Our Values & Beliefs

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus, while upon the earth, was God revealed in the flesh. He was both fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life, died a substitutionary death on the cross, was resurrected bodily from the grave, ascended to heaven, and currently sits at the right hand of God. He is coming again personally and visibly to claim His bride, the Church, and will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 52:12-53:12; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 20:28; 26:37-39; John 1:1-18; 1:29-34; 10:30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with the power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift(s) when they are saved to be used in ministry to others. As Christians, we seek to live daily under His control.

John 16:7-13,14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18

ABOUT THE BIBLE

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.

Psalm 12:6; 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13,3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21

ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS

People are made in the spiritual image and likeness of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. However, through the original disobedience of the first humans, mankind fell from His creator and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death. He became corrupt in his whole nature through an attitude of disobedience God calls sin. Because every person is marred by sin, all of mankind is therefore separated from God and without hope apart from salvation in Jesus Christ.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; 59:1,2; Romans 3:23; 5:12-21

ABOUT SALVATION

Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

John 1:12; 10:28,29; 14:6; Romans 5:1; 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8,9; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

ABOUT ETERNITY

Each individual will exist either forever separated from God by sin or in everlasting union with God through forgiveness and salvation that is found in Jesus alone. To be separated from God is hell. To be in union with Him is heaven. Heaven and hell are real places as the Bible describes.

John 3:16, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9; Revelation 20:15

ABOUT THE CHURCH

The church (composed of all believers throughout the world) is the spiritual organism of which Christ is the Head. The church universal is a collection of local churches that have unity not in every detail of philosophy and doctrine but in a common head, Jesus Christ, and a common mission. The local church (a portion of the body of Christ) is an autonomous (self-ruled) group of believers who have organized themselves to do the work of God’s ministry. The Church exists to worship God, disciple and care for believers, and to evangelize a lost world. The two church ordinances in which all believers are to participate are water baptism (by immersion) and communion. God has appointed and called elders in each local church to give ultimate oversight, direction, and government to that local body of believers.

Matthew 3:13-17; 16:13-19; 28:18-20; Mark 14:22-26; Acts 2:38; 8:38-39; 18:8; 20:17-18,28; Romans 6:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-11; 1 Peter 5:12

OTHER IMPORTANT DOCTRINAL BELIEFS

As a church we recognize that many who may join our church come from a variety of Christian backgrounds, and we will not all agree on every doctrinal belief. We do not ask for nor expect complete agreement on every doctrinal matter. However, the leadership of this church desires that every person coming into membership know some of the other important beliefs of the leadership of this church that will be taught at Beltway Park. Though we do not believe that personal agreement on the following matters is necessary for membership, we ask that no member create disunity in these matters nor use any positions of leadership within the church to contradict them.

ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.

John 10:28-29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

ABOUT THE MIRACULOUS/SPIRITUAL GIFTS

The church was founded by, has been sustained by, and continues to grow by the power of God working graciously and miraculously through His people. God continues to work in the world today in any way He chooses – both in ways seen explicitly in the Bible and in unique ways consistent with the principles of the Bible but not seen explicitly.One role of the Holy Spirit is to empower every believer for service to others by imparting spiritual gifts for the building up of His church. All the spiritual gifts seen in the New Testament church are active and available to present day believers through the enablement and choosing of the Holy Spirit. None of these gifts have ceased to exist nor have ceased to play a vital role in the mission of the church. All of the gifts are important to the church today, but each will cease to exist when Jesus returns for His church.

John 14:12-14; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13:13; Ephesians 4:11-14

ABOUT MARRIAGE & SEXUALITY

We believe that men and women can fully honor God with their lives through either marriage or singleness. Marriage was created by God as a gift to humanity, and it is a station of life that is honored, encouraged, and celebrated at Beltway Park as God calls us into it. As a covenant union between a man and a woman, marriage is designed to be an incredible picture of our relationship with Christ that is intensely sacred and holy. It is an intentional commitment and promise that is genuine, serious, lasting, and deeply loving. Those who are married are called to remain faithful and pure to their spouse physically, emotionally, and spiritually (avoiding all forms of sexual perversion and pornography), and to diligently resist divorce.

In conjunction with this Biblical view of marriage, it is God’s design that romantic relationships be strictly heterosexual, and that all expressions of sexuality be reserved for a marriage relationship between a man and a woman. While Beltway Park strives to create an environment that is welcoming to all regardless of their past and present circumstances, we do not support or condone a lifestyle of sexuality immorality (including but not exclusive to living together, homosexuality, swinging, and open marriages). Those who are currently living an unrepentant, sexually immoral lifestyle or other immoral activities are invited to participate at Beltway Park, but they must also understand that they cannot become a member and will be encouraged and challenged towards the healing and freedom Jesus provides.

Gen. 2:24-25; Matt. 19:1-6; Eph. 5:22-31; Gen 19:1–11; Lev 18:22; 20:13; Rom 1:26–27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Tim 1:8-10

ABOUT ISRAEL

Beltway Park has a special calling to support and give to the salvation of the Jewish people. Beltway Park does NOT believe the promises made to Israel in the Old Testament are now to be exclusively fulfilled in the church (a view known as replacement theology). We hold that God has not rescinded HIs promises, prophecies, and inheritance for Israel, but that at the appointed time Israel will be grafted back into the vine just as we as non-Jewish believers have been grafted into the vine. We seek to pray for and actively participate in helping Jewish people come to a saving faith in Messiah Yeshua (that is, Jesus Christ), knowing that their fullness of salvation means greater spiritual riches for the church.

Ezekiel 36:26-36; Ezekiel 37:1-11; Ezekiel 36:24-28; Isaiah 43:5-6; Romans 11:1; Romans 11:11-12; Romans 11:25-26 

SOCIAL ISSUES

The statements below express the position of Beltway Park Church on some of today’s most pressing social issues. These statements are written with our best effort to balance the grace and truth which defines Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 1:14-17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

In considering these statements we ask that you keep the following principles in mind.

1. The church, historically and globally, has not always stewarded well the balance of biblical truth with loving grace and acceptance in all areas. 
2. The Bible is the supreme source of truth for the way God designed humanity to live.  These statements are our effort to apply God's authoritative Word to our culture's current social issues. 
3. Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save the world.  We celebrate that God offers full forgiveness to anyone who repents of sin and turns to Jesus Christ.  At Beltway Park, we seek to embrace, welcome, and support each person in his or her spiritual and emotional healing. 
4. Peace is found in the truth of the Gospel, which calls us to keep our eyes on Jesus and His outrageous love, forgiveness, and extension of grace to all who would believe in Him.

SANCTITY OF LIFE  

Life is a gift from God and must always be regarded as sacred. Conception and death are the God-given boundaries of human existence on this earth.  Every person, including preborn children, elderly individuals, those with special needs, and others marginalized by society, possesses inherent dignity and immeasurable worth.

Genesis 1:27; Job 14:5; Hebrews 9:27

• Abortion

The life inside a mother’s womb is a living person from the moment of conception and therefore, the act of abortion is sinful and incongruent with God’s will.  We implore anyone considering abortion to seek counsel and help with God-honoring alternatives from Beltway Park and our network of support partners, such as Pregnancy Resources of Abilene.

Psalm 139:13–16; Jeremiah 1:4,5; Exodus 20:13

• Suicide

Suicide is not the way a human life should end.  It is sinful and is incongruent with God’s will. Often the result of untreated depression and/or pain and suffering, we strongly appeal to anyone contemplating suicide to seek pastoral, medical, and therapeutic support. 

Suicide is not “victimless,” and we consider the stigma that so often falls on surviving family and friends unjust. We lovingly embrace surviving family members and encourage them to find community, support and emotional healing at Beltway Park.

We affirm that nothing, including suicide, separates us from the love of God. Suicide is not in and of itself an “unforgivable sin.”

Genesis 9:6; 1 Corinthians 6:19,20; Romans 8:38,39

• Euthanasia

Christian compassion calls for the alleviation of suffering.  In caring for the dying, it is a Christian responsibility to relieve pain and suffering, to the fullest extent possible. When it is clear that medical intervention will not cure a patient, the primary goal of care should shift to relief from suffering.

While Christian love may lead to the withholding or withdrawing of medical interventions that only increase suffering or prolong dying, we are opposed to the intentional taking of the life of a suffering or dying person, i.e., “mercy killing” or “assisted suicide.”

Genesis 9:5- 6; Exodus 20:13; 23:7; Matthew 25:34-40; Luke 10:29-37

MARRIAGE & SEXUALITY

• Marriage

Marriage was created by God as a gift to humanity, and it is a station of life that is honored, encouraged, and celebrated at Beltway Park as God calls us into it. As a covenant union between a man and a woman, marriage is designed to be an incredible picture of our relationship with Christ that is intensely sacred and holy.

Marriage is an intentional commitment and promise that is genuine, serious, lasting, and deeply loving. Those who are married are called to remain faithful and pure to their spouse physically, emotionally, and spiritually (avoiding all forms of sexual perversion and pornography), and to diligently resist divorce.

Genesis 2:24-25; Matthew 19:1-6; Ephesians 5:22-31

• Singleness

“Singleness” is a gift and an integral part of God’s design within the body of Christ. We reject that singleness is automatically just a “season” that is somehow lesser than the ultimate goal of marriage. We believe God has called all believers, whether single or married, to be agents of His redemptive purposes in the world.

1 Corinthians 7:7–8

• Sex

As Christ-followers we must put the expression of sexuality in its proper perspective - a gift that should be enjoyed and honored within God’s design to help bring oneness between a man and woman in marriage.  Though a beautiful gift from God, sex is not an essential element of happiness or fulfillment in this life.

It is God’s design that sexual relationships be strictly heterosexual, and that all expressions of sexuality be reserved for a marriage relationship between a man and a woman. While Beltway Park strives to create an environment that is welcoming to all regardless of their past and present circumstances, we do not support or condone a lifestyle of sexual immorality (including but not exclusive to living together, sex before marriage, adultery, polygamy, polyamory, homosexuality, pornography, swinging, and open marriages).

Genesis 1:27; 2:24-25; 19:1–11; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Song of Solomon; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 1 Timothy 1:8-10

• Gender and Identity

God created the distinction of gender between male and female within His good design, with each gender serving unique purposes within creation.  We recognize that culturally the topics of sexuality and gender are uniquely intertwined, and present deep and complex issues.

As children of God, our identity and value are found in our relationship with our Heavenly Father through Jesus. We reject social status, marital status, sin struggle, sexuality, or gender as the ultimate definition or summation of our identity.  In pursuit of conforming ourselves to God’s design, we must first conform and cling to our identity of who we are in Christ and second steward for God’s purposes our biological gender as given to us by God.

One’s sin struggle does not define them. Neither does a genetic propensity (perceived or otherwise) to a certain sinful behavior or thought pattern make it any less sinful.

Genesis 1:27-30; Galatians 3:28

Just as all are welcome to the free gift of grace found in Christ, all are welcome to attend Beltway Park and to participate in activities and ministries within the church.  Although those who are currently living an unrepentant, sexually immoral lifestyle or are engaged in other immoral activities are invited to participate at Beltway Park, they will be encouraged and challenged towards the healing and freedom that Jesus provides.