Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of The River 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.
God and the Scriptures
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as the Holy Spirit moved them. We accept the New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21, 1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Our God is One but manifested in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:6, John 14:21-26).
GOD THE FATHER is greater than all - the Source of the Word (logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28, John 16:28, John 1:14).
THE SON is the Word flesh-covered, the One Begotten and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:14, John 1:8, John 1:1).
THE HOLY SPIRIT, who is eternal, proceeds from both the Father and the Son (John 15:28).
Our God is One but manifested in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:6, John 14:21-26).
GOD THE FATHER is greater than all - the Source of the Word (logos) and the Begetter (John 14:28, John 16:28, John 1:14).
THE SON is the Word flesh-covered, the One Begotten and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:14, John 1:8, John 1:1).
THE HOLY SPIRIT, who is eternal, proceeds from both the Father and the Son (John 15:28).
Man, His Fall, and Redemption
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one" (Romans 3:10). Jesus Christ (the Son of God) was manifested to undo the work of the devil. He gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man to God (1 John 3:8).
Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the law. It is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable in God (Ephesians 2:8).
Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the law. It is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable in God (Ephesians 2:8).
Eternal Life and New Birth
Man's first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that works repentance. The new birth is available to all mankind. When Jesus Christ is accepted as Savior, salvation takes place, man becomes born again, and his spirit becomes eternally alive to God (2 Corinthians 7:10, 1 John 5:12, John 3:3-5).
Water Baptism
Baptism in water is by immersion. It is a direct commandment of our Lord for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian's identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39).
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of the speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance (Matthew 3:11, John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38-29, Acts 19:1-7, Acts 2:4).
Sanctification
The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite yet progressive work of grace commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation (Hebrews 12:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 1:30).
Divine Healing
Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith and by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and it is the privilege of every member of the church today (Mark 16:18, James 5:14-16,
1 Peter 2 :24, Matthew 8:17, Isaiah 53:4-5).
1 Peter 2 :24, Matthew 8:17, Isaiah 53:4-5).
Resurrection of the Just and the Return of our Lord
The angels said, "This same Jesus...shall so come in like manner" (Acts 1:11). His coming is imminent. When he comes, "the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17).
Following the Tribulation, He shall return to earth, as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years (Revelation 19:16, Revelation 20:6)
Following the Tribulation, He shall return to earth, as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years (Revelation 19:16, Revelation 20:6)
Hell and Eternal Retribution
The person who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire, and therefore, has no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance. The lake of fire is literal. The terms "eternal" and "everlasting" used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the lake of fire carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in noting the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints in the presence of God (Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:15).