Foundation and Pillars of our Faith
Five (5)Foundations
1. Symbol of finality or completeness
It is written in the Bible that Jesus Christ, the son of God, died exactly at the 9th hour of the day when he was crucified on the cross. The death of Christ was a symbol of the finality of His purpose on earth. He died to pave way for salvation. The fact that he died on the 9th hour of the day only indicates finality in this number.
2. Symbol of holiness
It is also a symbol of holiness. The evidence of this number as a symbol of holiness is found in the book of Leviticus 23:32. In relation to number 9, the ‘Day of Atonement’ was to be marked starting in the evening of the 9th day of the seventh month.
3. Symbol of the Holy Spirit
The book of Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the Holy Spirit listed. Number 9 is the representation of these fruits of the Holy Spirit. They are faithfulness, joy, love, gentleness, self-control, long-suffering, goodness, and peace.
4. Symbol of Blessings of God to faithfull Christian
When he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. and after he sat down, his disciples came to him; He opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn; For they will be comforted.Blessed are the meek; For they shall inherit the land. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. For they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful; For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart; For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers; For they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake "Math 5:1-9".
5.The Armor of God for Christians
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood; but it is over kingdoms and powers, over the princes of this darkness, over the forces of evil spirits in the spirit world. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"Eph 6:11-17.
Nine (9 )pillars of our Faith
1. Woshippping God in Spirit and Truth
We believe that we should be Christ-centred in all we do. Our aim as a church is to point people to Jesus and to worship him with all of our lives. We want to become like Jesus. (Philippians 3:10-11).
We believe in the importance of lively, biblically based, relevant and inspired teaching and its effectiveness in helping us to become more Christ-like in character and actions. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
We believe in the importance of prayer in our life together and in our lives as individuals. We encourage people in prayer and to learn to listen to God together. (Acts 2:42; Philippians 4:6)
We believe that God wants us to be a church that takes calculated risks. To be innovative, radical and creative in our worship, evangelism and life together. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
2. Love of God to all people
We believe that the church should be a place of openness, honesty and loving relationships. We want people to feel valued and respected as individuals, but also belong to a small group for mutual encouragement, discipline and support (Acts 2:44-46; Hebrews 10:19-25).
We believe that we should be people of integrity and honesty in all that we do, within and outwith the church (Matthew 5:13-16).
We believe that people who are not yet Christians matter to God and should be given the opportunity to discover who he is as part of a process, respecting individual personalities and choices (Luke 15).
We believe that the life God wants us to enjoy together should be characterised by warm loving relationships which offer support in the hard times and laughter in the good times. We want to affirm the gifts of creativity, fun and laughter that God gives to his people and to set aside times for regular celebration (Nehemiah 12; 1 Corinthians 12:26; 2 Corinthians 9:7).
3. Serving God
We believe that the church is made up of individuals, male and female, young and old, all of whom are of equal value to God and to whom he has given gifts to be used in his service. Ministry is therefore the responsibility of each person and we encourage people to discover and use the gifts God has given them (Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians Chapters 12-14; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 4:11-13).
We believe that we have a responsibility to serve God’s world, locally and globally. We want to be people who serve the communities in which we live and work. We also want to serve the wider church in Scotland where we can (Colossians 3:15-17.)
4. Cultivating a healthy fear and reverence of God
“Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.” 1 Peter 1:17
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
5. Communicating the full counsel of God through clear, relevant, challenging and uncompromising Bible teaching
“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not aquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:12-14
“For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.” Acts 20:27
6. Training and equipping the saints for the work of service
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”Ephesians 4:11,12.
7. Developing a praying people
“Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18)
8. Encouraging Hospitality to community
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:43-47.
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No-one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy person among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales.”“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).
9. Bringing the gospel to the world and the world to Christ
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news'” Romans 10:14-15.
Bethlehem Worship Centre