The gospel is the most important truth that we can know and experience. The gospel is not merely a message that needs to be shared with non-Christians, but also with Christians. It is not something that mature Christians move on from, but rather something that they move deeper into. The gospel is the lens through which we should view theology, ministry, and all aspects of life.
The Apostle Paul defined the gospel concisely in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 when he wrote, “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” Simply put, the gospel is all about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, and the implications it has for us.
The word “gospel” literally means “good news.” It is the good news of God taking on flesh through the person Jesus Christ and rescuing mankind by His perfect life that we could never live, His substitutionary death that we deserved, and the resurrection that now gives us true life through His Spirit. While the gospel can be stated in a sentence, it is also the grand narrative that is told throughout the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
The gospel is the glorious story of how God is reconciling the whole world back to Himself through the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul defined the gospel concisely in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 when he wrote, “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” Simply put, the gospel is all about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, and the implications it has for us.
The word “gospel” literally means “good news.” It is the good news of God taking on flesh through the person Jesus Christ and rescuing mankind by His perfect life that we could never live, His substitutionary death that we deserved, and the resurrection that now gives us true life through His Spirit. While the gospel can be stated in a sentence, it is also the grand narrative that is told throughout the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
The gospel is the glorious story of how God is reconciling the whole world back to Himself through the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We live in shifting times, but are rooted in eternal truths.
At Rock Brook we follow Jesus, we teach from the Bible, and we worship God as the creator and ruler of the universe.
At Rock Brook we follow Jesus, we teach from the Bible, and we worship God as the creator and ruler of the universe.
We Believe
1. The Bible
We believe that the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God and the only basis and final authority for our faith and practice.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21
2. The Godhead
We believe in the one true living God who is perfect, infinite, eternal; coexisting in three persons, namely the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24
Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24
3. Jesus Christ
We believe in the deity, virgin birth, sacrificial death, bodily resurrection and the present high priestly ministry of Jesus Christ. We believe in the personal and imminent return of Jesus Christ.
John 1:1-3; Hebrews 4:5, 1 Peter 2:24
John 1:1-3; Hebrews 4:5, 1 Peter 2:24
4. The Holy Spirit
We believe in the personality of the Holy Spirit and his ministry of conviction, regeneration, empowerment, and indwelling.
Romans 8:8; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 5:22-25
Romans 8:8; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 5:22-25
5. Humankind
We believe that humans in their natural state are totally depraved and in need of a divine redeemer.
1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 3:23; 5:12
1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 3:23; 5:12
6. Salvation
We believe that salvation is by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ and his shed blood on our behalf. Sanctification is through the work and indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
John 3:12-18; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9
John 3:12-18; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9
7. The Church
We believe the church is the company of believers, united by the Holy Spirit into one body, the Body of Christ. Each member of the church has been called by God to minister to others within the body and to manifest Jesus Christ to those who are without.
Ephesians 4:1-13; 1 Peter 2:4-5
Ephesians 4:1-13; 1 Peter 2:4-5
Ordinances
Baptism
Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized by immersion under water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48
Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48
The Lord's Supper
A time of communion in the presence of God and in fellowship with other believers when the elements of bread and juice (representing the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross.
Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25
Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25
Declarations
Family
God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.
Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12
Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12
Marriage
We believe marriage is defined in the Bible as a covenant, a sacred bond between one man and one woman, instituted by and publicly entered into before God. It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church, and to provide for the man and woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, channel of sexual expression, according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.
Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6
Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6
Sanctity of Human Life
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. The same worth and dignity attaches to each human being, from pre-born babies, to the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore commanded by God and His Word to defend, protect and value all human life.
Our conscience commands that we not be complicit in providing, promoting, paying for or passing off to others a responsibility by government to pay for abortion for those under our employ or in our care.
Our conscience commands that we not be complicit in providing, promoting, paying for or passing off to others a responsibility by government to pay for abortion for those under our employ or in our care.
Religious Liberty
God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state preserves the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.
Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7,24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1,13; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.
Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7,24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1,13; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.
We believe that Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
We believe our Statement of Faith to be an accurate summary of what Scripture teaches.
All members shall refrain from advocating doctrines that are not included in the Statement of Faith in such a way as to cause dissension.
We believe our Statement of Faith to be an accurate summary of what Scripture teaches.
All members shall refrain from advocating doctrines that are not included in the Statement of Faith in such a way as to cause dissension.