River Church Statement of Beliefs

1.Holy Scripture – Sola Scriptura Sola Scriptura, means “by Scripture alone”, i.e. traditions, creeds, interpretations and teachings must conform to scripture. The Bible is interpreted through itself, with one area of Scripture being used in the interpretation of others. The Holy Bible alone is the authoritative written Word of God: inspired, immutable, a mirror of God, resplendent with the Light of Divine Love. All Scripture is inspired by God. (2 Timothy 3:16a) Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

2.Eternal Godhead- There is One God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; so are we forbidden to say, there are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity. (Athanasian Creed) God is love. (1 John 4:8b) Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

3.Salvation by Grace – Sola Gratia You are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift —  not from works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) If righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. (Galatians 2:21b) All our righteous acts are like a polluted garment. (Isaiah 64:6) It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:30-31)

4.New Birth- New Man (All Things New) You died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3) Jesus [said], “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God … Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:3,5-6) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. (1 Peter 1:3-4) If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17) All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, since a person who has died is freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him, because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will not die again. Death no longer rules over him. For the death he died, he died to sin once for all time; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:3-11)

5.Walking in the Kingdom The kingdom of heaven has come near. (Matthew 10:7) The kingdom of God is in your midst. (Luke 17:21) [Believers] are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (John 17:16) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1) I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. …  If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-18,25) Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. (Colossians 1:10-13) As you go, proclaim: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give. (Matthew 10:78-8)

6.Baptism in the Holy Spirit Given at Pentecost, Holy Spirit is the comforter promised us by the Father and sent by Jesus after His ascension to provide us with ur prayer language and empower us to preach the Gospel throughout the Earth. The Father will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17) The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14:26) It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: About sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.  “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:7-14)

7.Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good:  to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit,  to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues, to another, interpretation of tongues. One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith;  if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8)

8.Divine Healing He was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. (Isaiah 53:5)  Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. (James 5:14-15a)

9.Occupy Til I Come (Watch and Be Ready) They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son — except the Father alone. Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:30b, 26,42,44)

10.Kingdom Relationships Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

11.Evangelism Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) We are ambassadors for Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

12.Generous Giving Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

13.Men and Women in Ministry  Five Fold or Ascension Gifts of Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Evangelist and Pastor for the Equipping of the Saints (Ephesians 4:11-12 )For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:27-29) 

14:Finished Work of the Cross He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Jesus’ last words, spoken from the cross were “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit. (John 19:30)

15.Sacred Marriage Provision The River Church holds sacred that Marriage in the sight of God is between a Man and a Woman dually joined together by God in Holy Matrimony. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.  And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:22-24 NKJV) “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:31-33 NKJV).