Crossway Fellowship
B o u r n e m o u t h
STATEMENT OF FAITH
(What we believe)
- We hold to the God of Israel as the One true God; a Triune God in three persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He alone is to be worshipped, as prescribed in Scripture.
- We believe in the doctrinal infallibility of the original manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments in their original languages, and that these Scriptures are a true record of history.
- We believe that the complete Bible constitutes the supreme authority for our faith and ministry. We accept the Bible as the only basis of true doctrine.
- We believe in salvation through the New Birth experience by repentance and faith in Jesus alone, as the only provision for man’s sin. We hold that Jesus took our sin and gave us His righteousness, and that we must personally accept Him and remain faithful to Him on the basis of scripture. Those rejecting Jesus will face everlasting punishment.
- We believe that man is fallen and so is creation. It is impossible for man to justify himself before a perfect God.
- We recognise that everyone has some knowledge of God, through his general revelation in nature (creation). But we deny that this knowledge can save. We also reject as debasing to Christ and the gospel, every kind of view and dialogue which implies that Christ speaks equally through all religions and ideologies.
- We hold to believer’s baptism, by immersion in water. We also consider that this is a prerequisite to partaking in the Holy Communion.
- We believe that Matthew 28:18-
20 is the heartbeat of God’s purpose and calling for the church, in every generation. The church is God’s agent on the earth today, to herald his message of reconciliation (the gospel) to all nations (ethnic groups). We affirm that Christ sends his redeemed people into the world to make disciples, not just converts, as the Father sent him. - We accept that Gentiles who truly accept Jesus replace Jews who reject Him; however, these are incorporated into Israel in a spiritual sense (on the basis of Romans 11) rather than the church replacing Israel – a teaching which we hold to be in error.
- We believe that the gifts of the Spirit, including charismatic gifts, continue to operate in the church. However, we reject any form of charismatic or Pentecostal extremism, and reject totally any form of tradition-
based or experiential theology. - We yearn for the unity of the Spirit, such unity seen as with other Bible-
based evangelical Christians, churches, and ministries – even where we may not share all the same nonessential doctrines. However, we reject – as a false unity – ecumenism or unity with any form with non- evangelical versions of Christianity, having a different doctrine of salvation and a basis of doctrinal authority other than the Bible. - We believe that God’s prophetic plan for the salvation of the world is bound up with His prophetic plan for the re-
gathering and salvation of Israel. - We hold to be a pre-
millennial return of Christ, at which time He will establish his millennial Kingdom on earth.