What We Believe
THE TRINITY
The Old and New Testaments and the Christian Church reveal that God is both One and Triune. The biblical revelation testifies that there is only one God and that He is eternally existent in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father is the creator and sustainer of all things, and He created the universe in love. He created man in His own image for fellowship and called man back to Himself through Christ after the rebellion and fall of man. Jesus Christ is eternally God. He was together with the Father and the Holy Spirit from the beginning, and through Him all things were made. For man’s redemption, He left heaven and became human by the Holy Spirit through the virgin Mary; therefore, He is forever one Christ with two natures – God and man – in one person. The Holy Spirit is God, the Lord and giver of life, who is active in the Old Testament and given to the Church in fullness at Pentecost. He empowers the saints for service and witness, cleanses man from the old nature and conforms us to the image of Christ. The baptism in the Holy Spirit, subsequent to conversion, releases the fullness of the Spirit and is evidenced by the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
THE SCRIPTURE
We affirm that the Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, is alone the only infallible, inspired Word of God, and that its authority is ultimate, final and eternal. It cannot be added to, subtracted from or superseded in any regard. The Bible is the source of all doctrine, instruction, correction and reproof. It contains all that is needed for guidance in godliness and practical Christian conduct.
SALVATION
The Word of God declares clearly that salvation is a free gift of God, based on the merits of the death of His Jesus, and is received by faith. Salvation is assured by personal repentance, belief in the Lord Jesus (justification) and personal acceptance of Him into one’s life as Lord and Savior (regeneration). The new life in Christ includes the privileges of adoption and inheritance in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son.
THE ATONEMENT
Through the sinless life of Christ and his vicarious (on our behalf) death on the cross paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world were paid. Its benefits are only applicable to those who receive Jesus as personal Savior. Healing – body, soul and spirit – and all of God’s provisions for His saints are provided for in the atonement, but this must be received.
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
We believe that the Scriptures portray the life of the saint in this world to be one of balance between what is imputed to us as Christians and what is imparted to us according to our faith and maturity. Therefore, God’s provision for His children is total, and the promises are final and forever. The shortcomings of the individual and of the Church are because of the still-progressing maturing work of God.
THE CHURCH
We believe that the church consists of all those who truly believe in Jesus Christ and His atoning death and who trust in Him as their Lord and Savior. We believe that the local church is the vehicle of God working in the earth to extend and establish His Kingdom. Baptism is the outward sign of what God has already done in the individual’s life and is a testimony to all that the person now belongs to Jesus by declaring to the world that he/she has died to sin with Christ, and has been raised to newness of life in Him. This identification with Jesus is affected in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Communion is a commemoration of the sacrifice of the Lord and is done in remembrance of Him until He comes again; it is a sign of our participation in Him.
MARRIAGE
Marriage is a covenant relationship between a man and a woman, established by God as the foundation of family and human society reflecting the nature of Christ’s sacrificial love and devotion for His bride, the Church.
FINAL JUDGMENT AND REWARD
We affirm the bodily, personal, second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the saints, the millennium and the final judgment. The final judgment will determine the eternal status of both the saints and the unbelievers, determined by their relationship to Jesus Christ. We affirm with the Bible the final state of the new heavens and the new earth.
Position Statements
Men And Women Leading Together
At River Bluff Church we believe that women are able to preach, lead, and have authority in our church and you will see that represented in our council, staff and teams. To learn about our beliefs on women in leadership in the church, click on this pastoral position statement. If you have questions or would like more information, please reach out to us at Office@riverBluffWinona.com and we would be happy to get in touch with you.
