What We Believe
Cragmor Christian is a community of Christians ROOTED in the inerrant Word of God and REACHING Colorado Springs and the world to share the good news of Jesus Christ to others. We are part of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, a historically reformed denomination in the US and Canada.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH?
CHRISTIAN
What does it mean to be Christian?
Being a Christian means believing the Good News about Jesus Christ. The word Gospel means “good news” and is a helpful acrostic.
G – God created us to be in relationship with Him. (Genesis 1:26-27)
O – Our sins separate us from God. (Isaiah 59:2)
S – Sins cannot be removed by good works. (Psalm 51:16; Romans 3:23)
P – Paying the price for our sin, Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again. (Acts 2:22-24)
E – Everyone who trusts Jesus alone will have life with him. (John 11:25-26)
L – Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever.
REFORMED
What does it mean to be Reformed?
Reformed Christians are a small part of a much larger body of believers who love and serve Jesus Christ.
Cornelius Plantinga writes: Our accents lie more on the sovereignty of God, on the authority of Scripture, on
the need for disciplined holiness in personal Christian life, and finally, on Christianity as a religion of the Kingdom.
—A Sure Thing: What We Believe and Why (Grand Rapids: CRC Publications, 2001, p. 281)
CHURCH
What does it mean to be the Church?
The church is not a building, but a part of the body of believers with a specific nature and purpose. Here at Cragmor we are a part of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, but our denomination belongs to a large group of churches from the protestant tradition. As the church today is composed of several denominations and traditions, we welcome all backgrounds and traditions to come alongside and worship with us. The church is not for the perfect; it is for God’s children, and we invite you to stop by and join us in worshiping the one true God.
What Are The Five Solas?
“THE FIVE SOLAS”
are the basic beliefs that salvation is obtained only through the atoning works of Christ alone, apart from individual works, and that Christ is the only mediator between God and man.
- SOLA SCRIPTURA – SCRIPTURE ALONE
The Bible alone is the infallible and sufficient authority for Christians and the church. This is in contrast to the idea that tradition carries an equal or greater weight. - SOLA GRATIA – GRACE ALONE
God gives salvation by his grace and mercy. This is in contrast to the idea that we have some ability to work out our salvation. - SOLA FIDE – FAITH ALONE
We receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone. This is in contrast to the idea that we must earn our salvation through good works. - SOLA CHRISTUS – CHRIST ALONE
Jesus Christ alone accomplishes salvation through the work of his life, death and resurrection. This is in contrast to the idea that the Church also dispenses God’s grace. - SOLI DEO GLORY – TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY
Salvation is from God and has been accomplished only for the glory of God. This is in contrast to the idea that the Church or humans should also receive glory for the work of Jesus.