Our Beliefs

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Romans 1:16-17 NKJV

Statement of Faith

The following Statement of Faith is given as what we believe to be that which defines our basic Christian beliefs and in some areas distinguishes us particularly as a Calvary Chapel. Although we consider these beliefs to be extremely important and clearly Biblical, we believe that two people who are truly “born again” can hold differing positions. The Scripture verses given are definitely not all inclusive of those that would apply, but are given as a starting point for study and discussion. In order to identify Calvary Chapel as conservative in theology, and evangelical in spirit, we set forth this general statement of fundamental beliefs:

The Bible

We believe that all the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (the Bible) to be the inspired and only infallible, authoritative Word of God. Therefore, our ministry emphasizes the exposition of God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation, line upon line, precept upon precept. The Word of God is the foundation upon which this church operates and is the basis for which this church is governed. We believe that the Word of God supersedes any earthly law that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Isaiah 28:13; Nehemiah 8:8; John 17:17; Hebrews 4:12-13; 2 Peter 1:3-4)

The Godhead

We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all. Each one distinguishable from the other, yet indivisible as God. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:8, 48:16; Matthew 28:19-20; John 10:30; Hebrews 1:1-4; I Peter 1:1-2)

The Fatherhood of God

We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalms 90:2; Psalms 102:27; John 3:16 and 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17; Titus 1:1-3)

The Nature and Work of Jesus Christ

We believe in the full deity and full humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ; in His virgin birth and sinless life; in His complete and finished work on the cross and His bodily resurrection from the dead, and in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. We believe that the only means by which we can be forgiven of our sin is to personally accept the death of Jesus Christ as the only payment for our own penalty, and to receive Him as Savior and Lord. (Luke 1:26-35; Hebrews 2:14-15, 9:12, 10:11-12; John 1:12-13; John 3:3-8; 20:22) (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:23; Mark 16:19; John 11:25; 1 Cor. 15:3-5; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 1:1-3; Rev.1:8)

The Indwelling Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit was sent to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower in ministry all who believe in Christ. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher, and Guide. We believe that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit and power for service, either at the time of or subsequent to regeneration, which is a separate work from the indwelling Spirit for salvation. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all biblical gifts of the Spirit as reflected through the fruit of that same Spirit. (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:18; John 16:8-11; Romans 8:26 and 15:13, 16; Hebrews 9:13-14)

Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper

We believe it is important to uphold the scriptural practices of the early church. Therefore, we hold to the practice of water baptism and the regular taking of Communion. We do not believe that either of these practices is essential for salvation, but that they serve as a demonstration of our living faith in Christ. (Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:14-20; I Cor. 11:23-29)

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

We believe there is a work of the Holy Spirit separate from and additional to the regenerative work. This Baptism enables the believer to enter into a new and powerful realm of service, praise, worship, personal edification and witnessing. (Acts 1:8, 2:4, 10:44-46, 19:2-6)

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

We believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Scriptures, and that they are valid for use today and are to be exercised within the Scriptural Guidelines. We, as believers, are to desire the best gifts, seeking to exercise them in love that the whole Body of Christ might be edified. We believe that love is more important than the most spectacular gifts, and without love, all exercise of spiritual gifts is worthless. (1 Corinthians 12-14; Romans 12:3-8)

Our need for a Savior

We believe that all people are sinners by nature and, therefore, are under condemnation; that God saves and regenerates based upon faith by the Holy Spirit, those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. (Ephesians 2:1-9; Romans 3:23 and 5:8; Titus 3:4-7)

The Rapture of the Church, The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and the Final Judgment

We await the pre-tribulation rapture of the church, and we believe in the literal Second Coming of Christ with His saints to rule the earth, which will be personal and visible. This motivates us to holy living, heartfelt worship, committed service, diligent study of God’s Word, regular fellowship, participation in adult baptism by immersion and Holy Communion. We believe in the thousand year reign of Christ upon the earth, the final resurrection and judgment, eternal life for believers and eternal punishment for unbelievers. (I Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:9; Revelation 20:1-6; Isaiah 26:20-21; Matthew 24:29-31; Luke 21:34-36; Romans 1:18-19 and 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, 4:13-5:9; 2 Peter 2:4-11; Revelation 3:10, 5:7-10)

Heaven and Hell

We believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell and that all those who place their faith, hope and trust in Jesus Christ will spend eternity in Heaven with the Lord, while those who reject Jesus’ free gift of salvation will spend eternity separated from the Lord. (Psalm 9:17; Matthew 5:3, 5:22, 18:9 and 25:31-34; Mark 9:42-48; Luke 12:5; John 3:18; Hebrews 12:22-24; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Revelation 14:9-11; 20:11-15)

Laying on of Hands

We believe also in the laying on of hands for the baptism/empowerment of the Holy Spirit; for the ordination of pastors, for the appointment of elders and deacons, and for the perpetuity of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 6:5-6, 8:17; 1 Timothy 4:14)

Marriage and Sex

We believe in the creation and God as the Creator. We believe that God created man and that He created them male and female. As such He created them different so as to complement and complete each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. For this reason homosexuality, and all other “sexual preferences” or “orientations” are unnatural, sinful, and unacceptable to God. Accordingly, this ministry will not perform any marriage ceremonies between two individuals of the same sex. We believe that the solemnizing of a marriage is a sacred and profound event that shall be entered into only where the proposed covenantal union is in compliance with the Word of God; we also believe that the solemnizing of a marriage between men or women of the same gender is contrary to the Word of God, and is a sin before God, even if the state passes laws that provide for recognition of such unions.

We believe that marriage is exclusively the legal union of one genetic male and one genetic female sanctioned by the state and evidenced by a marriage ceremony. We also believe that legitimate biblical sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage. Hence, sexual activities such as, but not limited to, adultery, fornication, pre-marital sex, incest, polygamy, homosexuality, transgenderism, bisexuality, cross-dressing, pedophilia and bestiality are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the Church. Further, lascivious behavior, the creation, viewing and/or distribution of pornography and efforts to alter one’s physical gender or gender related appearance are incompatible with a true biblical witness. (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:3-6; John 4:16-18; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 5:11, 6:9-11, 6:18-20, 7:1-3 and 7:8-9; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Timothy 1:8-11)