We believe that the Bible is God's Word, given to the world for our salvation. Because it is inspired by God, the Bible is without error, perfect, and trustworthy. It is through the Scriptures that God reveals His plan of salvation for all people.
We believe in one God who has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is known as the Holy Trinity. All three persons of the Trinity were active in creation, and continue to be active in our forgiveness, life, and salvation.
The first person of the Trinity is God the Father. He is the Creator of all things and the sustainer of life. God the Father sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins and provides for our needs by the power of the Holy Spirit. He desires a personal relationship with His people, one of love and forgiveness, and offers that relationship to us through faith in His Son Jesus.
The second person of the Trinity is God the Son, Jesus Christ. He is both fully God and fully man, and He came to earth to be our Savior. Through His life, death on the cross, and resurrection, Jesus conquered sin, death, and the devil. Through faith in Him, we receive the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation.
The third person of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit. He works in the hearts of believers, creating faith, convicting us of sin, and assuring us of our salvation in Jesus. The Holy Spirit also helps us understand God’s Word, strengthens us in faith, and empowers us to live as God's people.
God created the world perfect, and He created people to live in a close relationship with Him. But when sin entered the world, everything was broken. Sin separates us from God and brings both physical death and eternal separation from Him. Sin is not just about breaking God’s commands; it is a condition of the heart that affects everyone. Every person inherits this sinful nature and is incapable of saving themselves. The only cure for sin is a Savior.
We cannot save ourselves from sin. No amount of good works, effort, or trying harder will make us right with God. The only way to salvation is through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross, and through His death and resurrection, He offers the free gift of forgiveness, life, and salvation to all who believe in Him. Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received by faith.
God offers forgiveness to the world through Jesus Christ. Through repentance and faith, we receive the forgiveness of our sins. This forgiveness changes our standing before God—through faith in Jesus, we are declared righteous and holy, and we receive the gift of eternal life. Forgiveness restores our relationship with God and gives us peace with Him.
On the last day, God will restore all things. This is the day of judgment, when Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. Those who have faith in Jesus as their Savior will live forever with God in the new heaven and new earth, where there will be no more sin, sorrow, or death. Those who reject Jesus will be eternally separated from God.
Baptism is a means of grace and a command from Jesus. It is not just a symbol but a powerful act in which God offers forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. In Baptism, we are united with Jesus' death and resurrection. Baptism is necessary for salvation and is God’s work done for us. It is administered once in the life of a believer and remains effective as God’s promise to His people.
Holy Communion is a means of grace and a command from Jesus that offers God's promise of forgiveness, life, and salvation. We believe that, in the Lord’s Supper, the body and blood of Jesus are truly present along with the bread and wine of Holy Communion. Jesus offers Himself to us through this meal, strengthening us in faith and sustaining us with His very presence. It is a gift of God that unites us to Christ and to each another as the Body of Christ.
Because Scripture warns that the misuse of the Lord’s Supper can lead to sinning against the body and blood of the Lord and bring judgment (1 Corinthians 11:27-34), we take great care to protect the spiritual well-being of those who receive this sacred gift. At Holy Cross, we encourage all who wish to participate in the Lord’s Supper to first receive instruction. This ensures that participants understand the significance of this sacrament, its blessings, and its proper use. By doing so, we help ensure that all participants approach the table in a worthy manner, as Scripture teaches, and receive the full benefit of Christ's body and blood for forgiveness, life, and salvation.
The Church is the community of believers in Jesus Christ. It is not a building or institution but the body of Christ, gathered together to receive God’s gifts of Word and Sacrament. The Church exists to worship God, grow in faith, and serve others. As we grow in Christ, we are equipped to share the love of Jesus with the world.
Good works do not save us, but they are the fruit of faith. God works through His people to serve others. As Christians, we serve our neighbors in love, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with them. Our good works are a response to God’s grace, and we give all glory to Him for the opportunities to serve.