About Ridgeville Bible Chapel
Ridgeville Bible Chapel began in 1966 in Ridgeville, ON. RBC has roots in the “Brethren” movement.
Today, Ridgeville Bible Chapel continues to be non-denominational (with no governing body) evangelical (believing in the necessity of salvation in Christ), and Bible believing (embracing the Bible as God’s message to all people).
We are passionate about growing in our knowledge of God and the Bible and living that out in our daily lives. We seek to glorify the Lord, share the love of Christ, and minister to our community.
Statement of Faith
THE BIBLE – Consisting of both Old and New Testaments, The Bible is the revealed Word of God to man (1 Thess. 2:13). It was given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16), and men of old wrote as they were guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). It is therefore without error in the original writings and is to be literally interpreted in its historical accounts. It is the complete revelation of God’s will for the salvation of people and is our final authority in all matters of faith and Christian living (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The final guide to the interpretation of Scripture is Scripture itself.
JESUS CHRIST – The Lord Jesus Christ, being fully God, entered human history as a man born to the virgin Mary, having been supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:20). While here on earth, He lived a perfect and sinless life and then died on the cross as a perfect sacrifice for our sins (1 Pet. 2:24). He rose bodily from the dead (Luke 24:39) then ascended to heaven where He was exalted by the Father and now ministers as our High Priest (Heb. 4:14) and Advocate (1 John 2:1).
CREATION – The account of origins presented in Genesis is a simple but factual presentation of actual events.
GOD – There is one God (Deut. 6:4) eternally existent & co-equal in three persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).
HOLY SPIRIT – The Holy Spirit was sent by the Lord Jesus to abide with his people (John 14:16-18). He is co-equal with the Father and the Son. His function is to convict the world of sin, righteousness & judgement (John 16:8) and instruct the believer in the things pertaining to Christ (John 14:26, 15:26-27) and to empower them for service. The Holy Spirit is the source and power of all acceptable worship and service, and is the infallible interpreter of the Word of God (1 John 2:27, 1 Cor 2:13-14, Gal. 5: 16, 22-23). The church began with the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and is composed of all believers in Jesus Christ.
MANKIND’S NEED – Man was created in the image, and according to the likeness of God. (Gen. 1:26-27). Because of man’s deliberate sin, he stands guilty before God and is hopeless under God’s eternal judgement (Rom. 3:23).
SALVATION – The death of Christ was substitutionary and atoning.
The death and resurrection of Christ provide the only basis for a sinner’s justification and acceptance by God. All who receive the Lord Jesus by faith are redeemed by His blood and are born of the Holy Spirit, becoming children of God. (Eph. 2:5-9, Rom. 4:25, 5:6-8, Titus 3: 4-7, 1 Peter 1:3-5)
ETERNAL SECURITY – Every true child of God possesses eternal life and is safe for all eternity (John 3:16; 10:27-29). However, a believer can, through sin, lose his fellowship, joy, power, testimony and reward and incur the Father’s chastisement. Our relationship with Christ is eternal, being established by new birth. Fellowship, however, is dependent upon obedience.
THE ORDINANCES – There are two Christian ordinances – Baptism by immersion (Matt. 28:19, Acts 8:35-39) and the Lord’s supper (Luke 22:19-20).
Baptism signifies that the believer, having died with Christ, is buried with Him and is also risen with Christ to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-6). The Lord’s Supper was instituted by the Lord Himself. In the observance of this supper, believers retell the message of the Lord’s death until His return. This is the privilege and responsibility of all true believers (Luke 22:19).
THE RETURN OF CHRIST – The personal pre-millennial return of the Lord Jesus Christ could occur at any moment (1 Thess. 4:14-18, Titus 2:13, Acts 1:11). His return will usher in a series of events: the rapture of the church, judgement on unredeemed society, the restoration of Israel to Him as Messiah and an eternal state of blessedness for the redeemed. This truth is an ongoing incentive to holy living and faithful service for every believer. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the redeemed and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost (Dan. 12:2, Rev. 20:11-15).
THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH – The Lord has called believers to fellowship in local, autonomous congregations. These congregations, though autonomous in government, exist in vital union with all other believers.
As Christians, we are to join in worshiping the living God, praying, building up one another in the faith and giving of our time and money as good stewards for the work of God. We are also to observe the Lord’s Supper, baptize converts, teach the Word of God and proclaim the message of Christ. (1 Cor. 1:2, Acts 2:42-47, Heb. 10:24-25, Eph. 4:11-13). The church is composed of all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. The local church is composed of believers in any locality who gather in Christ’s name as a corporate testimony to the Lordship of Christ (Col. 1:18) and to the oneness of the body of Christ (John 17:21). They gather to commemorate the Lord’s supper (1 Cor. 11:23-26); for worship (John 4:23); prayer (Acts 2:42); and edification (Eph. 4:12, 2 Timothy 4:2).