Our Beliefs
The short answer is that we are first Christians, second Evangelicals, and third Missional. For the long answer, read on. Below is our Statement of Essential Beliefs which represents the core of central orthodox Christian beliefs from a biblical and historical perspective. While a full understanding and the ability to adequately articulate these beliefs is not required, the explicit rejection of any of the particular beliefs below disqualifies one from membership in theRefuge Church.
Statement of Essential Beliefs
We believe:
- that the Scriptures are true, authoritative, and sufficient.
- that there is only one living and true God.
- that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; and that the Father is neither the Son nor the Holy Spirit, the Son is neither the Father nor the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is neither the Father nor the Son.
- that all humanity is by birth and by action a sinner. The only exception is Jesus Christ.
- that the deserved penalty for sin is death, both physical and spiritual, removed from God.
- that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, was born of a virgin, and is both fully God and fully human.
- that Jesus Christ died as the only sufficient, atoning sacrifice for our sins.
- that Jesus Christ physically rose from the dead.
- that Jesus Christ physically ascended into heaven and will one day physically return.
- in a future physical resurrection of the dead. Those who trust in Jesus Christ alone will be raised to eternal reward. Those who have not trusted in Jesus Christ will be raised to eternal punishment.
- that only by trusting in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone can one be reconciled to God and experience true life and joy.
- that our local churches must be faithful to the content of unchanging Biblical doctrine.
- that our local churches must be faithful to the continually changing context of the culture(s) in which they minister.
- that our mission is to bring people into church so they can be trained to go out into their culture as effective missionaries.
We affirm that the doctrines expressed in theRefuge Statement of Essential Beliefs are those that are recognized to be universal and primary within the Church. They adhere to the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed and are in agreement with the Statement of Faith from the National Association of Evangelicals. In regard to these essential doctrines, there can be no conflicting opinions of those who call themselves true followers of Christ. However, we do acknowledge that there are peripheral or non-essential doctrines, which are important, but not critical to the follower of Christ as it relates to our salvation. Some of these doctrines include the exact timing and nature of the rapture, the extent and use of certain spiritual gifts, young earth vs. old earth, etc. Complete agreement in these secondary beliefs is not required for the sake of membership at theRefuge.
However, there are a number of such secondary beliefs about which the leadership of theRefuge Church is passionate. As such, it should be known that theRefuge Church will preach, teach, and counsel in accordance with these theological convictions. These include: Divine sovereignty, the role of men and women in the church and home, and baptism by immersion (which is required for membership). More of our church beliefs can be found in theRefuge Statement of Faith.
We will accept into our body those who have differing views on the non-essential doctrines, but will not allow those of a different opinion to fracture the church. While we can celebrate our diversity in the non-essential teachings, we will ultimately pursue the unity of the church.