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Crosslinks Ethos Statement – 6th Version
(Feb 2006) The Basis of the Society describes the theological position of Crosslinks. It is an historical document reflecting the language and issues of 1923 when it was written. A Statement of Faith was adopted in 1986, seeking to express the same biblical truths in up-to-date language (See Annex A). The Statement is also an historical dated document and so an attempt to explain these same fundamental truths for an early 21st Century audience is included in the accompanying booklet. 2. Belief in the essential Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ; His Incarnation and Virgin Birth; the truthfulness of all His utterances; the all sufficiency of His atoning Death; His corporeal Resurrection, Ascension, and Coming Again. 3. Belief that the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament are wholly trustworthy, historically as well as in matters of faith and doctrine; that such Scripture is the unerring Revelation of God, the one Rule of Faith, and the final Court of Appeal. 4. Belief that we are by nature dead in trespasses and sins; that we are called according to God's purpose by His Spirit working in us; that through Grace we obey the call; that by faith only, on account of the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are justified freely; that we become the sons of God by adoption, to be transformed into His image, to walk in good works, and at length to attain to everlasting felicity. 5. Belief that the death of our Lord Jesus Christ was "a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world"; that His sacrifice once for all offered and accepted, can never again be repeated or re-presented; and that "there is none other satisfaction for sin, but that alone". 6. Belief that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Priest and Mediator between God and man, and that the direct access of the soul to God is through His precious Blood without the intervention of any sacrificial priesthood. 7. Belief that the theories of Sacerdotalism concerning the mechanical conveyance of grace in Baptism, Confirmation, the Supper of the Lord, and Ordination, whether these be professed in doctrine or implied in ritual, are "grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but, rather, are repugnant to the Word of God". 8. Belief that a sacrificial priesthood has no place in the Ministry of the Church of Christ, but that such Ministry is for preaching, teaching, pastoral oversight and administration. 9. Belief that there is a distinction between the various visible Churches of Christendom and the one mystical Church of God which consists of all who are born again of the Spirit of God. 10. Belief that the Child of God is called to a life-long witness to the Lord Jesus Christ and to a humble following of Him in daily life. This "Basis" was originally written when BCMS (now Crosslinks) was founded. It is still the Basis of Crosslinks. However, a modernised "Statement of Faith" was adopted by the Annual Meeting of Members on 19th April 1986 to run alongside the Flowing from the Basis of the Society and the Statement of Faith – There are supplement by the Annexes which are Crosslinks’ agreed policies, applying these principles in practice in a number of areas: 2. Partnership. We seek to serve local churches throughout the world. 3. Lifestyle. We seek to live in obedience to the word of God in all matters. 4. Accountability. We are all accountable to God and under him will seek to honour the following: a. Trustees to members. 5. Pastoral Care. We will exercise pastoral care alongside local church leadership. 6. Theology. God is the missioner, Christ is the missionary and the Holy Spirit is the enabler of mission. We seek to be proactive in engaging in God’s mission, responding to contemporary gospel needs. 7. Holistic Mission. God is concerned with the whole person and we seek to emulate that concern. We recognise that people’s greatest need is eternal salvation and that that depends on people’s response to the gospel in this life. A. Crosslinks’ Statement of Faith
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