What We Believe

About Us

 Faith Baptist Church Riverside was officially launched in September 1993, 

We exist to Glorify God by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and making disciples of Christ of all nations. We seek to achieve this by being. 

A Word-Centered Church

God builds his church through the preaching and teaching of God’s word. At FBCR we are committed to the regular and consistent exposition of God’s word. When we gather, we read the word, pray the word, sing the word, preach the word, and practice the word in our lives.  

An Elder-Led Church 

We believe elders and deacons are the two offices the Lord has given to the church. The Bible teaches that local churches are to be led by a multiplicity of Biblically qualified men (1 Tim 3.1-7, Titus 1.5, etc). The term Elder is synonymous with pastor and bishop, with their work being to equip the saints for the work of ministry (Eph 4.12). Deacons serve the church and are shock absorbers for the elders.  

A Baptist Church 

Those who turn from sin and trust in Christ are to be welcomed and affirmed into membership through water baptism by full immersion as a sign of their union with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. 

A Missional Church  

The goal of the church is to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations. We are committed to advance the gospel to areas and peoples who need to hear it. We strive to see gospel preaching churches planted in all places. 

A Gospel Preaching Church

The message of the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. Therefore, we will endeavor to proclaim this gospel in our meetings, through our ministries and in our individual lives. 

A Congregational Church 

We believe that the Bible teaches that the final authority in a church lies with the congregation. It is the congregation that acts to protect and display its gospel witness by a) receiving, dismissing, and disciplining its members, b) calling elders and deacons, and; c) voting on significant matters which affect the integrity and viability of the church’s gospel ministry. 

Doctrinal Statement

We at FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH hold to the Christian faith as expressed or revealed in the Word of God, including these essential doctrines: 

  • We believe that all scripture is “breathed” or “given” by God. It is God’s complete, finished revelation to man. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God...” II Timothy 3:16 (II Peter 1:19-21) 

  • We believe that there is but one God who is in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. “And Jesus when He had been baptized, came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,”- Matthew 3:16,17 (John 16:12-15, Matthew 28:19) 

  • We believe that Jesus Christ was the perfect God-Man. He is very God. “I and my Father are one” – John 10:30 (Romans 1:3,4) 

  • We believe that Jesus was conceived by a supernatural act of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary. “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14 (Luke 1:26-35) 

  • We believe that the blood Jesus shed on the cross was a complete payment for the penalty of sin. We believe He died as our substitute or in our place, to bring us back into a right relationship with God. 

    “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold,... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,” – I Peter 1:18,19 (Hebrews 9:22) 

  • We believe that Jesus rose from the dead in His body on the third day. 

    “...The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared unto Simon! ...And He said unto them, ‘Why are your troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” – Luke 24:34,38,39 

  • We believe that entrance to Heaven requires two births. A physical birth which occurred the moment you entered the world; and a spiritual birth which occurs the moment we receive Christ as Saviour. 

    “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3 (John 3:3-5,7; I John 5:4-6) 

  • We believe in the literal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to take all believers to heaven. This event will take place before the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we will ever be with the Lord.” - I Thessalonians 4:16,17

  • We believe in a literal place of eternal punishment for those who reject Jesus Christ’s salvation – this place is called the Lake of Fire. “ And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire.” – Revelations 20:15 (Revelation 21:8; II Thessalonians 1:7-9) 

  • We believe in a literal place of eternal peace and joy in the very presence of God Himself. This is only for those who have accepted Jesus Christ’s salvation. This place is called heaven. “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” – John 14:2,3 (John 5:24; Romans 8:18) 

Have a question about what we believe?

Let us know!