1516 Edgerton Dr, Joliet, IL 60435

stonehillbible@yahoo.com

(815) 725-1544

Jesus over Everything.

GIVING

What We Believe

Often, we are asked, “What are your basic beliefs?” We always start by saying that we believe the Bible is God’s Word and is to be interpreted by the literal method, where the rules of grammar, literature, history,  and culture are consistently applied. In this way, we can accurately understand the author’s meaning and properly apply the Bible’s principles.

the BIBLE

2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Hebrews 4:12

  • We believe that the Scriptures in all 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired of God, error free in the original manuscripts, and the supreme authority of faith and practice for followers of Christ.

GOD

Deuteronomy 6:4

  • We believe there is one living and true God, who is one in essence, while eternally existing in three distinct persons –  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

MAN

Genesis 1:26, Romans 1:18-32, 3:10-23

  • We believe that mankind was directly created in the image of God to enjoy His fellowship and fulfill His purposes on earth. However, in Adam, all mankind fell into sin; consequently, all people are spiritually dead and subject to the certainty of both physical and spiritual death apart from faith in Jesus Christ.

SALVATION

John 1:12; 3:16; 14:6, Ephesians 2:8-9

  • We believe that salvation is by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Not by works.  All who believe in Him are declared righteous by the Father on the grounds of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, being regenerated by and baptized in the Holy Spirit.

the CHURCH

Acts 2:41-47, Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Corinthians 12-14

  • We believe that all who are “born again” by the Holy Spirit belong to the one true church and are instructed by the Scriptures to associate themselves in local, visible churches.

LEADERSHIP

1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9, Acts 6:1-6

  • We believe that Jesus Christ leads the local church through a plurality of elders who have been called, gifted, and appointed by Him. By seeking the mind of Christ, depending upon the Holy Spirit and diligently examining the Word of God, the elders provide spiritual oversight and direction for the church. The qualifications of elders are character based as defined in 1 Timothy and Titus, and the decisions of the elders require unanimous agreement.

ORDINANCES

Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 6:3-7, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

  • Baptism is a clear injunction of the Scriptures which outwardly express the inward reality of new life in Christ. Our method of baptism is immersion as described in the New Testament and practiced in the early church.
  • We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of Christ and His redemptive death. It is also an expression of our fellowship with one another. In communion we are reminded of Christ’s first coming and encouraged to look forward to His coming again.

the FUTURE

Matthew 24-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

  • We believe the next great event of human history will be the personal return of Jesus Christ. This is the blessed hope for which all those who love Christ yearn. While the exact time of Christ’s return is unknown, it is imminent and certain.

ETERNAL LIFE

John 3:16, Romans 6:23, 1 John 2:25; 1 John 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15

  •  We were created to exist forever.  We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation.  To be eternally separated from God is hell.  To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life.