationship between Christ and his bride the church. Sexual intimacy is a gift from God to be enjoyed only within the context of marriage.
4. The Fall
As a result of the fall of our first parents, every aspect of human nature has been corrupted and all men and women are without spiritual life, guilty sinners and hostile to God. Every person is therefore under the just condemnation of God and needs to be born again, forgiven and reconciled to God in order to know and please him.
5. The Lord Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life in obedience to the Father. He taught with authority and all his words are true. On the cross he died in the place of sinners, bearing God’s punishment for their sin, redeeming them by his blood. He rose from the dead and in his resurrection body ascended into heaven where he is exalted as Lord of all. He intercedes for his people in the presence of the Father.
6. Salvation
Salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace and cannot be earned or deserved. It has been accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ and is offered to all in the gospel. God in his love forgives sinners whom he calls, granting them repentance and faith. All who believe in Christ are justified by faith alone, adopted into the family of God and receive eternal life.
7. The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has been sent from heaven to glorify Christ and to apply his work of salvation. He convicts sinners, imparts spiritual life and gives a true understanding of the Scriptures. He indwells all believers, brings assurance of salvation and produces increasing likeness to Christ. He builds up the Church and empowers its members for worship, service and mission.
8. The Church
The universal Church is the body of which Christ is the head and to which all who are saved belong. It is made visible in local churches, which are congregations of believers who are committed to each other for the worship of God, the preaching of the Word, the administering of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; for pastoral care and discipline, and for evangelism. The unity of the body of Christ is expressed within and between churches by mutual love, care and encouragement. True fellowship between churches exists only where they are faithful to the gospel.
9. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper have been given to the churches by Christ as visible signs of the gospel. Baptism is a symbol of union with Christ and entry into his Church but does not impart spiritual life. The Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice offered once for all and involves no change in the bread and wine. All its blessings are received by faith.
10. The Future
The Lord Jesus Christ will return in glory. He will raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness. The wicked will be sent to eternal punishment and the righteous will be welcomed into a life of eternal joy in fellowship with God. God will make all things new and will be glorified forever.