Our Beliefs

Rooted in scripture, our beliefs guide our actions and worldview

Holding strong to the Word

At River Christian, we uphold the traditional beliefs of the historic church through the ages. We center our church around the authority of Scripture, the centrality of Christ and the necessity of salvation through faith and the unity of the church.

Scriptures

We believe that the Bible, consisting of sixty-six books, was written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit who guided the human authors to record God’s word, using each author’s individuality, personal interest and literary style. As the inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, and is the sole and ultimate authority for belief, practice and truth.

Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 1:1-2; 3:7; Psalms 119:160; John 10:35; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13

God

We believe that there is only one true and living God who exists eternally in three distinct persons: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Genesis 1:26; Exodus 20:2,3; Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3,4; 1 Corinthians 8:6

WE BELIEVE THAT GOD THE FATHER, AS THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, ORDERS AND DIRECTS EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PURPOSE AND PLEASURE FOR HIS OWN GLORY.

While being apart and distinct from his creation, he is graciously involved in creation and in the affairs of humanity. He has established the means of eternal redemption and he hears and answers prayer.

Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 40; 55:8-11; John 5:19-24; 16:23-27; Ephesians 1:3-14

WE BELIEVE THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A DIVINE PERSON, WHO WAS ACTIVE IN CREATION, IN THE WRITING OF THE SCRIPTURES, IN THE EARTHLY MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST AND IS ACTIVE IN THE WORK OF SALVATION.

The Holy Spirit gives new life to those who place faith in Jesus Christ’s atoning death and resurrection. We believe that the Holy Spirit, at the moment of regeneration, indwells all believers and baptizes them into the body of Jesus Christ. The present work of the Holy Spirit involves empowering believers for service and godly living and convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

Genesis 1:2; John 16:4-15; 1 Corinthians 12:3, 4, 7; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:20-21

WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD AND THE VIRGIN-BORN SON OF MAN.

Being fully God and fully human, he died for all humanity, through the shedding of his blood, in order to redeem us from sin and satisfy the holy justice of God. We believe that Jesus was raised bodily and he ascended into Heaven where he now intercedes for us as our High Priest and Advocate. We believe that at the end of the church age, Jesus Christ will personally and visibly return to earth to establish his millennial kingdom and judge the living and the dead.

Matthew 1:18-25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 7:23-28; Revelation 20:11-15

Satan

We believe that Satan is a personal being and the author of sin. He provoked the fall of humanity and seeks constantly to counterfeit the works and truth of God. As the arch-enemy of God, he is destined to eternal punishment.

Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:10, 20:10

Humanity

We believe that humanity was created in the image of God in a sinless state and that they, by their own choice, disobeyed God and became sinful. As a result, all people are sinners by nature and practice and are spiritually dead (separated from God) and only through the regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.

Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7; 3:1-24; Romans 1:18-32, 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3

Salvation

We believe that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ provided the only means by which the penalty of sin is paid and the forgiveness of sin is possible. All who confess their sin, repent, and believe solely in Jesus Christ for salvation receive spiritual and eternal life. Those saved in Jesus Christ are the children of God eternally and they enjoy an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

John 1:12, 3:16; 14:6; 17:17; Romans 8:11; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:4-10; 1 John 1:1-10

The Church

We believe that all true believers in Jesus Christ belong to the universal body of Jesus Christ, and are directed by God’s Word to be baptized in water as a public profession of salvation and to become active participants in a visible church community. Believers are to fellowship regularly around the Lord’s Table (communion) as instructed in the Scriptures. We believe that all true believers have direct access to God and perform priestly ministries.

Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34; 1 Corinthians 12-14; 2 Corinthians 8:1-19; Ephesians 5:23; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 10:14-15; 1 Peter 2:4-10

WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE LORD AND HEAD OF THE CHURCH AND THAT EVERY LOCAL CHURCH HAS THE RIGHT UNDER JESUS CHRIST TO DECIDE AND GOVERN ITS OWN AFFAIRS.

The church may engage in associations for common ends which do not exercise authority over the local assembly. We believe that only those who are thus members of the true church (the universal body of Jesus Christ) are eligible for membership in the local church.

Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:11; 5:23; 1 Timothy 2:5; 2 Corinthians 8:1-19; 1 Peter 2:4-10

The Future

We believe in the personal and premillennial return of Jesus Christ. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment, being separated from God forever.

John 5:21-29; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Revelation 20:11-15

252 Roosevelt St PO Box 427 Stevenson, Wa. 98648 509-427-8342