THE BIBLE

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God; it is absolutely true, enduring, and unchangeable (2 Timothy 3:16, 17. Matthew 24:35).

TRINITY

We believe in the Trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The three parts of the Trinity are coexistent and coeternal, which means that they always have existed and always will exist together; they are coequal in divine perfection, which means that no person of the Trinity is more powerful or more perfect than any other person in the Trinity (1 John 5:7).

THE FALL OF MAN

We believe that Adam and Eve, the precursors of the entire human race, were created in the image of God; however, they disobeyed God and became sinners. Through Adam, all people inherited sin’s nature and consequences, and all are in need of a Redeemer (Genesis 1:27; Romans 5:12, 19).

THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION

We believe that Christ died for all of us while we were still sinners; He took the punishment for our sin. With His own blood, He purchased salvation and redemption for all who believe in Him (John 3:16; Isaiah 53:5; Titus 2:14).

SALVATION THROUGH GRACE

We believe that salvation is totally an act of God’s grace that is accessed through faith in Jesus Christ. No person can be good enough to earn salvation, and “being good” does not contribute to receiving God’s love and favor (Ephesians 2:8, 13).

REPENTANCE AND ACCEPTANCE

We believe that, when people repent for their sins and accept Christ, they are justified through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. To repent means to be sorry for sins, but it also means to turn away from a sinful lifestyle. Accepting Christ means believing in Him as the only Savior. To be justified means being declared “not guilty” in regard to sin (Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 1:9).

THE NEW BIRTH

We believe that the change that takes place in people when they are “born again” is very real. They receive righteousness through Jesus Christ, and they are empowered by the Holy Spirit; therefore, they should have new desires, interests and pursuits (John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE

We believe that born-again believers should be people who pray and who allow the Holy Spirit to shape their values and behaviors every day; their lives should exemplify love, honesty and sincerity (Ephesians 4:30-32).

THE GIFTS AND FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit gives ministry gifts to believers; in other words, the Holy Spirit gives people special abilities for ministry. These gifts will build up groups of believers and help them mature in Christian faith (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). Further, Spirit-filled believers should show the spiritual “fruit” that has been given to them: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control (Romans 12:6-8; Galatians 5:22-25).

DIVINE HEALING

We believe that Jesus Christ heals people who are sick. God does not change; He is still willing and able to heal the body, as well as the soul and spirit, in response to faith (Mark 16: 17, 18; James 5:14-16).

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent; we are as certain that His second coming will occur as we are that His first coming is a historical fact. No one knows the exact time of His coming, but believers will continue to spread the gospel around the world until He does come again. At that time the Lord Himself will descend from heaven, the dead Christians will be resurrected, and believers will be taken up to meet the Lord in the air (Matthew 24:36, 42, 44; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).

HEAVEN/HELL

We believe that heaven is the habitation of the living God and the eternal home of born-again believers (John 14:2; Revelation 7:15-17). We believe that hell is a place of darkness, deep sorrow and unquenchable fire, which was not prepared for man but for the devil and his angels; it will become the place of eternal separation from God for all who reject Christ as Savior (Matthew 13: 41, 42; Revelation 20:10, 15).

EVANGELISM

We believe that evangelizing and making disciples is the primary “business” of the church; every hindrance to worldwide evangelism should be removed (James 5:20; Mark 16:15).

The River Ukiah is part of a much bigger global family of believers known as the Foursquare Church. Started in 1923 by Aimee Semple McPherson in Los Angeles, Foursquare grew in 65 short years to 15,000 churches throughout 63 countries. As of 2011, we are joined with 8,729,566 other members in 66,145 churches in 141 countries.

A truly radical story and heritage.