Statement of Faith
God:
is the one true, holy and living God revealed in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), distinct but inseparable, eternally one in essence and power.
Father:
the first Person of the Trinity, orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalm 145:8–9; 1 Corinthians 8:6). He is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1–31; Ephesians 3:9). He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36). His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator, He is Father to all men (Ephesians 4:6), but He is spiritual Father only to believers (Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18).
Son:
Jesus is truly God and truly man, in whom the divine and human natures are perfectly and inseparably united. He is the eternal Word made flesh, the only begotten Son of the Father, born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. As a ministering Servant He lived, suffered, and died on the cross. He was buried, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven to be with the Father, and He will return. He is eternal Savior and Mediator, who intercedes for us, and by Him all men will be judged. (John 1:14–18; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18)
Holy Spirit:
is God’s present activity in our midst. Everyone who accepts Jesus Christ
has the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who acts as a comforter, guide, and advocate. When we sense God’s leading, challenge, support, or comfort, it’s the Holy Spirit at work. We believe the Holy Spirit lives in us as believers and brings love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control into our lives. He works in and through us with His spiritual gifts.
(Galatians 5:22–23; 1 Corinthians 12:7 11)
has the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who acts as a comforter, guide, and advocate. When we sense God’s leading, challenge, support, or comfort, it’s the Holy Spirit at work. We believe the Holy Spirit lives in us as believers and brings love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control into our lives. He works in and through us with His spiritual gifts.
(Galatians 5:22–23; 1 Corinthians 12:7 11)
Humans Beings:
Genesis 1:27 asserts that in all of creation, mankind alone has been
made in the image of God.
made in the image of God.
Salvation:
We believe that every person is lost in sin and needs to turn from it and
trust personally in the Savior, Jesus Christ. Each of us needs to be born again by the Holy Spirit’s power into God’s family (Ephesians 2:1–10; John 3:5–7). Salvation comes only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and cannot be earned but is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). We believe in the resurrection of every person, to eternal life for the believer and eternal judgment for the lost (Matthew 25:31–46).
trust personally in the Savior, Jesus Christ. Each of us needs to be born again by the Holy Spirit’s power into God’s family (Ephesians 2:1–10; John 3:5–7). Salvation comes only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and cannot be earned but is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). We believe in the resurrection of every person, to eternal life for the believer and eternal judgment for the lost (Matthew 25:31–46).
Character:
All believers are being sanctified by the Holy Spirit and conformed to the
image of Jesus (Romans 8:29). The Bible offers instruction for holy living and encourages us to live in the fear of the Lord—hating what is evil (Proverbs 8:13), loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5, Luke 10:27), and loving one another as God has loved us (John 13:34–35).
image of Jesus (Romans 8:29). The Bible offers instruction for holy living and encourages us to live in the fear of the Lord—hating what is evil (Proverbs 8:13), loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5, Luke 10:27), and loving one another as God has loved us (John 13:34–35).
The Bible:
includes the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and is the divinely
inspired Word of God and our rule for faith and practice. The Bible is the authority for
our faith, teaching, and conduct. We believe that the Bible is God’s Word to the world
speaking to us with authority and without error (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
inspired Word of God and our rule for faith and practice. The Bible is the authority for
our faith, teaching, and conduct. We believe that the Bible is God’s Word to the world
speaking to us with authority and without error (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
The Church:
is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ’s life and ministry in the
world today. It is the community of all true believers under the Lordship of Christ. We
believe the church is called to share God’s love for every person by proclaiming the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the church exists to worship
God, edify believers, preach the gospel for the redemption of the world, and serve
others, especially the least of these.
world today. It is the community of all true believers under the Lordship of Christ. We
believe the church is called to share God’s love for every person by proclaiming the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the church exists to worship
God, edify believers, preach the gospel for the redemption of the world, and serve
others, especially the least of these.
Gender:
The Rock Church affirms the Biblical view of gender, that God created
humankind in His image: male (man) and female (woman). These two distinct,
complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Genesis
1:26–27.) We affirm every individual’s biological sex and refrain from any attempts to
physically change, alter, or disagree with an individual’s biological sex (Genesis
1:26–28, Romans 1:26–32, 1 Corinthians 6:9–11). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a
rejection of the very image of God within that person.
humankind in His image: male (man) and female (woman). These two distinct,
complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Genesis
1:26–27.) We affirm every individual’s biological sex and refrain from any attempts to
physically change, alter, or disagree with an individual’s biological sex (Genesis
1:26–28, Romans 1:26–32, 1 Corinthians 6:9–11). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a
rejection of the very image of God within that person.
Marriage:
The Rock Church affirms the traditional Biblical view of marriage that all
persons are sexual beings whether or not they are married. Sexual relations and
sexual intimacy are affirmed only within the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual
marriage (1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2–5; Hebrews 13:4.). Therefore, we believe that the term
“marriage” has a single definition: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single,
exclusive union, as represented in Scripture (Genesis 2:18–25).
persons are sexual beings whether or not they are married. Sexual relations and
sexual intimacy are affirmed only within the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual
marriage (1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2–5; Hebrews 13:4.). Therefore, we believe that the term
“marriage” has a single definition: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single,
exclusive union, as represented in Scripture (Genesis 2:18–25).
Final Authority for Matters of Faith and Conduct:
This statement of faith does not
exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and authoritative
Word of God, speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper
conduct of humankind. It is the sole and final source of all we believe. Recognizing
the Bible as the standard by which we evaluate all beliefs, instruction, policies, and
practices, The Rock Church requires its members to adhere to the standards of God’s
Word in words and actions. We realize that in the process of being sanctified, each of
us may still stumble and fall. This is understandable and should be followed by
confession and repentance. However, if someone willingly continues in known sin
after being confronted by others and/or leadership within the body (according to
Matthew 18:15–17), failure to repent and pursue scriptural standards will subject this
member to disciplinary action, up to and including removal from membership and
fellowship with this body (1 Corinthians 5).
exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and authoritative
Word of God, speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper
conduct of humankind. It is the sole and final source of all we believe. Recognizing
the Bible as the standard by which we evaluate all beliefs, instruction, policies, and
practices, The Rock Church requires its members to adhere to the standards of God’s
Word in words and actions. We realize that in the process of being sanctified, each of
us may still stumble and fall. This is understandable and should be followed by
confession and repentance. However, if someone willingly continues in known sin
after being confronted by others and/or leadership within the body (according to
Matthew 18:15–17), failure to repent and pursue scriptural standards will subject this
member to disciplinary action, up to and including removal from membership and
fellowship with this body (1 Corinthians 5).
We exercise these beliefs through…
Passionate Worship
We passionately worship, pray, and welcome God’s presence (Psalm 100:1–2) as the
foundation for all we do as expressions of our love, awe, gratitude, and dependence
upon Him.
Radical Obedience
We love and trust God with all our hearts and are committed to fully obeying Him and
His word.
Regular Communion
We regularly celebrate the Lord’s Supper and can’t stop thanking Him for His mercy.
Sharing the Gospel
We pursue salvation for all people through sharing His good news in our community,
sending out missionaries, and supporting mission efforts around the world.
Everyone Discipled and Discipling
We invite the Holy Spirit to transform and conform us into the image of Jesus and are
training those we disciple to disciple others in the same way.
Serving Others, Especially the Broken
We reflect God’s heart by serving others and seeking to bring His redemption,
healing, and revival to the poor and broken.
Exercising Spiritual Gifts
We encourage every member to practice the gifts of the Holy Spirit in a way that is
non-manipulative and anchored to the Scriptures, to build up the body of Christ.
Simple Gathering
We emphasize simplicity in our gatherings, whether meeting together on Sunday
mornings, Wednesday evenings, or in our small groups.
We passionately worship, pray, and welcome God’s presence (Psalm 100:1–2) as the
foundation for all we do as expressions of our love, awe, gratitude, and dependence
upon Him.
Radical Obedience
We love and trust God with all our hearts and are committed to fully obeying Him and
His word.
Regular Communion
We regularly celebrate the Lord’s Supper and can’t stop thanking Him for His mercy.
Sharing the Gospel
We pursue salvation for all people through sharing His good news in our community,
sending out missionaries, and supporting mission efforts around the world.
Everyone Discipled and Discipling
We invite the Holy Spirit to transform and conform us into the image of Jesus and are
training those we disciple to disciple others in the same way.
Serving Others, Especially the Broken
We reflect God’s heart by serving others and seeking to bring His redemption,
healing, and revival to the poor and broken.
Exercising Spiritual Gifts
We encourage every member to practice the gifts of the Holy Spirit in a way that is
non-manipulative and anchored to the Scriptures, to build up the body of Christ.
Simple Gathering
We emphasize simplicity in our gatherings, whether meeting together on Sunday
mornings, Wednesday evenings, or in our small groups.