The following are the core beliefs of River of Life Church based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

The Bible

We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

The Trinity

We believe that God eternally exists in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, co-equal and co-eternal, having the same nature and attributes. 

God the Father

We believe in God the Father, the Creator of heaven and earth, who is infinite in wisdom, power, and love. He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

God the Son

We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who became man without ceasing to be God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died a substitutionary death on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose bodily from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where He intercedes for believers.

God the Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He regenerates, sanctifies, and empowers all who believe in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer and is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide.

Baptism / Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

While all believers are indwelt by the Spirit of God, we believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a definite endowment of power for service and is separate from conversion.

Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This faith is evidenced by repentance, confession, baptism, and a life of obedience.

The Church

We believe that the Church is the body of Christ, composed of all believers, and is the primary instrument through which God accomplishes His purposes on earth. The Church is committed to the teachings of Christ, the observance of the ordinances, and the proclamation of the Gospel.

Ordinances

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the triune God. The Lord's Supper is a memorial service, setting forth in sacred and symbolic manner the death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Marriage and Sexuality

We believe that marriage is a sacred institution established by God, joining one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. A wedding ceremony is a worship service where the bride and groom enter into a divine union, and the congregation worships God through prayer and praise.

We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. Any form of sexual immorality, including adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography, or any attempt to change one's sex or disagreement with one's biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God.

We believe that individuals should use the restroom facilities that correspond to their biological sex at birth.

To preserve the function and integrity of the Church as the local body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the church congregation and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to this statement on marriage and sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly.

We will not hold, officiate, or support any wedding ceremony that conflicts with this policy or Holy Scripture, and we will only officiate wedding ceremonies of Church members who have completed premarital counseling as required and approved by the Church.

Redemption and Restoration

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of the Church.

The Return of Christ

We believe in the personal and imminent return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His return will be visible and glorious, bringing to completion God's plan of redemption. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all people. Believers will be resurrected to eternal life and joy in the presence of God. Unbelievers will be resurrected to judgment and eternal separation from God in hell.