The Theological Treatise of the ROCK contains the doctrinal position of The ROCK and discusses in detail the beliefs of our ministry.
Christology | Pneumatology
| Trinitology | Anthropology
| Soteriology
Bibliology | Demonology
| Ecclesiology | Eschatology
"Christos" = Christ
"ology" = study of
Christology: study of Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the preexistent, eternal Son of God. He
existed before the creation of time (John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews
1:2).
Jesus was truly God (Phillipians 2:6, John 10:30, 17:5, Colossians 2:9).
We believe in the incarnation of Christ. According to John 1:14, the Word
became flesh (I John 4:2, II John 7, Romans 8:3).
We believe that Christ was fully God and fully man.
We believe in the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23).
We believe in the sinless life, death, burial, and bodily resurrection
of Christ for the salvation of humanity (Matthew 27:45-56, I Corinthians
15:1-19).
We believe in the priesthood of Christ. He intercedes for the church (Hebrews
5).
We believe that healing is available in Christ for the body (Isaiah 53:3-5).
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"Pneuma" = Spirit
"ology" = study of
Pneumatology: study of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity
(Acts 16:7, I Corinthians 6:11, John 14:6).
We believe in the pre-existence of the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:26).
We believe that the Holy Spirit worked in the Old Testament as mentioned
in Scripture.
We believe that the Holy Spirit plays a part in the salvation of humanity
(I Corinthians 12:3).
We believe that the Holy Spirit is ultimately responsible for the writing
of Scripture (II Peter 1:21).
We believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as a subsequent act after
salvation for personal empowerment and a devotional gift (Acts 2:38, 8:14-17,
10:44-48).
We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers the church with gifts of the
Spirit (I Corinthians 12:1-11, Romans 12:6-8).
We believe that we are to have communion with the Spirit (II Corinthians
13:14).
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"Trinity" = group of 3
"ology" = study of
Trinitology: study of Three (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
(Note: The term "Trinitology" was caused by Dr. Dana Carson)
We believe in a Triune Godhead. Though the word "Trinity" does
not appear in Scripture, the concept does. In Genesis 1:1 & 26, the
word used for God is "Elohim", which is used to express plurality.
This term is used throughout the Old Testament. The concept of the Trinity
is supported in the New Testament in Matthew 3 and I Corinthians 12:4-6
along with salutations and doxologies that express a Trinitarian belief.
We believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The
three have distinct roles but are only one God.
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"Anthro" = mankind or humanity
"ology" = study of
Anthropology: study of Man or Humanity
We believe that God has a purpose for all of humanity (Romans 8:32-37).
We believe that God has uniquely gifted everyone for ministry (Romans
11:29).
We believe that prayer is a key component to spiritual perpetuation.
We believe that man was created to praise God with singing, dancing, and
on instruments (Psalm 150).
We believe that man is created with the abilities to choose for himself,
a concept that is demonstrated throughout Scripture. This is called free
moral agency.
We believe Adam was the first man and from him all others have come. He
was created pure without sin but chose to sin, hence sin entered all of
humanity (Genesis 3, Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:23). He represented humanity
as the federal and seminal head.
We believe in marriage as an institution planned by God for human fulfillment,
reproduction, and to serve as a type of the church and Christ (Genesis
1:28, Genesis 3, Hebrews 13:4).
We believe that God has made humans either male or female and that homosexuality
is not a genetic issue but a moral one (Genesis 1:27, Leviticus 18:22,
Romans 1:18-32).
We believe that marriage is intended to be a lifetime commitment honored
by all (Matthew 19:1-7). Divorce is not to be sought after, however, God
does grant forgiveness for divorcees.
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"Soterion" = Wholeness or Salvation
"ology" = study of
Soteriology: study of salvation
We believe that all men are born sinners under the judgment of death (Romans
6:23). God has made a way of escape from the judgment of sin through His
Son, Jesus Christ.
We believe that each person, in order to be saved, must undergo the following:
regeneration, justification, and glorification. We believe people must
have a spiritual rebirth (John 3:3, II Corinthians 5:17). This conversion
experience is predicated upon the acquittal of wrongdoings, a concept
known as justification (Romans 5:2, II Corinthians 5:21). Though we are
declared positionally cleansed, conditionally we are the same. For this
reason, we must undergo a process of cleansing that conforms us to the
image of Christ by the Holy Spirit. This process is known as sanctification
(I Thessalonians 4:3). The act of cleansing takes place when we are restored
into a right relationship with God. The final state of humanity is to
disrobe from mortality and to be robed with immortality (I Corinthians
15:54).
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"Biblios" = Bible
"ology" = study of
Bibliology: study of the Bible
We believe that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, revelation of God
given to man by the work of the Holy Spirit (II Timothy 3:16, II Peter
3:16, II Peter 1:21).
We believe that the Bible contains the Word if God in its entirety - it
is the "logos" of God (general revelation) and the "rhema"
of God (specific revelation) is a "right now" Word for the believer.
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"Demon" = spirit or evil force opposed to God
"ology" = study of
Demonology: study of demonic forces
We believe in a real devil and demons, sometimes referred to as fallen
angels. The chief of demons or fallen angels is Satan (Job 1, Isaiah14:12-14,
II Corinthians 11:3).
We believe that every believer is in a personal combat, consciously or
not, with the forces of evil - Satan, demons, and fallen angels.
We believe that Christ defeated the forces of evil on the cross of Calvary,
hence, the believer must stand against Satan in light of this victory
(Colossians 2:15).
We believe that ultimately the believer will triumph over the devil and
his forces (Revelation 12:11, Romans 8:35-37, Luke 10:17).
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"Ekklesia" = called out or church
"ology" = study of
Ecclesiology: study of the church body
We believe in the local church as the vehicle of expression of the Kingdom,
or government, of God. Jesus is the founder and the head of the Church
(Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 1:22, Colossians 1:18).
We believe that every believer should be a part of a local church, which
is governed by the structure God provides in Scripture (Hebrews 10:25).
We believe that the Church is comprised of believers (Colossians 1:24).
We believe that God takes care of the Church (Ephesians 5:29).
We believe that Christ is coming back for His Church (Ephesians 5:27).
We believe that the local church has a hierarchical structure: Apostles,
Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists, and Teachers. These five offices govern
the church with the assistance of the ministry of Deacons (Ephesians 4:11,
Acts 6, Hebrews 13:17).
We believe that the local church should demonstrate and participate in
the justice of God in its community (Luke 4:18, Isaiah 58:6-14).
We believe that the local church is the storehouse for the tithes and
offerings of God (Malachi 3:6-8).
We believe that the local church should be involved in evangelism and
world missions (Acts 1:8).
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"Eschaton" = last days or end times
"ology" = study of
Eschatology: study of the end times
We believe in the rapture of the church (I Thessalonians 4:16, Revelations
4, I corinthians 15).
We believe in the tribulation period based upon the book of Daniel (Daniel's
70th week) and the book of Revelation.
We believe in the judgment of believers, not for eternity but for rewards,
called the Bema (I Corinthians 3:5-17, II Corinthians 5:10).
We believe in the millennial reign of Christ (Revelation 19).
We believe in the Great White Throne of Judgment for unbelievers (Revelation
20).
We believe in Heaven as the eternal destination of the believer and Hell
and the Lake of Fire for the unbeliever (Matthew 5:3, Revelation 21:1,
Luke 16:19-31, Revelation 20:14-15).
The statements contained within this Theological Treatise constitute the
basic doctrinal premises from which we do ministry.
