What We Believe
The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the
man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
Sound doctrine is important for the believer, and his walk with God. Because of this, we at St.
Stevens place a high emphasis on accurately teaching the scriptures, and providing multiple options for learning and growing in the Word. If you ever have questions, or would like
further information, our Pastor is always available, at pastor.enewman@gmail.com.
THE SCRIPTURES
We believe in the Holy Scriptures, accepting the writings of the sixty-six books of the Old and
New Testaments as the authentic Word of God, and that it is without error. We believe that the teaching and application of scripture are critical, when it comes to understanding the will and intentions of God, and how it pertains to the life of the believer. Without an
understanding of God’s Word, the Christian can neither truly understand God- nor himself. (John 1:1; Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Psalm 12:6-8).
THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is only one True God, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. He is perfect, and infinite in His holiness, and worthy of all honor, praise, and love; eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, but distinct in function. (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 15:11; Psalm 83:18, 139:7-9; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30, 15:26).
GOD THE FATHER
We Believe that God the Father is an infinite rational spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, justice, power and love. We believe that He is attentive to the concerns of humanity, that He hears and answers prayers, and that He saves all who come to Him through Jesus Christ, from sin and death (Ephesians 4:6; Matthew 23:9;
Isaiah 64:8)
JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ- Who is the second Person of the Trinity, the eternal Word and Only Begotten Son of God. We believe that through the grace and foresight of God- He was sent to dwell among mankind, living as God manifested in the flesh. He was sinless, and a living demonstration of holiness and compassion. We believe that He ultimately accepted the penalty of death- on behalf of sinful humanity, and was resurrected from the dead, conquering death once and for all.
We believe that this victory was secured for everyone who would trust in Him for salvation.
Once He secured victory through resurrection, He ascended into Heaven, and is presently at the Right Hand of The Father, interceding for us. Ultimately- He will return as Lord and King, to rule this world and the next. (John 1:1, 14, 3:16; Matthew 1:18-25, Galatians 4:4, 5; Philippians 2:6-10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-7; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 2:1-2).
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit: who is the Third Person of the Trinity, who reveals the Will of God to the people of God, and convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment. We believe that He eternally secures and empowers the believer for holy works and righteous living, and as needed, disciplines all who become children of God through Christ. The Holy Spirit is our helper, and makes it possible for us to communicate with God the Father (Mark 16:17-20; John 3:5, 14:16, 17, 26, 16:7-14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 1:22, 12:13, 13:8, 4:2122; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 12:12; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Hebrews 2:3-4).
THE CONDITION OF MAN
We believe that although created in God’s image, all men and women, because of being born into sin and practicing sin, are separated from Him and His purpose for their lives, and are subject to His wrath apart from salvation through Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:27, 3:6; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23, 5:12, 19; Galatians 3:11).
SALVATION
We believe in salvation by grace through faith: and that salvation is the free gift of God- to all who place their faith and trust in Christ alone. We believe that salvation is not obtained by the ‘good works’ of man, but received ONLY by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that once we’ve put our faith in Christ, we are permanently and eternally delivered from condemnation, and the penalty for sin. We believe that since salvation was not obtained through works- it cannot be taken away, because of works.
We also believe that all true believers have every spiritual resource needed to live a godly life, and a divine guarantee from God Himself- that they shall never perish. We believe that apart from Christ- there is no possible salvation. (Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; John 1:12, 3:14, 10:28, 29; Romans 8:1; Philippians 1:6).
CHRISTIAN LIVING
We believe in righteous living and godly works: not as a means of salvation in any sense, but as it is the evidence and result of salvation. Therefore as grateful believers, we should obey the Word of God, striving every day to walk as He walked, and accept our responsibility of sharing the gospel with a lost world.
We believe that all Christians should live in a manner that does not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and make every effort to abstain from those things God expressly told us to avoid, and live lives that glorify Christ. (Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:1, 2, 14:13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Philippians 2:16; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17).
SATAN
We believe that Satan- an angel created by God, was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors, but through pride and ambition to be God, fell- and drew after him a host of angels. We believe that he is now the great tempter, the deceiver, the enemy of God, the accuser of the saints, and the author of false religions. He is destined, however, to a final judgment of banishment in an eternal Lake of Fire- at the hand of God’s own Son. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 12:9-11, 20:10).
THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe in the importance of the local church: that all believers should assemble and identify themselves in local churches. We believe that a New Testament church is a local assembly of born-again, baptized believers, organized and united to practice New Testament ordinances, to meet together for worship, prayer, fellowship, teaching and a united testimony, and to actively engage in carrying out the Great Commission. We believe in the two primary offices of the church; the first being that of the pastor, and the second office being that of the diaconate. (Acts 2:41, 42; 1 Corinthians 11:2; Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Timothy 3:1, 8; Titus 1:5).
ORDINANCES
We believe the ordinances given to the local church are two, baptism and the Lord's Supper: that baptism is a one time event following salvation and is by immersion of believers, thus portraying the death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ; that the Lord's Supper is the partaking of the bread and cup by the believer as a continuing memorial of the broken body and shed blood of Christ. We believe that the Lord's Supper can be taken by any believer who is in a right relationship with Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 8:38, 39; Matthew 26:26-30; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34).
INDEPENDENCE AND AUTONOMY
We believe in the independence and autonomy of the local church: that each New Testament church is free to govern itself without external interference, and should cooperate with other New Testament churches of like faith and practice- as the Holy Spirit leads; that it is responsible to follow the pattern of the New Testament church and is directly accountable to God. (Matthew 18:17; Acts 6:1-5, Acts 13:1-3, Acts 15:22-23).
MARRIAGE AND INTIMACY
We believe that God creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together- reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26-27; Matthew 19:4-5). As such, we believe that the term ‘Marriage’ has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Genesis 2:18-25). We also believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur- only between a man and a woman, who are married to each other (1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4).
We also believe that God offers redemption and restoration, to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
​