What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of RiverALIVE 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.

Man was created in the image of God and is the crown of His creation. Man is now, by reason of the fall, spiritually alienated from his Creator and apart from God’s grace, has no ability to attain his high calling.

We believe in the absolute inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, given by the Holy Spirit without error, as He moved upon holy men of old. Furthermore, we believe that the Church has no authority to establish doctrine or to practice contrary to these same Scriptures. The Holy Scripture is our highest authority for establishing doctrine, reproving, instructing, convicting of sin, correction of error, and training in righteousness.

Justification is by grace through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord and in His death, burial, and resurrection.

There is only one God revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Lord Jesus Christ was begotten, not created, truly God and truly man. He was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died a vicarious and atoning death for the sins of the world, resurrected bodily for our justification, and now reigns in glory until all things are put under His feet.

Water baptism is a scriptural command and that believers are to be buried (immersed) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in the waters of baptism, subsequent to conversion.

The supernatural charisma of the Holy Spirit is active within the Body of Christ until the coming of the Lord. We believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an endowment of power, subsequent to conversion, given by God to anoint the believer for sanctification and evangelism. Evidence of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit is demonstrated by speaking in tongues and boldness as recorded in the book of Acts.

The calling of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher are functional within the Body of Christ until the Lord’s return. Furthermore, these ministries are gifts to the Church for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry and edification of the Body of Christ. Gifts of the Holy Spirit are to be manifested decently and in order in a gathering of the church under the leading of the ministry oversight.

Individuals who profess a relationship with Jesus Christ should be involved in a local community of believers. We believe the church is the individual members of the Body of Christ who assemble themselves together for corporate worship, fellowship, and learning. We believe the local church congregation should build bridges not walls between other congregations of believers. We do not dissociate from other believers that profess Jesus Christ but may have different doctrinal beliefs or cultural ways of worship.

We believe in the priesthood of the believer. That is to say, all people born of God have equal status before, and direct access to, their Lord. Since Jesus is our Mediator to God, we can have a relationship with God without having a human mediator. Every believer is an ambassador of the Kingdom of God and has been given spiritual gifts and abilities to minister to people in their sphere of influence.

Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God's Word and His Holy Spirit. Those who are called by the name of Christ should depart from iniquity and seek to live a lifestyle that brings glory to God and honor to the name of Christ. We acknowledge it is part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit to create in us the character and nature of Christ.

Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom upon the earth at a time undisclosed by the Scriptures preceding the resurrection of the regenerate to eternal life and the ultimate victory of the eternal Kingdom of God.