Statement of Faith

This document, together with our Community Guidelines make up the requirements that all writers and publishers on the SSIM platform must adhere to.

Stepping Stones International Ministry (SSIM) is dedicated to the furthering of the gospel and providing a free content hosting platform for publishers and writers who share the same core beliefs spelled out in the following Nicene Creed.

The Nicene creed serves as a unifying statement that connects believers across various Christian denominations by affirming essential Christian beliefs. The following version is a revised version from the original Nicene Creed formulated at the First Council of Nicaea (325 AD). The copy below includes scripture references for each statement, enhancing its theological depth and grounding upon biblical texts, the enhanced version was formulated at the First Council of Constantinople (381 AD).

The Nicene Creed

• We believe in (Romans 10:8-10, 1 John 4:15)
• ONE God, (Deuteronomy 6:4, Ephesians 4:6)
• The Father (Matthew 6:9)
• Almighty, (Exodus 6:3)
• Maker of Heaven and Earth, (Genesis 1:1)
• And of all things visible and invisible. (Colossians 1:15-16)
• And in ONE Lord Jesus Christ, (Acts 11:17)
• The Son of God, (Matthew 14:33; 16:16)
• The Only-Begotten, (John 1:18, 3:16)
• Begotten of the Father before all ages. (John 1:2)
• Light of Light; (Psalm 27:1, John 8:12, Matthew 17:2, 5)
• True God of True God; (John 17:1-5)
• Begotten, not made; (John 1:18)
• of one essence with the Father (John 10:30)
• By whom all things were made; (Hebrews 1:1-2)
• Who for us men and for our salvation (1 Timothy 2:4-5)
• Came down from Heaven, (John 6:33, 35)
• And was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, (Luke 1:35)
• And became man. (John 1:14)
• And was crucified for us (Mark 15:25, 1 Corinthians 15:3)
• Under Pontus Pilate, (John 19:6)
• And suffered (Mark 8:31)
• And was buried. (Luke 23:53, 1 Corinthians 15:4)
• And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures. (Luke 24:1, 1 Corinthians 15:4)
• And ascended into Heaven, (Luke 24:51, Acts 1:10)
• And sits at the right hand of the Father. (Mark 16:19, Acts 7:55)
• And He shall come again with glory (Matthew 24:27)
• To judge the living and the dead; (Acts 10:42, 2 Timothy 4:1)
• Whose Kingdom shall have no end. (2 Peter 1:11)
• And in the Holy Spirit, (John 14:26)
• The Lord, (Acts 5:3-4)
• The Giver of Life, (Genesis 1:2)
• Who proceeds from the Father; (John 15:26)
• Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; (Matthew 3:16-17)
• Who spoke through the prophets. (1 Samuel 19:20, Ezekiel 11:5, 13)
• In one, (Matthew 16:18)
• Holy, (1 Peter 2:5, 9)
• Catholic (*A), (Mark 16:15)
• And apostolic Church. (Acts 2:42, Ephesians 2:19-22)
• I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins (*B). (Ephesians 4:5, Acts 2:38)
• I look for the resurrection of the dead, (John 11:24, 1 Corinthians 15:12-49, Hebrews 6:2, Revelation 20:5)
• And the life of the world to come. (Mark 10:29-30)
• AMEN. (Psalm 106:48)

Notes

*A - The word "catholic" (literally, "complete," "universal," or "according to the whole") refers to the universal church of the Lord Jesus Christ and not necessarily or exclusively to any particular visible denomination, institution, or doctrine.

*B - May be interpreted as: baptism is a matter of obedience, and not a requirement for salvation or as a regenerating ordinance.

Additional Requirements

The Deity of Jesus

Faith groups and individuals that deny the full, eternal deity of Jesus Christ or His incarnation whereby He, as God, took on human flesh (becoming fully God and fully man in one person), are considered non-Christians. Posts that deny the full, eternal deity of Jesus Christ or His incarnation are considered non-Christian theology and will be removed.

Paul’s Apostleship

Challenging Paul's position as an Apostle of Jesus Christ who (though not one of the original twelve) was sent forth by Christ after his conversion [Acts 9:15-16], or arguing against the inclusion of Paul's writings in the New Testament canon, is not allowed. You may disagree on the interpretation and application of his writings, but not their place as canon, or Paul as an inspired author of Scripture.

Statement on Marriage

SSIM takes the stand that marriage was established by God, who created us male and female (Genesis 1:27-28). We regard marriage as a sacred institution that symbolizes the mysterious bond between Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5:23-24, Ephesians 5:32).

We believe that marriage is much more than a civil contract between two persons, it is a sacred joining together of a man and a woman into one flesh, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:21-25). Therefore, we only recognize heterosexual marriages. Promoting, supporting or leaving the door open to non-heterosexual marriage between a man and a woman, or any “fringe” teachings on marriage will not be allowed.

Non-Orthodox Theology

Additionally, unorthodox Christian theology such as Gnosticism, Annihilationism, Full Preterism, Open Theism, or Universalism are not considered to be orthodox and will be removed.

Users who post any content in violation of these policies risk having their content removed. After repeated offenses a user risks having their account suspended entirely and all content produced by the offending account removed.