About Us
Free Will Baptists are not a "new movement" in America. We trace our historical roots back to North Carolina in 1727, when a Preacher by the name of Paul Palmer established the first Church, known as the General Baptist Church. Through the years, this movement underwent name changes to General-Free Will Baptist, and finally two different movements: General Baptists and Free Will Baptists.
As time progressed, there was a "northern movement" of Free Will Baptists begun by a man named Benjamin Randall, who established a Free Will Baptist Church in New Durham, New Hampshire, in 1780. From these two movements, Free Will Baptist Churches have expanded across America, into Canada, Mexico, and several foreign countries in South America , Africa, Asia and Europe.
Currently, The Cross Roads Free Will Baptist Church, sponsoring this web page, is the only active Free Will Baptist Church in Montana.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
(Character and Beliefs)
The Cross Roads Free Will Baptist Church is a Bible believing, fundamental, evangelistic, and conservative Church. This Church is founded upon the Bible as God's infallible Word, and the "Treatise of the Faith and Practices of the Original Free Will Baptists" as our guideline of governmental practice.
We are not Charismatic, nor unconditional security in our beliefs and practices, though we do recognize and respect the beliefs of Christians in these movements. We are Armenian, believing a Christian has their "Free Will" (volition, or free moral choice) to turn away from their faith and go back into a practicing lifestyle of sinful living. We believe that they are separated from God (Backslidden) in that state, and if they harden their hearts beyond repentance, or die in that Backslidden state, they forfeit their salvation, and are eternally lost. If they will repent of their sin, and rededicate their life to faithfully serving God, they are restored to complete fellowship with God, and other Christians. This is in contrast to being Calvinistic (once saved, always saved, no matter what) in faith and practice.
The Cross Roads Free Will Baptist Church is an autonomous (self-governing) body, in fellowship with the National Association of Free Will Baptists by choice. We are Denominationally associated, but in no way Denominationally governed.
1.The Bible: The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and are our infallible rule of faith and practice. (There are no additional "divine revelations" given.)2.God: There is one living and true God, revealed in nature as the Creator, Preserver, and Righteous Governor of the universe; and in the Scriptures as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; yet as one God, infinitely wise and good, Whom all intelligent creatures are supremely to love, adore, and obey.
3.Christ: Christ is God manifest in the flesh; in His divine nature truly God, in His human nature truly man. The mediator between God and man, once crucified, He is now risen and glorified, and is our ever present Savior and Lord.
4.Holy Spirit: The Scriptures assign to the Holy Spirit all the attributes of God. (Everything that is true concerning the Father and the Son is also true concerning the Holy Ghost, as God.)
5.The Government of God: God exercises a wise and benevolent providence over all beings, and all things, by maintaining the constitution and laws of nature. He also performs special acts, (miracles) not otherwise provided for, as the highest welfare of men requires.
6.The Sinfulness of Man: Man was created innocent, but by disobedience fell into a state of sin and condemnation. His posterity, therefore, inherit a fallen nature of such tendencies that all who come to years of accountability, sin and become guilty before God.
7.The Work of Christ: The Son of God, by His incarnation, life, sufferings, death, and resurrection, effected for all a redemption from sin that is full and free, and is the grounds of salvation by faith.
8.The Terms of Salvation: The terms, or conditions, of salvation are:
a. Repentance or sincere sorrow for sin, and a hearty renunciation of it. (This requires a turning from the practice of sin.)
b.Faith, or the unreserved committal of one's self to Christ, as Savior and Lord, with purpose to love and obey Him in all things. In the exercise of saving faith, the soul is renewed by the Holy Spirit, freed from the dominion of sin, and becomes a child of God.
c.Continuance in faith and obedience unto death (This does not imply "perfection in the flesh," but rather, faithfulness in the Spirit.)
9. Election: God determined from the beginning to save all who should comply with the conditions of Salvation. Hence, by faith in Christ, men become His elect.
10.Freedom of the Will: The human will is free and self-controlled, having power to yield to the influence of the truth and the Spirit, or to resist them and perish.
11.Salvation Free: God desires the salvation of all, the Gospel invites all, the Holy Spirit strives with all, and whosoever will may come and take of the water of life freely.
12.Perseverance: All believers in Christ, who through grace persevere in holiness to end of life, have promise of eternal salvation.
13.Gospel Ordinances: The Gospel ordinances, of which there are three, are clearly taught in the Scripture, and are of universal obligation to true Believers. They are:
a. Baptism - The immersion of believers in water, picturing their burial with Christ in faith.
b.Communion or Lord's Supper - The partaking of unleavened bread and juice3, picturing the partaking of Christ's broken body and shed blood.
c.Feet Washing - The washing of the saints' feet, picturing the humility of a servant in obedience to the Master's commands.14.Tithing: God commanded tithes and offerings in the Old Testament; Jesus Christ endorsed it in the Gospel, and the Apostle Paul said, "upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him."
15.The Christian Sabbath: The divine law requires that one day in seven be set apart from secular employments and amusements, for rest, worship, holy works, and activities; and for personal communion with God. (This day is Sunday, the first day of the week, as taught in the New Testament in commemoration of the Resurrection, rather than Saturday, the seventh day of the week, as taught in the Old Testament in commemoration of the Creation. The Old Testament Sabbath was a shadow of the New Testament Lord's Day.)
16.Resurrection, Judgment, and Final Retribution: The Scriptures teach the resurrection of all men at the last day. They that have done good will come forth to the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation; then the wicked will "go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Our Church Covenant:
Having given ourselves to God, by faith in Jesus Christ, and adopted the Word of God as our rule of faith and practice, we now give ourselves to one another by the will of God in this solemn covenant.
We promise by His grace to love and obey Him in all things, to avoid all appearance of evil, to abstain from all sinful amusements and unholy conformity to the world, from all sanction of the use and sale of intoxicating beverages, and to provide things honest in the sight of all men.
We agree faithfully to discharge our obligations in reference to study of the Scriptures, secret prayer, family devotions, and social worship; and by self-denial, faith, and good works endeavor to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together for Church conferences, public worship, and the observance of the ordinances of the gospel, nor fail to pay according to our ability for the support of the Church, of its poor, and all its benevolent work.
We agree to accept Christian admonition and reproof with meekness, and to watch over one another in love, endeavoring to "keep the unity of the Spirit" in the bonds of peace, to be careful of one another's happiness and reputation, and seek to strengthen the weak, encourage the afflicted, admonish the erring, and as far as we are able, promote the success of the Church and the Gospel.
We will everywhere hold Christian principle sacred and Christian obligations and enterprises supreme; counting it our chief business in life to extend the influence of Christ in society; constantly praying and toiling that the Kingdom of God may come, and His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
To this end we agree to labor for the promotion of educational and denominational enterprises, the support of missions, the success of Sunday schools, and evangelistic efforts for the salvation of the world.
And may the God of peace sanctify us wholly, and preserve us blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Mission Statement:
1. To be a true worship center, leading people into a vital worship experience with God, as He is revealed in His Triune Being through the Scriptures. (Psalm. 95:1-7c)
2.To be a Biblical equipping, or training, center that will completely furnish the Christian with the knowledge, examples, and opportunities necessary for them to live a victorious life for Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
3.To be an evangelistic institution that is actively and effectively reaching out into its community, and sharing the soul-saving message of salvation with a vital impact upon our local area; extending that outreach to local, state, national, and world -wide fields through witnessing, missions, prayers, and personal service. (Acts 18) (Mt. 28:19-20)
4.To be a fellowshipping body, united in like faith, sharing and interacting with one another on a daily basis in our various areas of Christian activity. (Acts 2:41-47)