What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these Biblical doctrines.

We believe in one, eternal, knowable, sovereign God. He knows all things, and providentially oversees all things. He is merciful and just, loving and holy, great in power and good in purpose. His glory is our chief concern.
(Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 Timothy 1:17, Hebrews 1:1, Daniel 4:34-35, Psalm 139:1-4, Matthew 10:29-31, Exodus 34:6, Acts 17:31, 1 John 4:8, Revelation 4:8, Psalm 147:5, Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 10:31)

We believe in one God who exists in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All three are uncreated, coeternal, and equal in power, glory, and honor. They are rightly worshiped as the one true God; three in one, and one in three.
(Matthew 28:19, Revelation 22:13, Acts 5:3-4)

We believe that while God has revealed himself in his creation, he has spoken to us most clearly in his word. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are breathed out by God, holy, complete, and entirely without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is our final authority in life, doctrine, and godliness.
(Psalm 19, Romans 1:18-20, 2 Timothy 3:16, John 10:35, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Matthew 4:4, 2 Peter 1:3-4)

We believe God created the entire universe out of nothing. Man and woman were the crown of God’s good creation, being created in his own image. As image-bearers, we were created to worship God and reflect him in true knowledge, righteousness, and holiness.
(Genesis 1:1, Hebrews 11:3, Genesis 1:26-27, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9-10)

We believe that Adam and Eve, our first parents, rebelled against God and plunged themselves and all their offspring into ruin. Because of Adam’s sin, we are all guilty sinners. We come into the world with corrupt natures through and through.
(Genesis 3, Romans 5:12-21, Psalm 51:5)

We believe that God the Father orchestrates all things for Christ and the believer. He is above all, and the source of all blessings and gifts. The Father sanctifies and disciplines the believer. We believe that the Father sent the Son and the Holy Spirit.
(Ephesians 1:10, Romans 8:28, James 1:17, Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 4:6, John 6:37-39, John 10:29, Ephesians 1:3-5, Jude 1:2, Hebrews 12:5-13, John 3:16, John 14:26, John 15:26)

We believe Jesus of Nazareth was and is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. We believe he is also the Son of the Living God. He is fully man and fully God. He was born of the virgin Mary, lived a perfect life, taught the way of God’s kingdom, worked miracles, suffered, died a shameful death, and (bodily) rose again that we might be counted righteous and forgiven of our sins. He was our sacrificial substitute. He redeemed us from the devil, removed our guilt, and absorbed the wrath of God. We look forward to the bodily return of Jesus Christ at His second coming, at which time He will judge the living and the dead.
(Matthew 16:16, 1 Tim 2:5, Titus 2:13, Matthew 25:31-47, Luke 12:40, John 14:3, Acts 1:10-11, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:22-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 John 1:8-2:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Titus 2:13, Revelation 22:20)

We believe the Holy Spirit supernaturally converts (regenerates) the hearts of God’s people by making alive what was spiritually dead. The Spirit causes us to grow in holiness, seals us for the day of redemption that we might be assured of our salvation, and equips us with spiritual gifts for the building up of the body. We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to testify of Jesus Christ and to glorify Him. We believe the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He indwells the believer. He is responsible for the new birth, for guidance, instruction, encouragement, and the empowerment of the believer for godly living and service.
(Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 1:23, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 1:13-14, 1 Corinthians 12:7, John 16:7-11, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Titus 3:5, 1 John 2:27, Romans 8:16, Romans 8:26, Ephesians 5:18-21)

We believe that all are born in a state of sin and fall short of the glory of God. Sin takes the opportunity to deceive and harden the heart to God. This leads to the constant need of the Savior.
(Psalm 51:4-5, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 7:8, Hebrews 3:12-13, 1 John 1:8-9)

We believe we must be born again (born from above) in Christ, by the Holy Spirit, whereby we are made children and heirs of God, resulting in our eternal salvation. The only way to be adopted into God’s family is through union and communion with his Son, Jesus Christ. This frees us from the reign and condemnation of sin.
(Ephesians 1:5, Matthew 25:46, John 1:11-13, John 3:3, John 8:36, John 10:27-29, John 17:3, Acts 4:10-12, Romans 6:12-14, Romans 8:16-17, Romans 8:37-39, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Titus 3:5-7, 1 John 5:11-13)

We believe that those who do not believe in Christ are condemned already. However, in Christ there is no condemnation.
(Matthew 25:46, John 3:18, John 5:28-29, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, Revelation 20:10-15)

We believe that Satan is a fallen angel, a persistent, though defeated enemy. In order to stand firm against his schemes we must rely upon God and put on His full armor. Satan stands condemned by God to the eternal Lake of Fire.
(Genesis 3:1-16, Isaiah 14:12-14, Matthew 13:39, Matthew 4:1-11, John 8:44, Luke 10:18, Acts 5:3, Ephesians 6:10-17, 1 Peter 5:8-9, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 20:1-3, 10)

We believe the church is the communion of God’s people drawn from every tribe, language, people, and nation. This invisible body, of which Christ Jesus is the head, exists locally, and imperfectly, as the visible church. It is comprised of all those, living and dead, who have placed their faith in Christ alone. Jesus Christ has given his church two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
(Ephesians 2:11-22, Revelation 5:9-10, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Ephesians 1:22, Eph 5:23-27, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, Romans 14:8, 1 Corinthians 4:17)

We believe that baptism and communion are commands from Christ that are to be observed during the present age. They are signs that point to the reality of Christ and are not to be regarded as means of salvation.
(Matthew 28:19, Luke 22:19-20, Acts 2:38, Acts 16:30-33, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 1 Corinthians 11:23-30)

We believe God’s people should be marked by Christ-likeness, prayerfulness, joyful obedience, love of God and love of neighbor. We believe the mission of the church is one of word and deed. As salt and light, we seek to save the lost, make disciples, work for righteousness and justice, and care for the hurting and needy. We believe the Holy Spirit dwells within us, that our body is His temple, and that we are not our own. Therefore, we are to glorify God in body and in spirit.
(Ephesians 5:1-2, Romans 12:12, John 14:15, Matthew 22:37-40, 1 Peter 4:11, Matthew 5:13-16, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Matthew 28:19-20, Amos 5:24, 1 John 3:16-18, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 5:16-26, Ephesians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, 2 Timothy 2:19, James 4:7, 1 Peter 1:14-16, 2 Peter 1:2-8)

We believe that God established the marriage covenant between a man and a woman alone. Sexual union is only allowed within the marriage covenant. All other sexual thoughts and practices are outside of God’s revealed will.
(Genesis 2:20-24, Leviticus 18:22-24, Matthew 5:27-28, Romans 1:25-32, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Ephesians 5:22-33)

We believe Jesus Christ will return to earth personally, visibly, and bodily as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. At his appearing the dead shall be raised and the living and the dead will be judged. His justice will be displayed in the resurrection of all unbelievers to experience separation from God forever. The wicked and unbelieving will be consigned to hell, a place of eternal conscious punishment. His mercy will be displayed by the gathering of all believers in resurrected and glorified bodies and those belonging to Jesus will have eternal life in the new heavens and the new earth and live in ever-increasing joy to the glory of God.
(Acts 1:11, 1 Corinthians 15, Revelation 20:10, Revelation 14-15, Matthew 25:21, Revelation 21-22, Matthew 24:36, John 5:28,29, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Titus 2:13, John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, 1 Thessalonians 4:155:11, Matthew 25:31, Revelation 21:3, Mark 13:26-27, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, Revelation 19:11-16, Revelation 21:8)