River Church Beliefs

At River Church Norman, our beliefs are grounded in the Bible and centered on Jesus Christ. We believe the gospel of Jesus shapes both what we believe and how we live as a church.

River Church affirms the Baptist Faith & Message 2000. Below you’ll find a summary of our core doctrinal beliefs about Scripture, God, humanity, salvation, the church, baptism, marriage, family, and eternity

The Bible

River Church believes the Bible is the inerrant word of God given through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in order that we might come to faith in Christ and live in a manner that pleases and glorifies Him. We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice.

We take the Bible seriously by teaching it as accurately and clearly as we are able, with the ultimate purpose of practicing it in our daily lives and relationships. Thus, our teaching seeks to stress both the explanation of the scriptures and the application of the truths we study.

God

There is one God—spiritual, eternal, sovereign, infinitely wise, holy and loving. He is the source of love, life, joy, wisdom and wellbeing. He also is worthy of all worship, all devotion, and is to be sought and loved with all of our heart, mind and physical strength.

We believe the Bible describes God as triune (Trinity), existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit without division of essence, nature or being.

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God, fulfill prophecy, and redeem sinful man. We believe He accomplished our redemption through His substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, His burial, and His bodily resurrection. We believe our redemption and salvation are guaranteed by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is the only means of salvation.

From the moment of belief in the Son, the Holy Spirit baptizes believers into the body, seals them for salvation, regenerates them to new life, bestows spiritual gifts on each one, and is fully present to continually fill (control and guide) His people.

Mankind

Mankind (male and female) was created by God and in the image of God so that both might enjoy delight in one another. Mankind, however, sinned against God, and falls short of the glory endowed to him. Only by the grace of God is mankind able to return to fellowship with God and fulfill his original purpose.

We believe that all races, ethnic groups, ages and genders possess dignity, and are worthy of respect and love.

We believe God created mankind in His image, forming each person in the womb from conception until the point of death when they breathe their last and assigning gender to His people, male (man) and female (woman), as He created them sexually and biologically different, but with equal personal dignity and value.

Salvation

We believe the death of Christ is the sufficient atonement for the sins of the world and is available to all who confess Him to be Lord and believe Him to be raised from the dead. We believe that Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation and that no one is saved apart from a conscious and personal decision to trust in Christ as his or her one and only Savior.

We affirm that there is no other way to be reconciled to God but through Jesus Christ.

The Church

The church is a unique and wonderful body of people who are introduced into it by faith in Christ, baptized as a testimony of their faith.

The church disciples its members through the teaching of the Bible, through the ministry of spiritual gifts by the members to others in the church, and by the shared sacrificial love of the members.

The mission of the church includes witnessing to the resurrection of Christ, ministry to the brokenness of the community they reside in, and spreading the message of Christ to the nations of the world.

Last Things and Eternity

We believe that Jesus Christ will bodily and gloriously return to set up His kingdom on earth.

We believe that mankind will be judged for their sin. Those who have not accepted Christ’s forgiveness will be assigned to eternal punishment in hell. Those who have accepted Christ’s atonement for sin will be welcomed into eternal fellowship with God in a new heaven and earth.

Baptism and Lord’s Supper

Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is a significant act of obedience displaying the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to a believer’s faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Jesus commands his disciples to be baptized, and commands his disciples to baptize others.

The Lord’s Supper is an act of obedience where followers of Jesus, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, remember the death of Jesus and anticipate His second coming. It is an experience of fellowship and unity with Jesus that helps us grow in our faith.

Stewardship

We believe that God gives us all things to enjoy and to use to bring Him glory. Thus, we owe all to Him and we are stewards of all we have been entrusted with.

We believe that generosity is a basic way of honoring Christ and loving others. In fact, it is more blessed to give than to receive. We contribute joyfully, generously and regularly to the body of Christ and His work in the world.

Marriage and the Family

We believe that God created mankind, male and female, and intended marriage to be a covenant relationship between one man and one woman till death separates them. We believe the covenant of marriage is a beautiful picture and display of the covenant relationship between Christ and His Church. Those who live within God’s design for sex, biological gender, and marriage experience the blessing of His good design. We believe decisions to change God’s will in marriage, sex, or gender will only lead to more brokenness.

We believe children are a gift from God and are persons from the moment of conception until death. A family may include adopted as well as naturally born children. Children are to honor their parents.

Parents are responsible to protect, provide for and train up children in the way of Christ so that they might continue to follow Him throughout their adult lives.

River Church affirms the Baptist Faith and Message –  Read here

What We Believe Shapes How We Live

Our beliefs aren’t simply statements we affirm. They shape the way we worship, serve, build relationships, make disciples, and live on mission together. Learn more about the values that shape our culture at River Church.

Explore Our Values → HERE

Want to learn more about River Church?

See our Leadership Team, Our Values, or Plan a Visit to learn more about who we are and what you can expect when you join us.