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Rockbridge Academy is a Christian school which does not teach a specific
denominational set of beliefs. The following is the foundation
of beliefs on which Rockbridge Academy is based. They are
also the key elements of Christianity that will be unapologetically
taught in various ways through all grade levels. The substance
of these statements is that which will be considered primary
doctrine at Rockbridge Academy. Secondary doctrines
and issues will not be presented as primary doctrine. When
these types of doctrine or issues arise, they will be referred
back to the family and local churches for final authority.
The Bible
We believe that the original manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments comprise
the full, word-for-word, truthful, inerrant Word of God which is the supreme
and final authority in doctrine and practice.
(Isa. 40:8, II Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12; II Pet. 1:20,21)
The Father
We believe that as Eternal Father, He is the Father of
all men in the non-salvation, Creator-creature sense, the
Father of the nation Israel, the Father of the Lord
Jesus Christ, and the spiritual Father of all who believe in Christ. He is
the author of salvation, the One who sent the Son, and
the disciplinarian of His
children.
(Ex. 4:22; Ps. 2:7-9; Jn. 5:37; Acts 17:29; Gal. 3:26; Eph. 1:3-6; Heb. 12:9;
I Pet. 1:3)
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is God incarnate, conceived by
the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, completely God and completely
man. We believe in His pre-existence,
His sinless life, His substitutionary atonement, His bodily resurrection
from the grave, His ascension into Heaven, and His bodily
return from Heaven.
(Jn. 1:1,14,18; Lk. 1:35; Rom 3:24-26; 4:25; 1 Pet. 1:3-5; Eph. 4:11-16;
I Thess. 4:13-18; Heb. 1:3; 7:23-25; 1 Jn. 2:1-2)
The Holy Spirit
At the time of conversion, we believe that the Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells,
baptizes, seals, and bestows spiritual gifts upon all who know Christ
as Lord and Savior. Experientially, He fills, teaches, leads, assures, and
prays
for
believers.
(Jn.14:26; 16:6-15; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 11:1-18; Rom. 8:14-16, 26-27; 1
Cor. 6:19; 12:7-11, 13; Eph. 1:13-14; 5:18; 2 Thess. 2:1-10; Titus 3:5).
The Trinity
In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, of
one substance, power, and eternity; God the Father, God
the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
The Father
is neither begotten, nor proceeding: The Son is eternally begotten
of the Father: the Holy Spirit eternally proceeding from
the Father and
the Son.
(1 John 5:7; Mat. 3:16; Mat. 28:19, 2 Cor.13:14; John 1:14; John 15:26;
Gal. 4:6)
Man and Sin
We believe man was created in the image of God; that Adam in his first
sin condemned not only himself but all mankind to an estate of sin.
All of mankind
in Adam
is now separated from God and in need of a redeemer. (Gen. 1:1,27;
2:17; 3:1-19; Isa. 14:12-14; Lk. 20:36; Heb. 1:13-14; 2:5-8; I Pet.
2:4; Jude
6; Jn. 12:31;
Heb. 2:14; Rev. 20:10; Jn. 1:1-3; 8:44; Col. 1:16-17; Rom. 5:12-21;
Eph. 2:1-3).
Salvation
“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according
to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In
Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation;
in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased
possession, to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:11-14). We affirm that
these believers are eternally secure, have everlasting life, will not come into
condemnation, and shall never perish. We believe that assurance comes to the
believer from three primary means: trusting the Word of God’s promises,
the witness of the Holy Spirit, and a persevering walk with the Lord. (Jn.
1:12; 2:3,16; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7; Dan. 12:1-2; Mt. 25:31-46;
Jn.
3:16,36; 5:24; 10:28-29; 11:25-26; Rom. 8:28-39; I Jn. 4:11-13; Jude 1; Rev.
20:12-15).
The Church
We believe in the Church, both universally and locally, as the spiritual
body of which Christ is the Head. The church exercises Christ’s
authority until His return. We also believe that the church is entrusted
with the sacraments
of baptism and the Lord’s supper. (Mt. 16:18; cf. Acts 1:5;
11:15; and 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:11-16; 5:22-23; Col. 1:18).
The Great Commission
We believe that those whom God has saved are sent into
the world by Christ as He was by the Father. Those so sent
are ambassadors,
commissioned
to go make
disciples and make Christ known to the whole world. (Mt. 28:18-20;
Jn.
15:8; 17:18; 20:21; Acts 1; Rom. 10:14-15; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; Col.
4:2-6; 2 Tim. 2:14-26).
Eternity
We believe in the physical resurrection of the human body
(at the second coming of Christ); in the eternal conscious
existence of
all individuals
in either
Heaven or Hell; and in the rewards of the saved and the punishment
of the lost for eternity.
(I Cor. 15; Luke 16:19-31; 2 Cor. 5:8-10; I Cor. 3:11-15).
Essentially,
our Statement of Faith is best summarized in the five solas
of the Reformation:
Sola Fide - By faith alone
Sola Gratia - By grace alone
Solo Christo - By Christ alone
Sola Scriptura - On the Word of God alone
Soli Deo Gloria - To God alone be the glory
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