What We Believe

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father as God. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose from. the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to claim. His own and take them. to Heaven.

Scripture References: Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5; 8:58; 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; I Corinthians 15:3-4; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15; Rev.1:8

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

Scripture References: John 14:16-17, 16:7-13, 17; Acts 1:8; Romans 5:5; I Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture or error. The Bible is infallible, inerrant, and absolute truth. Where it speaks we listen and obey.

Scripture References: Psalms 12:6, 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21

Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water after they have professed Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Baptism does not save but is an act of obedience on the part of the one who believes. Baptism pictures three things – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; our death to sin and our resurrection to a new life in Christ; and our faith that when we die, we will also be raised from the dead in Christ.

Scripture References: Matthew 3:16, 28:19-20; John 2:23; Acts 2:41, 8:34-39; Romans 6:3-5; and Colossians 2:11-12

Man was made in the image of God to be like Him in character. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

Scripture References: Genesis 1:27; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:23; Genesis 3

Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ and God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ as Lord of his life. This is evidenced by repentance, confession, baptism by immersion, and a life committed to His service.

Scripture References: John 1:12, 14:6; Romans 5:1, 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5

The church is the body and bride of Christ also the household of faith. It is a living temple where God dwells in His people. We believe that everyone that have been saved by Christ is a member of the church. We believe that the church exists throughout the world and is witnessed and experienced in local autonomous gatherings of believers.

Scripture References: Ephesians 4:16; Romans 12:4&5; Ephesians 5:24-32; Gal. 6:10; 1 Peter 2:4-5; 1 Cor. 3:16; Acts 14:23; Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Ephesians. 1:20-23; 4:3-10; Col. 3:14-15.

The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full-time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through Bible reading/study, prayer, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Every Christian is to be a disciple developing relational environments in which they share their faith with those around them by word and by action.

Revelation 1:6a (NASB95) ...and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father.

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

• We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female, in His image (Gen. 1:26-27).

• We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Gen. 2:18-25).

• We believe that God has established marriage as a lifelong, exclusive relationship between one man and one woman, and that all intimate sexual activity outside the marriage relationship, whether heterosexual, homosexual, or otherwise, is immoral and therefore sin (Gen. 2:24-25; Ex. 20:14, 17, 22:19; Lev. 18:22-23, 20:13, 15-16; Matt. 19:4-6, 9; Rom. 1:18-31; I Cor. 6:9-10, 15-20; I Tim. 1:8-11; Jude 7).

• We believe that neither the federal government, the state, the church, nor any other individual possess the authority or jurisdiction to set or alter Scripture’s definition of marriage. Therefore, unions or partnerships that do not conform to the Biblical definition of marriage are not acknowledged by Connection Church.

  • We do not permit staff of Connection Church to perform such partnerships, nor do we permit any facility to be utilized for such partnerships.

  • We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual behavior, transgenderism, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God.

  • We further believe that sexuality is assigned by God at birth, whatever that may be, and the Holy Scripture does not permit an individual to alter their sexual identity physically or otherwise (Matt. 15:18-20; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Deut.

  23:1).

• Consistent with the Church’s sincerely held religious beliefs, gender-specific bathroom facilities may only be utilized consistent with gender assigned at birth and not gender identity or expression. Optional family (non-gender specific) bathrooms may also be made available.

  • We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ(Acts 3:19-21; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 6:9-11, 1 John 1:9-10).

  • We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect and dignity(Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31).

Few areas of theology within the church have caused more division than the subject of spiritual gifts. Some in our church believe all of the spiritual gifts spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12-14 are for today. Others believe some of the gifts are for today. And there are those who believe that none of the gifts are for today. We do not believe that this subject constitutes a salvation issue.

• You can believe some of the gifts are for today and be wrong and still be a Christian.

• You can believe that all of the gifts are for today and be wrong and still be a Christian.

• You can believe that none of the gifts are for today and be wrong and still be a Christian.

For those who believe that the gifts are present today, remember: The Spirit of God does not work contrary to the Word of God!

At Connection Church, it is okay to believe differently on this issue, but we will act in this way:

• Because this is a non-salvation area of contention between believers, we will not have a place in our church where the gift of tongues is encouraged.

• We will not allow the discussion of a non-salvation issue to destroy the Lord’s work.

• We do believe God does miracles and answers our prayer through the work of the Holy Spirit, and that the Holy Spirit empowers us to serve Him and do good works

1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV). The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. As he serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Supper is the remembrance of Christ’s body devoted and of His blood shed for the remission of our sins. This remembrance cannot take place without faith.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV) For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

• Communion is a memorial.

• Communion is a new covenant.

• Communion is a proclamation.

We do not believe you have to take communion every week; however, when you take it, you are to do so in a worthy manner. 1 Corinthians 11:27- 28 (NIV) Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. We do this by self-examination.

• Do I have any sins to confess? (1 John 1:9)

• Do I have relationships to repair? (Matthew 5:23-24)

• Do I need to recommit my life? (Romans 12:1) Who should take it?

• Only those who believe.

With regard to children, we believe a child should not take communion until they can understand the concepts of sin and salvation and have accepted Christ. However, we do believe communion is a teaching opportunity to explain the concepts of sin and salvation, and our need for Jesus.

God is the giver of all earthly and heavenly blessings. God is the giver of all that we have and all that we are. Christians have a spiritual responsibility to the whole world. Christians have a responsibility to share the gospel. Christians have a duty to be good managers of their possessions. They have the responsibility to serve Him with their time, talents, and possessions. Christians should know that all of these are given to them to use for pleasing God and for helping others.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.”

I Corinthians 16: 1-4 (NIV) Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do, On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income.

II Corinthians 8:7 (NIV) But just as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

II Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Philippians 4:18 (NIV) I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Giving from our financial resources is an expression of worship, a testimony of our faith and supports our church and ministry operations. At Connection Church, we practice giving acceptable gifts to God as God’s Word commands.