Connecting to God through the Gospel
Have you ever had thoughts about who God is or wondered how to become a Christian?
Most people believe there is a God, but most don’t believe in the God that sent Jesus Christ. Many people believe that if there is a God, then their good works, high moral standards, or “religious beliefs” will place them in good standing with God and provide a way into heaven. But that is not what the Bible teaches.
Our hope is for you to keep asking questions. We have provided some helpful answers and information below. If you'd like to speak to a Pastor about any of these questions, please call the church office 314-487-1730 or email us at info@canaanstl.org.
Most people believe there is a God, but most don’t believe in the God that sent Jesus Christ. Many people believe that if there is a God, then their good works, high moral standards, or “religious beliefs” will place them in good standing with God and provide a way into heaven. But that is not what the Bible teaches.
Our hope is for you to keep asking questions. We have provided some helpful answers and information below. If you'd like to speak to a Pastor about any of these questions, please call the church office 314-487-1730 or email us at info@canaanstl.org.
Who is God?
The Gospel begins with God.
There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual and personal Being. God is a Person. He is the Creator, the Preserver, the Ruler and the Redeemer of the universe. God is holy and perfect in all of His attributes.
God reveals Himself to us in three distinct persons. One God, three persons.
• God, the Father
• God, the Son, Jesus Christ
• God, the Holy Spirit
The Trinity....He is one God. He is the triune God. He reveals Himself in three distinct persons.
There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual and personal Being. God is a Person. He is the Creator, the Preserver, the Ruler and the Redeemer of the universe. God is holy and perfect in all of His attributes.
God reveals Himself to us in three distinct persons. One God, three persons.
• God, the Father
• God, the Son, Jesus Christ
• God, the Holy Spirit
The Trinity....He is one God. He is the triune God. He reveals Himself in three distinct persons.
What is the Gospel?
The word Gospel literally means "good news." When Christians talk about the Gospel, they are talking about the true story of Jesus. At Canaan, we believe God's word to be completely true and use scripture to define the Gospel as the following:
The Holy God created us in His image to love us and have a relationship with Him forever. Man sinned and was separated from God. The gospel is God’s mission to restore that relationship. God accomplishes this restoration through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus, where He took our sin and conquered death. We respond to God’s call when we trust in Christ alone, repent of our sins, and follow Him which results in forgiveness, joy, and a new and eternal life. God’s mission will be fulfilled as Spirit-filled men and women from every ethnicity follow Jesus as His disciples: living and loving like Jesus and pleading with others to come and do the same.
Genesis 1:26-27; 2:17; 3:1-17; Romans 8:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22;1-5; John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; Titus 3:1-8; Galatians 5:16-26; Matthew 28:18-20
The Holy God created us in His image to love us and have a relationship with Him forever. Man sinned and was separated from God. The gospel is God’s mission to restore that relationship. God accomplishes this restoration through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus, where He took our sin and conquered death. We respond to God’s call when we trust in Christ alone, repent of our sins, and follow Him which results in forgiveness, joy, and a new and eternal life. God’s mission will be fulfilled as Spirit-filled men and women from every ethnicity follow Jesus as His disciples: living and loving like Jesus and pleading with others to come and do the same.
Genesis 1:26-27; 2:17; 3:1-17; Romans 8:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22;1-5; John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; Titus 3:1-8; Galatians 5:16-26; Matthew 28:18-20
What do I do?
1. Trust in Christ alone for salvation — Romans 10:9; 5:1-2; Hebrews 11:6; John 1:12
When you trust in Christ alone you become a child of God. You begin a relationship with Christ through a conversational prayer expressing your trust in Him and confessing Jesus as Lord. Here is one example:
"Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner, and I need your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and You rose from the dead. Jesus, I confess you as Lord. I want to follow You and Your plan for my life. Thank You that I am now forgiven, am a child of God, and that I now have eternal life. Amen."
If you trust in Christ and are now deciding to truly live your life for Christ instead of for yourself, then you are a follower of Christ. You have been born-again.
2. Repent of sin — 2 Corinthians 7:10; Acts 2:38
The word repent means to "turn away from." When you trust in Christ alone, God changes your mind about sin and gives you a desire to turn away from sin.
3. Follow Jesus — Luke 9:23; Matthew 4:19
When you have a relationship with Jesus, you live and love like Jesus daily, pleading with others to do the same.
When you trust in Christ alone you become a child of God. You begin a relationship with Christ through a conversational prayer expressing your trust in Him and confessing Jesus as Lord. Here is one example:
"Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner, and I need your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and You rose from the dead. Jesus, I confess you as Lord. I want to follow You and Your plan for my life. Thank You that I am now forgiven, am a child of God, and that I now have eternal life. Amen."
If you trust in Christ and are now deciding to truly live your life for Christ instead of for yourself, then you are a follower of Christ. You have been born-again.
2. Repent of sin — 2 Corinthians 7:10; Acts 2:38
The word repent means to "turn away from." When you trust in Christ alone, God changes your mind about sin and gives you a desire to turn away from sin.
3. Follow Jesus — Luke 9:23; Matthew 4:19
When you have a relationship with Jesus, you live and love like Jesus daily, pleading with others to do the same.
Ready to follow Jesus?
If you've decided to follow Jesus, we'd love to connect with you this week to celebrate with you! If you still have questions about following Jesus, please let us know, and one of our pastors will follow up with you. Would you take a minute to share your contact info with us?