We believe, teach, and confess . . .

Bethel Lutheran Church acknoweldges the Holy Bible as the inspired and inerrant Word of God

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son."  Hebrews 1:1-12

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."  2 Timothy 3:16-17

"Prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."  2 Peter 1:21

God has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - one God, three Persons - what we call the Trinity.

[Jesus said,] "God and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." Matthew 28:19

[Jesus said,] "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, He will testify about Me."  John 15:26

"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."  Galatians 3:26

God the Father created the heavens and the earth, gave and provides life to all humankind.

"By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."  Hebrews 11:3

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  Genesis 1:1

"The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."  Genesis 2:7

"The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing."  Psalm 145:15-16

God the Son became a human being to take our place under the Law, the die for our sins, and be raised for our salvation.

"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  John 1:14

"When the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons."  Galatians 4:4-5

"Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by HIs death He might destroy him who holds  the power of death - that is, the devil."  Hebrews 2:14

"We have One who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."  1 John 2:1-2

God the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, and enlightens the people of God through God's means of grace.

"No one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit."  1 Corinthians 12:3

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believe: first for the Jew, then for the Gentiles."  Romans 1:16

"You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the SPirit of our God."  1 Corinthians 6:11

Man is a sinner, that is, by nature whose every thought, desire, word, and deed is contrary to God's Law.

"Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness."  1 John 3:4

"Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned."  Romans 5:12

"I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me."  Psalms 51:5

God offers the forgiveness of sins through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who kept the Law for us and whose suffering and death frees us from the guilt, the punishment, and the power of sin, and are saved eternally.

"God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."  Galatians 3:13

"[God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."  Colossians 1:13-14

By the work of the Holy Spirit, the sinner is brought to faith through the Word and Sacraments which are God's "means of grace."

[Word]  "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..."   Romans 1:16

"Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ"  Romans 10:17

[Baptism]  "He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."   Titus 3:5

[Lord's Supper]  "[Jesus] took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."  Matthew 26:27-28

As believing, baptized children of God, His people gather and work together as the Church - the body of Christ at work in the world today.

"As each of us has one body with many members . . . so in CHrist we who are many form one body."  Romans 12:4-5

"You, also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."  1 Peter 2:5

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."  Acts 2:42