The Doctrinal Basis of 7030 Rockfish Road Fayetteville, NC 28306 PREAMBLE CrossPointe Church embraces the following statements concerning the truth. The Bible is our allsufficient rule for faith and practice. This Statement of Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us (i.e., that we all speak the same thing; I Corinthians 1:10; Acts 2:42). No claim is made that it contains all biblical truth, only that it covers our need as to these fundamental doctrines. We do not presume to say the phraseology employed in this Statement of Fundamental Truths is inspired or that it is the final work on Bible truth. However, we are persuaded it is proper and consistent with the Holy Scriptures to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us (Luke 1:1). NOTE: Items are listed in alphabetical order. ATONEMENT We believe that God s answer to man s sinful state is in the death of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, on the cross, whose sufferings and shed blood have made full atonement for the sins of the whole world, both original and actual, and that there is no other ground for salvation (2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:25-26; 1 Peter 1:19-20). CREATION We believe that the heavens and earth and all original life forms, including humanity, were made by the specific immediate creative acts of God (Genesis 1 & 2). DEDICATION OF CHILDREN The dedication of children is the presentation of a child to God, and therefore establishes a covenant between God and parents. God promises blessing and protection to the child whose parents are faithful to rear him/her in the services of the Lord. We believe such a child is part of the covenant family of God and covered by the faith of his parents until he/she reaches the age of accountability, whereupon he/she becomes responsible as an individual before God and is commanded to repent (Psalms 34:11; Isaiah 54:13; Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-16; I Corinthians 7:14). DIVINE HEALING In accordance with the teachings of the scriptures, we trust our heavenly Father to protect and heal our bodies from sickness and disease. We believe that divine healing for the body, as with all redemptive blessings of God, has been provided for us by the atoning death and victorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; it is the privilege of all believers and it is appropriated by faith in our heavenly Father s unfailing promises (Exodus 15:26; Psalms 103:3; Isaiah 53:4; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; 1 Peter 2:24; James 5:14-15). Doctrinal Basis - Page 1 of 5
GIFTS We believe in the present day operation of the nine supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). We also believe in the ministry gifts of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13). GIVING We believe the Old and New Testament Scriptures teach tithing (10%) as God s financial plan for the support of His work. These are to be practiced continually by all believers and are outward expressions of the unity of the church, the Body of Christ, as it joins together in support of the work of the Lord (Malachi 3:8-10; I Corinthians 16:1-3; Matthew 23:23; Numbers 18:8-11; Ezekiel 44; Proverbs 14:21; 29:7; Luke 11:41; 12:33). We believe that Bible teaches that Christians who practice planned, percentage giving receive abundant blessings from God (Deuteronomy 15:10; 16:17; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 9:7; Galatians 6:6-8; Philippians 4:10-19). HEAVEN AND HELL We believe that the end of this age is rapidly approaching (I Peter 4:7). We believe in the personal, imminent return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18). We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and of the unjust. We believe in the blessed hope of the saved (heaven), and the everlasting punishment of the lost (hell) without Christ (Acts 24:15; Matthew 24:31-46; Revelation 22:11). JESUS CHRIST We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the second person of the triune Godhead, who was and is the eternal Son of God; that he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary. We believe in his sinless life, miraculous ministry, substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, glorious ascension, and abiding intercession (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 24:39; Acts 1:9; 2:22; 10:38; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 4:8-10; Hebrews 7:25-26; 9:12; 1 Peter 2:22). JUSTIFICATION Justification is the legal act whereby God declares the sinner to be innocent of his or her sins. It is not that the sinner is now sinless, but that he/she is "declared" sinless. This declaration of righteousness means the person is justified before God. This justification is based on the shed blood of Jesus, "...having now been justified by His blood..." (Romans 5:9) where Jesus was crucified, died, buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). God imputed (reckoned to our account) the righteousness of Christ at the same time our sins were imputed to Christ when He was on the cross. That is why it says in 1 Peter 2:24, "And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed." Also, 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." Additionally, we are justified by faith (Romans 5:1) apart from works of the Law (Romans 3:28). Doctrinal Basis - Page 2 of 5
MARRIAGE We believe God created and designed marriage to be between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:22). We further believe that marriage is a covenant made between a man and a woman that makes them one flesh in the eyes of God (Genesis 2:24). The marriage covenant requires the married parties to be faithful, loving, and helpful to each other as long as they both shall live (Mark 10:3-10). We believe the Bible teaches that Christians should not marry unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Couples wishing to be joined together as husband and wife are required to attend pre-marriage counseling. During counseling an approved Pastoral Staff Member will review with the prospective bride and groom what God requires of them to be joined together in Christian marriage (Malachi 2:13-16; Matthew 5:32; 19:5-6,9; Romans 7:2-3; I Corinthians 7:10-11, 15; II Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:22-23). CrossPointe Church believes Christian marriage is initiated by a religious ceremony, which is holy, and unto God. Therefore our Pastors will only officiate/conduct/participate in wedding ceremonies where the prospective bride and groom are both members of CrossPointe Church in Good Standing (See Membership Covenant). Since we believe marriage is holy and unto God, and should be between a man and woman only, no minister ordained by CrossPointe Church is allowed to participate in civil union ceremonies or same sex wedding ceremonies. SANCTIFICATION We believe that sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God. We believe it is the glorious provision for every believer in Christ to be made pure in heart and wholly sanctified, through the operation of the Holy Spirit, by the blood of Jesus and the Word of God (John 17:15-19; Acts 15:8-9; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 5:23-24; Hebrews 2:11; 10:16-19). THE CHURCH We believe that the church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of its great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the first-born whose names are written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:22; Hebrews 12:23). THE DEVIL We believe the Bible teaches evil personified is Lucifer, the devil, who, by his influence, brought about the downfall of man, and now seeks to destroy the faith of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 3:1-15; Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13; John 13:2; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8). THE ETERNAL GODHEAD We believe that Scripture teaches there is one and only one true and living God, who is self-existent, and the eternal I AM, the creator of heaven and earth, and the redeemer of mankind. We believe that He has chosen to reveal Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the same in essence, though distinct in personality (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11; Matthew 28:18-19; Luke 3:22). These three are one God, having the same nature, attributes, and perfection and are worthy of the same homage and obedience (Mark 12:29; John 1:14; Acts 5:3, 4; II Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4-6). The mode of Doctrinal Basis - Page 3 of 5
His existence, however, is a subject far above the understanding of man. He is the fountain of all perfection and happiness. He is glorified by the whole of creation and is worthy to be loved and served by all intelligence. He, therefore, is the only proper object of worship (Jeremiah 10:10; Exodus 3:14; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19, 20; Job 11:7; Psalms 19:1, 2; 145:10; 150:6; Exodus 34:14). THE FALL OF MAN We believe that man was created by God, by specific immediate act and in his image and likeness, morally upright and perfect, but fell by voluntary transgression. Consequently, all men are separated from original righteousness, being depraved and without spiritual life (Genesis 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21). THE HOLY SCRIPTURES We believe that the Holy Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, were written by holy men inspired by the Holy Spirit and are God s revealed word to man. They are the sufficient, infallible rule and guide to salvation and all Christian worship and service. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, equally in all parts and in the whole; it is totally inerrant in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme revelation from God and of God, superior to conscience and reason, though not contrary to them; and it is therefore our infallible rule in all manners. All the Scriptures center about the Lord Jesus Christ and hence, no portion is properly read nor understood until it leads to Him. The Bible does not simply contain the Word of God, but is, in reality, the complete revelation and very Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that whatever is not contained therein is not to be enjoined as an article of faith (Matthew 5:17-18; 24:35; John 4:39; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). THE HOLY SPIRIT We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the triune Godhead, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is ever present and active in the work of convicting and regenerating the sinner, and sanctifying and guiding the believer into all truth (John 14:26; 16:8-11; Romans 8:14; 1 Peter 1:2). THE LORD S SUPPER We believe that the Lord s Supper, consisting of the elements of bread and the fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4); a memorial of his sufferings and death (1 Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of his second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26), and is enjoined on all believers until He comes (Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 22:1520; Acts 20:7). THE SALVATION OF MAN We believe that salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This experience is also known as the new birth and is an instantaneous and complete operation of the Holy Spirit whereby the believing sinner is regenerated, justified, and adopted into the family of God and becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus and heir of eternal life (Titus 2:11; 3:5-7; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 5:1). Doctrinal Basis - Page 4 of 5
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST We believe in the premillennial, imminent and personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ to gather his people to himself. Having this glorious hope and earnest expectation, we purify ourselves, even as he is pure, so that we may be ready to meet him when he comes (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; Titus 2:13; James 5:7-8; 1 John 2:28; 3:2-3). THE USE OF ALCOHOL We believe the Scriptures speak often of the destructive power of alcohol. (Genesis 9:20-27; 19:30-38; Esther 1:9-22). The consumption of alcohol impairs judgment, inflames passions, and invites violence (Leviticus 10:8-11; Proverbs 20:1, 23:29-35, 31:4,5). While there is room for debate concerning moderation, (1 Timothy 3:8; 5:23), we believe the Scriptures clearly condemn drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). WATER BAPTISM We believe that baptism, by single immersion, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is enjoined on all who have repented and have believed in Christ as Saviour and Lord, and that it is symbolic of our identification with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47-48; 2:38-39; Romans 6:4-5; Colossians 2:12). Doctrinal Basis - Page 5 of 5