God
We believe in one God, the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal, meaning, each fully God, and are one God.
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God – co-equal with God the Father. We believe Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. We believe He ascended to Heaven and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as 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 we place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior, providing the Christian believer with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
The Bible
The Bible is God’s inspired Word to all men. It was penned by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and Christian living. Because it is inspired by God, the scriptures are authoritative truth and without error.
Humanity
We believe God made humanity – male and female, equal in essence and value – in the image of God to be like Him in character and meant to represent God in His creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, humanity is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God (sin) separating humanity from God. However, by faith in Christ Jesus humanity gains equal access to God and strives to deny sin in daily life.
Baptism
We believe baptism is the next step for those who have placed faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior. At Connect, we baptize by immersion from the example set by Jesus and His disciples in Scripture. We believe baptism is not an action necessary for salvation. It is a symbolic expression of the death to our old life and being reborn, washed clean, in our new life with God.
Eternal Security
Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is only the grace and power of God that gives this security.
Communion
All who are Christ-followers, having placed their faith and trust in Jesus as Savior, are welcome to participate in communion. We believe the bread and cup are elements symbolic of Jesus’ body and blood broken and shed for us for the forgiveness of sin. Connect celebrates Communion regularly in obedience to Jesus’ command to “do this in remembrance of Me”.
Marriage
We believe the term “marriage” has only one meaning sanctioned by God as represented in scripture. Marriage is the joining of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union. Additionally, sexual intimacy is only to occur and be pursued within the confines of this definition of marriage.
