Crosstimbers Christian Fellowship-What We Believe

God
God is the loving Creator of all that exists. God always was and always will be. He is completely good, knowing all things, and has all power. He exists in three persons, yet is one being. These three persons are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He passionately desires a relationship with you and continually invites you into a relationship with Him.
Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 4:9-10

Jesus Christ
God expressed Himself in human form through Jesus Christ, His son. He was born of a virgin named Mary. He taught us about the Kingdom of God, performed miracles, and lived a sinless life. He was then executed because of all the sins committed by men. He was confirmed dead and was buried. Three days later, He physically came back to life, encouraged His followers, was seen by hundreds, and returned to Heaven to be with His Father.
Matthew 1:22,23; 22:36-40; Isaiah 9:6; John 1;1-5, 14:6-30; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13

The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit was sent by the Father to live inside of everyone who is a Christian. He teaches, comforts, guides, sanctifies and empowers each and every Christian. He gives us diverse gifts and helps us to live like Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 2:38; Romans 5:5;1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1

The Church
The local church is a divinely instituted body that has been given the mission of accomplishing God's purposes on earth. Each local church is God's primary means of bringing His people to spiritual maturity and equipping them for serving one another. The church is a gathering place for love, support, encouragement, accountability, service, worship, and growth for people who share a common bond in Christ. Before returning to heaven, Christ gave the church its mission: To go to all nations proclaiming His gospel. It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with people in their sphere of influence.
Matthew 16:18; 22:34-40; 28:18-20; John 15:5; Acts 1:8; 2:42-47; 5:42; Eph. 4:11-16; I Peter 3:15

People
People matter to God. He wants a restored relationship with everyone He created. We are born for relationships. The essence of Christianity is to experience God’s love and to express God’s love. Much of this happens in Christian relationships. People need Jesus to be their Forgiver and Leader.
John 3:16; Matthew 22:37-40; John 14:6

Small Groups
The early church met on the first day of the week in the temple courts and throughout the week in house churches. Life Groups are like family units within the church family or cells within the body. They are the very heartbeat of our church. They provide the best environment for bringing the lost to Christ and for developing genuine, life-changing relationships. We place a high emphasis on our life groups.
Acts 2:42-4; 5:42

Making a Difference
God creates everyone with the need and the abilities to make a difference in this world. The church releases people to make an impact according to their abilities and passions.
Romans 12:4-8

The Bible
The Bible is God's message to all people. It is God's primary way of speaking to us. It is our privilege to seek and understand God's message and apply it to our lives. Written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Bible is the source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. God has provided an avalanche of evidence to support what He claims in the Bible. We believe God also guides our everyday lives through the Holy Spirit, but the Spirit will never conflict with the truth He has already communicated in the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

Mankind
Mankind has been created in the spiritual image of God. Humans were the supreme object of God's physical creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is controlled and held back by his sinful nature. Sin separates man from God. Man can only reach his highest potential by renouncing sin and being restored in his relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

Salvation
Salvation is being in a right relationship with God. It means having your sins forgiven rather than being punished for your sins. It means that God's Spirit lives within you in this life and you will enjoy living with God forever in heaven after you die. Salvation is God's gift to everyone who puts their faith in Jesus and responds appropriately.
Matthew 5:3-11; Romans 5:1; 6:1-5; Titus 3:5; John 14:1-2

Becoming a Christian
Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or by doing good deeds. Only by accepting Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin's penalty which is death. The Bible says we are saved by grace, through faith, in Jesus. The New Testament teaches that people who want to accept God's offer of new life through Jesus respond by believing, repenting, confessing, being baptized (immersed in water), and being committed to a life consistent with following Jesus. Responding to God's offer of grace does not equal earning, working for, or being worthy of salvation. The Bible is clear that there's nothing we can do that puts God in our debt so that He owes us salvation. However, we believe when someone wants to be a fully devoted follower of Christ that they will want to respond as the New Testament teaches.
Mark 16:16; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 2:38; Romans 12:1-2; Acts 2:21; 1 John 2:9; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Matthew 7:16, John 15:1-9.

Living as a Christian
The Christian life is the best way to live. God desires for people to live the highest quality life possible. Once one becomes a Christian, it's like getting married to Jesus. We grow in our love toward Him and want to do the things that please Him. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we begin a life-long process of being transformed into the image of Christ. Becoming like Jesus in our heart, attitude and character is the goal of every Christian.
2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 5:1-18; Galatians 5:22-23.