RIVERLIFE CHURCH STATEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS
This Statement of Fundamental Truths is intended to serve as a foundation for unity and fellowship (i.e., that we all speak the same thing, 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 2:42). The terminology employed in this Statement is neither inspired nor defended, but the enumerated truths are considered indispensable for a full-gospel ministry. No claim is made that it encompasses the entirety of biblical truth; only that it satisfies our need in terms of these fundamental doctrines.
1. THE SCRIPTURES INSPIRED
We believe the Bible is the inspired and only infallible authoritative Word of God. It is the final authority on faith and conduct. (2 Timothy 3:16)
2. ONE GOD
We believe there is one God, eternally existence, in three persons: God, the Father, God, the son, and God, the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 13:14).
3. THE DIETY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious, and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, and His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal future return to this earth, in power, and glory to rule 1,000 years. Matthew 16:16, 1Corinthians 15:3-4)
4. THE BLESSED HOPE
We believe in the Blessed hope, which is the rapture of the church at Christ’s coming. (Titus 2:13) (1Thessalonians 4:13-18)
5. SALVATION
We believe the only means from being cleansed from sin, is true repentance, and faith in the precious blood of Christ. (1 Peter 1:18) (1John 1:5-9)
6. NEW BIRTH
We believe in regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for personal salvation. (John 3:3-5)
7. REDEMPTIVE WORK OF CHRIST
We believe the redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing of the human body in answer to believing prayer. (1 Peter 2:24)
8. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers to ask for it. (Acts 2:39)
9. THE SANCTIFYING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy life. (Galatians 5:16)
10. THE RESURRECTION OF BOTH THE SAVED AND THE LOST
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved, and the lost; the one to everlasting life, and the other to everlasting damnation. (John 5:28-29).
11. SACRAMENTS
We believe in water baptism by immersion. (Matthew 28:19)We believe in Water Baptism by immersion: Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48).
We believe in the Lord’s Supper: A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross (Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25).
Marriage: We believe marriage is defined in the Bible as a covenant, a sacred bond between one man and one woman, instituted by and publicly entered into before God (Matthew 19:4-6).
12. SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures (Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; II Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7).
13. EVANGELISM
We believe in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God to all the world, according to the command of Jesus Christ. Signs and wonders shall follow the believer as a confirmation of the Lord working with us by His Spirit to those to whom the gospel is preached. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-20)