What We Believe
OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH
This statement is a summary of Crossroads' core beliefs.
The Bible - The Bible is the actual and only Word of God. All scripture (both Old and New Testament) is inspired by God, and is inerrant and infallible in the original writings. It is the revelation from God to man and is the sole, ultimate and authoritative basis of faith and conduct. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Isaiah 55:11; 1 Samuel 15:29; Proverbs 30:5-6)
God - There is only one God, perfectly sovereign and holy; our Creator, Sustainer and Giver-of-Life. He exists forever in three co-equal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (the Trinity). Each is fully God, but distinct in personality and purpose in relationship to humankind. God is transcendent, and yet immanent, i.e. He is personable and knowable. (Genesis 1:1, John 1:1, Deuteronomy 6:4, Leviticus 19:2, Psalm 90:2, John 5:26, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 3:14-15)
Salvation - Human beings were created in the image of God, but fell into sin, and thereby incurred not only physical death, but spiritual death, which is separation from God. As a result, we are born with a sinful nature, and are lost and can only obtain salvation through regeneration by the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and took the punishment due us for our sins as a substitutionary sacrifice in full satisfaction of God's justice. All those who receive Him by faith are justified on the basis of His shed blood and resurrection, and are born again by the Holy Spirit, thereby becoming children of God and heirs of eternal life. Salvation is only by grace, through faith in Christ; it is not of our own doing, but it is the gift of God, and not a result of works. (Genesis 1:27; 3:1-24, John 1:12-13; 3:1-16; 14:6; 17:1-5, Romans 3:23-25; 5:8-20; 6:23; 10:8-10, Ephesians 2:1-10, Philippians 3:8-11, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, 21, Hebrews 11:6, Revelation 3:20, Titus 3:4-8, Acts 2:37-39)
Jesus - Jesus is the eternally begotten (not made or created) Son of God and promised Messiah. He is both fully God and fully man, the image of the invisible God and Lord over all creation. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. After living a sinless life, He was crucified, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose from the dead, appearing bodily to the disciples, and He then ascended to the right hand of the Father. Faith in him and belief in his death and resurrection are the only way to salvation. He will return to issue final judgment and bring to fulfillment His eternal kingdom. (Hebrews 2:14-17, Colossians 1:15-20, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Revelations 19:11-16, John 1:1-14, John 14:6, John 3:16, John 1:12, Romans 10:9-10)
The Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit is fully God and is God’s presence with us and over the whole earth. He is not a force, or a conscience, or a power of the universe, but is a distinct person. He dwells within and guides those who follow Jesus and is a Counselor, Comforter, and Teacher who bears witness to Jesus. The Holy Spirit prays and intercedes for us, knowing the depths and thoughts of God. He convicts us of our sin and regenerates us from death to life and makes it possible for us to do what is otherwise impossible: transforming our lives to become more Christ-like in our character. He empowers us to bear fruit that glorifies God and advances His Kingdom. (John 14:26, John 15:26, John 16:7, Romans 8:26-27, 1 Corinthians 2:11, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Genesis 1:2, Galatians 5:22-25, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Ephesians 4:4-6)
Death and the After-life - We are created as eternal beings; the only question is what kind of eternal life we will have. We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the unsaved; that heaven is a real place where Jesus is preparing a home for all believers to have eternal fellowship with God; and that hell is also a real place where all unsaved will spend eternity separated from God as a penalty for their sin. (Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 20:11-15; 20:15, 21:2-8, 27; Matthew 13:36-43, 25:31-46; John 3:36, 14:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Hebrews 1:10-16)
Church - Before the foundation of the world, God predestined a people to be redeemed from their sin and reconciled to Him for His glory. They are a holy people, a royal priesthood, the very body of Christ sent out to make disciples. The church is visible in local congregations that gather weekly for orderly worship, the proclamation of the Word, and the partaking of the sacraments. These congregations are led by pastors, elders and deacons, who empower God’s people for the work of ministry. When Christ returns, the church will be gathered to Him as His bride, co-heirs who will share in His eternal glory. (Ephesians 1:4-6; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12; Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:11-13; Romans 8:17; Revelations 19:6-8)
We believe this Statement of Faith is an accurate summary of what Scripture teaches. Because of that, everyone who wants to become a member at Crossroads is asked to accept the theology and doctrine of this Statement and to uphold unity in our church in regard to these beliefs.
