We’re gathered, transformed, and sent out by the gospel

What defines us here at Trinity? Here's how we like to summarize it: we are a diverse body of Christian believers centered in the gospel – the good news that in Jesus Christ God has come to reconcile sinners by his grace to renew the whole creation for his glory.

What does that look like?

Gathered by the gospel

First, we’re gathered together by the gospel. Our unity as a church isn’t primarily a function of human similarities or common interests. You’re almost certain to find people who are profoundly different from you at Trinity. Our unity comes from the most important thing we share: our Lord Jesus Christ and our experience of his saving grace. We’re gathered by God’s call for God’s purpose.

Transformed by the gospel

But Jesus not only gathers us together, he transforms us by his Spirit. Our identity is transformed as we embrace and live out of our true identity as God’s children. Our relationships are transformed from self-serving to self-giving as we follow the pattern of our Savior. And our work is transformed as we become God’s ambassadors, seeking to bring his renewal to every part of creation.

Sent forth by the gospel

And finally, the result of being gathered and transformed by the gospel is that we are sent forth with the gospel. Located in downtown New Haven, Trinity is at a crossroads of cultures. Our immediate neighbors include students, internationals, families, young professionals, and the poor. As we seek to proclaim and live out the gospel locally, our church is also a launching pad for the global advance of God’s kingdom.

Summary of our doctrinal statement

The Bible

We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, written by human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is without error and fully reliable in all that it teaches, serving as the ultimate authority for faith and practice. Comprising 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, the Bible reveals God’s character, His redemptive plan for humanity, and provides guidance for living a life that honors Him. It is God’s written Word, guiding us towards the living Word, Jesus.

God

We believe in one living and true God who is the Almighty Creator, Savior, Judge, and Ruler over all. He is holy, loving, all-powerful, and all-knowing. We believe that God is one essence in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, co-equal and co-eternal, each fully God yet together one divine being.

Humanity

We believe that humanity possesses inherent dignity and worth because humans are created in God’s image, reflecting His divine nature and purpose. God has created people to honor and glorify Him, care for each other, and steward His creation. God has designed humanity as male and female, each reflecting His good and perfect design, and individuals are called to live in harmony with His purpose for their lives and the world around them.

Sin

We believe that at the beginning of human history, humanity rejected God and chose the path of human autonomy. The results of this rebellion, commonly referred to as the ‘fall of man,’ were and continue to be catastrophic. Fellowship with God has been broken. Every aspect of human nature has been tainted and infiltrated by sin, selfishness, and evil. By nature, humanity does not honor God or give Him thanks, does not love Him or His ways, and faces a future of permanent separation from Him. The Bible refers to this future state of separation from God as ‘hell,’ a place of eternal misery, torment, and punishment for sin.

Jesus

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world that was promised and predicted in the Scriptures of the Old Testament. We believe Jesus is fully human and fully God, lived a life of perfect obedience to God, died on the cross in the place of sinners, rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven as our High Priest, and will return in glory.

Salvation

We believe salvation is received by faith alone (not by trying to being a good person, religious observances, church membership, etc), by the sacrificial death and perfect life of Christ alone (Jesus is the only way to be made right with God), through God’s grace alone (no part of salvation is earned or deserved, it is a free gift of God), and therefore to the glory of God alone.

We believe the experience of salvation encompasses four aspects. Regeneration: the Holy Spirit imparts a new heart, transforming from within. Out of this new heart, we turn from trusting in ourselves (repentance) and trust wholly in Christ for salvation (faith). Justification: the believer is declared righteous in Christ, accepted into God’s family by God’s grace, through faith in Christ alone. Sanctification: the process by which believers, through the work of the Holy Spirit and fueled by gratitude for God’s grace, engage in a pattern of repentance and renewal, strive to turn from sin and live a holy life pleasing to God, and are thereby progressively transformed into the likeness of Christ. Glorification: when Jesus is seen face to face, it marks the final destiny of all true believers, completing the work of salvation and bringing eternal joy and peace in God’s presence.

The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He convicts sinners and brings them to faith in Christ, baptizes all believers into Christ’s body, and indwells all believers. The Holy Spirit assures believers of their salvation, makes them more like Christ, and empowers them for worship and service.

The Church

We believe that the universal Church includes all true believers in Jesus Christ. The local church is a vital part of the universal Church, where believers live out their faith through worship, the ministry of the Word, prayer, participation in the sacraments (baptism and communion), evangelism, and care for one another.

Baptism and Communion

We believe that both baptism and communion are physical signs and seals representing the spiritual reality of union with Christ. Believers’ baptism proclaims that they have died and risen with Christ, symbolizing their new life in Him. The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice, where believers feed on Him by faith, celebrating their continual dependence on His grace.

The Future

We believe that Jesus will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. At the final judgment, there will be eternal separation from God for the unrepentant and eternal life for those who are united to Christ by faith, bringing God’s perfect justice and redemption to fulfillment.

Affiliations

Trinity is a member of the Connecticut Baptist Association, the Baptist Convention of New England, and the Southern Baptist Convention. We are also affiliated with 9 Marks,  the Gospel Coalition and Bridges of Hope.