About
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Redeemer Church is a gathering of God’s people who have been saved by the grace of God and not because of anything we have done. We are forever grateful to God for extending his love and peace to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because of these truths, we live as representatives of the Kingdom of God on this earth. We share a common purpose and a common mission as we strive together to love God and love others, together.
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Redeemer Church celebrated our first gathering on February 9th 2020. In March of 2020 we were blessed by one of our families who have provided us with our first permanent meeting space in Bridgeport TX. Redeemer Church has endured a pandemic and social upheaval with a spirit of perseverance and trust in the Lord that has been uncommon.
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Our Purpose
Our Mission
Church Government
Redeemer Church is a Christ ruled, Pastor led, Congregationally responsible fellowship. We believe that Jesus Christ is the head and ruler of his church. He has called local churches to be responsible for their actions and he recognizes both faithfulness and unfaithfulness among his people. God has given the church Pastors to shepherd and teach his people. Pastors make many of the day to day decisions of the church but seek the input and approval of the church in matters that have greater effect on the church. God has also provided his church with deacons who serve the church and care for our most vulnerable.
Our Confession
Redeemer Church of Wise County
Confession of Faith 2020
Regarding the Holy Scriptures (Bible)
The Scriptures are our sole infallible and authoritative rule for faith and practice. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life are expressly set down in Scripture. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture are the Scriptures themselves. However we acknowledge the necessity of the inward illumination of the Spirit of God for the understanding of special revelation laid down in Scripture. It is by the Spirit that we have full assurance of the infallible sufficient truth and divine authority thereof, bearing witness by the Word and with the Word in our hearts.
The authority of Scripture, which is to be believed and obeyed, is not dependent on the testimony of any man or church, but is dependent wholly upon God (who is truth itself) who is the author thereof. As God is unchanging, so is His word.
The Scriptures are made up of sixty-six books which were inspired by the Holy Spirit and written down by human authors. They have been providentially preserved by God through all of history and are our sole profitable word for all good works.
Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
This is not a complete statement concerning all of God’s attributes. He is far more than any mere human document can contain.
Regarding the Doctrine of Man
See: Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:12-13
See: Psalms 51:5; John 8:36; Romans 3:10-19; 3:23; 5:12-19; 6:23; 8:7; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Ephesian 2:1-3; 2:4-7, Colossians 1:21; James 1:14-15
Regarding the Doctrine of Salvation
Introduction - We believe that Jesus is the Person, the supreme and distinctive Person, sent from God for us. He is, in fact, the clearest picture of God that the world has ever known or seen. In summary, Jesus Christ is the final word of God’s revelation of Himself.
b. We believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary when the Holy Spirit came “on her, and the power of the Most High” overshadowed her [See: Luke 1:34], but that His birth is not his beginning. We believe the testimony of Scripture that Jesus is the only begotten Son of the Father before time and creation, true God of true God, begotten not made, in whom was the eternal life of God. We believe that He is before all things, has created all things, has reconciled all things, and in Him all things are held together. [See: Colossians 1:15-19]. He is the true light sent from God who alone can give eternal life to everyone who believes in Him. [See: John 1:1-14]
c. We further believe that Jesus’ death freed all who trust in Him from the slavery of sin, death, and Hell, and that through their faith in Him no longer stand condemned before God and suffer judgment with those who reject Christ Jesus. [See: Romans 8:1-4].
d. Finally, we believe that Jesus’ atoning sacrifice enables all who believe in him to experience His righteousness that sets us free to live as his adopted, chosen servants in this world in order to share the good news of eternal life as well as to live for eternity to the praise of His glory. [See: Ephesians 1:3-6; 1 Peter 2:4-5; I Peter 2:9-10; Ephesians 1:11-12]
Regarding the Doctrine of Last Things:
We believe that God, in His own time and own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly to the earth in order to raise the dead and judge all men according to their righteousness. Those judged to be unrighteous will be consigned to everlasting punishment in Hell. Those found to be in the righteousness of Christ will dwell forever in the Kingdom of Heaven, having their souls united with glorified bodies. Christ Jesus will remake the earth and all things in it, and reign there as Lord with the saints forever.
See: Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1ff.; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13.
Regarding Baptism: We believe that Baptism is an ordinance instituted by the Lord Jesus. All who repent of their sin and believe upon his name should receive baptism. In the scriptures baptism is described as a sign of being united to Christ in his death and resurrection, of being engrafted into him, of being cleansed of our sins, and of giving up our old way of life to walk with Christ in the newness of life that He gives.
See Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:27; Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:4
We believe in both the physical and spiritual aspects of baptism. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the inward and true seal of salvation. It is efficacious apart from the ceremony of baptism. The Spirit regenerates dead hearts and causes us to find joy in obeying the Lord God. The Spirit also empowers us to the work of ministry, in which every believer participates.
See Eph 4:3-6, I Cor 12:13, 1 Cor 1:13, Col 2:12-13, Acts 11:15-16, John 1:33, John 3:5, Luke 3:16, Gal 3:27, John 1:29-33, Matt 3:11, Rom 6:1-5
We believe that immersion in water is the normative method of baptism in the scriptures. Water baptism is the physical sign of inward conversion. Regeneration is the sole work of the Holy Spirit and water does not aid in regeneration whatsoever. Water baptism is an important act of obedience for every believer because the Lord Jesus commanded that all disciples should be baptized, and it acts as the means of publicly identifying with Jesus and his Church.
See Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12, I Peter 3:21, Acts 19:4-5, Acts 22:16, Acts 10:47-48, Mark 16:16*, Matt 28:19-20, Luke 3:21-22, Acts 16:31-33, Acts 8:36-39, Acts 2:38-41, Matt 3:16, I Cor 10:1-5, Acts 16:15
We anticipate that people from other faith backgrounds with different understandings of baptism may decide to unite with our church body. The Elders of Redeemer Church will interview each prospective member about their faith and understanding of baptism. It is our goal to be faithful to what the scriptures teach about baptism in our practice while being hopeful to include true believers who desire to unite with us into this fellowship.
Regarding The Lord’s Supper (Communion): We believe, that on the night of the Lord’s betrayal, He ordained a memorial meal for the Church to observe until He returns to the Earth. The meal serves as a reminder that the Lord died so that His Church might receive the benefits afforded to her in his death. It serves as reminder of His continual nourishment of his people and it speaks to our real communion with the Lord and with other believers.
The elements that the meal consist of are bread and wine. The bread symbolizes the body of Christ which was broken for his Church and the wine symbolizes the blood of Jesus which was poured out for sins. Though the two elements are blessed and called the blood and body of Christ, they remain as they are and act as the symbols of what is real.
It is fitting that only professing believers who have been baptized and are in good standing with the church should partake of the meal and that all who partake should examine themselves as to how they regard the meal and their participation in it.
See I Cor 10:16-17, Acts 2:42, I Cor 11:23-29, Acts 20:7, Luke 22:15-20, 1 Cor 10:18-21, 1 Cor 11:19-21, Matt 26:26-28, Mark 14-22-24, I Cor 5:4-13,
Confession of Faith 2020
Regarding the Holy Scriptures (Bible)
The Scriptures are our sole infallible and authoritative rule for faith and practice. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life are expressly set down in Scripture. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture are the Scriptures themselves. However we acknowledge the necessity of the inward illumination of the Spirit of God for the understanding of special revelation laid down in Scripture. It is by the Spirit that we have full assurance of the infallible sufficient truth and divine authority thereof, bearing witness by the Word and with the Word in our hearts.
The authority of Scripture, which is to be believed and obeyed, is not dependent on the testimony of any man or church, but is dependent wholly upon God (who is truth itself) who is the author thereof. As God is unchanging, so is His word.
The Scriptures are made up of sixty-six books which were inspired by the Holy Spirit and written down by human authors. They have been providentially preserved by God through all of history and are our sole profitable word for all good works.
Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
- Regarding the Doctrine of GodTriunity - The Scriptures plainly teach that God is one, whose subsistence is in and of himself. In this one God, there are three divine persons: the Father, the Son (or Word), and the Holy Spirit. These three are equal in power and glory, and each possess the whole divine essence. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Spirit, and the Spirit is not the Father. See: 1 Cor. 8:4; Jer. 10:10; Isa. 48:12; Matt. 28:18-20; Matt. 3:13-17
- Holiness - God is holy. He is distinct from all his creation and is exalted above them in infinite majesty. The holiness of God encapsulates and enriches all the other attributes that God possesses.
- Creator - God is the Creator. In him, all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. As Creator, God providentially cares for and governs over his creation with justice, kindness and grace. All of God’s creation exists to glorify him.
- Self Sufficiency - God possesses within himself every quality, ability and supernatural command with never-ending measure. God wants for nothing and lacks nothing; he is complete.
- Immutability - The Scriptures declare that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. With God, there is no variation or shifting shadow. This means that neither God nor his purposes change.
- Justice - God is impartial and equitable in his judgements. He does not allow evil to go unpunished, nor does he suffer the righteous to receive injustice. As judge, God will render to each according to their works. At the appointed time, God will gather all people, living and dead, and exact justice to all according to their works.
This is not a complete statement concerning all of God’s attributes. He is far more than any mere human document can contain.
Regarding the Doctrine of Man
- Man in his created state - God created man, male and female, eternal souls, capable of reason. He created man in his own image giving them value, dignity and worth and He wrote his law upon their hearts and gave them the capacity to either obey or disobey.
- Man in his fallen state or Man After the Fall - Through the temptation of Satan the first man, both male and female, chose to disobey God’s law by partaking of fruit that was forbidden to them. This disobedience on the part of the first human beings, Adam and Eve, brought death to all people born after them, corruption to all the created order, and a separation from God.
See: Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:12-13
- Concerning Original Sin - Our first parents, by their sin of disobedience, fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and we, their descendants, now abide under the curse of sin and death and are wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of our souls and bodies. Therefore, since sin entered into the world, all people have inherited a sin nature. All men are dead in their sin and have fallen from a right relationship and fellowship with God.
See: Psalms 51:5; John 8:36; Romans 3:10-19; 3:23; 5:12-19; 6:23; 8:7; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Ephesian 2:1-3; 2:4-7, Colossians 1:21; James 1:14-15
Regarding the Doctrine of Salvation
Introduction - We believe that Jesus is the Person, the supreme and distinctive Person, sent from God for us. He is, in fact, the clearest picture of God that the world has ever known or seen. In summary, Jesus Christ is the final word of God’s revelation of Himself.
- The Person of Christ:
b. We believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary when the Holy Spirit came “on her, and the power of the Most High” overshadowed her [See: Luke 1:34], but that His birth is not his beginning. We believe the testimony of Scripture that Jesus is the only begotten Son of the Father before time and creation, true God of true God, begotten not made, in whom was the eternal life of God. We believe that He is before all things, has created all things, has reconciled all things, and in Him all things are held together. [See: Colossians 1:15-19]. He is the true light sent from God who alone can give eternal life to everyone who believes in Him. [See: John 1:1-14]
- The Work of Christ: a. We believe that Jesus, though equal with God, humbled himself, became a bond-slave, obeyed the Father’s will in every respect, and sacrificed His life by dying on a cross once for all. [See: Philippians 2:6-11;Romans 6:10] We affirm the New Testament witness that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, was resurrected on the third day, showed His resurrected Self to those who were His followers, and will come again to gather all the saints of every age to be with Him forever. [See: 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Acts 1:1-3] Because His life and ministry glorified only God the Father and fulfilled His will perfectly, God has now “highly exalted Him, and given Him a name, which is above every name.” [See: Philippians 2:9-11]
c. We further believe that Jesus’ death freed all who trust in Him from the slavery of sin, death, and Hell, and that through their faith in Him no longer stand condemned before God and suffer judgment with those who reject Christ Jesus. [See: Romans 8:1-4].
d. Finally, we believe that Jesus’ atoning sacrifice enables all who believe in him to experience His righteousness that sets us free to live as his adopted, chosen servants in this world in order to share the good news of eternal life as well as to live for eternity to the praise of His glory. [See: Ephesians 1:3-6; 1 Peter 2:4-5; I Peter 2:9-10; Ephesians 1:11-12]
- The Appropriate Response to Christ - We believe that a person is saved solely by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ only. [See: Ephesians 2:8-9]. When people repent of their sin and believe in Jesus as their Savior and Lord, they do so because God’s grace enables them to do so. The inward turning from sin, which God’s grace effects, is repentance [See: Matthew 16:24-25; Galatians 2:20; 5:24, 6:14; Romans 6:2; 6:11]. The inward turning to Christ as Savior, which God’s grace effects, is faith. [See: John 1:12; 3:14-16, 18, 36; 6:37; Acts 2:21; 10:43; 13:38-39; 16:31; Romans 1:6; 10:13; Galatians 3:26]. Each implies the other. Thus, repentance and faith are not two acts or moral attitudes. Instead, they are two aspects of one act or attitude made possible by the grace of God. We further confess that people who are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ are saved for God’s purpose of doing His will and works in this world. [See: Ephesians 2:1]
Regarding the Doctrine of Last Things:
We believe that God, in His own time and own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly to the earth in order to raise the dead and judge all men according to their righteousness. Those judged to be unrighteous will be consigned to everlasting punishment in Hell. Those found to be in the righteousness of Christ will dwell forever in the Kingdom of Heaven, having their souls united with glorified bodies. Christ Jesus will remake the earth and all things in it, and reign there as Lord with the saints forever.
See: Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1ff.; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13.
Regarding Baptism: We believe that Baptism is an ordinance instituted by the Lord Jesus. All who repent of their sin and believe upon his name should receive baptism. In the scriptures baptism is described as a sign of being united to Christ in his death and resurrection, of being engrafted into him, of being cleansed of our sins, and of giving up our old way of life to walk with Christ in the newness of life that He gives.
See Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:27; Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:4
We believe in both the physical and spiritual aspects of baptism. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the inward and true seal of salvation. It is efficacious apart from the ceremony of baptism. The Spirit regenerates dead hearts and causes us to find joy in obeying the Lord God. The Spirit also empowers us to the work of ministry, in which every believer participates.
See Eph 4:3-6, I Cor 12:13, 1 Cor 1:13, Col 2:12-13, Acts 11:15-16, John 1:33, John 3:5, Luke 3:16, Gal 3:27, John 1:29-33, Matt 3:11, Rom 6:1-5
We believe that immersion in water is the normative method of baptism in the scriptures. Water baptism is the physical sign of inward conversion. Regeneration is the sole work of the Holy Spirit and water does not aid in regeneration whatsoever. Water baptism is an important act of obedience for every believer because the Lord Jesus commanded that all disciples should be baptized, and it acts as the means of publicly identifying with Jesus and his Church.
See Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12, I Peter 3:21, Acts 19:4-5, Acts 22:16, Acts 10:47-48, Mark 16:16*, Matt 28:19-20, Luke 3:21-22, Acts 16:31-33, Acts 8:36-39, Acts 2:38-41, Matt 3:16, I Cor 10:1-5, Acts 16:15
We anticipate that people from other faith backgrounds with different understandings of baptism may decide to unite with our church body. The Elders of Redeemer Church will interview each prospective member about their faith and understanding of baptism. It is our goal to be faithful to what the scriptures teach about baptism in our practice while being hopeful to include true believers who desire to unite with us into this fellowship.
Regarding The Lord’s Supper (Communion): We believe, that on the night of the Lord’s betrayal, He ordained a memorial meal for the Church to observe until He returns to the Earth. The meal serves as a reminder that the Lord died so that His Church might receive the benefits afforded to her in his death. It serves as reminder of His continual nourishment of his people and it speaks to our real communion with the Lord and with other believers.
The elements that the meal consist of are bread and wine. The bread symbolizes the body of Christ which was broken for his Church and the wine symbolizes the blood of Jesus which was poured out for sins. Though the two elements are blessed and called the blood and body of Christ, they remain as they are and act as the symbols of what is real.
It is fitting that only professing believers who have been baptized and are in good standing with the church should partake of the meal and that all who partake should examine themselves as to how they regard the meal and their participation in it.
See I Cor 10:16-17, Acts 2:42, I Cor 11:23-29, Acts 20:7, Luke 22:15-20, 1 Cor 10:18-21, 1 Cor 11:19-21, Matt 26:26-28, Mark 14-22-24, I Cor 5:4-13,