---
title: "Doctrine"
url: "https://resources.gracechurchsp.org/5/connectstep/64/doctrine"
---

# Doctrine 
 ![ConnectStep_Writebook_Doctrine.jpg](https://resources.gracechurchsp.org/u/connectstep_writebook_doctrine-7mG25m.jpg) 

>Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. —1 Timothy 4:16 (ESV)

Doctrine determines direction. Doctrine is what we believe and how we live out those beliefs. What we believe matters deeply because it affects the entire course of our life. Biblical theology and doctrine help us learn about God—His character, ways, heart, and desires—which gives us vision for how we should conduct our lives so that we can truly say, “on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10bESV)

## Essential Beliefs 
**1. Salvation is a gift from God to man. **Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s ultimate sacrifice can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ by faith.

**2. The Bible is God’s Word to all people, at all times in history.** The Bible 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 was inspired by God, it is true without error, and its message remains intact.

**3. The Holy Spirity is an equal part of the Trinity.** He lives in every Christian and provides the power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. We believe that baptism in the Holy Spirit is an additional impartation that follows salvation. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is usually accompanied by the gifts of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, etc. 

We believe these gifts are presently available to all who believe, but they are not essential for salvation. We believe that when Christians have been baptized with the Holy Spirit, they should begin to take on His nature and fruit, becoming helpers and comforters, leading others into truth, and testifying of Jesus.

**4. Water baptism is an important step of faith in the believer’s life.** When we are baptized, we are publicly confessing Christ as our Lord and Savior. Water baptism by immersion is an outward sign of an inward reality of a transformed heart. 

>We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. —Romans 6:4 (ESV)