What We Believe

The Trinity

Throughout God’s word, the Bible, we find God revealing Himself as the one true God.  Because of this we hold to a doctrinal belief in a monotheistic (one) God, thereby rejecting other world beliefs that hold to a polytheistic (many gods) belief.  We hold that the Bible teaches of this one true God, who has been revealed to us in three persons.  We find the idea of the trinity first at the time of creation.  Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness...” Genesis 1:26.  The next mention is found in Genesis 3:22 after the fall of man, Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us…” 

It is important to understand that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are co-existent and co-equal.  All three persons of the trinity, the way God has chosen to reveal Himself to us, has always been and always will be.  Jesus did not become Jesus when He was born in the manger.  That is simply when according to God’s plan, He came in the flesh in the form of a man.  Furthermore, the Holy Spirit has always been as well.  In the Old Testament we find the Spirit of God coming to and leaving people according to God’s will.  For example, in the life of Saul, we find that upon Saul’s continued disobedience to God, But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him,” 1 Samuel 16:14.  Jesus, prior to His arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection gave the promise that, “I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”  John 14:16, 17

Salvation & Baptism

We believe that salvation is found only through an acceptance of Christ which includes confession of sin, repentance, asking Christ for salvation, and a public proclamation of God’s work of salvation in the life of a believer. 

“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Romans 10:13

Salvation is available only because of the work of Christ which is complete and adequate alone for a person’s salvation (i.e. not good works, or any act on the part of the individual).

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Ephesians 2:8, 9

The Bible

We believe that the Bible is the inspired (God-breathed) word of God.  God has given us His word through men empowered by the Holy Spirit to pen His word for all time.  It is God’s complete revelation of Himself to man and no other document is equal to the Bible for faith, instruction, and a meaningful relationship with God Himself. 

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12

Ordinances

The church celebrates two ordinances, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  Both are symbolic and are not to be considered as sacraments.  Ours is not a sacramental faith.  Once again, our faith is based on what Christ has done and Him alone plus nothing else.

As obedient followers of Christ, we do submit ourselves in obedience to both of these ordinances.   Baptism follows salvation and is done not to secure salvation but as the first step of obedience following an individual’s confession of faith.  Likewise, the Lord’s Supper is a memorial service, as the apostle Paul has told us, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”  1 Corinthians 11:26.  Through the Lord’s Supper, we memorialize Christ’s death until the time comes that we see Him face to face.

At Crossroads Fellowship, the Lord’s Supper is available each week for individuals and/or families who would like to participate.  We practice an “open communion” meaning that any believer (a member of Crossroads Fellowship or not) may take part in the Lord’s Supper.  We do admonish everyone who wishes to partake to heed Paul’s warning:

“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.  For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.  For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.”  1 Corinthians 11:28-30.

Tithing

“Will a man rob God?  Yet you have robbed Me!  But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’  In tithes and offerings.  You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation.  Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sake, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field, Says the Lord of hosts; and all nations will call you blessed for you will be a delightful land, says the Lord of hosts.”  Malachi 3:8-12.

At Crossroads Fellowship, we believe that part of being a committed follower of Christ is to give of our financial resources.  The tithe by definition is a tenth of our income.  Believers may be compelled to give a higher percentage as they mature and feel led by the Holy Spirit.  But it is plain that the tithe is required and is to be placed in the local church as God’s storehouse.  An offering is given only after the tithe has been given first.  From time to time, we may feel led to give a special gift.  Offerings are above and beyond the tithe.  These gifts would include, but not be limited to, Building Funds, mission giving, benevolence needs, etc.  Many mistakenly claim that the tithe is an Old Testament concept and is not part of the New Testament church.  The Bible and church tradition does not agree with this view.  Jesus Himself said in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.  I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”