Statement of Faith

1. We believe the Bible is the inerrant and authoritative Word of God, and that all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16).

2. We believe in one God, the sovereign Creator, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (John 1:14), (Col 1:15).

3. We believe that Jesus Christ became flesh by the virgin birth and died on the cross to sacrifice for our sins, according to the Scriptures. He arose and is now our High Priest and Mediator (Matt. 1: 18-25), (Isaiah 9:6), (1 Cor. 15:4).

4. We believe in the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ (John 14:6), (Acts 4:12).

5. We believe in biblical history to interpret the past; that God created the world in six days and made man in his image. We affirm that, “in the beginning, God created the heavens and earth,” and that the creation of human beings was a special creative act of God. (Gen. 1).

6. We believe that all human life is created by God in His image and is therefore of immeasurable worth, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged (Psalm 139: 13-16).

7. We believe God’s creation of each person as male or female reflects the image and nature of God. God created the two genders (or sexes), male and female, in His own image (Gen 1:26-27).

8. We believe the Biblical standard for expressing sexual behavior within the context of heterosexual marriage. (Romans 1:26-27).

9. We believe each person is made in God’s image and therefore must be treated equally by all. Cultural ethnicities that properly reflect diversity deserve respect. Hence, because our identity is found in Christ, we believe in Bible-centered unity and diversity (Acts 17:26), (Romans 2:11), (John 13:34).

10. We believe that Christians should strive to be obedient and others-centered, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” We affirm that human life should be valued and believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Eph. 2:10), (Matt 28:19), (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31).

This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of STSG’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our board of directors is STSG’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s application.