The Articles of Faith

 

 

​The articles of faith below are our doctrinal statement in ensuring conformity to the Word of God and preventing the church (STSC) from being “tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine.” Ephesians 4:14

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What We Believe:

 

About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He is eternally existent in three persons (The Godhead): God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal, but One God.  Gen. 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1;2; 2 Corinthians 13:4

 

About Humanity
Human beings were created in the image and likeness of God.  Man is also a tri-fold being: He is a spirit being, possess a soul, and lives in a body.  Our spirit is God's  breath of life, and when man dies his spirit returns to God, God breathe in man's nostril the breath of life and man became a living soul. When the body dies it returns to the dust (Gen.2:7; Eccl 12:7;Job 34:14-15; Psalm 104:29)The soul consists of three components: The mind (thinking), will (choices/decisions), and our emotions (our feelings) 1 Thess 5:23.  Humans are the supreme object of God’s creation.  Although people have tremendous potential for good, we are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called sin, because we were born into it.  Hence, we are automatically separated from God.  Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 51:5, Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 59:1-2; Rom. 3:10-23

 

About the Rapture/Latin for “caught up”
All born again believers will be caught up before the second coming of the Lord.  We believe that all prophesies have been fulfilled that leads up to the rapture, hence, the rapture is imminent.  The living Saints will not precede those who are dead during the rapture, for the dead in Christ shall rise first, then they which are alive shall be caught up together to meet them in the air, and so shall we forever be with the Lord. We also believe that this event (rapture) will happen prior to the seven year tribulation period.  1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 4-18 chapter

 

About Eternity
John 3:16 For God so loved the world (species; man) that He gave His only begotten (unique) Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Man has a mortal soul. Only God is immortal. 1 Timothy 6:16 He alone can never die, and He lives in light so brilliant that no human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen. Matt. 10:28 Jesus said do not fear them which kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. i.e., Psalm 119:175; Rev. 20:14; 1 Cor.15:51-54. But thanks be unto God! all delivers souls will become immortal (live forever with Him) after they die. Romans 8:11 & 1 Cor. 15:51-54; John 3:16.

 

About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  He is co-equal with the Father.  Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all humanity by dying on a cross.  He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death.  He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-18; 14:6-20; Hebrews 1:2; 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:13-16; Titus 2:11-14

 

About Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God to humanity.  Human beings can never make up for their sin by self-improvement or good.  Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can people be saved from sin’s penalty.  Eternal life begins the moment we receive Jesus Christ into our lives by grace, through faith, for it is the "gift" of God.  Hence, our old spirit man is now a new born again spirit man.  Romans 5:1; 6:23; 10:9-15; Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12; 3:16-17; 14:6; 17:3; Acts 4:10-12; Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

About Baptism and Communion
Water baptism by immersion soon after accepting Christ as personal Savior, is a testimony of death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Hence, it is an outward expression of an inner experience. The Lord's Supper is a memorial service setting forth in sacred and symbolic manner the death of the Lord Jesus Christ; all true believers and only believers should share in it.  Mark 1:9-11; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 16:31-33; Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11: 17-34

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About Eternal Security
Because God give his followers eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for eternity.  Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.  It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security.  John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

 

About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God.   He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ.  He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.  He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Holy Spirit also distributes spiritual gifts as He desires as a means of building up the entire church. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.  2 Corinthians 3:17; John 14:16,17; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 5:3,4; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; 12-14; Ephesians 1:13, 14; 5:1, 8; Galatians 5:25

 

About Tithing

That the first fruit of all our increase belongs to God:  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me.  But ye say wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sake, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.  Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land, say the Lord of hosts.  Malachi 3:8-12; Hebrews 7:1-28; 2 Corinthians 8:1-24; Mathew 5:17-20

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About the Bible
The Bible is the authoritative and inerrant Word of God to all humanity.  It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.  Because it is inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error.  2 Timothy 1:13; 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 3:15, 16; John 5:39; Exodus 24:4; Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 12:6; 119:11, 105, 160; Proverbs 30:5