About Bethany Baptist Church
-
We at Bethany Baptist Church in Portland all still struggle with our own fallenness - daily - despite God's redemptive mercy through Christ. We have been delivered by God's grace from the ultimate penalty of Sin (eternal death), but the scars persist. And we are still sinners - albeit redeemed by God's mercy, and freed from condemnation. So as you come among us, expect to encounter brokenness and sin still on display, and grant us a measure of grace. By God's redeeming mercy we are being gradually drawn towards healing, and we invite you to join us in that journey.
We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord's Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
About Salvation: We believe that salvation (eternal life in heaven) comes by grace through the blood of Jesus Christ (his death on the cross). (Matthew 26:28; Romans 5:8-11; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9)
About The Ministry: A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the fourfold purpose of leading the Church in: Evangelization of the world. Mark 16:15-20 Worship of God. John 4:23,24 Building a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son. Ephesians 4:11-16, Meeting human need with ministries of love and compassion. Psalms 112:9, Galatians 2:10; 6:10, James 1:27