Core Beliefs
The Scriptures
We believe the Bible to be the verbally, plenarily inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Isaiah 55:8-10; John 17:17; Matthew 5:17-18; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12; John 14:25-26, 16:12-15; Galatians 1:11-12; 2 Peter 3:15-16)
The Godhead
We believe in one God eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who have the same nature and attributes but who are distinct in office and activity.
(Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:2)
The Person and Work of Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man.
We believe that He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice.
We believe that our redemption and salvation is guaranteed by His literal physical resurrection from the dead.
(1 Corinthians 15:1-9; John 1:1-3,14-18; Luke 1:35; Philippians 2:5-8; Matthew 11:27-30; John 5:16-29, 8:54-58, 10:27-30; Matthew 20:28; John 3:16; Romans 3:23-26, 4:25, 5:6-10)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven, exalted to the right hand of God, where as High Priest He fulfills the ministry of intercession and advocacy for His people.
(Philippians 2:9-11; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 1:3, 3:1, 2:14-18, 4:15, 7:23-25; 1 John 2:1-2)
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
We believe that God the Holy Spirit is a Person who restrains evil in the world and convicts men of sin.
He regenerates those who receive Christ as Savior, baptizes them into the Church, the Body of Christ, indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of redemption, bestows spiritual gifts on each one and fills those yielded to Him.
(John 16:7-11, 3:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 14:16,17; Ephesians 1:13,14; 4:30; 5:18)
We believe that some gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and miraculous healings, were given as authenticating signs to the early church, were therefore temporary, and are not to be expected as the norm for the Church in all ages. All believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, but receive spiritual gifts that differ, according to the will of God, to be used for the common good.
(1 Corinthians 12:4-18, 13:29-31, 14:21-23; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:2-4)
We affirm that God answers prayer for the sick in accordance with His will, and commit to pray for one another in time of need.
(1 John 5:14-15; Luke 22:41-42;James 5:13-16)
Angels - Fallen and Unfallen
We believe that angels are spiritual beings who were created as sinless personalities and that they occupied different orders and ranks. They presently exist in both fallen and unfallen states, the former including Satan and his angels.
(Hebrews 1:13-14; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 7:11,12)
We believe that Satan, by his own choice is the enemy of God and of the people of God, and is the originator of sin, that he led our first parents into sin and now rules as the god of this world. We believe that he was judged at the cross and that ultimately he will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
(Isaiah 14:12-14; Genesis 3:1-19; John 12:31,14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:10)
Creation
We believe all things in heaven and earth were created by God and exist by His power.
(Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 3:5)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift of God and is received by man through personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin. We believe that man is justified by grace through faith apart from works.
(John 3:16-18, 5:24; Acts 13:38-39, 16:29-31; Romans 3:21-24, 3:28, 4:1-8, 5:1, 6:23, 8:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7)
We believe that all true believers, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever.
(John 5:24, 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 8:38-39; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 1 John 5:11-13; Jude 1:24,25)
Sanctification
We believe that sanctification, which is a setting apart unto God, is positional, progressive, and ultimate. Positionally it is already complete since the believer is in Christ and is set apart unto God as Christ is set apart unto God.
(1 Corinthians 1:2;6:11; Hebrews 10:10)
Since he retains his sinful nature, however, there is need for progressive sanctification whereby the Christian grows in grace by the power of the Spirit.
(John 17:17; Romans 6:19-22; 12:1; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Timothy 2:20-22; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 2:1-2; 2 Peter 3:18)
Ultimately, the child of God will be set apart from sin in his practice as he is now in his position in Christ when he is taken to be with Christ and shall be like Him.
(Romans 8:20-23; 8:29-30; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; 1 John 3:1-2)
The Church
We believe that the Church, the Body and Bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons of this present age.
We believe that the Church began at Pentecost and that a believer is placed into the Church by the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that the Church is distinct from Israel.
(Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 10:32; 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:11-22; 3:1-7)
We believe that the local church is an assembly of professed believers in Jesus Christ who are voluntarily joined together in one locality for the purposes of worship, study of the Word of God, observance of the ordinances, Christian fellowship, and to be equipped for Christian service.
(Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; Romans 15:5-7, 14;Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:24-25)
Ordinances
We believe that Christ instituted the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We believe that by water baptism a believer is publicly identified with his Savior; that the mode should be a matter of the individual’s choice. Since Jesus Christ issued the commission to “baptize” His disciples (Mat. 28:19), we believe that baptism is a duty for those who identify themselves as Christians, and a matter of obedience to His command. Because salvation comes through an individual’s personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, we believe that baptism is to be reserved for those who can exercise that faith. Thus, infants of believing parents may be dedicated to the Lord but not baptized.
(Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41; Ephesians 4:4-6)
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of Christ’s death, the elements being symbols of His body and the blood, to be observed until Christ returns.
We believe that communion is open to all believers in Jesus Christ, apart from membership at Crossroads or any other local congregation, and that participation should be preceded by solemn self-examination and reflection on the meaning of the ordinance.
(Matthew 26:26-29; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34)
Marriage
We believe the biblical understanding of marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman. This conviction shapes all CBC marital practices, including weddings hosted at the church or officiated by any CBC staff or leaders.
(Genesis 2:20-25; Matthew 19:4-6)
The Second Coming of Christ
We believe in the personal, imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for the Church and His subsequent return to earth in power and glory to set up His Messianic, millennial kingdom.
(John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 3:19-21; 15:14-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:4-6; 22:20)
The Eternal State
We believe that the souls of believers in Jesus do at death immediately pass into His presence, and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming for the Church, when soul and body reunited shall be associated with Him forever in glory.
We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain after death in conscious misery in Hades until the final judgment of the Great White Throne at the close of the millennium when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord.
(Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; John 5:25-29; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21-24; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15)
We believe the Bible to be the verbally, plenarily inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Isaiah 55:8-10; John 17:17; Matthew 5:17-18; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12; John 14:25-26, 16:12-15; Galatians 1:11-12; 2 Peter 3:15-16)
The Godhead
We believe in one God eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who have the same nature and attributes but who are distinct in office and activity.
(Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:2)
The Person and Work of Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man.
We believe that He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice.
We believe that our redemption and salvation is guaranteed by His literal physical resurrection from the dead.
(1 Corinthians 15:1-9; John 1:1-3,14-18; Luke 1:35; Philippians 2:5-8; Matthew 11:27-30; John 5:16-29, 8:54-58, 10:27-30; Matthew 20:28; John 3:16; Romans 3:23-26, 4:25, 5:6-10)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven, exalted to the right hand of God, where as High Priest He fulfills the ministry of intercession and advocacy for His people.
(Philippians 2:9-11; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 1:3, 3:1, 2:14-18, 4:15, 7:23-25; 1 John 2:1-2)
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
We believe that God the Holy Spirit is a Person who restrains evil in the world and convicts men of sin.
He regenerates those who receive Christ as Savior, baptizes them into the Church, the Body of Christ, indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of redemption, bestows spiritual gifts on each one and fills those yielded to Him.
(John 16:7-11, 3:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 14:16,17; Ephesians 1:13,14; 4:30; 5:18)
We believe that some gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and miraculous healings, were given as authenticating signs to the early church, were therefore temporary, and are not to be expected as the norm for the Church in all ages. All believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, but receive spiritual gifts that differ, according to the will of God, to be used for the common good.
(1 Corinthians 12:4-18, 13:29-31, 14:21-23; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:2-4)
We affirm that God answers prayer for the sick in accordance with His will, and commit to pray for one another in time of need.
(1 John 5:14-15; Luke 22:41-42;James 5:13-16)
Angels - Fallen and Unfallen
We believe that angels are spiritual beings who were created as sinless personalities and that they occupied different orders and ranks. They presently exist in both fallen and unfallen states, the former including Satan and his angels.
(Hebrews 1:13-14; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 7:11,12)
We believe that Satan, by his own choice is the enemy of God and of the people of God, and is the originator of sin, that he led our first parents into sin and now rules as the god of this world. We believe that he was judged at the cross and that ultimately he will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
(Isaiah 14:12-14; Genesis 3:1-19; John 12:31,14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:10)
Creation
We believe all things in heaven and earth were created by God and exist by His power.
(Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 3:5)
Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift of God and is received by man through personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin. We believe that man is justified by grace through faith apart from works.
(John 3:16-18, 5:24; Acts 13:38-39, 16:29-31; Romans 3:21-24, 3:28, 4:1-8, 5:1, 6:23, 8:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7)
We believe that all true believers, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever.
(John 5:24, 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 8:38-39; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 1 John 5:11-13; Jude 1:24,25)
Sanctification
We believe that sanctification, which is a setting apart unto God, is positional, progressive, and ultimate. Positionally it is already complete since the believer is in Christ and is set apart unto God as Christ is set apart unto God.
(1 Corinthians 1:2;6:11; Hebrews 10:10)
Since he retains his sinful nature, however, there is need for progressive sanctification whereby the Christian grows in grace by the power of the Spirit.
(John 17:17; Romans 6:19-22; 12:1; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Timothy 2:20-22; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 2:1-2; 2 Peter 3:18)
Ultimately, the child of God will be set apart from sin in his practice as he is now in his position in Christ when he is taken to be with Christ and shall be like Him.
(Romans 8:20-23; 8:29-30; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; 1 John 3:1-2)
The Church
We believe that the Church, the Body and Bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons of this present age.
We believe that the Church began at Pentecost and that a believer is placed into the Church by the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that the Church is distinct from Israel.
(Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 10:32; 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:11-22; 3:1-7)
We believe that the local church is an assembly of professed believers in Jesus Christ who are voluntarily joined together in one locality for the purposes of worship, study of the Word of God, observance of the ordinances, Christian fellowship, and to be equipped for Christian service.
(Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; Romans 15:5-7, 14;Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:24-25)
Ordinances
We believe that Christ instituted the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We believe that by water baptism a believer is publicly identified with his Savior; that the mode should be a matter of the individual’s choice. Since Jesus Christ issued the commission to “baptize” His disciples (Mat. 28:19), we believe that baptism is a duty for those who identify themselves as Christians, and a matter of obedience to His command. Because salvation comes through an individual’s personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, we believe that baptism is to be reserved for those who can exercise that faith. Thus, infants of believing parents may be dedicated to the Lord but not baptized.
(Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41; Ephesians 4:4-6)
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of Christ’s death, the elements being symbols of His body and the blood, to be observed until Christ returns.
We believe that communion is open to all believers in Jesus Christ, apart from membership at Crossroads or any other local congregation, and that participation should be preceded by solemn self-examination and reflection on the meaning of the ordinance.
(Matthew 26:26-29; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34)
Marriage
We believe the biblical understanding of marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman. This conviction shapes all CBC marital practices, including weddings hosted at the church or officiated by any CBC staff or leaders.
(Genesis 2:20-25; Matthew 19:4-6)
The Second Coming of Christ
We believe in the personal, imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for the Church and His subsequent return to earth in power and glory to set up His Messianic, millennial kingdom.
(John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 3:19-21; 15:14-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:4-6; 22:20)
The Eternal State
We believe that the souls of believers in Jesus do at death immediately pass into His presence, and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming for the Church, when soul and body reunited shall be associated with Him forever in glory.
We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain after death in conscious misery in Hades until the final judgment of the Great White Throne at the close of the millennium when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord.
(Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; John 5:25-29; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21-24; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15)