Beliefs

STATEMENT OF BELIEFS

"I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another
so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought."
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV1984)

Our Faith Statements

What do we believe as a church?

• In all essential beliefs - we have unity.

"There is one body and one Spirit...one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all..." Ephesians 4:4-6

• In all non-essential beliefs - we have liberty.

"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls... So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God." Romans 14:1,4,12,22

• In all our beliefs - we show love.

"...If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:2

The Essentials We Believe

• About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal
and are the one God.

Gen.1:1,26-27; 3:22; Ps.90:2; Isa. 48:16; John 15:26; Matt. 28:19; Rom. 8:9; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph 2:18; 3:14-19; 1 Peter 1:2

• About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life, and offered the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords

Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Matt. 1:22-23; John 1:1-5,14; 14:10-13; Acts 1:9-11; Rom 1:3-4; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 1 Tim.6:13-16; Titus 2:13; Heb. 4:14-15

• About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives within every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with the power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts as He wills and for His purposes. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.

Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4; John 14:16-17; 16:7-15; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 2:12; 3:16; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 5:25; Eph. 1:13,14; 5:18

• About the Bible
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.

Dt. 4:2; 12:32; Ps. 12:6; 119:105,160; Pr. 30:5; Isa. 40:8; Matt. 5:17-19; 2 Tim. 1:13, 3:16,17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Rev. 22:18

• About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character and person. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by sin toward God in attitude and actions. Sin separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

Gen. 1:26,27; Ps. 8:3-6; Isa. 53:6a; 59:1-2; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:23

• About Salvation
Salvation is God's free gift to us and we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

John 1:12; 14:6; Rom. 5:1; 6:23; Gal. 3:26; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5

• About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally 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 real places of eternal existence.

Dan. 12:1-2; Matt. 18:8; 25:44-46; John 3:16,17; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:27; Rev. 20:11-15; 21:4

Our Lifestyle Statement

What We Practice
Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions. We are to become the people of God. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following seven practices.

• We believe in the authority of the Bible.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. " 2 Timothy 3:16,17 (NIV)

Since God's Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is, "What does the Bible say?" We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe. 1 Timothy 4:16

• We believe in the autonomy of the local church.

"He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy." Colossians 1:18

Christ is the recognized head of the church, not any person, group, or religious organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of followers of Christ, we believe every local church should be self-governing and independent from any denominational control. In relating to daughter churches that we sponsor, we encourage each congregation to determine its own strategy, structure, and style.

• We believe in the priesthood of every believer.

Christ "loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father." Revelation 1:5,6

"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

The Bible teaches that every follower of Christ is called to "full-time" ministerial service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every member is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading.

• We believe in the discipleship of all believers.

"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." 2 Timothy 2:2

We believe in the practice of the multiplication of disciples. By linking up mature believers with new believers, they are taught Biblical principles of living and how to communicate their faith to others. Matthew 28:19,20

• We believe that giving is important for individuals.

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7

At Rock of Hope Baptist Church we see in the New Testament a pattern for giving that is based on the individual as he responds before the Lord. It is giving that is systematic and sacrificial, in keeping with what one has purposed in their own heart to give and in relationship to what they make.

• We believe in Spirit led living.

"Live by the Spirit." Galatians 5:16

We believe the only way possible to live the life of a follower of Christ is by the power of God within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God's Spirit to enable us to do what is right." Philippians 2:13

• We believe in telling others about Christ Jesus.

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. " 1 Peter 3:15

It is the responsibility of every follower of Christ to share the good news with those whom God brings us in contact. We practice personal sharing and inviting friends to church.

Our Core Values Statements

How we live our lives

We value compassion, love, and care for all. 1 John 4:7-8
We value patience with each other as God works out His will for each one. Phil. 1:6
We value an enjoyable fun-loving walk with the Lord and each other. John 10:10
We value faithful involvement in the service of the Master for His glory. Eph 6:7
We value personal spiritual growth and growth in God's Kingdom. 2 Pet. 3:18
We value accountability to the Truth in order to build integrity. John 10:1-5

All scriptures cited are from the New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)