DOCTRINE

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

We believe the Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired, authoritative, and inerrant Word of God. It is the final rule for faith and practice. (2 Tim. 3:15-17, 2 Pe. 1:20-21, John 8:30-31, Heb. 4:12)

We believe in One infinite and personal God, who eternally exists as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that God is the Creator, Sustainer, Savior, and Judge. While acknowledging the unity of the Godhead, we believe the Father planned salvation, the Son accomplished salvation, and the Holy Spirit applies salvation. (Deut. 6:4, Is. 40, Eph. 1:3-14, Heb. 9:14, 1 Pe. 1:1-2, Is. 43:11-13, Rev. 20:11-15)

We believe Jesus Christ is the unique God-Man. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross to make atonement for our sins, rose bodily from the dead, and ascended to the Father’s right hand. We believe that Jesus intercedes for believers as their High Priest and that He will soon return as the reigning King. (John 1:1-18, Luke 2:1-20, Heb. 4:14-16, 1 Pe. 3:18, Heb. 10:1-18, 1 Cor. 15, Eph. 1:20-22, Rev. 19-20)

We believe that man was created in the image of God but because of Adam’s sin, all men are now sinners by nature and by choice and are in need of salvation. We believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. (Gen. 1-3, Rom. 5:12-21, Rom. 3:21-26, Eph. 2:8-9)

We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts men of their need for salvation, causes men to be born again spiritually, permanently indwells believers and He is the source of power and fruitfulness in living the Christian life. (John 16:1-15, John 3:1-8, Rom. 8:1-16, Gal. 5:12-26)

We believe that Jesus Christ is the head of the church, which is His body, composed of all true believers. We believe that the church exists to glorify God through worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship, and discipleship. The mission of the church is to fulfill the Great Commission. (Mt. 16:15-18, Eph. 1:20-22, Mt. 22:36-40, Mt. 28:18-20)

We believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ. He will return bodily to earth to establish His Kingdom. Unbelievers will be judged and spend eternity separated from God in hell and believers will be rewarded with eternal fellowship with God in heaven. (Acts 1:9-11, Rev. 19-22, Phil. 3:20-21, 1 Thess. 4:14-17)

CROSSLINE GOVERNANCE

 

Biblical Principles on Church Structure and Leadership

  • Jesus is the head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23)
  • The church is the body of Christ made up of all true believers (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)
  • In essence, the local church is egalitarian (we are all fellow servants of Christ), and in the function, it has a structure and hierarchy (there are gifted leaders, pastor-elders, deacons, etc.). (1 Corinthians 12:27-28, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Timothy 3:1-14)
  • Local Church structure can morph according to vision, culture, manpower, and need (Acts 2:41-47, Acts 4:29-35, Acts 6:1-7, Acts 13:1-5)
  • God has called and gifted certain members of the body for leadership in the local church (Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Corinthians 12:27-28)
  • Local churches are to be led by a plurality of leaders (Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Timothy 3:1-14)
  • The terms elder, overseer, and pastor are functional names for the same office (Acts 20:17-28, Titus 1:1-9, 1 Peter 5:1-5)
  • Deacons are servant-leaders who support and implement the leadership of the elders (Acts 6:1-7, 1 Timothy 3:1-14)
  • There are character, gift, calling, experience, gender, and time qualifications for elders (1 Timothy 2:8-3:14, Ephesians 4:11-12)
  • There are character, calling, experience, and time qualifications for deacons (Acts 6:1-7, 1 Timothy 3:1-14)
  • The mission of the church is to glorify God through preaching the gospel to all creation and making disciples of all the nations (John 17:1-5, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15)