Essentials
At Church at the Crossing, we don’t claim to have it all figured out.
But we are really clear about the things that matter most. Look at the Essentials as closed-hand beliefs.
Closed-hand beliefs are things we hold tightly. These are hills we are willing to die on.
Essentials are non-negotiable truths that form the foundation of Christian faith.
These beliefs define who we are and shape how we live. Here’s what we mean by the essentials.
The Bible is God’s Word.
We believe Scripture is inspired by God and trustworthy in all it teaches.
It is without error in its original form and is the authority for how we live and what we believe.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
It is without error in its original form and is the authority for how we live and what we believe.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
Jesus is Fully God and Fully Man.
Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
Jesus lived a sinless life, fully divine and fully human – He is our perfect savior.
John 1:14
“14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.
And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
Colossians 1:15-16
“15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.”
Colossians 2:9
“9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.”
Jesus lived a sinless life, fully divine and fully human – He is our perfect savior.
John 1:14
“14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.
And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
Colossians 1:15-16
“15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.”
Colossians 2:9
“9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.”
God is One in Three Persons.
The word “Trinity” isn’t in the Bible, but the truth is – God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-equal and eternal.
Scripture shows us this.
Matthew 28:19
“19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 13:14
“14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Scripture shows us this.
Matthew 28:19
“19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 13:14
“14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
We Are All Broken by Sin.
Every person has fallen short of God’s standard and is in need of rescue.
We don’t need self-improvement – we need salvation.
Romans 3:23
“23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
Romans 5:12
“12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.”
We don’t need self-improvement – we need salvation.
Romans 3:23
“23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
Romans 5:12
“12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.”
We Are Saved by Grace, Through Faith.
This is known as, Sola Gratia (SOH-lah-GRAH-tee-uh) – A latin phrase meaning “grace alone.”
And Sola Fide (SOH-lah-FEE-day) – A latin phrase meaning “faith alone”.
Salvation is not something we earn – it’s a gift.
We are made right with God by trusting in Jesus, not by our own efforts.
Ephesians 2:8-9
“8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
And Sola Fide (SOH-lah-FEE-day) – A latin phrase meaning “faith alone”.
Salvation is not something we earn – it’s a gift.
We are made right with God by trusting in Jesus, not by our own efforts.
Ephesians 2:8-9
“8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
Jesus Died for Us and Rose Again.
At the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for our sin.
In His resurrection, He defeated death and secured eternal life for all who believe.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
“3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me.
Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.
4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.”
Romans 4:25
“25 He (Jesus) was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.”
In His resurrection, He defeated death and secured eternal life for all who believe.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
“3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me.
Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.
4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.”
Romans 4:25
“25 He (Jesus) was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.”
The Non-Essentials Don’t Divide Us.
So what about all the things Christians disagree on?
What about the issues that people debate, post about, and sometimes get pretty passionate – or even divisive about?
The early church wrestled with this too, and the Apostle Paul had some strong words for them
-- not about the issue itself, but about how they treated one another because of it.
Romans 14:1-4
“Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.
2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience
will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t.
And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.
4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall.
And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.”
Romans 14:13
“13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you
will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.”
What about the issues that people debate, post about, and sometimes get pretty passionate – or even divisive about?
The early church wrestled with this too, and the Apostle Paul had some strong words for them
-- not about the issue itself, but about how they treated one another because of it.
Romans 14:1-4
“Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.
2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience
will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t.
And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.
4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall.
And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.”
Romans 14:13
“13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you
will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.”
Additional Beliefs
Holy Bible
The Holy Bible, and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible and inerrant (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26).
Trinity
There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and co-eternal (I John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 3:7-11).
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind and thus, atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory. (John 1:1,14, 20:28; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5-6; I Timothy 2:5).
Virgin Birth
Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Father, through the Holy Spirit (the third person of the Trinity) in the virgin Mary’s womb; therefore, He is the Son of God (Matthew 1:18, 25; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:27-35).
Redemption
Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell; his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Gen. 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21).
Regeneration
For anyone to know God, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential (John 6:44, 65; Matthew 19:28; Titus 3:5).
Salvation
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22).
Repentance
Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Thus, through repentance we receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation (Acts 2:21, 3:19; I John 1:9).
Sanctification
Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life (I Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; II Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18, II Thessalonians 2:1-3, Romans 8:29, 12:1-2, Hebrews 2:11).
Jesus' Blood
The Blood that Jesus Christ shed on the Cross of Calvary was sinless and is 100% sufficient to cleanse mankind of all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death (I John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 3:10-12, 23, 5:9; John 1:29).
Jesus Christ Indwells All Believers
Christians are people who have invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside them by His Holy Spirit. They relinquish the authority of their lives over to him thus making Jesus the Lord of their life as well as Savior. They put their trust in what Jesus accomplished for them when He died, was buried, and rose again from the dead (John 1:12; John 14:17, 23; John 15:4; Romans 8:11; Revelation 3:20)..
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Given at Pentecost, it is the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His Ascension, to empower the Church to preach the Gospel throughout the whole earth (Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5,2:1-4, 17, 38-39, 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6).
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible’s lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters. (Hebrews 2:4; Romans 1:11, 12 :4-8; Ephesians 4:16; I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6-7; I Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; I Peter 4:10).
The Church
The church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission. Every person who is born of the Spirit is an integral part of the church as a member of the body of believers. There is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23).
Water Baptism
Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48).
Communion
A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross (Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25).
Marriage
We believe marriage is defined in the Bible as a covenant, a sacred bond between one man and one woman, instituted by and publicly entered into before God (Matthew 19:4-6).
Healing of the Sick
Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, and included in the commission of Jesus to His disciples. It is given as a sign, which is to follow believers. It is also a part of Jesus’ work on the Cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit. (Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; James 5:14-16; I Corinthians 12:9, 28; Romans 11:29).
God's Will for Provision
It is the Father’s will for believers to become whole, healthy and successful in all areas of life. But because of the fall, many may not receive the full benefits of God’s will while on Earth. That fact, though, should never prevent all believers from seeking the full benefits of Christ’s provision in order to better serve others.
Spiritual
(John 3:3-11; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 10:9-10)
Mental and Emotional
(II Timothy 1:7, 2:11; Philippians 4:7-8; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3)
Physical
(Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:17; I Peter 2:24)
Financial
(Joshua 1:8; Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 9:6-10; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 34:10, 84:11; Philippians 4:19)
Spiritual
(John 3:3-11; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 10:9-10)
Mental and Emotional
(II Timothy 1:7, 2:11; Philippians 4:7-8; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3)
Physical
(Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:17; I Peter 2:24)
Financial
(Joshua 1:8; Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 9:6-10; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 34:10, 84:11; Philippians 4:19)
Resurrection
Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; they that are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation (Luke 24:16, 36, 39; John 2:19-21, 20:26-28, 21:4; Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15:42, 44; Philippians 1:21-23, 3:21).
Heaven
Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for all believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:3, 12, 20, 6:20, 19:21, 25:34; John 17:24; II Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; I Peter 1:4).
Hell
After living one life on earth, the unbelievers will be judged by God and sent to Hell where they will be eternally tormented with the Devil and the Fallen Angels (Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11, 20:12-15, 21:8).
Second Coming
Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures (Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; II Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7).