What We Believe
The following statements represent the core doctrinal beliefs of Refuge Ridge Fellowship. Every conviction is anchored in the unchanging truth of God's Word.
The Scriptures
We believe the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct. The Bible is God-breathed, living, and active. It reveals His will for humanity, provides the standard for Christian living, and illuminates the path of righteousness. Scripture is sufficient for all matters of doctrine, correction, and training in godliness.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:15–17; Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 1:2–3, 19:7–8, 119:11,105; John 17:17; Romans 15:4, 16:25–26; Isaiah 40:8; 2 Peter 1:21
God the Father
We believe in the one true God who has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent Creator of heaven and earth, and who has further revealed Himself in a unity of three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Father is the source of all that is good. He is love, and out of His great love, He gave His only Son so that the world might be saved. He is sovereign over all creation, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.
Scripture: 1 John 4:7–10, 5:7; Romans 5:8, 8:38–39; Genesis 1:1; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Jeremiah 10:10, 32:17; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 1:8; Deuteronomy 10:14; John 17:21–22; Matthew 3:16–17, 28:19
Jesus Christ
We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. He is true God and true Man. He lived a sinless life, performed miracles, and taught with unmatched authority. He was crucified for our sins, died, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. He ascended to the right hand of the Father and will return in power and glory. He is the sole Mediator between God and humanity.
Scripture: Hebrews 1:1–2, 4:14–15, 5:9, 7:24–27, 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:21–22; 1 Timothy 2:5–6; Colossians 1:15–20, 2:9; Galatians 4:4–5; Isaiah 7:14; Acts 1:9–11, 2:23–24, 9:20; Matthew 1:18, 25, 16:16–17, 26:63–64, 27:33–37, 59–60, 28:6; John 1:1–5, 14, 29, 2:19–22, 11:25–27, 20:14–18; Luke 1:35, 22:70, 24:45–47
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity, sent by the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He regenerates, indwells, and seals every believer at the moment of salvation. He empowers believers for service and holy living, and bestows spiritual gifts upon the church according to His will. We believe in the present-day operation of all spiritual gifts as described in the New Testament, including speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing, and the gift of faith.
Scripture: John 14:16–17, 26, 16:7–15; Acts 1:4–8, 2:1–4, 10:44–46; Romans 8:11–16, 26–27; 1 Corinthians 2:10–13, 6:19, 12:4–11; Galatians 5:22–23; Ephesians 1:13–14, 5:18; Titus 3:5
The Fall of Man
We believe that man was created good and upright, in the image of God. However, through voluntary transgression, Adam fell from his original state, bringing sin and death upon all of humanity. As a result, every person is born with a sinful nature and is separated from God. Man is unable to save himself and is in need of a Savior.
Scripture: Genesis 1–3; Romans 3:23, 5:12–19; Ephesians 2:1–5
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God, offered to all by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not earned by human effort but received through repentance and personal faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. When a person confesses Jesus as Lord and believes in their heart that God raised Him from the dead, they are saved, justified, and made a new creation.
Scripture: Romans 3:22–24, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9–10; John 3:16, 14:6; Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5; Acts 4:12
Christian Living
We believe that Christians are called to live holy, sanctified lives that honor God. This includes walking by the Spirit, bearing the fruit of the Spirit, and putting off the old self with its sinful practices. Believers are called to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, reflecting the relationship between Christ and the Church.
Scripture: Romans 6:11–14; Galatians 5:22–23; 1 Corinthians 6:9–20; Ephesians 4:22–24; 1 John 2:3–6, 3:10; Matthew 19:4–6
The Church
We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, made up of all born-again believers. The local church is a visible expression of the universal Church, called to gather for worship, the preaching of the Word, fellowship, prayer, and the breaking of bread. The Church exists to glorify God, edify believers, and carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
Scripture: Colossians 1:24–28; Ephesians 4:11–13; Matthew 28:19–20; John 17:20–23
Elder Led
We believe the New Testament pattern for church governance is a plurality of elders who shepherd, teach, protect, and guide the local church. Elders are appointed according to biblical qualifications and serve as overseers and shepherds of God's flock. Their role is one of service, accountability, and spiritual leadership, equipping the saints for the work of ministry.
Scripture: Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1–3; Ephesians 4:11–13
Spiritual Gifts and Ministry
We believe that the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to every believer as He wills, for the common good and the building up of the Church. We affirm the continuation of all New Testament spiritual gifts, including prophecy, tongues, interpretation, healing, faith, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discernment, helps, administration, and others. Every believer is called to ministry and is empowered by the Spirit for service.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4–11, 14:1–5; Romans 12:4–8; Ephesians 4:11–13
Baptism and Communion
We believe in water baptism by immersion for all who have repented and believed in Christ. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward reality — it symbolizes the believer's identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. We also observe the Lord's Supper (Communion) as a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and a proclamation of His death until He comes again.
Scripture: Acts 2:38, 8:36–38; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Final Judgment
We believe in the bodily return of Jesus Christ and the final judgment of all humanity. There will be a resurrection of both the saved and the lost — the saved unto eternal life and the lost unto eternal separation from God. Every person will stand before God and give an account. The redeemed will dwell forever in the presence of God, and those who have rejected Christ will be eternally separated from Him.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11–15; Matthew 25:31–46; John 14:1–3; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9