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< BACK TO OUTLINE Previous Next IX. Our Response — Love, Mission, and Discipleship 37. The Great Commandment and the Great Commission We believe Jesus summarized the Christian life in two great commands: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Flowing from that love, we are commissioned to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything Christ has commanded. Love compels us to go, and the gospel gives us the message to share. We live out our faith through love in action, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to all people until He returns. Scripture References: Matthew 22:37-39; John 13:34-35; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8** Expanded Explanation: The Christian life begins and ends with love — love for God and love for people. When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, He didn’t give a list of rules but pointed to relationship: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” (Mark 12:30). This love fuels obedience, worship, and service. Flowing from it is the call to love others — not in words alone, but in action and truth (1 John 3:18). From this foundation of love comes our mission. Jesus commissioned His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), empowering them by the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The Great Commandment and the Great Commission are inseparable — one expresses the heart of God, the other fulfills His purpose. Every believer is both a disciple and a disciple-maker. Loving God leads to loving people, and loving people leads to sharing the gospel. Evangelism, service, generosity, and compassion are not optional programs but the natural overflow of a life transformed by grace. We live “on mission” every day — in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and to the nations — until Christ returns and all creation joins in worship of the Lamb. Conclusion These beliefs form the foundation of our faith and practice. They are not merely doctrines to affirm but truths to live — shaping how we love God, serve others, and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. In all things, we seek to glorify Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, until the day He returns and makes all things new. Previous Next

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< BACK TO OUTLINE Previous Next III. The Church — God’s People and Purpose 12. The Church, Mission, and Eternity We believe the Church is the body of Christ, made up of all believers who have been redeemed by His blood and born again through faith in Him. Jesus is the Head of the Church, and every believer is a vital part of His body. The Church exists to glorify God, make disciples, and carry out the Great Commission — proclaiming the gospel to all nations. We believe in the future resurrection of the dead and the eternal destiny of all people. Those who belong to Christ will be raised to eternal life with glorified bodies, while those who reject Him will face eternal separation from God. This hope of resurrection and the reality of judgment call us to live in holiness, share the gospel with urgency, and look forward to the day when Christ will make all things new. Scripture References: Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Revelation 21:1-4 Expanded Explanation: The Church is not a building but a living body united under one Head — Jesus Christ. Every believer, redeemed by His blood, is joined together in spiritual fellowship through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:12–13). This unity crosses all boundaries of culture, race, and background. Christ calls His Church to continue His mission: to make disciples, baptize believers, and teach them to walk in His commands. The Church exists to glorify God on earth by representing His kingdom through love, truth, and service. Our mission is rooted in eternity. The resurrection assures us that death is not the end but the doorway to eternal life (John 11:25–26). Believers will one day share in Christ’s glory with renewed, imperishable bodies, while unbelief leads to eternal separation from Him. This truth gives meaning to both our worship and our witness. Every act of service and every soul reached matters forever because the Church stands as God’s instrument of redemption until Christ returns and makes all things new. 13. Baptism and the Lord’s Suppe r We believe Jesus gave the Church two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the outward expression of an inward faith — a public declaration of identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic meal of bread and cup, reminding us of His sacrifice and the new covenant in His blood. Both are acts of worship and obedience that strengthen our faith and unity as His body. Scripture References: Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Colossians 2:12 Expanded Explanation: The ordinances of baptism and communion serve as visible expressions of invisible grace. Baptism symbolizes death to the old life and resurrection into new life through Christ (Romans 6:4). It doesn’t save, but it testifies that salvation has already taken place in the heart. Through baptism, believers publicly declare their allegiance to Jesus and their inclusion in His family. The Lord’s Supper (or Communion) reminds us of the price of that salvation — the broken body and shed blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:23–26). When we share in the bread and the cup, we proclaim His death until He comes again. This act renews gratitude, repentance, and unity among believers. Together, these ordinances keep the Church centered on the gospel: we have died with Christ, been raised with Christ, and now live to honor Him. 14. Worship and Prayer We believe worship is our right response to who God is and what He has done. It is more than music — it is a lifestyle of love, surrender, and obedience. Corporate worship unites believers in adoration and gratitude, centering our hearts on God’s presence. Prayer is our ongoing conversation with God, aligning our will with His and inviting His power to work in our lives and the world. Scripture References: John 4:23-24; Psalm 95:6; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Expanded Explanation: Worship begins in the heart long before it reaches our lips. True worship is a response to revelation — seeing God for who He is and responding with reverence, joy, and surrender. Jesus taught that worship must be “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), meaning it is both heartfelt and grounded in God’s Word. Music is a beautiful expression of worship, but obedience, generosity, service, and prayer are equally acts of worship when done for God’s glory (Romans 12:1). Prayer is the heartbeat of worship. It’s not just asking things from God but aligning our hearts with His purposes. In prayer, we exchange anxiety for peace (Philippians 4:6–7) and weakness for strength. Personal prayer deepens intimacy with God; corporate prayer unites the body in faith. When the Church prays and worships in unity, God’s presence transforms hearts, renews communities, and advances His kingdom on earth. 15. The Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit We believe the Holy Spirit empowers every believer with spiritual gifts for the glory of God and the good of others. These gifts are to be exercised in love, humility, and order, always pointing people to Jesus. The true evidence of the Spirit’s presence is the fruit of the Spirit — Christlike character formed in us as we walk by the Spirit each day. Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Romans 12:6-8; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Peter 4:10-11 Expanded Explanation: The Holy Spirit equips every believer with gifts that strengthen the Church and advance God’s mission in the world. These include gifts such as teaching, serving, encouraging, giving, leading, showing mercy, healing, prophecy, tongues, and interpretation of tongues (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:8–11). Each gift is distributed by the Spirit as He wills, and all are meant to work together in harmony for the common good. While the gifts display the Spirit’s power, the fruit of the Spirit displays His nature. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23) mark a life surrendered to God. Gifts without fruit can become prideful; fruit without service can become passive. The Spirit desires both—power and purity, expression and character—so that together the people of God reflect the beauty and truth of Jesus Christ. Previous Next

THRIVE WHAT IS THRIVE? The Thrive Senior Adults Ministry at Rock Springs is a great opportunity for senior adults to continue growing in their walk with Christ, stay active throughout the week, and enjoy wonderful fellowship opportunities! Join our Senior Adults Ministry Group on Facebook for more information about the different events happening each week, and click below to learn more about the Senior Adult Small Groups we offer! WEDNESDAY SERVICE: Milner Campus: 5:00 PM Macon Campus: 5:00 PM For more information, contact Pastor Darryl Woodruff at darryl@rockspringsonline.com . HOW WE CARE LEARN MORE Questions? Darryl Woodruff Senior Adults Pastor SEE FULL STAFF