The following are the core beliefs of Mission Ridge Bible Church based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
(Nm 23:19; Deut 4:1‐2; Ps 19:7‐10; 119:89; Prov 30:5‐6; Is 40:8; Mt 5:17‐18; Lk 21:33; 24:44‐46; Jn 5:39; 17:17; Rom 2:12; 15:4; 2 Tim 3:15‐17; Heb 1:1‐2; 4:12; 1 Pt 1:25; 2 Pt 1:19‐21; 1 John 4:1)
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
(John 4:24; Ps 83:18; Heb 3:4; Rom 1:20; Jer 10:10; Ex 15:11; Ps 147:5; Isa 6:3; 1 Pet 1:15‐16; Rev 4:6‐8; Mark 12:30; Rev 4:11; Matt 10:37; Jer 2:12‐13; Matt 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor 12:4‐6; 1 John 5:7; John 10:30; John 5:17; John 14:23; John 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3‐4; 1 Cor 2:10‐11; Phil 2:5‐6; Eph 2:18; 2 Cor 13:14; Rev 1:4‐5.)
We believe that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
(Gen 1:27; Gen 1:31; Eccl 7:29; Acts 17:26‐29; Gen 2:16‐17; Gen 3:6‐24; Rom 5:12; Rom 5:15‐19; Ps 51:5; Rom 8:7; Isa 53:6; Gen 6:12; Rom 3:9‐18; Eph 2:1‐3; Rom 1:18, 32; Rom 2:1‐16; Gal 3:10; Matt 20:15; Ezek 18:19‐20; Rom 1:20; Rom 3:19; Gal 3:2).
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all sufficient Savior.
(Eph 2:3; Matt 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor 3:5‐7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; John 1:1‐14; Heb 4:14; Heb 12:24; Phil 2:9, 14; 2 Cor 5:21; Isa 42:21; Phil 2:8; Gal 4:4‐5; Rom 3:21; Isa 53:4‐5; Matt 20:28; Rom 4:25; Rom 3:21‐26; 1 John 2:3; 1 Cor 15:1‐3; Heb 9:13‐15; Heb 1:8; Heb 1:3; Col 3:1‐4; Heb 7:25; Col 2:18; Heb 7:26; Ps 89:19; Ps 34:1‐22.)
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Jesus Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
(John 1:16; Eph 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isa 53:11‐12; Rom 5:1‐2; Rom 5:9; Zech 13:1; Matt 9:6; Acts 10:43; Rom 5:17; Titus 3:5‐7; 1 Pet 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Rom 5:21; Rom 4:4‐5; Rom 6:23; Phil 3:7‐9; Rom 5:19; Rom 3:24‐26; Rom 4:23‐25; 1 John 2:12; Rom 5:3; Rom 5:11; 1 Cor 1:30‐31; Matt 6:33; 1 Tim 4:8.)
THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
(Isa 55:1; Rev 22:17; Rom 16:25‐26; Mark 1:15; Rom 1:15‐17; John 5:40; Matt 23:37; Rom 9:32; Prov 1:24; Acts 13:46; John 3:19; Matt 11:20; Luke 10:27; 2 Thess 1:8.)
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.
(John 3:3; John 3:6‐7; 1 Cor 3:14; Rev 14:3; Rev 21:27; 2 Cor 5:17; Ezek 36:26; Deut 30:6; Rom 2:28‐29; Rom 5:5; 1 John 4:7; John 3:8; John 1:13; Jas 1:16‐18; 1 Cor 1:30; Phil 2:13; 1 Pet 1:22‐25; 1 John 5:1; Eph 4:20‐24; Col 3:9‐11; Eph 5:9; Rom 8:9; Gal 5:16‐23; Eph 3:14‐21; Matt 3:8‐10; Matt 7:20; 1 John 5:4, 18: 8.)
We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Jesus Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all sufficient Savior.
(Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph 2:8; 1 John 5:1; John 16:8; Acts 2:37‐38; Acts 16:30‐31; Luke 18:13; Luke 15:18‐21; Jas 4:7‐10; 2 Cor 7:11; 1 Cor 10:12‐13; Ps 51:1‐19; Rom 10:9‐11; Acts 3:22‐23; Heb 4:14; Ps 2:6; Heb 1:8; Heb 7:25; 2 Tim 1:12.)
We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
(2 Tim 1:8‐9; Eph 1:3‐14; 1 Pet 1:1‐2; Rom 11:5‐6; John 15;16; 1 John 4:19; 2 Thess 2:13‐14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt 20:16; Acts 15:14; Ex 33:18‐19; Matt 20:15; Eph 1:11; Rom 9:23‐24; Jer 31:3; Rom 11:28‐29; Jas 1:17‐18; 2 Tim 1:9; Rom 7 11:32‐36; 1 Cor 1:26‐31; Rom 3:27; Rom 4:16; Col 3:12; 1 Cor 3:5‐7; 1 Cor 15:10; 1 Pet 5:10; Acts 1:24; 1 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; 1 Thess 2:12; 2 Tim 2:10; 1 Cor 9:22; Rom 8:28‐30; John 6:37‐40; 1 Thess 1:4‐10; Isa 42:16; Rom 11:29; 2 Pet 1:10‐11; Phil 3:12; Heb 6:11.)
We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, especially, the word of God, self‐examination, self‐denial,watchfulness and prayer.
(1 Thess 4:3; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Cor 7:1; 2 Cor 13:10; Phil 3:12‐16; 1 John 2:29; Rom 8:5; Eph 1:4; Prov 4:18; 2 Cor 3:18; Heb 6:1; 2 Pet 1:5‐8; John 3:6; Phil 1:9‐11; Eph 1:13‐14; Phil 2:12‐13; Eph 4:11‐12; 1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18; 2 Cor 13:5; Luke 11:35; Luke 9:23; Matt 26:41; Eph 6:18; Eph 4:30.)
THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS
(John 8:31; 1 John 2:27‐28; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:18; 1 John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt 13:20‐21; John 6:66‐69; Job 17:9; Rom 8:28; Matt 6:30‐33; Jer 32:40; Ps 121:3; Ps 91:11‐12; Phil 1:6; Phil 2:13; Jude 24:25; Heb1:14; 2 Kgs 6:16; Heb 13:5; 1 John 4:4.)
THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPELS
We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.
(Rom 3:31; Matt 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom 3:20; Rom 4:15; Rom 7:12; Rom 7:7, 14‐22; Gal 3:21; Ps 119:1‐176; Rom 8:7‐8; Josh 24:19; Jer 13:23; John 6:44; John 5:44; Rom 8:2‐4; Rom 10:4; 1 Tim 1:5; Heb 8:10; Jude 20‐21.)
We believe that a visible church of Jesus Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
(1 Cor 1:1‐3; Matt 18:17; Acts 5:11; Acts 8:1; Acts 11:21‐23; 1 Cor 4:17; 1 Cor 14:23; 1 Tim 3:5; Acts 2:41‐42; 2 Cor 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 5:12‐13; 1 Cor 11:2; 2 Thess 3:6; Rom 16:17‐20; 1 Cor 11:23‐24; Matt 18:15‐20; 1 Cor 5:6; 2 Cor 2:17; 1 Cor 4:17; Matt 28:20; John 14:15; John 15:12; 1 John 14:21; 1 Thess 4:2; 2 John 6; Gal 6:2; Eph 4:7; 1 Cor 14:12; Phil 1:1; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:22; 1 Tim 3; Titus 1.)
THE SACRAMENTS: BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is pre‐requisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Jesus Christ; preceded always by solemn self‐examination.
(Acts 8:36‐39; Matt 3:5‐6; John 3:22‐23; John 4:12; Matt 28:19‐20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12; Acts 16:32‐34; Acts 18:8; Acts 10:47‐48; Gal 3:26‐28; Rom 6:4; Col 2:12; 1 Pet 3:20‐21; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:41‐42; 1 Cor 11:26; Matt 26:26‐29; Mark 14:22‐25; Luke 22:14‐20; 1 Cor 11:28; 1 Cor 5:1‐8; 1 Cor 11:17‐32; John 6:26.)
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remains for the people of God.
(Acts 20:7; Gen 2:3; Col 2:16‐17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Cor 16:1‐2; Ex 20:8; Rev 1:10; Ps 118:15, 24; Isa 58:13‐14; Isa 56:2‐8; Heb 10:24‐25; Acts 11:26; Acts 13:44; Lev 19:30; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2‐3; Ps 26:8; Ps 87:3; Heb 4:3‐11.)
We believe that Civil Government is of Divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
(Rom 13:1‐7; Deut 16:18; 2 Sam 23:3; Ex 18:23; Jer 30:21; Matt 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet 2:13; 1 Tim 2:1‐4; Acts 5:29; Matt 28:1‐20; Dan 3:15‐18; Dan 6:7‐10; Acts 4:18‐20; Matt 23:10; Rom 14:4; Rev 19:16; Ps 72:11; Ps 2:1‐12; Rom 14:9‐13.)
MARRIAGE, GENDER & SEXUALITY
We believe that marriage has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God.
(Gen. 2:18-25; 1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb.13:4; 1 Thess. 4:2-5; Eph. 5:21-33; Gen. 1:26-27; Matt. 15:18-20; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31; Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:14-16; 1 Thess. 5:22; Romans 15:5-6)
THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.
(Mal 3:18; Prov 12:26; Isa 5:20; Gen 18:23; Jer 15:19; Acts 10:34‐35; Rom 6:16; Rom 1:17; Rom 7:6; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:7; Rom 6:18;22; 1 Cor 11:32; Prov 11:31; 1 Pet 4:17‐18; 1 John 5:19; Gal 3:10; John 3:36; Isa 57:21; Ps 10:4; Isa 55:6‐7; Prov 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21‐24; Prov 10:24; Luke 12:4‐5; Luke 9:23‐26; Eccl 3:17; Matt 7:13‐14.)
(1 Pet 4:7; 1 Cor 7:29‐31; Heb 1:10‐12; Matt 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt 28:20; Matt 13:39‐40; 2 Pet 3:3‐13; Acts 1:11; Rev 1:7; Heb 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess 4:13‐18; 1 Thess 5:1‐11; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor 15:12‐58; Luke 14:14; Dan 12:2; John 5:28‐29; John 6:40; John 11:25‐26; 2 Tim 1:10; Acts 10:42; Matt 13:49; Matt 13:37‐43; Matt 24:30‐31; Matt 25:31‐46; Rev 22:11; 1 Cor 6:9‐10; Mark 9:43‐48; 2 Pet 2:9; Jude 7; Phil 3:19; Rom 6:23; 2 Cor 5:10‐11; John 4:36; 2 Cor 4:18; Rom 3:5‐6; 2 Thess 1:6‐12; Heb 6:1‐2; 1 Cor 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom 2:2‐16; Rev 20:11‐12; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 4:17; 2 Pet 3:11‐12.)
STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE, GENDER & SEXUALITY
We believe that marriage has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Gen. 2:18-25). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4; 1 Thess. 4:2-5).
We believe that God has commanded that we engage in no intimate sexual activity outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
This biblical understanding of the marriage union of man and woman is both purposeful and beautiful. Its purposes include the procreation and nurture of children, the mutual joy and the support and encouragement be given to one another by husband and wife, and the restraint of selfishness and sin as each seeks to serve the other’s needs. Such purposes reveal a beauty so great that Eph. 5:21-33 connects marriage to the holy union of Jesus Christ and His bride, the church.
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Therefore, rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including but not limited to adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, polygamy and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor. 6:9- 10.)
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin by seeking His mercy and forgiveness through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 6:9-11.)
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity.
(Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31)
Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with the Holy Scripture nor the doctrines of Mission Ridge Bible Church. Yet our strong and immovable belief in these same Holy Scriptures dictate that we yield to no one in doctrine save the scriptures as they are found contained in the Old and New Testaments without outside prejudice or privilege.
Unity in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Mission Ridge Bible Church as the local body of Christ and to provide a biblical role model to the Mission Ridge Bible Church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Mission Ridge Bible Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, or who in any way represent Mission Ridge Bible Church in an official capacity agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender and Sexuality
(Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:14-16; 1 Thess. 5:22; Romans 15:5-6)
MISSION RIDGE BIBLE CHURCH COVENANT
OUR PUBLIC COMMITMENT TO EACH OTHER AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS JOINED TOGETHER IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
Having, as we trust, been brought by Divine Grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to give up ourselves to Him, and having been baptized upon our profession of faith in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, relying on His gracious aid, solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant with each other.
(John 6:63, 16:7-11, 1:12; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Acts 2:41; 8:38; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Acts 2:42)
We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(Ephesians 4:1-3)
We will walk together in brotherly love, as becomes the members of a Christian Church, exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require.
(Romans 12:10, 16:17-18; Galatians 6:1-2; Matthew 18:15-17; James 5:19-20; Colossians 3:16; Hebrew 3:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 5)
We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others.
(Hebrew 10:23-25; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 25)
We will endeavor to bring up such as may at any time be under our care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends.
(Deuteronomy 6:1-12, 11:18-20; Matthew 6:6; Ephesians 6:4; Mark 5:19; Luke 5:19; Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 5:15)
We will rejoice at each other's happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other's burdens and sorrows.
(Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:2)
We will seek, by Divine aid, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and remembering that, as we have been voluntarily buried by baptism and raised again from the symbolic grave, so there is on us a special obligation now to lead a new and holy life.
(Ephesians 5:15; Titus 2:12; Romans 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:13-25)
We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church, as we sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines. We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
(Ephesians 2:21-22; Hebrew 10:25; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:24-34; Romans 16:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 5; Acts 2:42; 2 John 1:9-11; Matthew 10:10; Galatians 6:6; Malachi 3:8-10; Acts 11:29; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8)
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.
(2 Corinthians 13:14)