OUR BELIEFS
THE BIBLE:
We believe the Old and New Testaments are God’s inspired Word, our trustworthy and final authority for belief and daily life.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 • Psalm 119:105
We believe the Old and New Testaments are God’s inspired Word, our trustworthy and final authority for belief and daily life.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 • Psalm 119:105
THE TRINITY:
We believe in one eternal God who exists as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equally divine.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4 • Matthew 28:19 • 2 Corinthians 13:14
We believe in one eternal God who exists as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equally divine.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4 • Matthew 28:19 • 2 Corinthians 13:14
GOD THE FATHER:
We believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of everything, who lovingly acts to redeem his creation.
Scripture: Genesis 1:1 • Ephesians 1:3-10
We believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of everything, who lovingly acts to redeem his creation.
Scripture: Genesis 1:1 • Ephesians 1:3-10
JESUS CHRIST:
Jesus is God’s eternal Son, fully divine and fully human. Born of the Virgin Mary, he died for our sins, rose bodily, and reigns as Lord.
Scripture: John 1:1-14 • Luke 1:30-35 • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Jesus is God’s eternal Son, fully divine and fully human. Born of the Virgin Mary, he died for our sins, rose bodily, and reigns as Lord.
Scripture: John 1:1-14 • Luke 1:30-35 • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
THE HOLY SPIRIT:
We depend on the Holy Spirit to draw us to Jesus, lead us into truth, and empower our life together. We seek his guidance as we follow Jesus and serve others.
Scripture: John 16:7-15 • Acts 1:8 • Galatians 5:22-25
We depend on the Holy Spirit to draw us to Jesus, lead us into truth, and empower our life together. We seek his guidance as we follow Jesus and serve others.
Scripture: John 16:7-15 • Acts 1:8 • Galatians 5:22-25
HUMANITY AND THE IMAGE OF GOD:
God created people in his image. Every person has God-given worth and deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.
Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27 • James 3:9-10
God created people in his image. Every person has God-given worth and deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.
Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27 • James 3:9-10
SIN AND OUR NEED FOR A SAVIOR:
Sin alienates us from God and harms our relationships. We all need the forgiveness and new life Jesus provides.
Scripture: Romans 3:23 • Romans 6:23
Sin alienates us from God and harms our relationships. We all need the forgiveness and new life Jesus provides.
Scripture: Romans 3:23 • Romans 6:23
SALVATION AND NEW LIFE IN CHRIST:
Salvation is God’s gift, received by grace through faith in Jesus. Turning from sin to him, we receive forgiveness and new birth.
Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10 • John 3:3-17 • Acts 4:12
Salvation is God’s gift, received by grace through faith in Jesus. Turning from sin to him, we receive forgiveness and new birth.
Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10 • John 3:3-17 • Acts 4:12
FOLLOWING JESUS AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH:
New life in Jesus begins a lifelong journey of transformation. Together, we learn to trust him, follow his teaching, and grow into people whose lives reflect his love.
Scripture: Romans 12:1-2 • 2 Corinthians 3:18 • Colossians 2:6-7
New life in Jesus begins a lifelong journey of transformation. Together, we learn to trust him, follow his teaching, and grow into people whose lives reflect his love.
Scripture: Romans 12:1-2 • 2 Corinthians 3:18 • Colossians 2:6-7
THE CHURCH:
The church is God’s family, brought together through faith in Jesus. We worship, care for one another, and share life across our differences as we participate in his mission.
Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 • 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
The church is God’s family, brought together through faith in Jesus. We worship, care for one another, and share life across our differences as we participate in his mission.
Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 • 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
BAPTISM:
We celebrate baptism as a sacrament instituted by Jesus, expressing God’s grace and our belonging to him. Within our Covenant family, both infant baptism and believer baptism are recognized. At Rock Harbor, we walk alongside individuals and parents through prayer, Scripture, and conversation as they discern this faithful step for themselves or their children.
Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20 • Acts 2:38-39 • Romans 6:3-4
We celebrate baptism as a sacrament instituted by Jesus, expressing God’s grace and our belonging to him. Within our Covenant family, both infant baptism and believer baptism are recognized. At Rock Harbor, we walk alongside individuals and parents through prayer, Scripture, and conversation as they discern this faithful step for themselves or their children.
Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20 • Acts 2:38-39 • Romans 6:3-4
COMMUNION:
We celebrate Communion, also called the Lord’s Supper, remembering Jesus’ sacrifice and receiving spiritual nourishment as we share the bread and cup. At Rock Harbor, we practice an Open Table, welcoming anyone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ to participate, regardless of their church background or affiliation. Together, we give thanks for his grace and celebrate our unity in him.
Scripture: Luke 22:19-20 • 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 • 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
We celebrate Communion, also called the Lord’s Supper, remembering Jesus’ sacrifice and receiving spiritual nourishment as we share the bread and cup. At Rock Harbor, we practice an Open Table, welcoming anyone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ to participate, regardless of their church background or affiliation. Together, we give thanks for his grace and celebrate our unity in him.
Scripture: Luke 22:19-20 • 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 • 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
THE RETURN OF JESUS, RESURRECTION, ETERNAL LIFE:
Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. We look forward to bodily resurrection and everlasting life with him.
Scripture: John 5:28-29 • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 • Revelation 21:1-5
Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. We look forward to bodily resurrection and everlasting life with him.
Scripture: John 5:28-29 • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 • Revelation 21:1-5
WOMEN IN MINISTRY AND LEADERSHIP:
We believe God calls and equips women and men for every area of ministry, including preaching, teaching, pastoral ministry, and church leadership. We encourage each person to develop and use their gifts.
Scripture: Acts 2:17-18 • Romans 16:1-7 • Galatians 3:28
We believe God calls and equips women and men for every area of ministry, including preaching, teaching, pastoral ministry, and church leadership. We encourage each person to develop and use their gifts.
Scripture: Acts 2:17-18 • Romans 16:1-7 • Galatians 3:28
MARRIAGE AND HUMAN SEXUALITY:
We believe God intends sexual intimacy for marriage between one man and one woman, calling us to faithfulness in marriage and celibacy in singleness. We seek to walk alongside every person with love, dignity, compassion, and biblical guidance.
Scripture: Matthew 19:4-6 • 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 • 1 Corinthians 7:7-9
We believe God intends sexual intimacy for marriage between one man and one woman, calling us to faithfulness in marriage and celibacy in singleness. We seek to walk alongside every person with love, dignity, compassion, and biblical guidance.
Scripture: Matthew 19:4-6 • 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 • 1 Corinthians 7:7-9
SHARING THE GOSPEL AND GLOBAL MISSIONS:
Jesus sends his church to share the Good News and make disciples. We participate in that mission in our neighborhoods and alongside believers serving around the world.
Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20 • Acts 1:8 • 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
Jesus sends his church to share the Good News and make disciples. We participate in that mission in our neighborhoods and alongside believers serving around the world.
Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20 • Acts 1:8 • 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
COMPASSION, MERCY, AND JUSTICE:
Following Jesus includes caring for people in need and seeking justice for those experiencing oppression. We express God’s love through practical service and faithful action.
Scripture: Micah 6:8 • Luke 4:18-19 • James 2:14-17
Following Jesus includes caring for people in need and seeking justice for those experiencing oppression. We express God’s love through practical service and faithful action.
Scripture: Micah 6:8 • Luke 4:18-19 • James 2:14-17
UNITY AND FREEDOM IN CHRIST:
Our unity rests in Jesus and the authority of Scripture. We make room for differences where faithful Christians understand Scripture differently, practicing humility and using our freedom to serve one another in love.
Scripture: John 8:31-36 • Romans 14:1-13 • Galatians 5:13
Our unity rests in Jesus and the authority of Scripture. We make room for differences where faithful Christians understand Scripture differently, practicing humility and using our freedom to serve one another in love.
Scripture: John 8:31-36 • Romans 14:1-13 • Galatians 5:13
OUR COVENANT CONNECTION:
Rock Harbor belongs to the Evangelical Covenant Church. Our shared faith emphasizes Scripture, new birth in Christ, the church’s whole mission, Christian community, dependence on the Holy Spirit, and freedom in Christ.
Rock Harbor belongs to the Evangelical Covenant Church. Our shared faith emphasizes Scripture, new birth in Christ, the church’s whole mission, Christian community, dependence on the Holy Spirit, and freedom in Christ.