Benhar Evangelical Church

GOD

There is but one living and true God, who exists eternally in three distinct but equal Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is a spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, truth 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.

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

The Lord Jesus Christ, as the second Person of the glorious Trinity, is fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life in obedience to God the Father. He taught with authority and all His words are true. On the Cross of Calvary He died in the place of sinners, bearing God's punishment for their sin and redeeming them by His blood. He rose from the dead and in His resurrection body ascended into Heaven, where He is eternally exalted as Lord over all. He continually intercedes for His people in the presence of God the Father.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit as the third Person of the glorious Trinity has been sent from Heaven to glorify Christ and to apply His work of salvation to individuals. 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.

 THE BIBLE

God has revealed Himself in the Bible, which consists of the Old and New Testaments alone. Every word was inspired by God and written 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. The Bible principally teaches what man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man.

 THE HUMAN RACE

All men and women, being created in the image of God, have inherent and equal dignity and worth. Their greatest duty is to obey, worship and love God. 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 Him, please Him, and become heirs of eternal life.

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 everyone 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. Such are sanctified by God’s free grace, whereby they are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.

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.

BAPTISM & THE LORD’S SUPPER

Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances, meaning that they were ordained by the Lord Himself during His ministry on Earth. These are the only two symbolic ceremonies commanded by Christ and they were given to the Church as visible signs of the Gospel. 

Baptism is an ordinance, a symbol of union with Christ and entry into His Church but does not impart spiritual life. Baptism is administered in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, according to Christ's institution and the practice of the apostles.  

The Lord's Supper is also an ordinance, a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice offered once for all wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine - according to Christ’s appointment - His death is showed forth; and the worthy receivers are - not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith - made partakers of His body and blood, with all His benefits, for their spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace.

THE LORD'S DAY

The first day of the week is the Lord's Day and, in a special sense, it is the divinely appointed day for worship and spiritual exercise. It should not be desecrated but should be kept holy, in accordance with the Word of God.

THE DEVIL

The Devil is a fallen angel, the author of sin, a liar and the father of lies.  He is the reason for the fall of man, and is destined to eternal punishment in the lake of fire. He is the spiritual adversary of both God and man.

BIBLICAL SEPARATION

The Lord’s people should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Saviour and Lord.  This separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded of God.

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. All things will be made new and God will be glorified forever.