This statement of faith reflects the core evangelical convictions of Strengthening the Saints LLC. It is published to provide transparency about the theological commitments that undergird the STS platform, guide our content standards, and establish expectations for churches and Shepherds who use our platform to disciple their members. Shepherds and churches using STS are expected to teach within the bounds of evangelical orthodoxy consistent with this statement.
This statement serves as a content standard and statement of belief — it does not constitute a comprehensive systematic theology, and it does not supersede any church's own confession or doctrinal documents. Local churches retain their full theological identity and authority.
1. The Holy Scriptures
We believe that the Bible — comprising the sixty-six canonical books of the Old and New Testaments — is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God, written by human authors who were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). Scripture is the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. No creed, tradition, spiritual experience, or platform shall be elevated above it.
2. The Triune God
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three distinct, co-equal Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each Person is fully and equally God, sharing the one divine nature, yet distinguishable in role and personal relation. The doctrine of the Trinity is essential to the Christian faith (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
3. Jesus Christ — His Person and Work
We believe in the full, eternal deity and genuine humanity of Jesus Christ — truly God and truly man in one Person. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, and taught with divine authority. He died on the cross as a substitutionary, propitiatory atonement for the sins of all who believe. He was bodily raised from the dead on the third day, ascended bodily to the right hand of the Father, and intercedes for His people. He will return personally, visibly, and bodily to judge the living and the dead and to consummate His Kingdom (John 1:1-14; Isaiah 53:4-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:11).
4. The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). He regenerates, seals, indwells, and baptizes every believer at the moment of conversion (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13). He sanctifies believers, gifts them for service to the body, illuminates Scripture, and empowers godly living (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16-23).
5. Creation and the Dignity of Humanity
We believe God created all things ex nihilo — out of nothing — by His sovereign word, and that creation is good (Genesis 1:31; Colossians 1:16). Human beings alone bear the image of God (imago Dei), granting each person inherent dignity and moral accountability. God created human beings as male and female with distinction (Genesis 1:27; 2:7, 18-24).
6. The Fall and Universal Sinfulness
We believe that Adam and Eve, as historical persons, disobeyed God and thereby plunged the entire human race into sin and death (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). Every person since is born spiritually dead, morally corrupt, and under the just condemnation of God (Ephesians 2:1-3). Humanity is incapable of self-redemption. This reality makes the gospel indispensable.
7. Salvation by Grace Through Faith
We believe salvation is by grace alone (sola gratia), through faith alone (sola fide), in Christ alone (solus Christus), to the glory of God alone (soli Deo gloria). Justification is a gracious, forensic declaration by which God imputes the righteousness of Christ to the believer and forgives all sin — past, present, and future. It is not earned by works, religious effort, or moral performance, but is received through repentance and faith (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26; Titus 3:5). All who are truly saved are kept by the power of God and will persevere to the end (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:38-39).
8. The Church
We believe in the universal Church, the body and bride of Christ, composed of all genuinely regenerate believers of every nation and era (Ephesians 1:22-23; Revelation 7:9). We also affirm the indispensable importance of the local church — a covenant community of baptized believers who gather regularly for the ministry of the Word, prayer, worship, fellowship, and the administration of the ordinances (baptism and the Lord's Supper) (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
The local church is the primary God-ordained context for discipleship, accountability, pastoral oversight, and spiritual growth. STS exists to serve and strengthen the local church — not to replace it, compete with it, or provide an alternative to it.
9. Bodily Resurrection and Eternal States
We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ as a literal, historical event and the guarantee of the believer's own resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). All people will be resurrected: believers to eternal life and the unveiled presence of God; unbelievers to the eternal, conscious judgment of God — commonly called hell — which is a place of real suffering and permanent separation from God (John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:46).
10. The Return of Christ
We believe in the personal, bodily, visible, and glorious return of Jesus Christ to this earth. He will judge the living and the dead, defeat all evil, and usher in the fullness of His eternal Kingdom — the new heaven and new earth in which righteousness dwells (Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-16; 2 Peter 3:13). The exact timing of His return is not revealed; we are to live in readiness, hope, and faithful service until He comes (Matthew 24:44; Revelation 22:20).
This statement reflects the foundational convictions of Strengthening the Saints LLC. Disagreement with points in this statement does not automatically disqualify a church from using the STS platform; however, content published through church libraries on STS must remain consistent with the core affirmations of evangelical orthodoxy as represented here. STS administration reserves the right to make those determinations.