Statement of Faith

Cleft of the Rock Ministries name is based on Exodus 33:21 & 22:

“And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by.”

The place is presumed to be a cleft in the rock at Mount Sinai. How fitting that Moses would experience the LORD, who is his Rock, while standing on the rock.

Likewise, we can experience the “Rock”, Christ Jesus, if we will but choose to surrender our lives to him. (John 3:16)

Cleft of the Rock Ministries mission statement is found in the Word of God, in Isaiah 61:1–3:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, 
To proclaim liberty to the captives, 
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, 
And the day of vengeance of our God; 
To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, 
To give them beauty for ashes, 
The oil of joy for mourning, 
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; 
That they may be called trees of righteousness, 
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Cleft of the Rock Ministries believes:

  • That the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God, without error, profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness. (II Timothy 3:16, 17)
  • There is one God: existent in three persons, known as the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that Jesus Christ is God, come in the flesh. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, John 14:6, Ephesians 1:17, II Corinthians 13:14, I John 4:2, Galatians 4:4–6)
  • That Jesus is Lord: demonstrated in His deity, virgin birth, miracles, sinless life, death on the cross, the propitiation through His shed blood, His resurrection and His ascension as witnessed by His disciples. (Matthew one: 23, acts 2:22, Hebrews 7:26, Romans 10:9–10, Romans 1:4, I Corinthians 15:3, Matthew 28:6)
  • Salvation is through justification by faith: salvation is a free gift given to those who repent of their sins, openly confess with their mouth that Jesus is their lord, and believe in their heart God raised Jesus from the dead. (Ephesians 2:8&9, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19–20, Acts 4:12, Romans 3:23, Romans 10:9&10, Romans 14:10–12, II Corinthians 5:10, Titus 3:5–7)
  • Baptism in water: it is a public declaration that a believer has died with Christ and that they have been raised with him to walk in newness of life. Matthew 28:19, acts 10:47–48, acts 2:38, Romans 6:4)
  • The baptism in the Holy Spirit: All believers are entitled to, should expect, and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. With this comes the endowment of power from on high, for life and service, and the bestowing of gifts and their uses in and for ministry. (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4–8, Acts 2:38–39, Acts 10:44–46, Acts 11:14–16, Acts 15:7–9, I Corinthians 12:1–31) This is evidenced by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and by the subsequent manifestation of spiritual power in testimony and service. (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44–46, Acts 19:26)
  • The Celebration of the Lord’s Supper: By eating of the bread and drinking of the cup in remembrance of Jesus. (I Corinthians 11:24-30)
  • That every believer should manifest/demonstrate “The Fruit of the Holy Spirit”: Love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. (Galatians 5:22–23)
  • Each true believer makes up the Church, which is the Body of Christ, of which each believer is an integral part. (Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 2:19–22, Hebrews 12:23)
  • All believers are called to witness: Both in Jerusalem (at home), and in Judea (your neighborhood), and in Samaria (neighboring cities) and to the uttermost parts of the Earth. (Mark 16:15–18, Acts 1:8, Revelation 12:11)
  • We are to care for the poor, widows, orphans and those who are suffering from hunger, homelessness or other physical needs. We believe in caring for the needs of the Body of Christ, in loving our neighbors, and in loving one another. (Matthew 25:35–40, John 13:34–35, James 1:27, Galatians 6:10)
  • In the Blessed Hope: That Jesus Christ will return soon, and that He is coming to gather all believers (saints) to Glory/Heaven. (Matthew 26:64, Acts 1:11, I Corinthians 15:51–52, I Thessalonians 4:13–18, Thessalonians 5:1-3, II Thessalonians 2:1)
  • There is a literal Heaven and Hell: Those who have not accepted the redemptive work of Jesus Christ will suffer eternal separation. They will burn in the Lake of Fire. (Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:42–48, Hebrews 6:2, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:10–15)
  • In the return of Jesus Christ with His saints from Heaven to rule and reign for 1000 years on earth as scripture promises. (Romans 11:25&27, II Thessalonians 1: 7, Revelation 19:11–16, Revelation 20:1-7) After this a”a new heaven and a new earth”, the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (Revelation 21)
  • Revelation 22:20-21: “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”