About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26,27,3:22, Psalms 90:2, 1 Peter 1:2, Matthew 28:19
About Mankind
We are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character and to be the supreme object of God’s creation. Although all people have tremendous potential for good, they are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called sin. This attitude separates us from God. The way to have a relationship with God is to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of one’s life, thus experiencing Salvation.
Genesis 1:27, Psalms 8:3-6, Isaiah 53:6a, Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:1, 2, Romans 10:9-10
About the Father
The Father is the equal to the Son and the Holy Spirit as God. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving and all wise. Because of sin we cannot have a relationship with the Father except through Jesus Christ. It is His will that all of us know Him and love Him intimately as our Heavenly Father. A person should seek His will on a regular basis.
Matthew 6:9-10, John 14:6-11, John 10:27-30, Romans 8:15-16. I John 3:1-3, Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the only son born of God. He is equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit as God. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the only perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended into Heaven’s glory and will return again to reign as King of Kings.
Matthew 1:22, 23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5, 14:10-30, Hebrews 4:14,15, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, I Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
I Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13. 14:16.17. Acts 1:8, I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 5:18
About the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has given gifts to all believers for the purpose of equipping them to accomplish God’s plans. The variety of spiritual gifts is still given to believers today according to scripture for the purpose of serving God and others.
1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:11-16, Romans 12:3-8, I Peter 4:10, I Corinthians 14
About Prayer
Prayer is spending time with God talking and listening to Him either as individuals or as a church. Through prayer, one can praise God, confess our sins, thank Him for His blessings, and ask for help for others and themselves. All are called to spend time daily with the Lord in prayer in order to be encouraged by His love and challenged to do His will. Through prayer, the Holy Spirit speaks to believers and they are able to see God do miracles in answers to prayer.
Mark 1:35, James 5:16, 1 John 1:9, Acts 2:42, Colossians 4:2-4, Philippians 4:6
About the Bible
The Bible is God’s “How to” manual for life. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.
I Timothy 3:16, I Peter 1:20-21, I Timothy 1:13, Psalms 119:105, 12:6, Proverbs 30:5
About Baptism
Baptism is a public testimony that a person has decided to live for Jesus Christ. Baptism is a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and therefore should be done by immersion. Baptism should follow soon after one’s decision to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 2:38, I Corinthians 1:17-18. Colossians 2:12, Galatians 3:26-27, Matthew 6:9-10, John 14:6, John 10:27-30, John 14:6-11, Romans 8:15-16, 1 John 3:1-3
About Eternal Security
The believer is secure for eternity, because God gives eternal life through Jesus Christ; Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security.
John 10:29, II Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14, I Peter 1:3-5
About Eternity
God created us to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. God’s desire is that everyone will spend eternity in Heaven with Him. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of existence.
John 3:16, John 2:25, John 5:11-13, Romans 6:23, Revelations 20:15, Matthew 1:8, II Peter 3:9, Matthew 2:44-46
About Cohabitation
Scripture offers healthy guidelines for marriage between a man and a woman in terms of procreation, godly intimacy, the nurture of children, and sexual activity. Outside of marriage, the potential negative consequences of living together are many. We encourage resisting sexual temptation and choosing to live consistently with the counsel of Scripture. We are here to encourage, not condemn. We invite those currently living together or considering a cohabiting relationship to receive premarital counseling. We advocate marriage and will do everything we can to help couples prepare for marriage and celebrate that life-changing commitment.
Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 2:18, Malachi 2:15, 1 Corinthians 7:2
About Homosexuality
God loves all people, including those who identify themselves as and/or practice homosexuality and we welcome everyone to attend services. At the same time, we believe the practice of homosexuality falls short of God’s plan for sexuality and is a sin. After repenting of sin and turning to Christ (redemption), any person is encouraged to join The River Sparta. Any redeemed sinner interested in serving is welcomed and encouraged to explore the possibility, but we would ask this person to wait for a period sufficient to establish a pattern of freedom and victory, in light of 1 Timothy 3:6. We do not believe the parameters of Scripture permit the ordination of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals, nor do we conduct ceremonies celebrating same-sex unions.
John 3:16, Mark. 2:17, Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13, Romans 1:26-28, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:9-11, Jude 7
