Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Solid Rock Church | Bolton Landing, NY 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.
The Scripture in The Bible is Inspired
The Scripture, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man - the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21).
The Bible is God's 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 about daily living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any form of error (including scientific and historical).
(I Tim 1:13 & 3 :16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; I Cor 2:13; Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 30:5)
THE ONE TRUE GOD
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent "I AM", the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19).
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God.
(Genesis 1:1, 26, 27 & 3:22; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
1. (a) His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,35)
2. (b) His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; 1Peter 2:22)
3. (c) His miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38)
4. (d) His substitutionary work on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
5. (e) His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:4)
6. (f) His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9,11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3)
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus came to this earth in the flesh, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin and lived a sinless human life as God in a body.
Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He physically rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death.
Jesus ascended to Heaven and will physically return again someday to earth to reign as King.
(Matt 1:22,23; John 1:1-5,14; Heb 4:14-15; 1 Cor 15:3-4; Rom 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Tim 6:14-15; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6)
Human Beings
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. Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our life.
(Gen 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Rom 3:23)
THE FALL OF MAN
Man was created good and upright; for God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Genesis 1:26,27; 3:6; Romans 5:12-19).
THE SALVATION OF MAN
The only hope of redemption for man is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
1. (a) Conditions to Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7).
2. (b) The Evidences of Salvation
The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12).
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 of death.
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. (Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:2; Gal 3:26; Rom 5:1, 10:9-10)
Holy Communion
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements – bread, and the fruit of the vine – are the symbols expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers “till He come!”
We regularly practice (on first Sunday of each month) Communion or the Lord's Supper in our weekend service. Jesus initiated this practice (I Cor 11:28-32) as a way to help us remember His death and resurrection.
BAPTISM IN WATER
The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47,48; Romans 6:4).
We practice baptism by fully immersing a person in water.
Baptism is not necessary for salvation, but is simply a choice that is made to obey Jesus' command and to follow His example.
Teens are encouraged to be water baptized as well (those under age 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian).
We baptize people "in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
(Matthew 3:13-17; 28;19; Acts 2:34-36; 19:1-6).
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
When a person begins a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to live inside the believer at the moment of salvation.
We also believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a biblical experience to follow salvation (Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 10:44-46; Gal 3:14-15). This baptism of the Holy Spirit is given to every believer who asks God for it.
All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,8; 1 Corinthians 12:1- 31). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:12-17; 10:44- 46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9). With the Baptism in the Holy Ghost come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His Word and for the lost (Mark 16:20).
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
In 1 Corinthians 12-14, the Bible lists many gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The First Century Church practiced these gifts regularly and we should as well. We desire to have these gifts functioning within the members of our local church family too.
THE EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4-10, 28), but different in purpose and use.
SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Romans 12: 1,2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12). The Scriptures teach a life of “holiness without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command, “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:5).
Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-11; 8:1,2,13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12,13; 1 Peter 1:5).
THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION
The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22,23; Hebrews 12:23).
Divine Healing in Jesus Christ
Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers (Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:16,17; James 5:14-16).
We believe that Jesus' death on the cross provided physical healing to our human bodies. God's miracle power for healing is freely given to us as we pray in faith. (Isaiah 53:4,5; Matt 8:16,17; James 5:14-16).
THE BLESSED HOPE
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the Christian (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51,52).
Our Ministries
We offer a variety of ministries and programs for people of all ages and backgrounds. From Men's & Women's groups to Bible studies to missions trips, there is something for everyone at Solid Rock Assembly of God Church.