What We Believe

Connection Church is a Christian church in Astoria. We partner with like-minded ministries across our city and world to see God's kingdom come and his will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

God - We believe there is only one living and true God, who exists eternally in three distinct persons- God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three, the Trinity, are equal in essence and distinct in function.

Humanity - We were created in the image of God, destined to enjoy an intimate relationship with God, fulfilling his will here on earth. But because of Adam and Eve's willful sin in the garden, sin entered into the world and has infected all of humanity and creation. Therefore, because of our inherent sinful nature received from our father Adam, we are all separated from God, spiritually dead, and destined for physical death and an eternity removed from the presence of God.

Salvation - We believe Jesus is the Messiah through whom God has reconciled the world to himself. Those who place their faith in him recieve salvation by identifying with the Messiah's death and becoming recipients of his promised resurrection unto eternal life. Jesus will rescue and heal this world upon his return to establish the kingdom of God.

The Christian Life - We believe all Christians live for Christ and not for themselves. Through trusting in the faithfulness of Jesus and daily yielding to the Spirit of God, every believer will mature and continue conforming to the image of Christ.

The Scriptures - We believe that every word in the original writings is inspired by God and is without error. The Word of God reveals God's nature and will for all of humanity, and because of this it is to be the foundation of faith and practice. We affirm that while the Scriptures are accurate in all matters it was never given to be an end in and of itself, but rather a means to a relationship with God. Because of this the authority and teaching of Scriptures will have a preeminent place in our church.

The Church - We believe the local church is the body of Christ, of which Jesus Christ is the head. All Christians in the local church are to live their lives in humble submission to other Spirit led believers and to the God appointed leaders of the church. Connection Church is an autonomous, local assembly that is led by Jesus Christ, who gives direction as the head of this body through a body of appointed elders. The purpose of the church is to exalt Christ and lead believers to love all people regardless of their response to the Gospel.

Non-essentials- We affirm that the doctrines of the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the bodily resurrection, the atoning work of Christ on the cross, and salvation by grace through faith make up the essential, distinctive nature of Christianity. In regards to these essential doctrines there can be no conflicting opinions of those who call themselves true followers of Christ. However, we do acknowledge that there are peripheral, or non-essential doctrines, that are important, but not critical to the follower of Christ as it relates to our salvation. Some of these doctrines include the specific functions of women in ministry, the exact timing and nature of the second coming of Christ, extent and use of certain spiritual gifts such as tongues, the relationship between election and free-will in salvation, Christian liberties such as the use of alcohol and tobacco, etc. While our church will be diligent to establish positions as it relates to these non-essentials we will not allow these peripheral doctrines to cause division within the church. We will accept into our body those who have differing views on the non-essential doctrines, but will not allow those of a different opinion to fracture the church. While we actively celebrate diversity along all lines, we will ultimately pursue the unity of the church by focusing on the core beliefs of Christianity stated above.