Statement of Faith

The teachings and practices of River of Life Community Church are based on these beliefs as taught in the Word of God:

The Bible: The Old and New Testament books of the Bible (excluding the Apocrypha) are divinely inspired of God; hence they constitute the only infallible guide in faith and practice (2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16).
God: There is only one true God, existing eternally in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are co-equal in power and glory (Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 90:2; 1 Timothy 1:17).
God the Son – Jesus Christ : Jesus is the eternal and pre-existent Son of God who became incarnate by being born of the Virgin Mary. In Him, divinity and humanity were united in one Person, both natures being whole, perfect, and distinct. He died on the cross as the sinner’s substitute, shedding His blood for the remission of sins. On the third day He rose bodily from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He performs the priestly ministry of intercession for all who believe in Him (1Timothy 3:16; John 1:1-3; 1Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25).
God the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Triune God. He appropriates the finished work of the cross by convicting and drawing sinners to Christ. He imparts new life to those who believe by continually indwelling them, from the moment of salvation and sealing them until the day of redemption (John 16:8; Ephesians 4:30; Romans 8:15).
The nature of Man: Man (male and female) was originally created in the image of God. He sinned by disobeying God. This original sin caused all mankind to fall under divine condemnation. Since then, man by His own effort is totally unable to please God. He is in need of regeneration and renewal through the work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 3:10-12; Philippians 3:9; Ephesians 2:1-3).
Salvation: Man’s salvation is a work of God’s sovereign grace through faith in Jesus Christ. God imputes His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, thus justifying them in His sight. This assurance of salvation is not based upon any kind of human merit, but is produced by the witness of the Holy Spirit, who confirms in the believer the testimony of God found in His written word (John 3:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Ephesians 2:8-9). This experience is also known as ‘new birth,’ and is an instantaneous and complete operation of the Holy Spirit upon initial faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3: 5-6).
Justification: Justification is a divine legal act whereby the sinner is declared righteous by God, based on the shed blood of the saviour, Jesus Christ (Romans 4:11; 5:9; Philippians 3:9).
Baptism in Water: Water baptism is a public, symbolic way for the believer to identify with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. (Matthew 28:19) However, we are made right before God by faith – not baptism (Romans 3:28-30; 5:1; 6:4; Colossians 2:20).
Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an empowering of the believer for effective witnessing for Christ (Acts 1: 4-5, 8, 2: 4).
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of Christ: The supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12: 4-11) and the gifts of Christ (1 Corinthians 12: 28; Ephesians 4: 7-16) are still relevant for the church today.
Divine Healing: Healing is part of man’s redemption in Christ; therefore it belongs to every believer. There is thus no need to question whether it is God’s will to heal; if it is in the redemption, it is His will. God has also given gifts of healing to the church through the Holy Spirit (1Corinthians:12:9)
The Church: The Church is both local and universal, visible and invisible, consisting of all who have put their trust in Christ for salvation. It is Christ’s body on earth, given life by the Spirit and endowed with His gifts to worship God and proclaim the gospel to all mankind. (Romans 12:4; 1 Corinthians 12:12)
The Eternal State of the Believer: Through physical death the believer enters immediately into eternal, conscious fellowship with the Lord and awaits the resurrection of his body to everlasting glory and blessing (1 Corinthians 15:42-44; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).
The Second coming of Christ: Jesus Christ will come again to earth – personally, visibly and bodily – to consummate History and the eternal plan of God (Matthew 16:27; 23:39; 24:27; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 11:26).
Judgement for the Unbeliever: All who have refused to place their faith in Christ for salvation will face conscious and agonizing judgment away from the presence of God for all eternity (Matthew 8:12; Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:14-15; 21:8).