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Purpose Statement Church on the Rock -Aurora exists to teach Godly principles of love, friendship and fellowship that will build strong families who will reach their homes and community for Christ. |
What We Believe We believe the entire Bible is in the Inspired Word of God and is truth, therefore, we believe in... The Scripture - The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as the Holy Spirit moved them. The New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infalliable guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21) The Godhead - The one true living God reveled in the Scriptures as one God manifested in three Persons: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, being co-equal (Deuteronomy 6:4; Philippians 2:6). God the Father is greater than all, Sender of the Word, the Begetter (John 14:28; 16:28). The Son is the Word made flesh, the Begotten one, and has been with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1, 14, 18). The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son, and is eternal (John 15:26). Jesus is the Son of God - We believe in His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of God the Father, His personal return to this earth in power and glory, and that He is now both Lord and Christ (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 9:6). Man, His Fall and Redemption - Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world. Therefore, "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." "As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one." Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to cleanse man from sin - to redeem and restore man back to God (1 John 1:7,9; Romans 5:12; Romans 3:23; 1 John 3:8). Eternal Life and the New Birth - Salvation is the gift of God to man. Man is justified by faith in Jesus Christ, apart from works and the law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Him, producing works acceptable to God (John 3:36; John 11:25, 26; Ephesians 2:8). Man's first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that works repentance. The New Birth is necessary to all men, and when experienced, produces eternal life (2 Corinthians 7:10; John 3:35; 1 John 5:12). Water Baptism - Baptism in water, as a command of the Lord, is by immersion for believers only, to the glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. On the confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, water baptism is a symbol of the Christian's identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39). The Lord's Supper - Believers also remember the Lord's death in the ordinance of the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30). Baptism of the Holy Spirit - The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers and is received subsequent to salvation providing emdowment of power for life and service (Matthew 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:14; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 19:17; Acts 10:44-48). Present Day Ministry of the Holy Spirit - By the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, the believer is enabled to live a Godly life that manifests the fruit of the Spirit (John 14:16-17; Galatians 5:22-26). Gifts of the Holy Spirit - The gifts of the Holy Spirit should be practiced in the church today (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). Healing of the Total Man - The redemptive work of Christ provides healing for the hwol man, spirit, soul and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17). The Reality of Our Adversary - Satan is our enemy, and he is a defeated foe (1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 3:8). Eternal Retribution - Both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; the saved to everlasting life, and the lost to eternal judgment (John 5:29; Acts 24:15; Hebrews 9:27). The Church - The body of Christ is the Church; it is the instrument and focus of God's purposes in the earth. Every believer should be committed and joined to a local expression of the Church (1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 3:8-12). |