CHURCH ON THE ROCK

GOD
God is the creator and ruler of the of the universe.  He exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and one God. (Genesis 1:1, 26-27;  Psalm 90:2;  Isaiah 9:6;  Matthew 28:19;  Luke 1:35;  2 Corinthians 13:14;  Hebrews 11:3;  1 Peter 1:2 ).

JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind and thus, atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day victorious over sin and death. He ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory. (Matthew 1:22-23, 3:16-17, 20:28;  John 1:1-5, 14, 14:10-30;  Acts 1:9-11;  Romans 1:3-4;1 Corinthians 15:3-4;  Philippians 2:5-11;  1 Timothy 2:5, 3:16;  Titus 2:13;  Hebrews 4:14-15).

HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily. (John 14:16-17, 16:7-13;  Acts 1:8;  1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16;  2 Corinthians 3:17;  Galatians 5:25;  Ephesians 1:13-14).

BIBLE
The Holy Bible, God’s word to humanity, written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority and supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. We value both the New and Old Testament, as they show us how we relate to His story, and help us understand His heart and love for all mankind. (2 Samuel 7:28;  Psalm 12:6, 19:7-11, 119:11,105;  Proverbs 30:5;  Romans 15:4;  2 Timothy 3:16;  Hebrews 4:12;  2 Peter 1:20,21;  Revelations 19:13).

REDEMPTION
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Our only hope of forgiveness and
redemption is in Jesus Christ the Son of God. (Romans 3:21-26; 5:12-21, 6:23;  Ephesians 1:7;  Colossians 2:13-15;  Hebrews 9:22).

SALVATION
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; His death, burial, and resurrection.
Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts. (John 1:12; 14:6;  Acts 16:31;  Romans 5:6-8, 10:9-10;  Galatians 2:16, 3:8;  Ephesians 2:8-9;  Titus 3:5-6).

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
Given at Pentecost, baptism in the Spirit is the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His ascension, to empower the Church to be His witnesses throughout the whole earth. (Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11;  Acts 1:5, 2:1-4, 17, 38-39, 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6).

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of biblical parameters. (Romans 12:4-8;  1 Corinthians 12 -14;  Ephesians 4:16;  2 Timothy 1:5-16, 4:14;  Hebrews 2:4;  1 Peter 4:10).

THE CHURCH
The Bible tells us that the church is the body of Christ in the world today. The New Testament tells us the church is a local body of baptized believers. Every person who is born of the Spirit is an integral part of the church as a member of the body of believers. The head of the church is Jesus Christ. The Biblical purposes of the church are worship, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, and ministry to others. Support of the ministry and church is to be accomplished through tithing and through giving offerings. (Malachi 3:8-10;  Matthew 16:15-19, 23:23;  Acts 2:41-42, 47; 5:11-14;  Ephesians 1:22,23;  Colossians 1:18;  1 Timothy 3:1-15; 4:14;  1 Peter 5:1-4).

WATER BAPTISM
Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new believer is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

- Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection - Romans 6:4-5 (NKJV)  (Matthew 28:19;  Acts 8:12, 36-38, 10:44-48, 18:8, 22:16; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21).

THE LORD’S SUPPER / COMMUNION
A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the Body and Blood  of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross. Communion gives us the image of a table and fellowship. As believers, we spiritually eat and drink of Christ.  (Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25).

RESURRECTION
Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; they that are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation. (Luke 24:39;  John 2:19-21, 11:25, 20:26-28;  Acts 24:15;  I Corinthians 15:20-22, 44;  Philippians 3:20-21).

ETERNITY
Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. (Matthew 5:3, 12, 20, 6:20;  John 3:16;  1 John 2:25, 5:11-13;  Romans 6:23;  Revelation 20:11-15)

SECOND COMING
Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures. (Matthew 24:29-31, 26:63-64;  Acts 1:9-11;  1 Thessalonians 4:15-17;  2 Thessalonians 1:7-10;  Hebrews 9:27-28;  Revelation 1:7).