What we Believe
Cross & Crown is an FIEC church and
subscribes to the FIEC Statement of Beliefs
You can read the full Statement at: fiec.org.au
subscribes to the FIEC Statement of Beliefs
You can read the full Statement at: fiec.org.au
When it comes to our primary beliefs, Cross & Crown is firstly Christian, secondly evangelical and thirdly Reformed.
Firstly, we are Christian
Before anything else, we are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the words of the Nicene Creed, we believe that he is "the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of one Being with the Father."
As Christians, we are committed to following Jesus as the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords and the Saviour of the world.
See the Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed and Athanasian Creed.
Secondly, we are evangelical
The word "evangelical" comes from the word "good news". As gospel people, we cherish the five "alones" of the Protestant Reformation. The Bible is our only foundation, grace is our only method and faith our only means of salvation, Christ is our only mediator, and God's glory is our only ambition.
As evangelical Christians, we are committed to making and maturing disciples of Jesus from every nation.
See the Lausanne Covenant.
Thirdly, we are Reformed
Along with historic Anglicanism and Presbyterianism, we stand in the Reformed tradition and hold to its foundational confessions. We embrace the sovereignty of God in creation, redemption and the church, and believe that the chief end of all humanity is "to glorify God and enjoy him forever" (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q1).
As Reformed evangelical Christians, we are committed to joyfully resting in the sovereign grace of God.
See the Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, Canons of Dort and Westminster Confession of Faith
Firstly, we are Christian
Before anything else, we are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the words of the Nicene Creed, we believe that he is "the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of one Being with the Father."
As Christians, we are committed to following Jesus as the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords and the Saviour of the world.
See the Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed and Athanasian Creed.
Secondly, we are evangelical
The word "evangelical" comes from the word "good news". As gospel people, we cherish the five "alones" of the Protestant Reformation. The Bible is our only foundation, grace is our only method and faith our only means of salvation, Christ is our only mediator, and God's glory is our only ambition.
As evangelical Christians, we are committed to making and maturing disciples of Jesus from every nation.
See the Lausanne Covenant.
Thirdly, we are Reformed
Along with historic Anglicanism and Presbyterianism, we stand in the Reformed tradition and hold to its foundational confessions. We embrace the sovereignty of God in creation, redemption and the church, and believe that the chief end of all humanity is "to glorify God and enjoy him forever" (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q1).
As Reformed evangelical Christians, we are committed to joyfully resting in the sovereign grace of God.
See the Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, Canons of Dort and Westminster Confession of Faith
On secondary beliefs, those truths that aren't essential to our salvation but are vital to the unity, order, health and witness of our church, we affirm...
the complementarity of men and women
God created and redeemed men and women to be equal in dignity, distinct in roles in marriage and the church, and together in loving and fruitful fellowship.
In marriage, the husband is the head of his wife and exercises his God-given authority in such a way that reflects the redeeming love of Christ or his church. In response, the wife submits to her husband with the respect and trust of the church for her Saviour.
In the church, the office of pastor and elder and the authority to preach the word over the gathered church are reserved for godly qualified men. In response, all other men and women actively serve across the full breadth of ministries in the church including by leading and teaching.
See our Theological Vision for Men and Women in the Church (forthcoming).
the baptism of Christian children
Baptism is a picture of the gospel. It is an outward sign of our new birth in Christ and our belonging to his church. It confirms God's promises of forgiveness and adoption. As a visible prayer to God, it confirms our faith and increases God's grace.
Just as circumcision was the sign of God's covenant in the Old Testament, baptism is the proof of his promise in the New. What circumcision was to Israel, baptism is to the church.
And just as circumcision was a gift to both young and old, baptism is a gift to not only Christian adults but also to the children of Christian parents. In the words of the 39 Articles, "The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ."
See Karl Deenick, Washed by God: The Story of Baptism (Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 2022)
the complementarity of men and women
God created and redeemed men and women to be equal in dignity, distinct in roles in marriage and the church, and together in loving and fruitful fellowship.
In marriage, the husband is the head of his wife and exercises his God-given authority in such a way that reflects the redeeming love of Christ or his church. In response, the wife submits to her husband with the respect and trust of the church for her Saviour.
In the church, the office of pastor and elder and the authority to preach the word over the gathered church are reserved for godly qualified men. In response, all other men and women actively serve across the full breadth of ministries in the church including by leading and teaching.
See our Theological Vision for Men and Women in the Church (forthcoming).
the baptism of Christian children
Baptism is a picture of the gospel. It is an outward sign of our new birth in Christ and our belonging to his church. It confirms God's promises of forgiveness and adoption. As a visible prayer to God, it confirms our faith and increases God's grace.
Just as circumcision was the sign of God's covenant in the Old Testament, baptism is the proof of his promise in the New. What circumcision was to Israel, baptism is to the church.
And just as circumcision was a gift to both young and old, baptism is a gift to not only Christian adults but also to the children of Christian parents. In the words of the 39 Articles, "The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ."
See Karl Deenick, Washed by God: The Story of Baptism (Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 2022)