Doctrinal Beliefs
While we understand many people come from different belief systems, we lovingly and unapologetically stand on these truths at Bethany.
WE BELIEVE…
- the Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired by God
- there is one, and only one, living and true God
- Jesus Christ was born of the Holy Spirit, in a miraculous manner of Mary, a virgin
- that the salvation of sinners is by grace through Jesus Christ, the Son of God
- that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus
- that Christ rose bodily the third day
Foundational Beliefs
Everything we do around Bethany is based on these foundational beliefs.
Bethany Baptist Church will:
Be Biblically Faithful: As a Church we will remain faithful to the Word of God. We
believe the Word of God is self-authenticating, inerrant, infallible, clear, and necessary. (Psalm 119:97-104)
Be Authentic in our Worship: We believe as a Church that we are to worship Jesus
above all else. The Lord, Jehovah, is the only true object of worship. Because we are vulnerable to idolatry and self-glory, our rebellious hearts have to consistently be directed back to the Lord through private and corporate worship. (Psalm 29:2)
Live Missionally: We believe as Church we are called to live missional lifestyles.
Church is more than a Wednesday and Sunday thing but rather a lifestyle that we live. We believe we should carry the Good-News of Christ with us wherever we go. In our homes, community, workplaces, and places of recreation. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Be Persistent in Prayer: We believe corporate prayer is on par with preaching and
teaching as a priority in a healthy church. We believe this modeled through Scripture. (Acts 6:1-5; Matthew 7:7: Matthew 18:19; Acts 13:1-2; Acts 16:25)
Develop Intentional Community: As counter-cultural as it may be, we believe as a
Church that we need each other. Church is a lifestyle. Not something we simply attend. We need help. Life is hard. (1 Thessalonians 5:11-14)
Our History
Bethany Baptist Church was organized in 1874 by a group of community residents who wanted to band together and form a congregation near their homes.
Sampson Brewer Barfield gave a corner of his property at the crossroads of, what was then, the Franklinville – Troupeville Road and Valdosta Road for the church site. He requested that the church be named for his mother, Bethenia Brewer Barfield.
Those members erected a building which still stands and is now being used as a multi-purpose facility. The beams were hand-hewn and a pot-bellied stove was the only source of heat. There were doors on each side of the building, which served as separate entrances for the men and then women.
The church was constituted in 1877 by J.C. McMillan. J.C. was the church clerk at the time. They total membership was 70 and the property was valued at $1,500.
In the beginning, baptismal services were held at a small, spring-fed pond, then known as Barfield Pond. Later these events took place at the river.
In 1958, Tally Lawson donated additional land. The site grew to its present size when Waldo Stith added to the tract in 1969.
In May of 1999, the church dedicated a new sanctuary that would seat 400 people to accommodate the growing church.
Meet our team
We have a great team here at Bethany Baptist Church and we are dedicated to serving you. Let us know if you need anything.