What We Believe

Pound River Church joyfully submits itself to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  We believe the bible is the inspired, inerrant word of God that reveals to us the will of God.  We believe it is our solemn responsibility and privilege to live in accordance to the truths that it declares.

We hold the following doctrines to be core beliefs that create and maintain unity in the body of Christ.  These are essential beliefs that must be held by all who wish to be a member of Pound River Church.

1. The Scriptures – We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men who were divinely inspired. It is without any error, it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is and shall remain to the end of the world.  It is the true center of Christian union.  It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness.  It is the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.  The scriptures have God for its author and salvation for its end.

II Tim. 3:13-17; II Tim. 3:15; Proverbs 30:5-6; Romans 2:12; Phil. 3:16; I John 4:1

2. Doctrine of God – We believe there is one true and living God, an infinite intelligent Spirit, who is the maker and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; God is completely good and pure in His glory and holiness. He is worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love.  God is one in essence, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  These three execute distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.  Each person of this triune God is equally deserving of worship and obedience.  John 4:24;  83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10; Ex.15:11; Ps. 147:5; Isa. 6:3; I Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 4:6-8; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37; Jer. 2:12-13; John 15:26; I Cor. 12:4-6; I John 5:7; John 10:30; John 5:17; John 14:23; John 17:5&10; I Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; II Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-5;  1 John 1:5
3. Doctrine of man - In the beginning man was created in a good, upright, and holy condition but man willfully sinned against God by breaking the command of God. In this act of rebellion, Adam represented the entire human race in such a way that the guilt of his sin was imputed to all of mankind so that condemnation and death came upon as all.  We now so thoroughly bear Adam’s guilt and Adam’s nature that all men are conceived in sin and come forth from the womb as sinners.  By nature, all men are dead in sin, under the power of sin, have a heart that is deceitful and desperately sick, and are children of wrath.  In this condition the truth of God is folly to man and incapable of any good whatsoever.  Yet as evil as it is, men love their condition, love their sin, and willfully pursue every form of unrighteousness.  While we love our sin and fallen state, we also reject God, refuse to seek Him and will not come to Him.  Unless saved from this evil condition, men and women will suffer eternally for their sins.  Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:15-17, Genesis 3:6; Romans 5:15-19; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:9-10; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 1:18; Romans 2:5-9; Titus 2:13-14
4. Salvation – We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. We believe that the salvation of sinners is entirely of grace; through Jesus, 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.  He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior. 2:3, Matt. 18:11, I John4:10, I Cor.3:5-7, Acts 15:11, John 3:16, John1:1-14, Heb. 4:14, Heb. 12:24, Phil. 2:9&14, II 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, I John 2:3, I 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. Grace in Regeneration - We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again by the will of God; the evidence of regeneration appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. John 3:3, John 3:6-7, I Cor. 3:14, 14:3, Rev. 21:27, II Cor. 5:17, Ezek. 36:26, Deu. 30:6, Rom. 2:28-29, Rom. 5:5, I John 4:7, John 3:8, John 1:13, James 1:16-18, I Cor. 1:30, Phil. 2:13, I Peter 1:22-25, I John 5:1, Eph. 4:20-24, Col. 3:9-11, Eph. 5:9, Rom. 8:90, Gal. 5:16-23, Eph. 3:14-21, Matt. 3:8-10, Matt. 7:20, I John 5:4, 18
   2. Repentance and Faith - 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 Christ, we turn to God with sincere remorse, confession and humbly ask for His mercy; at the same time 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,  2:8, I John 5:1, John 16:8, Acts 2:37-38, Acts 16:30-31Luke 18:13, Luke 15:18-21, James 4:7-10, II Cor. 7:11, Ps. 51, Rom. 10:9-11, Acts 3:22-23, Heb. 4:14, Ps. 2:6, Heb. 1:8, Heb. 7:25, II Tim. 1:12
5. Justification - We believe that the great gospel blessing which 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, 3:8, Acts 13:39, Isa. 53:11-12, Rom5:1-2, Rom.5:9, Zech. 13:1, Matt. 9:6, Acts 10:43, Rom. 5:17, Titus 3:5-7, I Pet.3:7, I 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, I John 2:12, Rom. 5:3, Rom. 5:11, I Cor. 1:30-31, Matt. 6:33, I Tim. 4:8
6. Sanctification - 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. I Thess. 4:3; I Thess. 5:23; II Cor. 7:1; II Cor. 13:10;  3:12-16; I John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; Eph. 1:4; Prov. 4:18; II Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; II Peter 1:5-8; John 3:6; Phil. 1:9-11; Eph. 1:13-14; Phil. 2:12-13; Eph. 4:11-12; I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18; II Cor. 13:5; Luke 11:35; Luke 9:23; Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:18; Eph. 4:30
7. Perseverance of the Saints - We believe that true believers will endure unto the end: that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial (false) professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. John 8:31; I John 2:27-28; I John 3:9; I John 5:18; I John 2:19; John 13:18;  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; Heb.1:14; II Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; I John 4:4
8. Baptism and The Lords Supper - We believe that the Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit; 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 prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation, and to the Lord’s Supper; in which the members of the church are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination. We also enjoy the practice of washing the saints feet to symbolize our love and willingness to serve one another. Acts 8:36-39;  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; I Peter 3:20-21; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:41-42; I Cor. 11:26; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; I Cor.11:28; I Cor. 5:1-8; I Cor. 10:3-32; I Cor. 11:17-32; John 6:26
9. The Local Church - We believe that a visible, local church is a congregation of baptized believers, unified 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, elders, pastors and deacons whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. We believe the bible clearly points believers to join themselves to a local church whenever possible.  The local church establishes, discipleship, accountability, leadership, and discipline in the lives of believers.  The ultimate purpose of the church is to glorify God by building itself up the faith, by instruction of the Word, by fellowship, by keeping the ordinances and by spreading the gospel to the entire world.  I Cor. 1:1-3;  18:17; Acts 5:11; Acts 8:1; Acts 11:21-23; I Cor. 4:17; I Cor. 14:23; III John 9; I Tim. 3:5; Acts 2:41-42; II Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; I Cor. 5:12-13; I Cor. 11:2; II Thess. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; I Cor.11:23-24; Matt. 18:15-20; I Cor. 5:6; II Cor. 2:17; I Cor. 4:17; Matt. 28:20; John 14:15; John 15:12; I John 14:21; I Thess. 4:2; II John 6; Gal. 6:2; Eph. 4:7; I Cor. 14:12; Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:22; I Tim. 3; Titus 1
10. The World to Come - We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the Last Day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked (those who continue in impenitence and unbelief) will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous (those who through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God) to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness. I Peter 4:7; I Cor. 7:29-31;  1:10-12; Matt. 24:35; I John 2:17; Matt. 28:20; Matt. 13:39-40; II Peter 3:3-13; Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; I Thess 4:13-18; I Thess. 5:1-11; Acts 24:15; I Cor. 15:12-58; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2John 5:28-29; John 6:40; John 11:25-26; II Tim. 1:10; Acts 10:42; Matt. 13:49; Matt. 13:37-43; Matt. 24:30- 31; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 22:11; I Cor. 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; II Peter 2:9; Jude7; Phil. 3:19; Rom. 6:23; II Cor. 5:10-11; John 4:36; II Cor. 4:18; Rom. 3:5-6; II Thess. 1:6-12: Heb. 6:1-2; I Cor. 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:2-16; Rev.20:11-12; I John 2:28; I John 4:17; II Peter 3:11-12

Special Statement on Marriage & Sexuality

We believe that God creates each person as male or female according to His will and this is unchangeable. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Genesis 1:26-27.) Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

We believe that because God created each person male or female, in accordance to His will, He ascribes equal worth and value to both genders.  However, each gender has been given certain responsibilities that differ from one another but complement one another.  We affirm that because of the order of creation and as a result of the fall, women are not permitted to exercise authority over men in relation to the church and home.  This includes women preaching, pastoring, or serving as an elder or deacon within the church.  Women are however, instructed to teach their children and to teach other women.

We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as defined in Scripture. (Genesis 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 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4.) 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 adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pedophilia, orgies, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matthew 15:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.)

We believe, that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Pound River Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to its members and the community, it is imperative that all persons who are members of Pound River Church or serve as volunteers in any capacity, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22.) Additionally, we declare that Pound River Church facilities may not be used to conduct any ceremony that is contradiction to any of the statements written in this statement.

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 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 Scripture nor the doctrines of Pound River Church.