Doctrinal Statement of Faith

The One True Eternal God

• There is one true eternal God, Creator of the universe, and Redeemer of mankind (Deuteronomy 6:4, Exodus 3:14, Isaiah 43:10-11, Psalm 90:2).
• God has further revealed Himself as a triune being manifested as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Isaiah 48:16, Matthew 28:19, Luke 3:22, 2 Corinthians 13:14).

The Inspired Scriptures

• The Scriptures, both Old and New Testament, are inspired of God, and comprise the infallible and authoritative Word of God to mankind (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 19-21).

The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ

• The Lord Jesus Christ is God as manifest to mankind, and shares in the divinity and deity of God (Matthew 1:23, John 5:22-23, 2 John 1:3, Hebrews 1:1-13, John 1:1-2, 20:28).
• Christ lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15).
• Christ performed divine miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38).
• Christ was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:34).

Original Sin and the Fall of Man

• Adam and Eve were created good and upright before God (Genesis 1:26-27).
• The first man, Adam, through disobedience, fell from the grace of God, and thus sin entered into the world and spread to all men (Romans 5:12). Since the fall of Adam all mankind has been born with a sinful nature (Ephesians 2:3).

The Existence and the Reality of Satan

• Satan is a fallen angel, and an enemy of God and mankind (Isaiah. 14:12-16, Ezekiel 28:12-16, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 John 3:8).

The Salvation of Mankind

• Mankind’s only hope of salvation from the power and consequences of sin and death is through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, bringing us into life and victory in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:55-57, Acts 4:12, Romas 5:8-13, Romans 10:9-10, James 1:21, Ephesians 2:8).
• Man’s redemption was purchased through Jesus’ substitutionary death, His bodily resurrection, and His ascension to the right hand of the Father (2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, Hebrews 8:1-6, Hebrews 9:15-26).

Water Baptism

• Water baptism is an important symbolic identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-6, Colossians 2:11-14).
• Water baptism should be done by immersion (Matthew 3:16, John 3:23, Acts 8:36-39).
• Water baptism should be done into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), and should be done in the name of Jesus (Acts.8:16, 10:48).

Communion

• In communion the bread and fruit of the vine are symbolic of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 22:19-20).
• We are encouraged to partake of these elements in remembrance of him (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
• In partaking of the elements in the right manner, God gives the promise and hope of spiritual life, emotional strength and physical healing (1 Corinthians 11:27-34, Acts 2:46).

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

• The baptism of the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance (Acts 2:4, 19:6).
• With the baptism in the Holy Spirit comes the receiving of the power of God (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-8).
• The Holy Spirit also gives the manifestation of the spiritual gifts, and distributes to each one individually as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:1-31).
• This experience is subsequent to the experience of new birth and distinct from new birth and water baptism. (Acts 8:12-17, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 11:14-15, Acts 15:7-9, John 20:22, Acts 4-8).

Divine Healing

• Divine healing was provided for and purchased in the redemptive work of Christ; it is an integral part of our new covenant (Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:16-17, 1 Peter 2:24, Psalm 103:1-3, James 5:14-16).

The Resurrection of the Dead

• Christ will return in glory for His church: the dead in Christ will rise first, then those who remain shall be caught up (raptured) to meet the Lord in the air.The believer shall live and reign with Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, 2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 5:10).
• The resurrection of the unbelieving shall be to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).

Marriage

• Marriage is defined to be a living example of the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32). Marriage is a holy sacrament of the church defined as being between one naturally born man and one naturally born woman. Therefore, as a church, we do not recognize common-law or same-sex marriage (Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew 19:4-6, Hebrews 13:4).

Moral Issues

Church of the Rock believes that the Bible teaches absolute values of right and wrong as taught in the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount and elsewhere in Scripture and that sin is incompatible with biblical standards and values. Church of the Rock also believes that behavior contrary to these standards and values is called sin, and that there are consequences for wrong choices and blessings for following these standards and values. The assessment of behavior as being contrary to these standards and values and the determination of the consequences for such behaviour within the context of the Church, is in the entire discretion of the governing elders of the church.

• Behavior that contravenes these values and standards includes but is not limited to the following:
  • Abusive behaviour (Leviticus 18; 1 Timothy 5:22; 1 John 3:3)
  • Breach of trust or confidence (Matthew 5:3, 19:18; Philippians 4:8; 1 John 3:3)
  • Criminal activity (Exodus 20:12-17; Matthew 5:37; 1 John 3:3)
  • Extra-marital sexual relationships (adultery) (Exodus 20:1; Leviticus 18; Romans 7:3; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 9-13; Ephesians 5:3-5; Hebrews 13:4)
  • Gambling behaviour – habitual, compulsive or addictive (Proverbs 15:27a)
  • Lying, deceit, or dishonesty (Matthew 5:37, 19:18; Ephesians 4:25-29)
  • Occultic practices; adherence to or participation in occultic activities (Deuteronomy 18:10-11; Acts 13:6-9; Galatians 5:19-21)
  • Participation or involvement in pornography, including reading, viewing, or listening to pornographic material (Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:5; 1 John 3:3)
  • Premarital sexual relationships (fornication) (Acts 15:29; Ephesians 5:3-5; Hebrews 13:4)
  • Physical aggression (Leviticus 18; 1 Timothy 5:22; 1 John 3:3)
  • Racist conduct or expressing racist viewpoints (James 2:1-4; Colossians 3:10-11)
  • Same-sex unions or unions involving transsexual and transgendered individuals; practices and relationships, promotion or support of such activity or organization (Leviticus 18; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 10:8)
  • Substance abuse, including the abuse of alcohol and drugs (Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 5:22; 1 John 3:3)
  • Sexual assault, abuse, harassment (Leviticus 18; 1 Timothy 5:22; 1 John 3:3)
  • Theft or fraud (Exodus 20:15, 17; Matthew 5:37)
  • Use of profane or abusive language (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 3:8)
  • Other behaviours or activities deemed inconsistent with biblical moral standards.

While the previous list is not exhaustive, it does outline areas of conduct deemed inconsistent with Christian conduct and biblical standards. Consequences for breaching these will vary depending on the circumstances and may result in church discipline including termination from a role or office as a volunteer, employee, director or official leader. The assessment of behaviour as being contrary to these standards and values and the determination of the consequences for such behaviour within the context of the Church is in the entire discretion of the governing elders of the church. Disciplinary Action: probation, monitoring, loss of membership, volunteer privileges, termination from staff or disfellowship (denied participation in church group activities) (Matthew 18:15-17)