Life is a journey. We are called to walk faithfully with the Holy Spirit as our guide as we pursue God through His son Jesus Christ.
Our Values
In response to Jesus' finished work on our behalf, through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit, we follow Jesus by:
LIVING BIBLICALLY:
We respond to Jesus by obeying what God has spoken to us through the Bible and we recognize it as the final authority for our lives. John 8:31-32, John 14:15, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:26-27 & Hebrews 4:12.
CAPTIVATING THROUGH COMPASSION:
We want to follow Jesus' example and be a church marked by a compassion that draws those around us to God. Mark 5:21-43, 6:30-44, Matthew 27
RELATING AUTHENTICALLY:
We want to develop real relationships that help us know Jesus and to make Him known. Mark 3:13-14, 12:30-31, 1 John 4:7-11, 1 Peter 4:8-10, 2 Cor. 9:12-13
WORSHIPING PASSIONATELY:
In every area of life we strive to glorify God by making Him our first priority. John 4:23-24 Romans 12:1-2 & Colossians 3:16-17.
ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY:
As a church we want to be involved, active, and impactful in the community. James 2:8, Philippians 2:2-5, Philippians 2:14-16, James 2:1-5 & Acts 2:46-46.
GROWING WITH GOD:
We desire to have a growing relationship with God that help others to grow in their relationship with God because God desires a relationship with us. Colossians 2:6-7, Col. 1:10, Joshua 1:8
EMPOWERING PEOPLE:
We desire to empower individuals to live out their God given potential according to their talents, passions and gifts. Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 10:24-25 & John 13:34-35.
Riverbend Core Beliefs and Doctrine
In this pursuit, what we believe is very important. We believe the source of our belief is the revealed word of God otherwise known as the Bible. We have put together a list of our core beliefs:
The Scriptures
The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. The Bible, in its original language is completely accurate and without error (Rev. 22: 18-19; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Although the original documents are no longer available, God has promised that His most important revelation to mankind would stand forever (1 Peter 1:25). It reveals God’s passionate pursuit of restoring his creation and is the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.
God
There is one and only one living and true God. …The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.
God the Father
God as Father reigns with care over all that is; His universe, His creatures, and even human history according to the purposes of His grace. God is the Father of Jesus and to those who have trusted in Jesus according to the scriptures (John 1:12). God is never changing and is consistent in His being (Malachi 3:6).
God the Son
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation (when He became human), He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He was both fully human (Heb. 2:14) and fully divine (John 1:1-2) living a flawless life. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience to God, and His death on the cross for the redemption of men from sin. He rose in bodily form on the third day to establish that those who trust in Him will also rise to eternal life (1 Cor. 15:20-23). He returned to Heaven, has been given a place of honor, and represents us before God (Romans 8:34). He will return at any time to take those who believe and trust in Him to Heaven (John 14:23). Later, he will return to judge and righteously rule the earth (Matthew 25:31-34).
God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine (Isaiah 6:8-9; Acts 28:25-26). His coming was promised by Jesus (John 14:16-26). He works in us to teach us (John 14:16-26), direct us (Galatians 5:18), and make us more Christ-like (Galatians 5:22-23). He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service by giving gifts/skills for the mutual benefit of the community (1 Cor. 12: 1-7). It is the Holy Spirit who draws people to see their need of forgiveness from sins (1 Cor. 12:30).
Satan/Angels/Demons
There is a spiritual realm that exists consisting of heavenly beings known as angels and demons. God created all angels including Satan (Ezekiel 28:14; Col. 1:16) who led a rebellion against God and was then cast down from Heaven (Isaiah 14:12-17). Satan and his angelic followers (demons) seek to entice people away from God (Genesis 3:1-6) and deceive people from recognizing Truth (2 Cor. 4:3-4). There is a spiritual battle that is ongoing (Job 2:7), but the ultimate outcome has been determined-- eternal punishment for Satan and his followers (Rev. 20:10).
Mankind
Mankind is the special creation of God, in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7; James 3:9). For this reason, human life is valued above all other living things and we are commanded to love the people around us (Matthew 22:36-40). God created humans male and female as the crowning work of His creation. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race (Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 5:12-19). Because all human beings are created in the Image of God, every person ought to be treated and regarded with love, honor, compassion, dignity, and respect (I John 4:7-8; James 2:8-9).
Marriage & Sexuality
Marriage is a reflection of Christ and the Church (Eph. 5:21-33). Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in an exclusive covenant for a lifetime (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:3-9). Human sexuality is a gift, given by God, to be enjoyed exclusively within the boundaries of that covenant for the sake of human fruitfulness, flourishing, and intimacy (Gen.1:27-28; Prov. 5:18). Any form of sexual activity outside of the biblical marriage covenant, therefore, is sin and outside of God’s good will for human flourishing (this includes the practice of any sexually immoral behavior, be it heterosexual or homosexual, the use of pornography, or any other form of fornication (Matt. 5.28; Romans 1:21-28; 1 Cor. 6:9-11). The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27). Husbands and wives hold unique, complementary roles as seen in Genesis 2,1 Cor. 11, and 1 Timothy 2.
Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. The need for salvation comes from the fact that all people sin and fall short of God’s standards (Romans 3:23). God took it upon Himself to restore mankind to Himself by sending His Son to be a sacrifice (John 3:16). God promises that when we truly accept this gift by faith that we will receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. The Holy Spirit seals us and the gift of salvation can never be lost (John 4:24, 10:28-29). The Bible also tells us that there is no way other than Jesus to be restored to a right relationship, and thus eternal life, with God (John 14:6). There is nothing we can do to deserve this life – it is all a gift of God, and our responsibility is simply to receive it (Ephesians 2:8-10).
The Church
The Church consists of all people who have trusted and follow Jesus (1 Cor. 12:12-14). Jesus Christ is the head of the Church (Col. 1:18). According to the New Testament examples, local communities of believers come together to form a local church. The Church performs the work of God here on Earth. This work includes inviting others to follow Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20), gathering to worship and grow closer to God (Hebrews 10:24-25), guiding people with the Bible and offering accountability (Ephesians 4:11-14), using our abilities for the benefit of the community (1 Cor. 12:4-7), and meeting the needs of others (James 1:27). A New Testament church observes the two ordinances of Christ, Baptism (Matthew 28:19-20) and Communion (1 Cor. 11:23-26). In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord.
Baptism & the Lord's Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and the believer's death to sin, burial of the old life, and resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus (Matt. 3:13-17; Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 2:12). The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming (I Cor. 11:23-26).
Evangelism & Missions
It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18- 20). This starts locally and extends globally.
Last Things
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly, the dead will be raised, and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell and the righteous will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord. (1 Cor. 15:51-58; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Phil. 3:20-21; Matt. 24:15-22, 25:46, Revelation 6-21)