Statement of Beliefs

We believe that both the Old Testament and the New Testament are the infallible Word of God in all matters of life and doctrine; that the Bible is completely relevant today for every area of the human experience because it is living and active; that the Bible is the exclusive and only authority for faith and lifestyle; and that the original autographs are without error. It is to be believed, practiced, trusted, and hoped in (1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 4:12; 2 Pet. 1:21).

God created humans to have fellowship with Him, but they defied God by sinfully going their own way. As a result, we need God’s saving grace to end our separation from Him. Salvation comes only through God’s grace – not human effort – and must be received personally by repentance and faith. (Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, II Corinthians 13:14, I Peter 1:2

Jesus Christ is the second Person of the Trinity, who lived a sinless life on earth and voluntarily paid for our sin by dying on the cross as our substitute. His death on the cross accomplished salvation for all who receive grace by trusting in Him alone. He rose from the dead and is the only mediator between us and God. He baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit. He will return to earth to consummate history. (Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 1:22-23, John 1:1-5; 14:10-30, Acts 1:9-11, Romans 1:3-4, I Corinthians 15:3-4, I Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 4:14-15)

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, being completely equal to 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 believer from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He also equips believers for personal growth, service to the church, and ministry to others. (John 14:16-17, 16:7-13, Acts 1:8, I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16, II Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 1:13, 5:18)

All people are made in the image of God. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although God designed humans to have fellowship with him, mankind became alienated from God through disobedience. As a result, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and choose to sin against God. All people are incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through their own efforts. (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 8:3-6, Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1-2, Romans 3:23, Colossians 1:21)

Salvation is a gift from God to all people. 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 a person be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into their life by faith. (John 1:12, 14:6, Romans 5:1, 6:23, Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5)

Baptism is not essential for salvation, but is a commandment for all those who come to faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. It is an act of celebration, obedience, and commitment, and we will celebrate together as we see others being baptized. (Acts 2:38, Colossians 2:11-13)

We believe in the continuation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of the gifts is to equip the Church to carry out its mission until Christ returns, as well as to be a foretaste of the life to come. Believers should seek God in prayer for the gifts of the Spirit to operate in their own lives and ministries and should not only agree to them theoretically but practice them outwardly as the Spirit leads (Romans 1:11; 1 Corinthians 1:5, 7; 12:1, 31, 14:12; 2 Timothy 1:6-7; Hebrews 6:5).

We believe God has ordained marriage and defined it as a covenant relationship between one man, one woman, and himself. Hence, we only recognize marriage between a biological man and a biological woman. As a result, the staff of Rock City Church will only participate in weddings and the solemnization of marriages between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4; Ephesians 5:25; 1 Peter 3:7).