What We Believe

 

We are UNITED by the Love of Christ.  But we also have convictions that may differ between the members of the Body of Christ, the Church.  Following are the Basic Beliefs that we agree upon at Cross Roads.

 

The Bible

We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God.  It is the final authority of faith and practice for all believers.

2 Timothy 3:14 - 17

 

The Trinity

There is one true and living God revealed in the Scriptures as eternally exising in three Persons:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 13:14; Mark 12:29

 

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ was born of a virgin named Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon her.  He was truly God and truly man.  He lived a sinless life upon the earth and died on the Cross as the final Sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.  He bodily arose from the Grave on the third day and was seen by multitudes of witnesses.  He has ascended bodily into Heaven where He mediates for believers at the right hand of the Father as our Advocate and High Priest.  He will one day physically Return to earth.

Luke 1:26 - 38; Hebrews 4:14 - 16; 1 Corinthians 15:3 - 8; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 18

 

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit has all the attributes of God and is active in this present world to achieve the Father's will.  He works to draw mankind to Jesus Christ and His Redemptive Power.  He teaches and guides the believer who diligently studies the Bible and Prays for God's guidance.  He indwells the believer at teh moment of salvation and guards the heart of the believer.

John 16:5 - 15; 1 Corinthians 6:19

 

Man

Man was created by the direct and willful act of God.  He is made in the image of God and in his original state was innocent.  By exercising his free will man disobeyed God and fell into a state of sin and condemnation.  This sinful nature has been passed onto all the descendents of the original man and are under teh condemnation of God when they reach the age of understanding their accountability to God.  As such, all mankind is in need of the New Birth.

Genesis 1:26 - 27; Genesis 2:16 - 17; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:12 - 21

 

Salvation

Salvation is God's Gift made possible by His grace.  It is received when a person repents of his/her sins, believes in Jesus Christ, and confesses Him as Lord and Savior.   There is no other name or means by which we can be saved.

Romans 10:8 - 13; Ephesians 2:8 - 9; Acts 4:12; John 3:16

 

Election

God desires that all people be saved, but each individual has the free will to choose.  God has chosen to save those who repent of their sins, believe that Jesus Christ is the Risen Son of God, and confess Him as their Lord.  Those who thus choose Christ have eternal life, but those who reject Christ have eternal condemnation and doom.

1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 20:12 - 15; Revelation 21:3 - 4, 6 - 8

 

Justification and Sanctification

At the moment of salvation, God's judgment of justification is made freeing each believer from the judgment of sin.  Justification is God's judicial decree declaring the believer is forgiven.  Sanctification is an ongoing journey represented by the growth of the believer's faith and walk in Christ.  It is the desire of the believer to live perfectly before God and toward this end he strives to become more complete each day.

Romans 3:24; Romans 8:28 - 29; 1 Thessalonians 4:3 - 8; 1 Thessalonians 5:14 - 23

 

Ordinances

God as established three (3) ordinances for the Church.  

1. Believer's Baptism, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is to be administered to those who accept the free gift of Christ's Salvation.  Matthew 28:19 - 20

2. The Lord's Supper, often called Communion, is the remembrance and testimony of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ and is open to all born-again believers.  1 Corinthians 11:23 - 26

3. Washing of the Saints' Feet is an act of humility reminding us none are superior but all are under the authority of Christ.  John 13:1 - 17

 

Christian Life

As born-again believers God calls on us to live righteously, with pure and holy living.  We are to be witnesses of Christ.  God commands us to be faithful in attending our church, supportive of its ministries through our time, tithes, and offerings.

Romans 12:1 - 2; Hebrews 10:25; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 22:21

 

Judgment

All people will stand before God in judgment.  The born-again will be judged before the seat of Christ when He returns for His Bride, the Church.  They will be given a new home in the place Christ has prepared for them in Heaven.  The lost, or unredeemed, will be judged at the White Throne of God and will be cast into a literal, eternal, burning Hell.

Luke 16:19 - 24; Matthew 25:31 - 46; Revelation 20:11 - 15

 

For more information concerning the theology of Free Will Baptists, please follow this link