Calvary's Statement of Faith

We Believe

The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men and the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and life (Matt. 5:17-19; Luke 24:25-27, 44-49; John 10:35; 17:17; II Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 4:12; Jas. 1:21-25; I Pet. 1:23-25; 2:2; II Pet. 1:19-21).
In one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:1-2:25; Ps. 104; Isa. 44:6-8; 45:18-24; 48:16-17; Matt. 28:19; John 1:1-4; II Cor. 13:14; Heb. 9:14).
That Jesus Christ is true God and true man having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Matt.1:18-25; John 1:1, 14; Titus 2:13). He died on the cross, a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures (Isa. 53:4-6, 10-12; Luke 24:25-27; Rom. 5:8-11; Heb. 9:24-28; I Pet. 2:24; I John 4:9-10). Further, He arose bodily from the dead (Ps. 16:10; Matt. 28:5-8; Luke 24:36-43; Acts 2:22-32), ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11; 2:33-35), where at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate (Ps. 110:1, 4-5; Rom. 8:34; Phil. 2:9-11; I Tim. 2:5; Heb. 7:1-10:18; I John 2:1-2; Jude 24-25).
That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:26; 16:14), and during this age to convict men (John 16:8-11), regenerate the believing sinner (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5-6), indwell (John 7:37-39; Rom. 8:9-11; I Cor. 3:16; 6:19), guide (John 16:13), instruct (John 14:26; I Cor. 2:6-13; I John 2:20, 27) and empower the believer for godly living and service (Acts 1:8; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 5:18).
That man was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7, 15-25) but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost (Gen. 3:1-7; Rom. 3:23; 5:12) and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained (John 3:3-8; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).
That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe (Acts 13:38-39; 15:5-11; 20:28; Rom. 3:20-30; 4:5; 5:1-2; Gal. 2:16, 21; Heb. 9:11-14; I Pet. 1:18-21), and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and, thus, become children of God (John 1:12-13; 3:3-8; Gal. 3:26; 4:4-7; Col. 2:6-7).
That water baptism (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12, 30-38; 10:34-48) and the Lord's Supper (I Cor. 11:23-34) are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as a means of salvation (Acts 26:18; I Pet. 3:21-22; see also Articles 3 through 6 above regarding salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone).
That the true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the Body of Christ of which He is the Head (Matt. 16:18; I Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:15-16; Col. 1:18; Rev. 2:1-3:22).
That only those who are, thus, members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the local church (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:40-47; 5:14; 11:21-26; Rom. 12:3-8; I Cor. 12:12-31).
That Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:11-16; Col. 1:15-18) and that every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs (Acts 6:1-7; 20:28; Titus 1:4-9; Heb. 13:7, 15-17; I Pet. 5:1-5; Rev. 2:1-3:22).
In the personal, premillenial, and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this "Blessed Hope" has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer (John 14:1-3, I Cor. 15:51-52, 58; Phil. 3:17-21; Col. 3:4-17; I Thes. 1:9-10; 4:13-18; 5:6-11; I Tim. 6:13-14; Titus 2:12-14; Heb. 9:27-28; Jas. 5:7-9; 2 Pet. 3:10-13; I John 2:28-3:3; Rev. 3:10-11; 22:12, 20).
In the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment (Ps. 11:4-7; Prov. 15:24; Isa. 33:13-16; Dan. 12:2; Matt. 13:41-43; 25:41, 46; Mark 9:41-48; Luke 16:19-31; John 3:36; 5:27-29; II Thes. 1:6-10; Rev. 14:9-13; 20:10-22:15).