Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of The Crossing Church | Batavia, OH based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
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What We Believe About...
God
God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of the universe who has always been and will always be. The one and only true God and exists in three distinct forms as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[Genesis 1:1, 1:26-27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2]
[Genesis 1:1, 1:26-27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2]
Jesus
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He came to earth by birth to a virgin, and while here was both fully human and fully GOD. Jesus lived a sinless life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. God raised Him from the dead after three days, thus demonstrating his power over sin and death. He ascended into heaven, and will return again to be forever united with his followers.
[Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15]
[Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15]
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity along with the Father and the Son. He is present and active in the world to make all people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives inside each believer of Christ, and helps us to understand right from wrong. The Holy Spirit directs, leads, empowers, and provides believers with the spiritual gifts necessary for serving God.
[John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17, 13:14; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18]
[John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17, 13:14; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18]
The Bible
The Bible is God’s written word revealed to humanity and is a primary avenue that God has established as places where He chooses to reveal Himself to humanity. It was written by men under the direction of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for a Christian’s belief and living. Because it is inspired by God, its message is without error.
[Psalm 119:105, 119:160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21]
[Psalm 119:105, 119:160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21]
Salvation
Salvation [to be saved] is God’s gift by grace available to everyone. No one can ever make up for sin by any amount of good works or self-improvement. Salvation can only be found through believing in and trusting Jesus Christ, who died as a living sacrifice. When one hears the message of Jesus, the Bible says that the response should be to confess that Jesus is Lord, repent [turn away] from sin, be baptized like Jesus was, and continue a life of following Jesus Christ in faith.
[John 6:47, 14:6; Acts 2:38, 3:19, 19:18; Romans 6:23, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21; Revelation 2:10]
[John 6:47, 14:6; Acts 2:38, 3:19, 19:18; Romans 6:23, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21; Revelation 2:10]
The Mission
The Crossing is committed to loving God and loving our neighbor. This includes “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…….and teaching them to obey everything I [Jesus] have commanded you.” [Matthew 28:20-21] This is accomplished through supporting the internal ministries of The Crossing, local ministry partners in our community, and distant ministry partners in the US and throughout the world.
[Matthew 28:19-20; I Timothy 4:2; 2 Timothy 2:2]
[Matthew 28:19-20; I Timothy 4:2; 2 Timothy 2:2]
Humanity
Discipleship
Human Beings were perfectly created in the likeness of the perfect God. Unfortunately, sin was allowed to enter the world, which has separated all of us from being in God’s presence. The influence of sin in this world causes many problems in life, which is not the way God intended for us to live. The Bible says that everyone has sinned and fallen short of the standard that God set for us. This means everyone needs salvation [to be saved] from the consequence of sin which lead to death.
[Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23, 6:23]
[Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23, 6:23]
To be saved is just the beginning of your life with Christ. We believe every believer should be on a lifelong journey of becoming more like Christ through spiritual disciplines such as Bible reading and study, prayer, acts of service, and involvement in their church.
Eternity
Human beings were created by God to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God because of sin [Hell], or eternally exist in union with God through forgiveness and salvation [[Heaven –> the New Jerusalem on the new earth]. The path that each person chooses while on this earth will determine the destination of his/her eternity, and praise God that He offers the way to an eternity with Him through Jesus Christ.
[John 3:16; 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 25:44-46]
[John 3:16; 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 25:44-46]
Baptism
Baptism is not essential in the process of salvation, but is an outward action that proclaims Christ’s inward saving work of grace. Immersion in baptism It symbolizes a new Christian’s death to sin and resurrection to a new life in Christ. Baptism is not a requirement for membership within the Crossing Church, but a sign that you have joined the worldwide body of Christ. The command to be baptized in the Bible is associated with the call to repent and be saved, and thus baptism should occur as soon as reasonably possible for those who have made the decision. We do not baptize infants, but only those who have come to the understanding of their need for a Savior. While not a requirement, we do recommend any new believer does first discuss baptism with the pastor, staff, or an elder before being baptized.
[John 6:47, 14:6; Acts 2:38, 3:19, 19:18; Romans 6:23, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21; Revelation 2:10]
[John 6:47, 14:6; Acts 2:38, 3:19, 19:18; Romans 6:23, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21; Revelation 2:10]
The Church
The global church is described as both the bride of Christ and the body of Christ, and is an essential part of the work that God is doing in the world. The church is one of the primary avenues that God has established as places where He chooses to reveal Himself to humanity. The Bible does not teach that one can be a solitary Christian. The Bible clearly teaches the need and importance of every believer to be involved with and committed to a local church. The Crossing community strives to be on a journey together to allow God to change us to be more like Christ in both our personal lives and as a church body.
[Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:42-47, 4:12; Ephesians 4:4-5, 5:25-27]
[Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:42-47, 4:12; Ephesians 4:4-5, 5:25-27]
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