Church of the Cross — Principles of Faith
(Condensed)

1. We believe the Bible to be the holy, Divinely inspired word of God. Our actions and decisions, will be based upon the authority of the Holy Scripture as contained in the Old and the New Testaments.

2. We believe that God exists in three persons as revealed in the Scripture -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

3. We believe that it was by the direction, power, and love of God that the world was created, and that through His Son, Jesus, the Word became flesh.

4. We believe that God sent His only Son Jesus Christ into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might know of God's love. We believe that through Jesus Christ we might inherit eternal life.

5. We believe that only through God's grace are our sins forgiven and through our repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

6. We believe that Jesus Christ was crucified and buried, and that He rose from the dead. After ascending into heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit as a Comforter to guide and direct us.

7. We believe that Jesus Christ will come again to receive those who believe in Him into heaven, and that the world, as we know it, will come to an end.  We believe that those who die without accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior will be separated from His presence for eternity. (John 14:6)

8. We believe the church was established by God for the purpose of bearing witness of Jesus Christ, and that the church is a place for the nurture, care and healing of God’s people.

9. We believe that we are to follow the Great Commandment
   of Christ (Matt. 22:37-40)..., “Love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your mind...and love your neighbor as yourself... therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

10. We believe as confirmed by Scripture that there are various gifts of the Spirit, the greatest of which is God's love. We believe that God endows every believer with gifts and talents, and that each gift is to be used to glorify God, to edify His church, and to establish His kingdom.

11. We acknowledge that there are other methods of worship and practice that are valid so long as they express that which Scripture principally teaches, and that their purpose is to praise and glorify God.

AMEN.