The sixty-six (66) books of the Bible are the living written Word of God. It is divinely inspired, a revelation from God to humanity, and inerrant in its original manuscripts. The Scriptures are the only infallible, authoritative, and final rule of faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21).

There is one true God who exists eternally in three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This mystery is known as the Trinity. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Father, and the Holy Spirit is distinct from both the Father and the Son. Yet, they are one God—triune, perfectly unified, and indivisible (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 3:16-17; John 10:30; John 14:16-17).

Man was created good and upright, made in the likeness and image of God. However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred spiritual death, which is eternal separation from God (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12-21; Romans 3:23; Romans 3: 9-10; Isaiah 59:2; Colossians 1:21).

Jesus Christ is the one and only eternal Son of God. Fully human and fully God. Jesus’ life and ministry are attested in the Scriptures. They declare his virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,35), his sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22), his miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38), his substitutionary work on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21), his bodily resurrection (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4), his exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9,11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3), and his impartation of the Holy Spirit (John 20:21-22; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:33; John 16:7).

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is humanity’s only hope for redemption. He gave his life and shed his blood to redeem and restore us to God. Salvation is a gift of God, available to all, yet received only through faith in Jesus Christ. It comes through personal repentance, belief in Christ’s resurrection (justification), confessing him as Lord and Savior (atonement), and receiving the Holy Spirit (regeneration). By this process, we become heirs of God with the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3-7; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7; Galatians 3:13-14; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:17).

Sanctification is a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation. Sanctification is the process of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God by walking in holiness. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit empowers all believers to live a holy life and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God’s Word and by continually offering every aspect of one’s life and being to the dominion of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 12:14; I Thessalonians 5:22-24; Philippians 3:12-14; I Corinthians 1:30; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 13:12; Romans 6:1-11,13; Titus 2:11-14).

Those who accept Jesus’ sacrifice as the payment for their sins and who believe in His resurrection will receive eternal life and blessing in Heaven in the presence of God. Heaven is a literal place. The Bible also mentions rewards that await the believer who serves the Lord faithfully in this world (Romans 10:9-12; John 1:12; John 3:18; Acts 7:48-49; Matthew 5:34-35; Mark 16:19; John 14:1-4; 1 John 2:24-25; Matthew 24:12-13; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; James 1:12; Revelation 2:7; John 17:3).

The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ will be eternally consigned to the lake of fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. This is known as the second death. The lake of fire is a literal place (Revelation 20:15; Matthew 25:41-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation 21:8; Matthew 13:41-42).

Those who embrace Christ as their Savior, enter into a relationship with God that ensures the everlasting security of their salvation. Believers undergo a spiritual rebirth (regeneration) upon their faith. Once this happens, they are are justified, and their salvation is certain. To lose their salvation would necessitate a reversal of the regeneration process. The Scriptures provide no indication that this new birth can be revoked. If someone believes in Christ today, possesses eternal life, and seemingly loses it tomorrow, it suggests that it was never genuinely 'eternal' to begin with (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:30-34, 38-39; Ephesians 4:3; John 3:3, 15; Titus 3:5).

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit, distinct and subsequent to conversion, is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers who ask. In Scripture, this experience was commonly accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gave utterance, but it may also manifest with evidence of other spiritual gifts outlined in Scripture. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (infilling) releases the fullness of the Holy Spirit and endows believers with power for life, service, and witness. With it comes the bestowment of spiritual gifts for the work of the ministry. Every believer should seek to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. With dependence upon the Holy Spirit, believers can be Spirit-led (Matthew 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:4,8; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:4; Luke 24:49; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Acts 8:12-17; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:14-18; Acts 15:7-9; John 7:37-39; Acts 4:31; John 1:32-33).

The gifts of the Holy Spirit, as outlined in Scripture, remain active and essential today. Believers are encouraged to earnestly desire these spiritual gifts, which are given for ministry and the edification of the church. These gifts should be encouraged, regularly practiced, wisely stewarded, and always exercised in the way the Apostle Paul instructed (1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40).

God heals today. We pray in faith for healing and trust God with the timing and results (Mark 16:17-18; James 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:24; Matt. 8:16-17; Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 10:1; Matthew 10:8; 2 Kings 5:14; Luke 10:9).

God frees and delivers His children from strongholds, besetting sins and demon oppression today. Believers can pray in faith for freedom and deliverance with the authority given to them in Jesus’ Name and trust God with the timing and results (Daniel 4:34; Acts 16:18; Matthew 10:1; Matthew 10:8; Luke 10:17; Mark 16:17).

Laying on of hands is a biblical practice with multiple applications. Scriptural examples include imparting blessing, healing, conferring office, being filled with and baptized in the Holy Spirit, prophesying, receiving spiritual gifts, ordination, and consecration (Acts 13:2-4; Mark 5:22-23, 41; Mark 5:28-31; Acts 28:8; Acts 19:11-12; Mark 10:13-16; Acts 6:2-6; Acts 8:16-18; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6).

Water baptism, by immersion, is a direct commandment of the Lord and is for believers only. This ordinance is a public declaration and outward sign of a believer’s identification with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. Believers are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39).

Participating in The Lord’s Supper is a direct commandment of the Lord and commemorates His death until He returns. It is for believers only and should be observed regularly. The bread symbolizes the Lord’s broken body. The cup symbolizes the New Covenant in His blood. When believers partake of The Lord’s Supper, they are signifying their participation in Him and with one another. Believers should examine themselves to ensure that they do not receive The Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner so as not to sin against the body and blood of the Lord and bring judgment upon themselves (1 Corinthians 11:23-31; Luke 22:19-20; John 6:48, 51, 53-57; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

The end times will include the future bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ (also known as the Second Coming), the resurrection of the saints, the millennium, the final judgment, and the new heavens and the new earth (Rev. 20:6; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:27-31; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:1-6; Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:7-8; 2 Peter 3:13; Romans 6:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; John 14:2-3; John 3:16; John 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 1:7).

Marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, as instituted and defined by God in Scripture. It provides for intimate companionship, sexual expression, and procreation, while reflecting Christ’s relationship with the Church. God designed marriage to be permanent, sacred, and exclusive (Ephesians 5:22-33; Genesis 2:18-25; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5; Matthew 5:28; Matthew 19:4-9; Mark 10:6-12; Genesis 1:26-28; Proverbs 5:15-19).

Once a couple enters into a covenant of marriage, it is God’s intention that they remain in that marriage for life. Therefore, it is the position of Rivers to make every reasonable effort to counsel repentance, forgiveness, restoration, and reconciliation through Christ. For those who have already experienced divorce, reconciliation with their spouse shall be counseled, if applicable. If reconciliation is not possible, repentance of divorce, if applicable, shall be encouraged. Those who have experienced and appropriately and sincerely repented of divorce are free to remarry and may serve in any function of the church as outlined in these bylaws (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:3-9; Matthew 5:31-32; 1 Corinthians 7:15; Malachi 2:16).

Sexual intimacy is only properly exercised and pursued within the confines of a biblically defined marital relationship, as described herein. Sexual immorality, as defined in Scripture, whether inside or outside of marriage, is clearly and expressly prohibited. Consequently, the church regards any and all forms of sexual immorality, or even lustful intent or desire toward such things, as sinful. Though sexual immorality in all its forms is sinful, redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin is possible. Therefore, it is the position of Rivers to make every effort to counsel repentance, deliverance, healing, and wholeness through Jesus Christ (Genesis 1:27; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Matthew 15:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 2:1-10; Titus 3:3-7; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 2:17-18; Hebrews 4:14-16).

Human beings are created in God’s image, set apart from all other life, and therefore, human life must be protected and respected at all times, from conception to natural death (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 9:6; Matthew 22:37-39; Psalms 139:13-16; Deuteronomy 10:17-19; Proverbs 22:2; Luke 10:25-37; Romans 12:9-18; James 2:1-8; Jeremiah 1:4-5; Proverbs 6:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:39).

Men and women are equal in value but differ in role. Women of notable godly character are free to minister in the church wherever they are called, equipped, and released except for the position of Elder. Eldership (defined as senior governmental authority in the church) has the dual responsibilities of expounding the Scriptures and exercising final governmental oversight of the body of Christ. We see eldership as a fathering role for the local church. Elders should be male and operate as an eldership team. All other wider leadership roles in the church can be fulfilled by suitably qualified men and women. Elders should do the bulk of the teaching. Non elders (male and female) can and should teach the church under the authority of the elders. Both women and men can and should contribute through small group leadership, ministry leadership, worship leading, welcome, testimony, announcements, prayer, prophecy, songs, scripture reading, art, etc. (1 Peter 5:1-3; Titus 1:5-6; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Luke 2:36; Acts 18:26; Acts 21:9; Romans 16:1-2; Romans 16:7; 1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 3:8-13; 1 Corinthians 10:23; 1 Corinthians 9:22-23).

These topics have become contentious and personal for people. So, allow me to address them in a more personal way. As a pastor committed to love people and honor God’s word as well, I did an extensive study into the LGBTQ issues and questions, including reading many books from both affirming and non-affirming positions. I spent 18 months researching and wrote a white paper for a group of Christian pastors to help them grapple with these issues. I did come to some definitive conclusions. I discovered that every person is broken and desperately needs Jesus, not just those in the LGBTQ community. We all need Jesus to heal and transform us. I also discovered that the best thing anyone could ever do is to trust God’s design and walk in his way for their lives.

At Rivers, we teach the historical and biblical view of sexuality and gender. Namely, that God’s plan for marriage is one woman and one man and that he chooses our gender at birth and does not make mistakes. This is what the Bible clearly teaches. We want all our members to hold that view, even though it may invite persecution.

My hope and desire are that I will be able to teach those truths with love and respect for those who visit Rivers. We welcome all people. In fact, that’s why we exist — to help people who are not walking with God to discover him and his will. For us, loving people well means leading them to Jesus to be made whole, and treating them with grace and respect along the way, even if they choose the opposite way. We never want to shame or condemn people; we want to compel them to trust God above the world’s advice and their wounded hearts (Genesis 1:27-28; Genesis 2:24-25; Deuteronomy 22:5; Matthew 19:3-6; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:9-10; Hebrews 12:1–2; John 17:17; 2 Peter 1:4). Drew