What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of The Refuge Vicenza based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

We believe that the Bible alone is God’s perfect Word.

There is one eternally existing God who has three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is the creator of all that exists, both visible and invisible, and is therefore worthy of all glory and praise.  God is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom,  justice, and mercy. He is unchangeable and therefore is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

We believe that Jesus is God, that He died on the cross, and that He rose from the dead opening the way for mankind to have a relationship with God. We believe He did this because He loves us.

We believe that the Holy Spirit is God, that He convicts men of their sin, and comes to live in anyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit gives Christians the power to change, and to live joyful, holy, and victorious lives.

When Adam and Eve chose not to obey God, they ceased to be what they were made to be and became distorted images of God. This caused them to fall out of fellowship with God, and fractured all of creation ever since that time.

We believe that forgiveness of sin and a relationship with God are possible only by admitting we have sinned and believing that Jesus Christ took our punishment through his death on the cross. Salvation cannot be earned and is the decision of each individual. We believe that the way a person lives (beliefs, attitudes, words, actions) is the observable evidence that attests to their having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

We believe that the Church is made up of all people throughout the world that have entered into a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ and new birth through the Holy Spirit. We believe that the local church is a family of believers who love one another, are committed to one another, and meet together regularly for worship, prayer, fellowship, and preaching/teaching of the Bible. We believe that the Church exists to love and worship God and to share the truth of Jesus Christ with those around them so that they too can enter into a relationship with God

We believe that ministry is a calling from God, not a career. We believe that the purpose of ministry is to encourage and equip the church to do the will of God.

(Water Baptism and The Lords Supper): We believe that everyone who has entered into a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ is required to be water baptized in. We believe in baptism by immersion. We believe that when believers come together they should celebrate the Lords Supper. We eat bread and drink grape juice so we remember the sacrifice Jesus made for each of us when He died on the cross.

(being made holy): We believe being sanctified, seen as sinless, is accomplished by God at the moment we are born again. We also believe that it is the each believer’s personal responsibility to reject evil and surrender to the life changing power of the Holy Spirit

We believe that God heals body, soul, and spirit. We believe God heals supernaturally, through the wisdom and knowledge He gives men, and through the natural process of our bodies which He created.

We believe in the rapture of the church, the judgment seat of Christ, the tribulation, the physical second coming of Jesus to the earth to defeat His enemies, establish His kingdom, and rule on earth for 1,000 years. We believe in the final judgment and the New Heavens and the New Earth.

We believe everyone will live for eternity; either in Heaven with God or in Hell separated from God.

We believe that God created the heavens and the earth in six days.

We believe God created the family as the foundational institution of society. Marriage is a joyous, lifelong, covenantal relationship between one man and one woman; Children are a blessing and a heritage from God; and Sexuality is a gift from God when expressed within the boundaries of marriage.

We believe satan is a real entity who was an angel created by God, rebelled against God, and as a result was banned from Heaven and became satan/devil. He is completely evil, the enemy of man, and destined for eternity in hell.