These foundational beliefs represent a
general doctrinal reference
for this website
- Jesus Christ is God in human flesh (John 1:1-18 John 20:27-29 I John 5:20 Titus 2:13-14).
- Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Matt. 3:16-17 Matt. 17:4-6 I John 4:15 II Peter 1: 16-18).
- Jesus Christ is Lord. The Lordship of Jesus has both a universal and a personal meaning. Jesus is "The King of kings and Lord of lords" (I Timothy 6:13-15). Yet, you need to personally confess Jesus as Lord to receive salvation (Romans 10:9-10, Romans 10:13 Acts 16:28-31, Acts 2:36). The root (Greek translation) meaning of the word "Lord" is "kurios" meaning God and Master.
- We believe that the central message of the Gospel is expressed in the words of Saint Paul from 1 Cor. 15:3-4: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."
- We believe the only requirements for New Testament salvation are found in Romans 10:9 and verse 13 that says: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." And, ". . .whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
- We believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. The male seed of Mary's conception was provided by the Holy Spirit. This makes God the "biological Father" of Jesus Christ who is the Son of God as the Scriptures teach. (Matt. 1:18, Luke 1:26-37)
- God is represented in Scripture as a "triune" God or "trinity". He is the "One God" represented as three persons who are coequal: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19 Luke 10:22 John 5:17-18 5:20-30 I John 5:20 Phil 2:5-6).
- The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant, as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as our infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21).
- God is love. (I John 4:16-17) John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
- There are not many ways to God. Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation (John 10:7-9, 14:5-6, Acts 4:10-12).
- Jesus Christ is the only mediator between the Christian and God (1 Timothy 2:5). This is a New Covenant provision that requires the Christian to prohibit any earthly human authority (pastor, minister, priest, etc.) to replace Jesus as "mediator" in their life. The Christian approaches God directly through the blood-bought redemption of our high priest, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22). No other priesthood is needed. God and the Christian can talk directly with one another. No earthly mediating authority is needed to "hear" God for the Christian or to "absolve" them of sin.
- God guides and directs the Christian from inside the body (Luke 17:20-21, John 14:16-17, Ezekiel 36:26-27). When a person receives eternal life through hearing and receiving the gospel, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell inside them. This action is called "the sealing of the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 1:13). It is not symbolic as many churches teach. This is why the body of the Christian is called "The Temple of God". God's house is not an earthly building made with hands (Acts 7:48-49). The New Testament temple of God is the body of the Christian - not a church building! (I Cor. 3:16, 6:19-20).
- 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. The Bible says "...all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," and "...There is none righteous, no, not one." (Rom. 3:10; 3:23). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the works of the devil and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (Rom. 5:14, 1 John 3:8).
- God's salvation is rooted in the ancient instituiton of the blood covenant. Scripture declares that "keeping covenant" is God's main character trait (Deut. 7:9, Neh. 1:5 Hebrews 10:29 Hebrews 12:22-24).
- Eternal life is obtained through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Romans 3:22,28 Romans 9:31-33 Phil. 3:8-9). The Bible calls this "saving faith" in the original Greek language of the New Testament, "pisteuo", which means - the entrusting of one's spiritual well-being to Jesus Christ as Lord (Strong's Concordance).
- Shortly after salvation is received, Scripture indicates that the believer should publicly demonstrate their faith by participating in 'a baptism by complete immersion in water'. This act of obedience testifies that the one being baptized has fully accepted the death, burial (symbolized by going under the water) and resurrection (symbolized by coming up out of the water) of the Lord Jesus Christ - as their just and legal right to be saved according to Heaven's courtroom. Water baptism is a voluntary act and is not a requirement for New Testament salvation, which is obtained by Grace ... apart from personal merit and works. The Rock of Offence ministry does not agree with the doctrine of 'Baptismal Regeneration', where an individual must submit to water baptism to be saved. Baptismal Regeneration appears to originate from the New Testament, but is actually the result of failing to respect the Bible's context.
"Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4)
"In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses ..." (Colossians 2:11-13)
- Salvation (eternal life) is only available by God's Grace. It cannot be earned or achieved. God gives it as a free gift. Grace is God's unmerited favor. Salvation can only be received by those who understand they cannot earn it through keeping religious law, righteous works or church affiliation (Romans 5:15, Romans 6:23, Galatians 2:16-21, Ephesians 2:8). The Bible calls these human efforts; "walking according to the flesh". Although our Heavenly Father offers eternal life as a free gift, it must be individually received. At Rock of Offence, we oppose the popular Christian doctrine of “universal reconciliation”, which says that Christ’s gift of eternal life is “universally” given to everyone because God is love and won’t send anyone to hell. Scripture does not support this false belief. Each one of us must make the personal decision to receive Christ’s life - or reject it.
- Hell is a real place. It is not a fable or myth. The Bible says it is the final destination for Satan, his angels and all those who fail to accept God's free solution (Jesus Christ) for their condition of sin (Matt. 25:41).
- God never holds back salvation or any of its benefits and blessings from anyone. He gives liberally to all who ask in faith (James 1:5-7, Mark 11:24, Romans 8:32, Romans 10:9-10, II Cor. 1:20). However, New Covenant faith, based on God's Grace, is now the only way salvation is obtained (and kept) after the cross. God does not respect nor honors counterfeit faith, misdirected faith or an Old Testament performance-based faith.
- We are a "Full Gospel" Internet ministry. The full gospel teaches that all 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit operates in the church today - and continues to operate until the Church Age ends at the Rapture. (See 1 Corinthians 12:1-12). The "Full Gospel" also teaches that the believer in Christ should receive the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:4-5), and should not confuse this with the "sealing of the Holy Spirit" that occurs at the time a Christian first believes on Christ after hearing the Gospel. These are two separate functions of the Holy Spirit - and contrary to many of the critics ... they do not happen at the same time except in special situations - like when the Gentiles first believed on Christ in Acts chapter 10. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit enables the Christian with power and often (but not always) carries the evidence of speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4, 10:44-48, 19:6). The apostles of the first century church considered the baptism in the Holy Spirit essential after believing on Christ. The following Scriptures clearly shows this progression.
And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John’s baptism." Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."
"When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Note: Christian baptism is not performed until after you are saved ... and never to "get saved"). And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all." (Acts 19:1-7)
Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God (or that Samaria had believed on Christ for salvation), they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Once again ... Christian baptism is not performed until after you are saved - and never to "get saved") Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14-17)
The Rock of Offence Ministry Rejects
The Popular Doctrine Of 'Cessationism'
At this point, it is necessary to insert special comments about a Protestant doctrine that has done almost irrepairable damage to the Christian Church. After these comments, we continue with listing our "core beliefs".
Many Protestant and Fundamentalist denominations embrace an aberrant doctrine called "Cessationism", which teaches that the gifts of the Holy Spirit involving speaking with tongues -- and miracles, such as healing -- ceased to operate after the original apostles died or after the New Testament was written. One primary argument used by Cessationists is that speaking with tongues came primarily through the ministry of the original apostles ... and when their ministry ended - after their death - so did speaking with tongues and miracles.
The common defense for Cessationism is taken from 1 Corinthians 13:8, where the Apostle Paul states that "tongues will cease". This is the only place in Scripture that uses the word "cease" in relation to speaking in tongues ... which is where Cessationism actually gets it name. However, when you closely examine this Scripture, Paul also said that "knowledge will vanish away", which hasn't happend yet - and becomes a big problem for Cessationists.
Here's why.
Paul provides an important 'time reference' for this same Scripture when he said; "But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away." The coming of "that which is perfect" is referring to the return of Christ at the end of the age. HOWEVER, THIS TIME HAS NOT YET ARRIVED. AS A RESULT, IF KNOWLEDGE HASN'T VANISHED AWAY ... THEN TONGUES HAVEN'T CEASED ... BECAUSE THE 'TIME-FRAME' THAT SETS THE CONTEXT FOR THIS SCRIPTURE IS THE SAME FOR BOTH. Another argument Cessationists use, is based on Scripture that says - 'that tongues are a sign for unbelievers, epecially unbelieving Jews', but then claim (it's actually speculation and opinion added to Scripture) that these signs are no longer needed after the Bible became available in print. Yet, this is not stated, or even hinted at, anywhere in the Bible. The danger is that all of these arguments (and many others not mentioned) sound reasonable to young Christians or those inexperienced in spiritual matters. However they are actually based on speculation and a popular yet flawed method of Bible interpretation designed to mislead.
What cessationists tend to ignore, is the previous 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians, which describes the gifts involving tongues and physical healing as; "Gifts of the Holy Spirit" and not "the gifts of the apostles". All 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit began to operate after believers were first indwelled on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 (tongues was one of them). This is when the Church first came into existence. Contrary to the opinion of some, the true Church of Jesus Christ consists only of believers who are "indwelled by the Holy Spirit" and still exists in the same condition today; as we can see in the following Scripture ...
(Paul is speaking to the Roman Church - and all of the Church today:) "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. NOW IF ANY MAN HAVE NOT THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST, HE IS NONE OF HIS. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Romans 8:9-11)
The Church is a uniquely endowed and "Holy Spirit indwelled enity" that did not exist before the cross ... and will "cease to exist" along with all its manifestations of the Holy Spirit (or gifts of the Holy Spirit) after its removal at the Rapture, which ends the Church Age. Those who get saved after the Rapture and during the 7 year Tribulation will not be indwelled by the Holy Spirit and therefore, cannot be called "The Church" -- but are called "Tribulation Saints". They will not be indwelled, because the Holy Spirit, who Paul also called "the Restrainer" is removed from the earth (taken "out of the way") - AND THE CHURCH HE INDWELLS IS REMOVED WITH HIM.
UNTIL THE RAPTURE, THE HOLY SPIRIT CONTINUES TO USE ALL 9 OF THESE SPECIAL AND UNIQUE GIFTS (THAT BELONG TO HIM) TO FACILITATE THE CORRECT OPERATION OF HIS CHURCH AND TO BESTOW SPIRITUAL BENEFITS TO BELIEVERS. THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT (ALL 9 OF THEM) IS THE WAY GOD GOVERNS HIS CHURCH FOLLOWING THE CROSS AND THE DAY OF PENTECOST IN ACTS CHAPTER 2.
UNFORTUNATELY, OVER THE LAST SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS, CESSATIONISTS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN SPREADING THEIR DOCTRINE, WHICH EXPLAINS WHY MANY SECTORS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH ARE NOW WEAK AND FAIL TO OPERATE THE WAY GOD INTENDED.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 12 ... to emphasize the importance of all 9 of these these gifts, Paul uses the phrase; "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one FOR THE PROFIT OF ALL" ... and then outlines each one of these 9 manifestations, or gifts of the Holy Spirit. In addition to this, The Apostle Paul goes into great detail about a new purpose for tongues in this special "Holy Spirit indwelled Church". Paul calls it "praying in the Spirit", which he describes as "a special unknown prayer language" used by the Holy Spirit to give all believers the ability to speak directly to God without anyone (including the one praying) understanding what is being said.
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: BUT THE SPIRIT ITSELF MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US WITH GROANINGS WHICH CANNOT BE UTTERED. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, BECAUSE HE (THE HOLY SPIRIT) MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR THE SAINTS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD." (Rom 8:26-27 Important Note: Various Greek Scholars say that the phrase "but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" actually means - in the Greek language of the New Testament ... "but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings WHICH CANNOT BE UTTERED IN ARTICULATE SPEECH.")
"Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. FOR HE THAT SPEAKETH IN AN UNKNOWN TONGUE SPEAKETH NOT UNTO MEN, BUT UNTO GOD: FOR NO MAN UNDERSTANDETH HIM; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries." (1 Cor 14:1-2)
Paul then stated: "I THANK MY GOD I SPEAK WITH TONGUES MORE THAN YOU ALL; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue." (1 Corinthians 14:18-19)
This is why those who thoughtlessly criticize and malign tongues as 'useless jibberish and nonsense' ... have unknowingly insulted the
Spirit of Christ. Paul tells us that "no man" understands those who speak in tongues in this area of prayer and intercession. Paul did not say that no man in the country would understand ... he said 'no man'. This means that if you're a member of the human race, regardless of your native language, YOU WON'T UNDERSTAND THIS SPECIAL INTERCESSORY LANGUAGE THAT IS BEING USED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Yes ... it's true that Paul referred to tongues as "the least of the gifts" and desired to speak with his understanding (or natural language) so that others could understand and learn. However, Paul never said that tongues were unimportant or should be avoided as the Cessationists claim.
We can't cover all aspects of the Holy Spirit's
ministry in this study. Visitors can access
more information about this important area of
church government at the link below.
The Next Step For New Believers In Christ
God's salvation provides many spiritual benefits and blessings. Physical healing for every sickness and disease is one such benefit. Jesus demonstrated his will to heal everyone who came to him in faith during his earthly ministry (Matthew 4:23, Matthew 8:16, Matthew 9:35, Luke 6:17-19, Luke 9:11). Today, physical healing is still available (Acts 10:38, Mark 16:17-18) and is taught by the Scriptures as a necessary part of preaching the Gospel (Matthew 9:35, Matthew 4:23-24, Luke 9:6)...and as a sign that follows true believers in Christ. God's willingness to heal everyone hasn't changed.
The blood of Jesus established a "New and better Covenant" (Luke 22:20 I Cor. 11:25). The New Covenant, initiated at the cross, has replaced the Mosaic covenant of the Old Testament (also called 'the first covenant'), which God has now declared to be obsolete (Hebrews 8:6-13). An understanding of the blood covenant, especially 'the new blood covenant of Jesus Christ' is needed to properly understand all that Jesus' death accomplished.
All true Christians belong to one Church established and built by the resurrected Christ (Matt. 16:18 Eph. 5:23, Heb. 12:22-23). Shortly before His crucifixion Jesus said; "I will build My Church" (future tense). Jesus did not say; I will continue to build My Church. The building of Christ's Church did not start until after His death, burial, resurrection, ascension ... and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. This is not a physical church building made by human hands. Christians do not join this church. God Himself places them in membership the moment they receive salvation (or eternal life). Christ's Church has no specific name and is not affiliated with any denomination or earthly religious system. The Christian's membership in Christ's Church is not dependent (or validated) upon whether he or she joins or attends an earthly institutional church or religious organization. Any earthly organization claiming to be God's only true church is false.
We are currently in the final moments of the "Last Days". Concerning the resurrection of the just and the second coming of Jesus Christ - The angels said to Christ's disciples, "...this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." His coming is imminent. When He comes, "...the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air..." (Acts 1:11, 1 Thess. 4:16,17).
Following the judgments of the Tribulation, Jesus shall return to earth as King of kings, and Lord of lords, and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests, He shall reign a thousand years (Rev. 5:10, 20:6).
We believe the Biblical view of the endtimes is clearly Pre-tribulational and Pre-Millennial. The departure of the New Testament Church (often referred to as the rapture) is next on God's time-table. The Second Coming of Christ occurs in two distinct phases. The first phase is the catching away of the Church or rapture ... and occurs 7 years before the second phase - the physical return of Christ to the earth, where every eye will see Him. At the rapture, Jesus only returns in the air (not to the earth) - long enough to 'catch away' His blood-bought Church before the judgments of the Tribulation begin. Seven years later, at the conclusion of the Tribulation Jesus returns, accompanied by His previously raptured Church (now called the Bride of Christ) to establish His Millennial Kingdom on earth.
We are not affiliated, nor do we agree with the following ideologies or religious groups found within Christianity (Read the "Dangerous Beliefs And Movements Within Christianity" reference below). Believers face dangers on every side from within "the church", which is something both Jesus and Saint Paul warned about (Matthew 10: 34-36, Matthew 24:4-5, 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 Galatians 2:4-5). The Bible tells us that in the last days "perilous times" will come. This reference list is not exhaustive.
Dangerous Beliefs And Movements
Within Christianity
Our Position On Covenant Theology
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