You may have noticed that "Christianity" has been split up into many denominations and groups. This is because people approach God, Christ, and the Bible in different ways. Some approaches are based on what the Bible says, some are based on personal desires, and most are based on a combination of both.

When choosing someone to lead, teach or guide you through anything, especially Bible study, it is a good idea to know where they stand on what they teach.

Knowing what we believe, whether you agree with us or not, will reduce obstacles and points of confusion during our studies.

The following study is an in-depth look at the belief statement of Cross references.

Each belief is followed by several Bible references. Look up each one.

If you do not have a Bible, we suggest you get one. You can also look up references online. Check The Study Tools page for Bible sites.

If you are new to the Bible, click below for a quick lesson about Bible references.

A Quick lesson on Bible references

Before we begin, pray and ask God to open your heart to receive whatever wisdom He chooses to give you from this study.

Opening Discussion

If you have a Bible, what translation do you use?
What do you know about the Bible?
Have you read the whole Bible?
Have you read any parts of the Bible?
What parts are you most familiar with?

"This is a Bible"

The legendary football coach Vince Lombardi once began a talk to his team by holding up a football and saying, "Gentlemen, this is a football".

His players knew what a football was, and they knew how to play the game, but they weren't playing like they did. Coach Lombardi decided the best thing to do was to go back at the beginning and start with the basics.

At Cross references, we make no presumptions on your knowledge of the Bible.

Some of you are brand new to it. Some of you have read it for years.

Cross references will start with basics as if this is the first time you have ever opened a Bible.

Our studies are directed towards "Christians" or Believers, those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. If you are not already a follower of Christ, and wish to study the Bible anyway, you are more than welcome to.

Think about this:

The Bible was written for you.

You're in it.

The Bible has the Power to Change Lives.

I Believe...

1. ...In the Inerrancy of the Bible. It is the true, inspired Word of God.

- Some believe the Bible is full of errors and contradictions.
- Some believe the Bible is mystical and symbolic.
- Some believe it is just a book.
- There are some "clerical" errors but nothing doctrinal

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.

Luke 24:44-45 44 Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."
45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

John 10:35 "If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2. ...God is Proactive not Reactive or Inactive.

- Some believe God is inactive. (He created the universe then left it to run on its own.)
- Some believe God is reactive. (Like a parent constantly cleaning up after the kids.)
- We believe God acts eternally, with "foreknowledge"

Isaiah 46:9-10 9 "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure';

Matthew 26:52-54 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.
53 "Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve [egions of angels?
54 "How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?"

John 12:16 These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

3. ...That you should learn to study for yourselves. Don't let anyone tell you what to think.

- Many believe we cannot understand the Bible for ourselves.
- Many only believe what other people tell them to believe.
- It's okay to be taught, but better to learn for yourself.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Proverbs 1:2-7 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding,
3 To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity;
4 To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion,
5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

John 7:16 So Jesus answered them and said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me.

Acts 2:42-47 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 17:11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

1 Corinthians 13:11-12 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

Ephesians 4:11-12 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

1 Thessalonians 5:21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

4. ...God is your Teacher. We are not the Answer Man, God is. Seek His Wisdom and His Glory. Train yourself to rely on His wisdom

- Some believe faith is blind.
- Some turn immediately to books or people when answers are needed.
- God does use people; however seek council from the Spirit in prayer first.

Psalm 14:1-2 1 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God " They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.
2 The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God.

Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 23:7-8 7 and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.
8 "But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.

John 16:13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

5. ...The Bible is the best source for interpreting the Bible. It is Its own best Commentary.

- Many believe we cannot understand the Bible for ourselves.
- Cultural and Time differences can cause confusion.
- Words and symbols often have common meanings throughout the Bible.
- Doctrine always has confirmation in more than one book in the Bible.

Genesis 40:8 Then they said to him, "We have had a dream and there is no one to interpret it " Then Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, please."

Mark 4:22-23 22 "For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light.
23 "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."

2 Peter 1:20-21 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,
21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

Study Exercise

Read John 8:25-32. See if you can recognize some of these truths in this passage.

John 8:25-32 25 So they were saying to Him, "Who are You?" Jesus said to them, "What have I been saying to you from the beginning?
26 "I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world."
27 They did not realize that He had been speaking to them about the Father.
28 So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.
29 "And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him."
30 As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him.
31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

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