Distinctives

Baptism

We believe in water baptism by immersion as a public profession of faith for those who have repented of sin and placed their faith in Jesus Christ. While baptism is not necessary for salvation and justification before God, scripture both commands baptism upon repentance and bears witness to the early church’s obedience of this ordinance. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41, 8:36-38)

Communion

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is taken as a memorial to remember the death and sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The elements of communion are symbols, representing His broken body and shed blood. While the elements are not a means of bestowing grace themselves, examining oneself and partaking in a worthy manner are an essential part of the ordinance. Moreover, we have an open communion table, meaning that one does not need to be connected to Crossroads Community Church, yet we do request that you be a member of the larger body of Christ, having repented of sin and placed your faith in Jesus Christ. (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25, 27-29)

Sign gifts

We believe that all the spiritual gifts given by God are still available for his church today. However, regarding tongues, we do not believe that speaking in tongues is a necessary sign to determine if a believer has been filled, baptized, or empowered by the Spirit. When the speaking of tongues does occur in Acts at the coming of the Spirit, it serves two public purposes; it demonstrates that the Holy Spirit has come upon believers in a brand new way and that non-Jews are beneficiaries of the grace of God without converting to Judaism. Additionally, a public tongue that does not build up the body should be discouraged unless there is an interpreter or the speaker can interpret for him/herself. Ideally, the speaking of tongues should occur in a private setting so that the spirit of the speaker can be built up. (Acts 10:44-46; 1 Corinthians 14:2-25,27-28)

creation

We believe the creation account as recorded in Genesis that God created the world in six days and on the seventh day he rested. God spoke the universe into existence, gave the breath of a life, and created humankind—both male and female—distinct from the other animals. Adam and Eve are our first parents, who were made in the image of God, yet sinned against their creator, thereby allowing sin and death to enter God’s good creation. (Genesis 1, 2:16-17, 3:6-7; Romans 5:14)

human sexuality

We believe that God created both male and female in his image. As a part of God’s ideal plan, a man and a woman are to leave their parents and be joined together in marriage, becoming one flesh. We at Crossroads believe that this covenant of marriage is reserved for one man and one woman. However, because of the fall, humanity’s sinful, depraved, and broken nature has led us to seek relationships outside of God’s design, which are condemned by God. In our culture, this manifests itself in both pre-marital sexual relationships and homosexual relationships. For persons pursuing and living in these types of relationships, we encourage repentance and rest in the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of God. (Genesis 1:27-28, 2:18, 21-24; Romans 1:26-27)

church leadership

We believe that the church is to be led by the chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Oversight of Jesus’ church is then given to a group of biblically qualified male elders/overseers. While the office of elder is reserved exclusively for men, we believe that both men and women can exercise leadership in a variety of roles and ministries, under the authority of the elders. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4)

sanctity of life

We believe that life is given by God at the moment of conception and that no human being has the right or authority to end a life, including his/her own. As such, both abortion and euthanasia are murder and are condemned by God. However, for those persons who have had an abortion, we encourage repentance and rest in the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of God. (Genesis 25:22; Exodus 20:13; Ecclesiastes 3:1-2; Psalms 139:13; Luke 1:41)