The Beliefs of John Robert Stevens

Stevens used the terminology, “Christ in you,” to describe the Christian reality of having the fullness of Jesus manifested within the believer. Stevens taught that as Christ came forth as the fullness of the Father, we are to come forth as the fullness of Christ (Colossians 1:19-20; Ephesians 1:22-23). Hebrews 2:10 confirms this reality, when it says that Jesus was “bringing many sons to glory.” Christ in you is this glory (Colossians 1:27), for the Father is bringing us into conformity with the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

Although the concept of Christ in you is a scriptural truth, Stevens was determined that it would also be a practical reality. Stevens taught that one of the functions of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life is to bring forth the fullness of Christ; as I Corinthians 12:3 states, no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. John 3:30 also describes this process: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Our natures are simultaneously being taken over by the Lord and we are becoming something new.

Jesus is no longer an individual as He once was (II Corinthians 5:16). When He was crucified, buried and resurrected, He identified Himself mystically with all those who would accept Him. All the members of His Body are part of the Christ. He is the Head and the Lord, but He has made the believer a functional member of His Body (I Corinthians 12:12).

This topic is closely related to the Unity of the Body of Christ, as it is impossible to be part of the Body of Christ without having Christ in each believer in the first place.

Stevens mentioned Christ in You 194 times in his written materials.