Core Beliefs and Values
The following are the core beliefs of River of Life Fellowship | Rockville, MO 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.
WE BELIEVE:
In the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, as the inspired revelation of God to man and our rule of faith and conduct.
In One God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. He arose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven where
He sits at the right hand of the Father.
That man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost. God’s grace is received through repentance from sin and faith in God through Jesus Christ. There is no other way that salvation and spiritual life can be obtained.
That Jesus baptized believers with the Holy Spirit for the purpose of serving God and ministering to others.
In the Spirit-filled life of separation and holiness: We are in the world but not of the world.
That every Christian is called to serve God and minister to others and that God has given a variety of spiritual gifts to all believers.
In the Return of Jesus Christ to earth in power and glory and in the Blessed Hope, the Rapture of the Church unto Himself.
In the future bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting life, reward, and joy in the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgment and eternal punishment. (Matthew 25:31-46)
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THE VALUES THAT GUIDE US
Besides a solid Biblical doctrinal statement, a church must also have values that provide a foundation for everything they are and do. These values can help a congregation stay on track in the midst of changing social conditions. At River of Life Fellowship we value the following things:
God and His Word
The Christian life is about God, not us. Jesus Christ is always the focus of our fellowship, not personalities or programs. We respect the Bible as God’s word and wisdom for all of life’s issues, both on earth and for eternity.
People
The church exists to serve people, not the other way around. We value all people based on the eternal value God created them with. We make no distinctions between men and women, skin color, nationality, social status, or anything else. Our heart is to see every person connect with God in a real and meaningful way.
A Safe Space
Many people do not feel that church is a safe place, because they believe they will be judged for their sins, situations, and other life issues. Because of this, they find it hard to trust and open up to the life-changing message of the Gospel. Our heart’s desire is to be a safe place for people to come and experience the love of God through His Spirit and His people.
Unity
Unity releases the power of God in the midst of the congregation. The Bible tells us to “work at keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Unity does not mean agreement in all things. Unity is a higher value than agreement. We can disagree on some things and still maintain unity in the Spirit and a unity of vision and purpose.
Spiritual Life
Religion and spirituality are not necessarily the same things. There are many people who are very religious, but not very spiritual. Our goal is to cultivate true spirituality through the basics of worship, prayer,
Bible study, and fellowship, as demonstrated in Acts 2:46-47.
The Gifts of the Spirit and the Priesthood of Every Believer
Peter tells us that every believer is a priest and minister of God. Every Christian has been given gifts by God through the Holy Spirit. We value the diversity of spiritual gifts in the congregation and seek to cultivate and encourage these gifts and provide an opportunity for their manifestation in the midst of the congregation.
The Great Commission
Jesus told His disciples to GO into all the world and preach the Gospel. We believe every Christian has the mandate to evangelize in some way or another. Therefore every church has the mandate to encourage evangelism and provide an
opportunity for its members to carry out the great commission.
WE BELIEVE:
In the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, as the inspired revelation of God to man and our rule of faith and conduct.
In One God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. He arose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven where
He sits at the right hand of the Father.
That man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost. God’s grace is received through repentance from sin and faith in God through Jesus Christ. There is no other way that salvation and spiritual life can be obtained.
That Jesus baptized believers with the Holy Spirit for the purpose of serving God and ministering to others.
In the Spirit-filled life of separation and holiness: We are in the world but not of the world.
That every Christian is called to serve God and minister to others and that God has given a variety of spiritual gifts to all believers.
In the Return of Jesus Christ to earth in power and glory and in the Blessed Hope, the Rapture of the Church unto Himself.
In the future bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting life, reward, and joy in the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgment and eternal punishment. (Matthew 25:31-46)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THE VALUES THAT GUIDE US
Besides a solid Biblical doctrinal statement, a church must also have values that provide a foundation for everything they are and do. These values can help a congregation stay on track in the midst of changing social conditions. At River of Life Fellowship we value the following things:
God and His Word
The Christian life is about God, not us. Jesus Christ is always the focus of our fellowship, not personalities or programs. We respect the Bible as God’s word and wisdom for all of life’s issues, both on earth and for eternity.
People
The church exists to serve people, not the other way around. We value all people based on the eternal value God created them with. We make no distinctions between men and women, skin color, nationality, social status, or anything else. Our heart is to see every person connect with God in a real and meaningful way.
A Safe Space
Many people do not feel that church is a safe place, because they believe they will be judged for their sins, situations, and other life issues. Because of this, they find it hard to trust and open up to the life-changing message of the Gospel. Our heart’s desire is to be a safe place for people to come and experience the love of God through His Spirit and His people.
Unity
Unity releases the power of God in the midst of the congregation. The Bible tells us to “work at keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Unity does not mean agreement in all things. Unity is a higher value than agreement. We can disagree on some things and still maintain unity in the Spirit and a unity of vision and purpose.
Spiritual Life
Religion and spirituality are not necessarily the same things. There are many people who are very religious, but not very spiritual. Our goal is to cultivate true spirituality through the basics of worship, prayer,
Bible study, and fellowship, as demonstrated in Acts 2:46-47.
The Gifts of the Spirit and the Priesthood of Every Believer
Peter tells us that every believer is a priest and minister of God. Every Christian has been given gifts by God through the Holy Spirit. We value the diversity of spiritual gifts in the congregation and seek to cultivate and encourage these gifts and provide an opportunity for their manifestation in the midst of the congregation.
The Great Commission
Jesus told His disciples to GO into all the world and preach the Gospel. We believe every Christian has the mandate to evangelize in some way or another. Therefore every church has the mandate to encourage evangelism and provide an
opportunity for its members to carry out the great commission.