What We Believe?
Our Core Beliefs
MISSION
RLBC exists to live Christ-centered lives that glorify and enjoy God (Rom 12:1-2); (Rom 11:36); (1 Cor 10:31); (Phil 4:4).
VISION
The redeemed life is a Gospel centered life of knowing, growing, showing, and going with Christ.
- We come to know Christ through Gospel worship in in congregation.
- We grow in Christ by practicing spiritual disciplines personally and in community.
- We show Christ by serving with a core team.
- We go with Christ as we engage in Gospel conversations with individuals and crowds.
VALUES
We value 5 ‘rivers’ that flow into the ocean of God’s glory and our joy in God. These rivers are:
- God's Word.
- God's Worship.
- Humility (serving & blessing others).
- Generosity (giving our best).
- Excellence (pursuing God's best).
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament and New Testament are the inerrant, inspired, and infallible Word of God. God’s Word is the final authority for faith and life (Ps. 19:7-11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
We believe there is only one God, and He has chosen to reveal Himself as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:26; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Thess. 1:2-5; Eph.1).
We believe God is Sovereign over all things (Col. 1:16-17; Ps.115:3; Rom. 11:36). God has all power, all knowledge, all wisdom, and is due all glory, honor and praise (Eph. 1:11-12). All that comes to pass does so at the decree of God. All things will, in the end, result in the glory of God (Rom.11:36).
We believe man was created in the image of God and the sin of Adam (the first man) marred that image, creating an eternal divide between God and man (Gen. 1:26; Gen. 3). Every person is born in sin (Rom. 5:12; Rom. 3:10, 23).
We believe the only way a person can have a true, forgiven relationship with God is through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross (Acts 4:12; Jn. 14:6; 1 Cor. 15:1-3). Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and conceived by the Holy Spirit (Lk. 1:35-38). Jesus became man without ceasing to be God (Jn. 1:1-14). Our right standing with God is made sure because of His literal, physical resurrection (1 Cor. 15; Rom. 4:24-25).
We believe God offers eternal life as a free gift and that it must be received by faith alone in Christ alone through God’s grace alone (Eph. 2:1-10). The life that comes from this gift of God's grace is a permanent possession of the one receiving it (Jn. 6:40, 44; Jude 1:24-25). We believe all Christ followers are baptized in the Holy Spirit at the time of their conversion (1 Cor. 12:13). We also believe God gives gifts to His body as He wills to glorify Christ and build His church (Jn. 16:14; Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Pet. 4:10-11; 1 Cor. 12:4-11).
We believe the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of believers on mission to enlarge God’s kingdom (Mt. 28:19-20; Acts 5:42). The local church is autonomous, free of any external authority of control (Mt. 28:18-2).
We believe God created and has clearly defined the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman (Gen. 1:27-28). This covenant is given to express God's good gifts of love, sexual purity, family building, training godly offspring and reflecting Christ's love for His church (Duet. 6:6-7; Eph. 6:1-4; Eph. 5:21-33).
We believe believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances of the church (Rom. 6:3-4; 1 Cor.11:23-27).
We believe in the literal, physical return of Jesus to judge the living and the dead. Come Lord Jesus (Acts 1:10; Rev. 22:20-21)!
Redeemed Life Bible Church Covenant
Throughout the Old Testament and New Testament, there is a clearly defined community of God. God creates a covenant relationship with His people. This covenant was first established with the people of Israel through Abraham, and then God established a new covenant with His people, the church, through Christ. As members of God’s covenant family at Redeemed Life Bible Church, we commit to Christ and to each other. We commit to the truthfulness of Scripture. We commit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Expectations of Church Members
As a member, I commit to the body of Christ, the church (1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:4-5). As a member at Redeemed Life Bible Church, I will fulfill the following expectations:
- I will worship the one true God with other Redeemed Life Bible Church members for as long as I am physically able (Hebrews 10:24-25; Romans 12:1). The goal of my regular weekly worship is to give God glory (Romans 11:36; Hebrews 13:15).
- I will grow spiritually through regular involvement in groups and ministries at Redeemed Life Bible Church in addition to regular personal devotional times. I understand the purpose of these groups and ministries is building community with other believers and holding each other accountable (Acts 2:44-47; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- I will serve Christ through the mission work of Redeemed Life Bible Church. I am created to serve others through good works (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 4:10). I am commanded by God to make disciples of every nation, tribe, people, and language through the local church (Matthew 28:16-20; Revelation 7:9). I will support the church’s mission to go to the ends of the earth to share the gospel (Acts 1:8).
- I will give to God abundantly and joyfully, recognizing God as the owner of all things (Proverbs 3:9; Psalm 24:1). Giving my tithe and time to God brings me closer to Him (Malachi 3:10; Matthew 6:19-24).
- I will seek unity with other church members. I recognize God’s design for the church is unity in diversity, and I will put the interests of others above my personal preferences (Ephesians 4:1-6; 1 Peter 3:8-9).
- I will guard the reputation of the church and submit to discipline for any sin problems in my life (Matthew 18:15-20).
- I will pray for and follow the leadership of Redeemed Life Bible Church (Hebrews 13:17-18).
- I will pray privately and with the church corporately. I will pray for people to accept Christ, and I will pray for more disciples to grow.
- I will sacrifice by serving first, following the servant model of Jesus Christ (Mark 10:45).
- I will make my attitude that of Christ and through humility make the gospel my priority (Philippians 2:5-11). With Christ as my Lord and Savior, being baptized by immersion after my salvation, being led by the Holy Spirit, and being in agreement with Redeemed Life Bible Church’s covenant, doctrine, and leadership, I joyfully unite with the church and commit myself to God and the other members.
- I will seek God’s guidance for Redeemed Life Bible Church in order to steward resources entrusted to the church in a way that gives God glory (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
Expectations of Pastors
I commit as a pastor within the body of Christ to join Redeemed Life Bible Church in fulfilling the expectations of church members in the above section. Additionally, I commit to the following expectations:
- I will care for the church and lead with grace, truth, and love (Matthew 28:16-20; Ephesians 4:15-16; James 5:14; Colossians 1:28).
- I will teach all of God’s Word at all costs (1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- I will equip members of the church for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16).
- I will protect the doctrine of Redeemed Life Bible Church, and I will guard the church against false teachers and false teaching (Acts 20:28; Matthew 7:15; 1 Timothy 1:3-7).
- I will act in a way that is above reproach, making my family the priority of my ministry (1 Timothy 3:1-7).
- I understand the way I live will affect the church I lead, and I will live in a way that elevates the reputation of Redeemed Life Bible Church.
- I will lead the church in exercising discipline in a way that is gracious and loving, protecting the health of the church as a whole (James 5:19-20; Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5; Galatians 6:1).