Give Now

At Refreshing Waters, we believe that the Bible is from God and that the Bible is true. According to the Bible, the following are affirmations we hold:

About God

We believe there is only one God, revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4, 2 Corinthians 13:14, John 1:1) In the New Testament, time and time again we see the expression of God the Father, Jesus the Son of God and God the Holy Spirit. 

  • God as Father, Jesus as Son and the Holy Spirit are in complete unity.  
  • God as Father being the master architect of the entire plan of creation. 
  • Jesus as the expression of God’s bridge between Himself and man.  
  • The Holy Spirit as the Revealer of Truth and serving as a down payment for salvation for eternity (the gift).

About the Bible

We believe in the absolute inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, given by the Holy Spirit without error, as He moved upon holy men of old. Furthermore, we believe that the Church has no authority to establish doctrine or practice contrary to these same Scriptures, which were subsequently accepted as canon by the early Christian Church. (2 Timothy 3:16)
 
The Holy Bible is the word of God, written by men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. 

  • All that we believe has its basis in the entirety of the scripture and the absolute truths that it contains. Absolutes are principles that stand alone. 
  • The Holy Scripture is our highest authority for establishing doctrine, reproving, instructing, convicting of sin, correction of error, and training in righteousness.  

About Jesus Christ

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ was begotten, not created, very God of very God, truly God, truly Man.  He was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died a vicarious and atoning death for the sins of the world, resurrected bodily for our justification, and now reigns in glory until all things be put under His feet. (1Timothy 3:16) 

  • Believe that Jesus was both 100% God, because almighty God was His Father and He was 100% human because Mary was his mother.  
  • Believe that Mary was a virgin as the scripture records. This means that in order for her to conceive it had to be supernatural, beyond natural. This is no different than Abraham and Sarah believing God that they could have children after their time of life had passed. 
  • Believe that Jesus lived His life without sin. If He sinned in any way, then His life, His blood would not have qualified to be poured on the mercy seat in heaven. The scripture says that there can be no remission of sin without the shedding of blood.  
  • Believe that Jesus death was for the sins of the world. My sin and your sin caused His death.  
  • Believe that Jesus was raised from the dead. This signified His supreme Lordship over the very thing that resulted naturally from our separation from God. Natural, physical death was a shadow or type of spiritual death.  
  • Believe that Jesus now reigns as the immortal, invisible King who will one day establish His rule on earth at the appointed time.

About Salvation

We believe that salvation is by grace through faith in our Lord’s sacrifice on Calvary. (Romans 3:21 - 24) Man was alienated from God because of sin which can only be corrected by grace through faith in what Jesus did in His death, burial and resurrection.  Jesus Christ, through His death, satisfied the requirement, or standards, established by God. He becomes our substitution.

About Baptism

We believe that all of God’s people are to be buried with our Lord Jesus Christ in the waters of baptism, subsequent to conversion. (Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:4) 

  • Baptism is a command. Everyone who confesses Christ should be baptized.  
  • Baptism comes from the word “baptize” which means to immerse.  
  • Baptism represents a burial of the old way of life and mindset.  
  • Baptism is to be participated in when the concept it represents can be fully understood by the participant. 

About the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit dwells in all believers, conforming them to the image of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:13, Romans 8:16 - 17) 

  • The Holy Spirit sanctifies – sets us apart to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.  
  • The Holy Spirit preserves – He keeps us until the day that Christ returns.  
  • The Holy Spirit comes within you when you accept Christ into your heart.  

About the Holy Spirit Baptism and Gifts

We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an endowment of power, subsequent to conversion, given by God to anoint the believer for sanctification and evangelism. It is our understanding that the supernatural charisma of the Holy Spirit is active within the Body of Christ until the coming of the Lord. Furthermore, we believe the development of the charismatic gifts ought to be encouraged under the guidance of local church authorities. (Acts 8:14-17, Acts 19:1-2, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7) 

  • The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a subsequent experience to salvation.  
  • As evidence in the book of Acts and is given to every believer that asks, further enabling us to live a holy sanctified life of power.
  • The Holy Spirit within produces fruit for an internal work.  
  • The Holy Spirit upon us produces power for external work.  
  • The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a requirement of Salvation.  

About the Church

We believe in the Holy Christian Church, imperfectly represented by the various Christian institutions. Her unity is spiritual, her culture diverse and transitional, and her mission eternal. (Hebrews 12:18-23) There’s only one church body on earth. There are many Christian institutions.

About the Second Coming of Christ

We believe in the literal second coming of our Lord, the literal rule of Christ upon the earth, the resurrection of the regenerate to eternal life and the unregenerate to eternal damnation, and the ultimate victory of the eternal Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:9-11, Daniel 12:2, Revelation 22:1 -7) 

  • Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead, is still alive today.  
  • Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of God and He is interceding on our behalf daily.  
  • Jesus Christ’s rule will literally be established in the earth. 
  • We await His literal return to the earth.