WHAT WE BELIEVE
Here is a summary of our core beliefs. The references in brackets are passages from the Bible that refer to the belief we hold. If you have questions, would like more detail, or wish to know about subjects not listed below, please contact us.
God
We believe there is one living and true God who eternally exists in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe God knows and loves us and has created us to have a personal relationship with Him.(Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ came to earth as God in human form. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived on earth without sin, died sacrificially on a cross for our sins, arose bodily from the dead and ascended to heaven, and that he will return to earth.
(Matt 1:20-21; Mark 16:19; John 1:1, 14; 14:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:3-5;I Tim. 2:5-6; Heb 1:1-3; I Peter 2:21-22)
Holy Spirit
We believe in the deity of the Holy Spirit. We believe He lives within each of us who accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour, to guide, instruct, comfort and empower us to godly living.
(John 14: 16-18; Romans 8:9-17; Ephesians 1: I3-15; Ephesians 4:4-6)
The Bible
We believe the Bible in its entirety is inspired by God, without error in its original manuscripts and is God's complete and sufficient revelation of authority for all matters of doctrine and practice.
(Deuteronomy 4:2; John 5: 17-18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
Humanity
We believe men and women are created by God, but through the sin of Adam and our own choice, we are all sinners, are liable to eternal judgment and are unable to save ourselves.
(Genesis 1:26; 2:17; Psalms 51:5; Eccl. 12:13-14; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2: 1-3; Revelation 20: 11-15)
Salvation
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ died to pay the price and take the penalty for our sins. We believe each of us, who repent of our sin, and put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone, are forgiven and eternally secure as a child of God and that this given totally by God's grace, not by our works or religious observances. We believe the Holy Spirit lives in everyone who believes.
The Church
We believe all of those who accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord become part of His body, the universal church, of which Jesus is Head. Stone Ridge is a local expression of the universal church. As a local church, we are commanded by Scripture to gather and devote ourselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Word of God, and fellowship with one another. We are also called to serve each other using the spiritual gifts and talents God has given us, and to reach out to our community and to the world.
(Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:3-13; Hebrews 10:24-25; Matt 28:19-20)
Ordinances
We believe Scripture instructs the local church to meet regularly for communion, and to baptize Christians by immersion upon public confession of their faith. We do not believe Scripture teaches the local church to follow any other specific ordinances.
(Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2:42-47; 8:36-40; Romans 12:1-21; 1 Corinthians 11:23-24; 12:1-31; Ephesians 4; 1 Timothy 3)
Return of Christ
We believe in the personal, imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ for His church, and in the bodily resurrection of both those who are saved and those who are not. We believe those who are saved will spend eternity with God, and those who are not saved will spend eternity in Hell, a place of separation from God.
(John 14:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:35-57; I Thessalonians. 4:13-18; Titus 2:13;Revelation 19:11-20)