Crossway

Within our commitment to the gospel and foundational truths of historical Orthodox Christianity, we have adopted the following essential Biblical Convictions. These Convictions will certainly align us with many local churches but also graciously distinguish us from others.

While Crossway holds firmly to this Biblical doctrine in our teaching and conviction, we do not seek to be known for what we are against or to be set apart in spirit from some of our other brothers and sisters in the Universal Body of Christ. 

GOD’S WORD - Our authority for life and ministry

The Bible as God's Word is the genuine believer's ultimate authority.  And because of the spiritual new birth the believer practices obedience.

1. The Bible is both inspired and without error in its original copy or manuscript (Process - 2 Pet. 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16; Product- 2 Pet. 3:15,16) and authoritative for us today in all areas of life (Matt. 5:18; 24:35; 1 Cor. 2:13, 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 4:12; I Pet. 2:2).

2. Because of the inward regeneration of the Spirit, commonly known as being "born again", believers can know and obey God's Word through the illumination of the Spirit. (Ezekiel 11:19-20, Jeremiah 31:31-34; Titus 1:16, 1 John 2:3-4; 3:9-10).

3. We believe there is but one true biblical interpretation or meaning with multiple applications (2 Peter 1:20, 21). The meaning is found as one diligently applies the literal, grammatical, and historical methods of interpretation. Therefore, God’s Word is sufficient for all of life and godliness. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

4. It is the responsibility of every follower of Jesus to carefully discern the true intent and meaning of the Scriptures, (Acts 17:11) knowing God’s truth is timeless and for all generations. The absolute truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men stand in judgment of it (Matthew 5:18; 22:31; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16; Hebrews 4:12).

salvation - god, the author from start to finish

Salvation is a work of God, received by grace (unearned favor) through faith. Through believing and receiving Jesus' life, death, and resurrection in our place, we are saved and sustained unto eternal life.

1. God provided the only sacrifice needed for man's rebellion and sin. Through Jesus' life, death on the cross, and resurrection, God in his love, demonstrated his justice and ability to justify the sinner. (Isaiah 53:6; 59:2; 64:6; Romans 3:26; Hebrews 9:27; 1 Peter 3:18; 2:24; Acts 4:12; John 14:6; 1 Corinthians 15).

2. Because of the lost, rebellious, darkened condition of man's heart (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-11; 2 Corinthians 4:4), no man would seek God or believe had it not been for God's gracious working and drawing of man to himself (Ephesians 2:4-10; John 6:35-40, 44; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6).

3. Because salvation is wholly of God, man cannot lose salvation. The genuine believer is eternally secure (John 6:37-40, 44; 1 Peter 1:2-5; Ephesians 1:4-5, 11; 2:4-10; Romans 8:28-30; 1 Corinthians 15:2; Titus 3:5; 1 John 2:19; 5:11-13).

SANCTIFICATION - THE FRUIT OF TRANSFORMING GRACE

The life that is genuinely transformed by the gospel will increasingly show the fruit of obedience, empowered by the Holy Spirit, who permanently indwells Jesus’ followers.

1. The reality of a person’s salvation will be shown through the progressive transformation of their lives into greater likeness to Jesus (Galatians 5:16-25; 1 John 2:3-4). See also: John 14:21-24; 15:8; Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 1:16; James 2:14-26; 1 John 3:8-10.

2. The personal fruit of God’s Spirit will be evidenced in the individual believer’s love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness towards God and others. They will also seek to put to death fleshly and worldly desires on a daily basis. (Galatians 5:22-24; Luke 14:25-27; Romans 7)

3. The sanctifying process happens as we abide in Jesus and allow the Word to guide and change us. This involves regularly receiving the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and repenting of our sin in our continued battle with the flesh. This process leads us to a greater love and compassion for the lost, and to living for his kingdom and glory. (John 15:1-17; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; John 16:13-15).

The Local Church - A COMMUNITY ON MISSION

God's design is for local communities of believers to be intimately involved in one another’s lives and spiritual growth, and intentionally living out the mission of making Jesus known.

1. The local church is a family of believers who are growing together in genuine love and sacrificial service. This is often best facilitated in smaller groups as Jesus primarily poured into the 12 disciples, and as we see believers meeting in homes. (1 Corinthians 12:20-26; Ephesians 2:19; 4:11-14; 1 Timothy 3:5; Titus 2:1-8; Hebrews 10:23-24; Acts 2:41-43).

2. God's strategy in evangelizing the world is through empowering individuals in the local church to live on mission and multiply churches. The New Testament demonstrates that the Local Church is the primary vehicle of training and sending believers to live on mission. (Matthew 9:37-38;16:13-18; 28:18-20; Luke 10:1-3; Acts 1:8; 2:41-43; 8:1-3; 11:22-26; 13:1-3; 14:21-28; 15:2-4, 22-36; 18:22; 20:17, 28, 32; 21:18-19; Philippians 1:27; 2:12-16).

THE LOCAL CHURCH - PLURALITY IN Leadership

God's design for leadership in any local church is a plurality of biblically qualified, mutually accountable men who shepherd, equip, and oversee the spiritual health of the body.

1. The local assembly is to be led and governed by a group of elder/pastors. (Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Ephesians 4:11-13; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

2. These men are biblically qualified in regard to their character and competence as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

3. These men understand that they are simply under-shepherds of the chief shepherd, Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 5:1-5)

SPIRITUAL GIFTS - SPIRIT EMPOWERED AND BIBLICALLY GROUNDED

The Scriptures teach that the Spirit gives every believer supernatural gifts for the purpose of building up his church and expanding his kingdom.

1. God demonstrates his supernatural power through imparting spiritual gifts for the purpose of putting his glory and grace on display in advancing and affirming the gospel message and messenger. (Matthew 19:23-26; James 5:13-18; Romans 8:28; 12:3-8; Ephesians 5:).

2. God has given gifts to each believer for edifying or building up of the church body and advancing his kingdom (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12-14; 1 Peter 4:10-11). It is important to understand that spiritual gifts are not for self-edification or self-expression but for the edification of others (1 Corinthians 12:7; 14:3, 12, 17, 20-25, 26, 31).

3. For further clarifications on sign gifts, please see the appendix at the end of these summaries on page 12.

Complementary Design of Men and Women - EQUAL IN VALUE, DISTINCT IN ROLES

God has created men and women wonderfully different as complements, of equal value, and with differing functions in the family and in the church, for the good of all.

1. God created all men and women in his own image, and commissioned them to multiply and live in relationship with him (Genesis 1:24-29; 2:7-25; Galatians 3:23-29).

2. Men and women are distinct and complementary as seen fundamentally in the marriage relationship where the husband is called to sacrificial leadership as head of the home; as the wife is voluntarily called to follow her husband's leadership (Genesis 2:7-25; 3:1-19; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; 14:34-35; Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-19; Titus 2:4-5; 1 Peter 3:1-7)

3. God's created design is to be modeled also in the church body. Although equally valued and gifted, women are not to be in a position of authority or teaching over men. This would apply to any gathering of God's people - worship celebration, small groups, workshops, or seminars (Genesis 2:7- 25; 3:1-19; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16). Qualified women who are gifted in leadership and teaching will have opportunities to utilize their gifts in women's ministries, service teams, or children's ministries, and many other vital ministries which function under the authority of the elders.

CHURCH DISCIPLINE - THE PROCESS OF RESTORATION

God has provided instructions for church restoration to lovingly keep individual believers from being ensnared by Satan and to maintain the purity of Jesus’ Church.

1. God desires us to pursue and preserve the purity of the church body, not to punish or to exclude any individual. The purpose of the discipline process is to restore any believer who is ensnared by continual sin. (Galatians 6:1-2; Matthew 18:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Corinthians 2:5-13; Hebrews 12:4-13).

2. The Scriptures teach that the body is to be committed to one another in love. It instructs us how we are to pursue a brother or sister trapped in a sinful lifestyle. This process could sadly result in the removal of an individual from the fellowship of believers until repentance is demonstrated. (Galatians 6:1; Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:1-8; Hebrews 3:12, 13).