Stevensville Bible Chapel

We at Stevensville Bible Chapel believe and teach the following:

The Bible

The Bible is inspired by God. It is inerrant in the original documents. It is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; Proverbs 30:5-6)

The Godhead

There is one God, existing eternally in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable. (Exodus 34:6-7; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; 10:30; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1: 8-12)

Jesus Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He entered the human race by being born of a virgin. He did not sin and could not sin. He died as a substitute for all the sins of the human race. He was buried, rose bodily from the grave, and ascended to the Father’s right hand. He now ministers as our Great High Priest. He will come to rapture His church and return to reign on the earth. (Matthew 1:21-23; John 1:1, 14; Acts 1:9; Romans 1:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4: 14-15; 7:25; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 19:11-21)

The Holy Spirit

The main work of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts and converts the sinner. He regenerates, indwells, baptizes, and seals all true believers in Christ. He empowers them to live a holy life. (Matthew 28:19; John 16:8, 14; Romans 8:9-16; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1: 13-14)

Man

Adam was created in the image and likeness of God. He was innocent and without sin. He subsequently sinned. As head of the human race, he passed on a sinful nature to all man kind. All men are sinners by nature and practice. Apart fom God’s salvation, man is eternally lost. (Genesis 1:27; 9:6; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1)

Sin

Sin is violation of or disobedience to the revealed will of God. It is also a state, the absence of righteousness, or anything that falls short of the perfect glory of God. God has established that the penalty for sin is death. (Isaiah 53:6; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 3:23; James 2:10; 4:17; Revelation 20:11-15)

Salvation

Without the shedding of the precious blood of Christ, there is no forgiveness of sin. Salvation comes by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is entirely apart from law-keeping or good works. It is entered into by all those who hear and understand the gospel, repent of their sin, and trust in Jesus Christ alone as Lord and Savior. One is kept eternally secure and cannot lose his salvation. (Mark 1:15; Acts 20:20-21; John 1:12-13; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Hebrews 9:22; John 10:28-29; Romans 5:1; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 John 5:11-13)

The Church

The universal church is made up of all true believers in the Lord Jesus. It started at Pentecost and continues to the Rapture of the church. Each local church is a miniature of the universal church. The local church is made up of believers in the Lord Jesus. They have been baptized following their conversion. They meet together for teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer, and evangelism. Christ is the head of each local church. He entrusts leadership to the elders, men who are reocgnized as Christ’s under-shepherds in the local church. Each church is to have deacons to serve the practical needs of the assambly. (Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 12: 12-13, 27; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:24-25, 30; Acts 6:3-6; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Hebrews 13:17)

Marriage

Marriage is only between one naturally born woman and one naturally born man. It occurs when a man leaves his family and unites with a woman who leaves her family. Marriage is for life. Separation is permitted but not divorce. (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16)

Christian Ordinances

There are two Christian ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism by immersion identifies the believer with Christ and signifies that the believer has died with Christ, has been buried with Him, and has risen with Him to walk in newness of life. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial feast, instituted by the Lord Himself. At this feast believers worship the Lord Jesus and remember His person and the Work that He did on our behalf. The Lord’s Supper is celebrated on a weekly basis. (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:42; 10:47-48; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:26)

Future Events

The next event is the rapture, which consists of the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to rapture His church. It is imminent and will conclude the present age of grace. This will be followed by a seven year period known as the tribulation. It will consist of the outpouring of God’s wrath on the earth. After this, the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with His church will occur. He will save The Remnant of Israel and establish His Millenial Kingdom. The capitol will be in Jerusalem and it will last a thousand years. At the conclusion of Christ’s Millenial reign, heaven and earth as we know them will be destroyed by fire and a new heaven and earth will be created. This will be known as the eternal state. (Matthew 24:21, 29-30; 25:46; Romans 6:14; 1 Corinthians 10:32; Ephesians 3:2-6; Colossians 1:25-27; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:4-10; Hebrews 7:18-19; Revelation 19:11-22:21)

Christian Life and Priorities

Christians are called to live a holy life. They are to be disciples of Jesus Christ and, as such, to live lives of service and testimony in the power of the Holy Spirit. This service includes ministry in the church and evangelization. (Romans 12:12; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Colossians 3:1-11)

Spiritual Gifts

The Holy Spirit gives each believer at conversion a gift or gifts. These gifts are to equip him to serve the Lord and edify other believers. These gifts are given by a sovereign act of the Holy Spirit. They are not in response to the desires or prayers of men. (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Ephesians 2:20; 3:5; 4:11-12; Hebrews 2:3-4)