Preamble

Spirit Temple Bible Church (STBC) exists to proclaim Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15; 1 Corinthians 2:2), equip believers to live from their union with Him (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27), and advance the Kingdom of God in the earth (Matthew 28:18–20; Revelation 11:15).

We affirm the historic Christian faith (Jude 3) and we also articulate distinctives that reflect our Christ-centered interpretation of Scripture (Luke 24:27; John 5:39) through the lens of the finished work of Christ on the cross (John 19:30; Hebrews 10:14) and the reality of the New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:15)

Unity in Christ Clause

STBC affirms unity in the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:3–6; 1 Corinthians 12:12–13) and recognizes that faithful believers and congregations may hold differing views on certain secondary doctrinal matters, including eschatological details (Romans 14:1–5). While maintaining our doctrinal distinctives as a matter of leadership alignment and teaching integrity (Titus 1:9), we do not treat such differences as a test of salvation or fellowship for those who confess Jesus Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9; 1 John 4:2–3).

Section I: Core Statement of Faith

1. The Holy Scriptures

We believe the Old and New Testaments are divinely inspired and authoritative (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21). Scripture reveals God’s redemptive purpose fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Luke 24:44; Hebrews 1:1–2) and provides the foundation for doctrine, life, and godly practice (Psalm 119:105). We affirm that Scripture is to be read responsibly in context and with Christ as its fulfillment and interpretive center (John 5:39; Colossians 2:17).

2. The One True God

We believe in one eternal God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5), Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16), who reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). God is holy (Isaiah 6:3), loving (1 John 4:8), just (Psalm 89:14), and good (Psalm 145:9), and His nature is perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ (John 1:18; Hebrews 1:3).

3. The Lord Jesus Christ

We believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man (John 1:1,14; Colossians 2:9), conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18), born of the virgin Mary (Matthew 1:23), and without sin (Hebrews 4:15). He lived in perfect obedience to the Father (John 8:29), was crucified for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3; Isaiah 53:5), buried, and bodily raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:4; Luke 24:39). He ascended to the Father (Acts 1:9–11) and is presently exalted, reigning as Lord and Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:20–23; Colossians 1:18).

4. The Work of Redemption

We believe redemption is accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 4:25). By His shed blood (Ephesians 1:7) and victorious resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20–22), He reconciled humanity to God (2 Corinthians 5:18–19), defeated sin and death (Hebrews 2:14; 1 Corinthians 15:54–57), and secured eternal life for all who believe (John 3:16; John 10:28). Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, not by human works (Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5).

5. The Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit regenerates the believer (John 3:5–6), indwells the believer (1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:11), empowers holy living (Galatians 5:16–25), and equips the Church for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Ephesians 4:11–12). The Spirit glorifies Christ (John 16:14), leads believers into truth (John 16:13), and distributes gifts for edification and the advancement of the Kingdom (1 Corinthians 14:12).

6. Humanity and Salvation

We believe humanity was created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27) and is loved by God (John 3:16). Because of sin, humanity became separated from God and in need of redemption (Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:2). Through faith in Jesus Christ, the believer is forgiven (Colossians 1:14), justified (Romans 5:1), reconciled to God (Romans 5:10), and brought into new life (Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

7. The Church

We believe the Church is the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–13), composed of all who have been united to Him by faith (Galatians 3:26–28). Christ is the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18). The Church is commissioned to preach the gospel (Mark 16:15), make disciples (Matthew 28:19–20), and demonstrate the life and power of Christ in the world through love, truth, and Spirit-empowered ministry (Acts 1:8; Matthew 5:16).

8. Resurrection and Eternal Life

We believe in the resurrection of the dead (John 5:28–29; 1 Corinthians 15:20–23) and eternal life in union with Christ (John 17:3; 1 John 5:11–13). We affirm the ultimate triumph of God’s Kingdom (Revelation 11:15) and the full consummation of redemption as God dwells with His people (Revelation 21:3–5).

Section II: Doctrinal Distinctives of Spirit Temple Bible Church

1. Christ-Centered Interpretation and the Finished Work as the Lens

We affirm that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:27) and the interpretive center of all Scripture (John 5:39). We teach that doctrine must be understood in light of Christ’s finished work on the cross (John 19:30; Hebrews 10:10–14) and His resurrection (Romans 4:25). We refuse fear-based or condemnation-driven interpretations that contradict the revealed goodness of God in Christ (John 14:9; Romans 8:1) and the completeness of redemption (Colossians 2:9–10).

2. New Creation Reality

We affirm that salvation is not merely moral improvement but spiritual and ontological transformation (2 Corinthians 5:17). In Christ, the believer is a new creation (Ephesians 2:15). This new identity is a present reality grounded in union with Christ (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3–4) and empowered by the indwelling Spirit (Romans 8:9–11). The believer lives from acceptance (Ephesians 1:6), righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21), and sonship (Romans 8:15), not toward them.

3. Salvation as Resurrection Life

We affirm that eternal life begins now through Christ (John 5:24; John 17:3). The believer has passed from death to life (John 5:24) and participates in resurrection life by the Spirit (Romans 6:4; Romans 8:11). We teach salvation as the life of the age to come breaking into the present through union with the risen Christ (Colossians 3:1–4).

4. The Believer and Death

We teach that Scripture commonly describes deceased believers as asleep in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14; 1 Corinthians 15:51), emphasizing the temporary nature of physical death in light of resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:52–54). We reject fear-driven narratives that treat death as ultimate defeat for the redeemed, because death has been conquered through Christ’s resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:55–57; Revelation 1:18).

5. The Appearing of Christ and the Hope of the Church

We affirm that the Church’s blessed hope is centered on Christ’s appearing (Titus 2:13; Colossians 3:4) and the resurrection and transformation of believers (1 Corinthians 15:51–53; Philippians 3:20–21). We teach that the New Testament language of Christ’s coming emphasizes manifestation and unveiling (2 Thessalonians 1:7–10; 1 Peter 1:7). When Christ appears, the Church appears with Him in glory (Colossians 3:4). We emphasize transformation and immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53) rather than escapism from creation (Romans 8:19–21).

6. The Glorious Church

We affirm that Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25), and that the Church is being formed and presented glorious through His completed work (Ephesians 5:26–27). The Church is not defined by defeat (2 Corinthians 2:14), fear (2 Timothy 1:7), or abandonment (Hebrews 13:5), but by union with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17), maturation (Ephesians 4:13), holiness (Hebrews 10:14), and glory that flows from redemption (Romans 8:30).

7. The Kingdom of God and the Church’s Assignment

We affirm the Kingdom of God as a present reality inaugurated in Christ (Luke 17:20–21; Mark 1:15) and advancing through the Church (Matthew 13:31–33). We teach that believers are called to live from heaven’s reality (Ephesians 2:6; Philippians 3:20), demonstrating Christ’s life, love, authority, and wisdom in every sphere of life (Matthew 5:13–16; Colossians 3:17). We emphasize discipleship (Matthew 28:19–20), spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:13–15), and Spirit-empowered witness (Acts 1:8) as essential expressions of Kingdom life.

8. Heaven as Present Reality in Christ

We affirm that heaven is not merely a future destination, but the realm of God’s rule and presence (Matthew 6:10; Hebrews 12:22–24) into which believers are seated with Christ (Ephesians 2:6). We teach that believers live from heaven’s perspective and reality (Colossians 3:1–2) through union with Christ and fellowship with the Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14).

Closing Affirmation

We confess Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2), Christ risen (1 Corinthians 15:20), Christ reigning (Ephesians 1:20–22), and Christ appearing (Colossians 3:4). We affirm the Church as His body (1 Corinthians 12:27), called to maturity and glory (Ephesians 4:13; Romans 8:30), living from the finished work of redemption (Hebrews 10:14) and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).