Frequently asked questions
What Denomination Are You?
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
Churches seem to be so divided. Churches and church people seem to spend most of their time arguing with one another about things that don’t really mean that much.
We believe that God desires the Church to be as one people. Jesus prayed for this unity, "I pray also for those who will believe through [the disciples] message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in me and I am in You. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me." (John 17:20-21. NIV)
We also believe that denominational labels, rules and distinctives serve only to divide and separate Christians rather than unite them. We will be most effective in our witness to the world of the Good News of Jesus Christ, if we concentrate on the things we have in common as believers, rather than the things which may separate us.
Who Is Jesus?
Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God who came to Earth in the flesh and was crucified, taking on the weight of our sins in order that we might have a renewed relationship with God. He rose from the grave on the 3rd day, and He is alive today. One day Jesus will return to call His follower’s home.
Redemption. We believe Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died a vicarious death, arose through a triumphant resurrection, sits at the right hand of God, and lives to make intercession as man's only means of salvation. (Hebrews 7:25; John 14:6; Acts 4:12)
The Second Coming of Christ. We believe in the personal second coming of Christ to this world to end time, resurrect the dead, judge the world, receive the church unto himself, and to usher us all into eternity. (John 14:3; Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
The Kingdom of God. We believe that being born-again and added to the Church of God places us in the Kingdom of God, which is a present-day spiritual reality. We believe that Heaven and Hell are real, literal places where people will spend their eternity after physical death. (John 18:36-37; Luke 17:20-21; Romans 14:17)
What's Your Stance On The Bible?
We believe the Bible is God's inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word and is the standard for all Christians. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
Sinfulness of Humans. We believe the Bible teaching that all have sinned and fell short of
the glory of God. We alone are not good enough to inherit eternal life by our works. (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23)
Tithing. We believe in the practice of tithing through the local church as commanded by God in the scriptures. (Malachi 2:8-10; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Proverbs 3:9-10)
Witnessing. We believe the Bible teaches that every Christian should witness. (Psalm 126:5-6; Proverbs 11:30; Matthew 28:19-20)
What Is Rustic Hills Core Values?
In addition to these beliefs, we embrace these core biblical values:
The Lordship of Jesus Christ. There is one Lord, God's Son, Jesus Christ, over the church, so Christ is the church's ultimate authority in all things.
The Great Commission. Each of us is called to fulfill Matthew 28:18–20, making fully devoted followers of Christ—disciples—who will then teach others to follow him.
The Great Commandments. We are called to fulfill Matthew 22:37–39, not only loving God with our entire being, but also loving all that he loves.
The Holy Spirit's Work. God's Spirit equips believers with unique gifts that enable us to carry out the mission of Christ in the world. At the same time, the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in every believer (Galatians 5:22–23), which demonstrate the Spirit's presence within us.
Women in Ministry. Since its beginning, the New Testament church has appreciated the gifts and service of men and women in various roles. Throughout the Bible, God has used women as missionaries, deaconesses, witnesses, prophetesses, servants, teachers, and even as a Judge. God has poured out His Spirit on all of His people, calling His sons and daughters to prophesy (Acts 2:17). While men and women each have their unique, biblical roles in marriage and in the church, they are one and of the same value in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).
Who Is God?
God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present Creator of the universe. He set our world into motion and created each of us. God desires to have a relationship with us, however, sin (choosing our way instead of His) can come between us, breaking that relationship. God wants each of us to come to Him, but in His kindness, will not force us to do so.
The Trinity. We believe God is one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19)
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Who Is The Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the 3rd Person of the Trinity (God, Jesus and Spirit). He is our comforter and guide, sent to us when Jesus ascended to Heaven. The Holy Spirit helps us to live in a right relationship with God. He gives us spiritual gifts in order to serve and build up the Kingdom of God. Evidence of the Holy Spirit's dwelling in us is a holy, set apart lifestyle in bearing fruit.
Sanctification. We believe the experience of sanctification as a second definite work of grace, subsequent to salvation. This enables us to live a life of holiness which is the standard and norm for every believer. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:22-23; Hebrews 12:14; Acts 1:8)
Divine Healing. We believe in the Bible doctrine of divine physical healing which is provided by faith to the believer. (James 5:13-16; Matthew 4:23-24; Matthew 10:7-8; Acts 3:16)
Gifts of Ministry. We believe every believer has been given spiritual gifts for ministry. We believe that the gifts in the New Testament church have not ceased or gone away. All of the spiritual gifts are a present-day reality and will not cease until we see Jesus face to face.
(1 Corinthians 13:8-9; 1 Corinthians 12:6-11; Ephesians 4:11-13)
What Is Rustic Hills Mission?
Equipping people to join Jesus at home, at work, and in our world. We don’t go to church, we are the church.
Who Is The Church?
The church is the body of Christ and every believer has a place to belong and serve in that body. The church exists to glorify God, to care for and strengthen believers (making disciples), and to go out to our community and the world in order to lead others to Christ. We believe that the church should be a place where believers gather in unity and where seekers can find a safe, welcoming place to come to know Jesus, regardless of differences in our backgrounds, races, experiences and ages. The physical church building is not ‘God’s house’ because God does not dwell in temples built by human hands; Rather, the born-again believers are temples of the living God--the Holy Spirit. Therefore, when 2 or 3 are gathered, God is in the midst because we, as believers, bring the Holy Spirit with us wherever we go. The physical building of the church is not sacred and holy; the people inside of it are. (Acts 17:24; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Matthew 18:20)
Salvation makes us members of the body of Christ. We believe that the church is composed of every person who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. We enter into the life of the church, not by joining a denomination or a human organization, but by committing our lives to Christ. The church is not filled with perfect people; it is filled with people seeking a perfect God.
The body of Christ is one, here and now. We believe that God calls all Christians to live in unity and peace. While Christians may not agree on all things, we can embrace the spirit of Christ in caring concern for one another. Jesus is our common foundation, and love is our only creed!
The Church of God. We believe the Bible doctrine that the Church of God is the bride of Christ into which every believer is born and that here all born-again believers are united in one great Christian family, of which Christ is the head. (Acts 2:47; Acts 20:28; John 17:11-12; Ephesians 5:23)
All members of the body of Christ are to live a holy life. We believe that God's standard of life for all Christians is one of moral purity and godliness, to live as Christ. As God's people, we represent Christ in this world.
Ordinances. We believe water baptism by immersion, the Lord's Supper, and foot washing are all commands of our Lord to be obeyed and practiced by those who have been born-again. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:1-14; 1 Corinthians 1, 1:23-30; John 13:3-17)