What We Believe
The epicenter of our faith is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God Incarnate. Every other belief we hold is centered around this truth. River House recognizes that it cannot, and does not desire to, bind the conscience of individuals in areas where Scripture is silent. Rather, each believer is to be led in those areas by God, to whom he or she alone is ultimately responsible. We believe these core beliefs to be an accurate summary of what Scripture teaches.
The Bible – The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired and infallible revelation of God to man and the authority of faith and conduct. River House accepts the Bible as the revealed will of God, as the all-sufficient rule of faith and standard for daily living. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21)
The Trinity – The one true God has revealed Himself as the “I Am” – the Creator and Redeemer of mankind. We believe God eternally exists in three persons (called the Trinity) which is comprised of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. He is perfect, holy, righteous, merciful, loving, and just. (Isaiah 43:10,11; Genesis 1:1; Ephesians 4:5-6)
Jesus – The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, death, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God. (Revelation 1:8; Hebrews 1:3)
Sin – Humankind was created good and upright; however, humankind voluntarily transgressed and fell, and thereby, is spiritually dead and away from God. (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:17, 3:6; Romans 5:12-19)
Salvation – Humanity’s only hope is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Salvation is a free gift by faith -through grace- and demonstrated in repentance leading to a relationship with Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-9: Acts 4:12: 1 Timothy 2:5)
Water Baptism – We believe that following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new believer is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water by full immersion in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Communion/The Eucharist – We believe in a unique time of communion in the presence of God when the symbolic elements of bread and wine (the body and blood of Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. (Mark 16:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Given at Pentecost, we believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father available to all Christians. It was sent by Jesus after His Ascension to empower the Church to preach the gospel throughout the whole earth. (Luke 3:16: Luke 24:49: Acts 1:8)
Sanctification – This is the act of separating from that which is evil and dedicating oneself to God and that which is good, upright, and morally pure. Christians are on a journey of progressive sanctification (Romans 12:1, 2; 1 Peter 1:16; Hebrews 12:14)
The Church and Its Mission – The Church is the representative of Jesus on earth and is called to carry out the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:19; Luke 19:10)
5 Fold Ministry – A divinely called and scripturally ordained minister has been provided by God to equip the saints for the work of the Gospel by leading the church in evangelization, worship, building the body, and general leadership of the church. (Mark 16:15-20; John 4:23-24; Ephesians 4:11-16)
Divine Healing – Is provided for today by the Scriptures and is included in the atonement for our sins. (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16)
The Second Coming – The resurrection of all Christians dead and alive to meet Christ in His glory is the Blessed Hope. The Second Coming of Christ includes the return of Christ Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:17, 30). There will be a final judgment at which all men will be judged. (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20)
The New Heaven and Earth – All of God’s children will reign forever in a new heaven and a new earth. (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21, 22)
Generosity – Each Sunday, we pray together corporately over our tithes and offerings. We believe that giving of our finances is only one aspect of surrendering our entire lives to Jesus! The current offering declaration is:
“Lord, you are faithful! We give generously because we trust you. We give joyfully because we are convinced of Your goodness. We give as an act of surrender, knowing that you are our provider. In response to your extravagant love, we give you our entire lives.”
CORE VALUES
Relationship with God – We understand that by the blood of Jesus we have access to God, and we are able to experience communication and intimacy with Him in the Holy Spirit as we seek to live holy lives.
God’s Saving Power – As Isaiah 53 and Jesus’ earthly ministry testify, the salvation accomplished on the cross frees us from sin, sickness, and torment. Jesus came to destroy all the works of the Devil.
Dependence on God – We seek to live always leaning upon God, constantly in need of Him and dependent upon His miraculous provision to uphold, sustain, and confirm His Gospel in our ministry.
Suffering Love – We believe as the Church of Jesus Christ that we are called to pastor the city of Boise (as well as the greater Treasure Valley and the world!) by living laid down lives of incarnational love. We recognize that loving in this way makes us vulnerable to suffering – as we allow the brokenness of this world to penetrate our hearts with compassion, we will weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). We believe the only way we will see God’s power and might break into our city is by embracing and rejoicing in our weakness, for when we are weak His is strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). The valley of tears is where character is forged and God fashions saints out of us, making us holy as He is holy.
Joy is our Strength – To paraphrase C.S. Lewis, we believe that God is serious about joy! Joy is not a suggestion. Is is the very energy and strength that compels us forward into the upward call of God. In His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11), so we have access to a joy that outweighs, outlasts, and overcomes all the suffering of this life.
A Glorious Bride – We believe Jesus died for a pure and holy Bride, becoming sin on our behalf so that we could become the righteousness of God, and so we are (2 Corinthians 5:21). We are sons and daughters of the King of Heaven, and our aim is to fulfill the Great Commission by arising, shining, and re-presenting the glory of Jesus to the world.
Honor – Honor is glue that holds relationships and communities together. Calling forth the “gold” in people, believer and unbeliever alike, is key to unlocking potential in one another and becoming the people, individually and corporately, God has called us to be.