Our Beliefs: The Church


A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.

The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.

Scripture References:

Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.


Click on a subject that you would like to know more
about, and why we believe what we do:

 





God cares & so do we

River of Life is here to share God's love with our community and our world.  We love Him because He first loved us.  God wants to be your Heavenly Father, and we want to be your brothers and sisters in Christ.  If you are in Portage, or near the area, please come make friends today at River of Life.

Why all the Fuss?

Ever wonder why churches make such a fuss over this Jesus?  Why was He so important?  Ever wonder if the Bible and Christianity were really real or not?  If it is real, it's an incredibly big deal.
Click here to find out

Seeing Clearly

Have you ever tried to read the Bible but didn't understand it?  Why would the Word of God be so difficult to read?  His Word is spiritual language, and we simply need an interpreter (or decoder) to help us understand it.  That is where we ask the Spirit of God to apply the Word of God to our hearts.  I know sometimes it seems almost impossible to understand, kind of like trying to open your eyes under water.  However we can see clearly, when we are looking through the right goggles.

River of Life - Portage, Wisconsin     Pastor Robert M. Turner  (608) 617-5765