What We Believe

What we Believe

The following are our core beliefs based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

GOD

We believe that there is one true and living God, perfect in all His attributes, one in essence, eternally existing in three persons: God (Father), Jesus (Son), and the Holy Spirit, each possessing all the attributes of deity and deserving of our worship and obedience. God created the universe and all things therein out of nothing, manifesting His power, wisdom and goodness. God continues to work throughout history by sustaining His creation and fulfilling His redemptive plan. (Genesis 1:1, Matthew 28:19)

JESUS

The second person of the Trinity, Jesus, is eternally equal with God. Willingly giving up the glory of heaven, Jesus came to earth to pay the debt for man’s soul. He became a man through a miraculous conception and a virgin birth. He lived a perfect life, committing no sin, paying for our sins by dying on the cross as our substitute. Jesus rose from the dead after three days, appearing to many people. Jesus will return at God’s appointed time to judge all of mankind according to God’s eternal plan.

HOLY SPIRIT

The result of a saving relationship with Jesus Christ is a life that is being transformed to be like Jesus. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, comes to live within every Christian at the point of salvation to empower them for this transformation process and for the building up of the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit teaches, reminds, convicts and guides us into all truth. We are to be filled, bear fruit, keep in step with and stay submitted to the Holy Spirit. We are a church that moves together as we follow the Spirit’s promptings and callings in our lives. (Galatians 5:22-25, Titus 3:4-7)

SALVATION

Everyone who has ever lived, except Jesus, has sinned against God and is in need of salvation. Salvation is not something that can be purchased or earned. It is only available through accepting and believing in the person and work of Jesus Christ through faith. Faith is expressed through belief, confession, repentance of sin and baptism by immersion. We don’t initiate or complete the process, God does. Through faith and obedience God does a miraculous work in us. (Romans 3:23-24, Romans 6:3-5, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Matthew 10:32-33, 2 Peter 3:9, Acts 2:38)

BAPTISM

Receiving Christ in faith necessitates some response on our part, one that includes belief, repentance, confession and baptism. Each part is equally important. The actions, including baptism, do not save us – but each action is mentioned in Scripture as part of becoming a Christian. Not only is baptism an outward sign symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, but it also unites us spiritually with Him. It’s not beneficial or effective to argue at which point one is saved. We do not judge anyone who has followed a different pattern. Judgment belongs to God alone. (Romans 10:9-12, Romans 14:8-10, Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:20-21)

The BIBLE

We believe the Bible to be inspired by God, written down by men guided by the Holy Spirit. God’s Word lights our path and guards, penetrates, purifies and transforms our hearts. The Bible is reliable, flawless and our final authority for what is believed, taught and practiced by Connect. There are no other writings thus inspired by God. (2 Timothy 3:16)