Our Beliefs.
The structure and beliefs of RiverLife Church provide the framework to accomplish our vision. They are based on Scriptural integrity and spiritual accountability. RiverLife Church is part of the Church of God (Cleveland, TN).
The Bible
We believe the Bible to be God's inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word written for us. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; Psalm 119:105)
The Trinity
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; Genesis 1:26; John 1:1; John 14:7-11)
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor. (John 3:16; Matthew 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:2; Luke 24:7; Acts 1:9; 1 Timothy 2:5)
Repentance
We believe hat all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins. (Romans 3:23; Acts 17:30)
Justification
We believe that salvation, justification, regeneration, and the new birth only come by faith in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross and cannot be attained by works. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Holiness & Sanctification
We believe that God calls Christians to live a holy life, in which we are sanctified, or set apart for God's service by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit. (Romans 6:1-13; Ephesians 4:20-25; Colossians 3:9-11; Hebrews 10:28-29)
Water Baptism
We believe in water baptism by immersion, and all who repent and are saved should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4)
Holy Spirit Baptism
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as the believers receive power to be a witness for Jesus Christ. This leads believers to a deeper relationship with Jesus, brings forth spiritual fruit, and manifests spiritual gifts. The gift of tongues is the initial manifestation of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads us in our daily lives and deepens our prayer life. (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Acts 2:1-4; John 16:13; Romans 8:26-27)
Holy Communion
We believe in the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:17-20) and that Christ washed the disciples' feet as an example to us to serve one another (John 13:12-17).
Healing
We believe that divine healing is provided for all in the atonement. (Psalm 103:3; Isaiah 53:4, 5; Matthew 8:17; James 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:24)
Eternal Life
We believe in the resurrection of the dead, eternal life for the righteous, and eternal punishment for the wicked. (John 5:2, 29; Revelation 20:5-15, Matthew 25:45)
The Second Coming
We believe in the premillennial second coming of Jesus. First, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on the earth a thousand years. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; Revelation 19:11-21)