What We Believe
The Rock is an Assemblies of God affiliated church, and there are 16 fundamental truths that we base our Christian beliefs on. The following is a summary of these beliefs. For the extended version please, visit www.okag.org.
About God
God is the loving Creator of all that exists, both seen and unseen. God is eternal and completely good, knowing all things, having all power and majesty. God exists as the Trinity, in three persons, yet one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God passionately desires relationship with us and towards this end continually invites us into a relationship of faith, friendship, learning, and service. (Genesis 1:1; John 14:6-9, 15-17 and John 16:7-15; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 4:9-10)
About Jesus
God expressed himself in human form through His son Jesus Christ. He was born of the virgin Mary (Matthew 1:18-23), lived a sinless life (Hebrew 7:26 & I Peter 2:22 & I John 3:4,5), was crucified for the sins of all (II Corinthians 5:21 & I Peter 2:24 & I Corinthians 15:4), was buried, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9,11 & Philippians 2:9-11). Forgiveness of our sins and right relationship with God, are found through Him alone (Romans 10:9-10, Acts 4:12).
About The Holy Spirit
God the Holy Spirit, convicts the world of sin and draws us to the Father (John 16:8); He baptizes us into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13); He leads us to truth (John 16:13); He counsels us (John 14:16); He teaches us (John 14:26); He empowers us for witnessing (Acts 1:8); He continually fills us (Acts 4:31, Gal. 5:16-25, Eph. 5:18); He distributes gifts to every believer (1 Cor. 12:4-11). The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) are the by-product of a Spirit-filled life and evidence of spiritual maturity.
About Man
Man was created in the image of God (Genesis 2:26). However, by a voluntary act of the will, Adam and Eve disobeyed God (Genesis 3:6). That first sin had several repercussions. Man was excommunicated from the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23), a curse was pronounced (Genesis 3:14-19), the process of physical death began (Genesis 2:17), and man died spiritually (Romans 5:12-19). Sin separated humankind from God (Ephesians 2:11-18) and left man in a fallen or sinful condition (Romans 3:23).
About the Bible
The Bible is infallible and the authoritative rule of faith and conduct for mankind (II Timothy 3:15-17, I Thessalonians 2:13 & Peter 1:21).
About the Church
The Church is the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:12-27) and has a three-fold purpose: To worship God (I Cor. 12:13), to evangelize the world (Acts 1:8 & Mark 16:15-16), and to equip the community of faith for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16 & I Cor. 12:28,
About Salvation
The only means of salvation is Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12 & John 14:6). He died on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins (I Peter 2:24). He offers each of us a pardon for our sins (Hebrews 9:26) and wants us to become children of God (John 1:12). When we put our faith in Christ, it triggers a spiritual chain reaction. We become the Temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 6:19). Our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life (Rev. 3:5). We become citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20-21). We are given eternal life (John 3:16). We are adopted and become children of God (Gal. 4:4-7). Our sins are forgiven and forgotten (Heb. 8:12). We are credited with the righteousness of Christ (Rom. 4:4-5). We are born-again (John 3:3). God takes ownership of us (I Cor. 6:20). We receive an eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14 & I Peter 1:3-5). The evidence of salvation is two-fold. The internal evidence is the direct witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16). The external evidence is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). We become a new creation (II Cor. 5:17) and are transformed into the image of Christ (II Cor. 3:18).
About Timeless Traditions
Baptism in Water
The Scripture teaches that all who repent and believe in Christ are to be baptized. (Matthew 28:19) Baptism is a public profession of faith in Christ. It is symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It is a declaration to all that we have died to sin and have been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).
Communion
The Lord's Table consists of two elements: the bread and cup. Those elements are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. Communion is a memorial of Christ's sufferings on the cross and a celebration of our salvation.
These are non-negotiable tenets of faith that all Assemblies of God churches adhere to. This list is derived from the official "Statement of Fundamental Truths." Click links below to see the complete original statement with scriptures.
1. WE BELIEVE...the Scriptures are inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.
2. WE BELIEVE...there is only One True God - revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).
3. WE BELIEVE...in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God's son Jesus was both human and divine.
4. WE BELIEVE...though originally good, man willingly fell to sin - ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.
5. WE BELIEVE...every person can have restored fellowship with God through 'salvation' (trusting Christ, through faith and repentance, to be our personal Savior).
[1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
6. WE BELIEVE...and practice two ordinances — (1) Water Baptism by immersion after repenting of one's sins and receiving Christ's gift of salvation, and (2) Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's suffering and death for our salvation.
7. WE BELIEVE...the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a special experience following salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times.
[1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
8. WE BELIEVE...the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is ‘speaking in tongues,’ as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles.
9. WE BELIEVE...sanctification initially begins at salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.
10. WE BELIEVE...the Church has a mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe 'the Church' is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God's offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ.
11. WE BELIEVE...a divinely called and scripturally ordained ledership ministry serves the Church. The Bible teaches that each of us under leadership must commit ourselves to reach others for Christ, to worship Him with other believers, and to build up or edify the body of believers–the Church.
12. WE BELIEVE...divine healing of the sick is a privilege for Christians today and is provided for in Christ's atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins).
[1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
13. WE BELIEVE...in the Blessed Hope — when Jesus raptures His Church prior to His return to Earth (the second coming). At this future moment in time all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever.
[1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
14. WE BELIEVE...in the Millennial Reign of Christ when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over Earth for 1,000 years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace.
15. WE BELIEVE...a final judgment will take place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire.
16. WE BELIEVE...and look forward to the perfect new Heavens and new Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on Earth. ' And so shall we forever be with the Lord!'