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The Essentials We Believe |
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In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity. |
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Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to Earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. |
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The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily. |
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The Bible is God's written Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. |
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A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptized believers who are associated by a covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ, committed to His teachings, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. The New Testament speaks also of the church as the body of Christ which includes all the redeemed of all the ages. |
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People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. |
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Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. |
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Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. |
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People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. |
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Our Lifestyle Statement |
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Beliefs are not worth much, unless they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following seven practices: |
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"The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right." II Timothy 3:16 (LB) Since God's Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is "What does the Bible say?" We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe. |
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"He is the head of his body, the church; he is the source of the body's life…" Colossians 1:18 (GN) Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be self-governing and independent from any denominational control. In relating to our "daughter churches" that we sponsor, we encourage each congregation to determine its own strategy, structure, and style. |
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"He is the head of his body, the church; he is the source of the body's life…" Colossians 1:18 (GN) Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be self-governing and independent from any denominational control. In relating to our "daughter churches" that we sponsor, we encourage each congregation to determine its own strategy, structure, and style. |
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"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver." II Corinthians 9:6-7 "on the first day of the week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income..." I Corinthians 16:2a At Fellowship Of the Rockies we practice God directed giving for the support of Christ's Body, the Church, as is God's command. Giving is a very concrete way to grow the church and God's kingdom and it is a way to positively affirm the sovereignty of God in your life. The Bible instructs as a starting place for giving 10%. |
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"For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ…" Colossians 2:12 (GN) We practice baptism by immersion underwater — the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible commands. |
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"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God's power within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God's Spirit to enable us to do what is right. |
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"…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." I Peter 3:15 It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those God brings us into contact with. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church. |
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