What We Believe
Calvary Chapel has been formed as a fellowship of believers in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our supreme desire is to know Christ and be conformed into His image by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not a denominational church, nor are we opposed to denominations as such, only their over-emphasis of doctrinal differences that have led to the division of the body of Christ.
We believe that the only true basis of Christian fellowship is His (Agape) love, which is greater than any differences we possess and without which we have no right to claim ourselves Christians.
We Believe: worship of God should be Spiritual.
Therefore: We remain flexible and yielded to the Holy Spirit to direct our worship
We Believe: worship of God should be Inspirational.
Therefore: We give a great place to music in our worship
We Believe: worship of God should be Intelligent.
Therefore: Our services are designed with great emphasis upon teaching of the Word of God that He might instruct us how He should be worshiped
We Believe: worship of God is Fruitful.
Therefore: We look for His Love in our lives as the supreme manifestation that we have truly been worshiping Him
We believe that the only true basis of Christian fellowship is His (Agape) love, which is greater than any differences we possess and without which we have no right to claim ourselves Christians.
We Believe: worship of God should be Spiritual.
Therefore: We remain flexible and yielded to the Holy Spirit to direct our worship
We Believe: worship of God should be Inspirational.
Therefore: We give a great place to music in our worship
We Believe: worship of God should be Intelligent.
Therefore: Our services are designed with great emphasis upon teaching of the Word of God that He might instruct us how He should be worshiped
We Believe: worship of God is Fruitful.
Therefore: We look for His Love in our lives as the supreme manifestation that we have truly been worshiping Him
Statement of Faith
The Bible
We believe that the Bible (i.e., the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments) is inspired by God in its entirety, and is without error in the original autographs, a complete and final written revelation from God. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:21)
God
We believe that there is one living and true God eternally existing in three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30)
We believe in the person of God the Father, an infinite, eternal, 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 those who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalms 90:2; 102:27; John 3:16; 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17; Titus 1:3)
We believe that Jesus of Nazareth is God’s only begotten Son, the promised Messiah (John 1:36-42), conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:31-35), born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:34-35), totally without sin (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26), God in human flesh (John 1:1, 14; 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:16). We believe in His vicarious and atoning death on the cross for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 2:9), His burial (John 19:40-42; 1 Corinthians 15:4), His bodily resurrection on the third day (John 2:19; 1 Corinthians 15:4), and His ascension to the right hand of the Father in heaven, where He now intercedes for us who believe in Him. (Mark 16:19, Acts 7:56, 1 Timothy 2:5)
We believe in the person of the Holy Spirit, Who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:18;John 16:8-11; Romans 8:26 and 15:13,16; Hebrews 9:14). We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher, and Guide (John 6:13; 14:16-17; 16:8-11; Romans 8:26). We also believe all the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Scriptures are valid for today if they are exercised within the Scriptural guidelines. We believe that love is more important than all the gifts, and without this love all exercise of spiritual gifts is worthless (1 Corinthians 12-14).
We believe in the person of God the Father, an infinite, eternal, 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 those who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalms 90:2; 102:27; John 3:16; 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17; Titus 1:3)
We believe that Jesus of Nazareth is God’s only begotten Son, the promised Messiah (John 1:36-42), conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:31-35), born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:34-35), totally without sin (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26), God in human flesh (John 1:1, 14; 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:16). We believe in His vicarious and atoning death on the cross for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 2:9), His burial (John 19:40-42; 1 Corinthians 15:4), His bodily resurrection on the third day (John 2:19; 1 Corinthians 15:4), and His ascension to the right hand of the Father in heaven, where He now intercedes for us who believe in Him. (Mark 16:19, Acts 7:56, 1 Timothy 2:5)
We believe in the person of the Holy Spirit, Who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:18;John 16:8-11; Romans 8:26 and 15:13,16; Hebrews 9:14). We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher, and Guide (John 6:13; 14:16-17; 16:8-11; Romans 8:26). We also believe all the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Scriptures are valid for today if they are exercised within the Scriptural guidelines. We believe that love is more important than all the gifts, and without this love all exercise of spiritual gifts is worthless (1 Corinthians 12-14).
Salvation
We believe that all people are sinners by nature and, therefore, are under condemnation; that God saves and regenerates by the Holy Spirit, based upon faith, those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. (Acts 8:15-17; Ephesians 2:1-3, 8-9; Romans 3:23; 5:8; Titus 3:5)
We believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell and that all those who repent and place their faith, hope, and trust in Jesus Christ will spend eternity 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; 25:31-34; Mark 9:42-49; Luke 12:5;John 3:18; Hebrews 12:23; 1 Peter 1:4; Revelation 14:10-11; 20:11-15)
We believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell and that all those who repent and place their faith, hope, and trust in Jesus Christ will spend eternity 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; 25:31-34; Mark 9:42-49; Luke 12:5;John 3:18; Hebrews 12:23; 1 Peter 1:4; Revelation 14:10-11; 20:11-15)
The Church
We believe in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the head and all who are born again are a part of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:15-16). We believe that all believers need to be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a godly life and to be bold in our witness for the Lord. (Romans 8:13-14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ instituted two ordinances for the church: (1) water baptism of believers, and (2) the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ instituted two ordinances for the church: (1) water baptism of believers, and (2) the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
The Nation of Israel
We believe that the Nation of Israel has a special place in God’s plan, and that all of the promises of God to Israel will be fulfilled. (Genesis 12:3; Jeremiah 31:33-37; Romans 11:1-2, 25-29)
The Second Coming
We believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ which is His personal, visible return to earth and the establishment of His millennial kingdom, in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment and eternal blessing of the believers and endless separation of the unbelievers. (Matthew 16:27; Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:11-15)
We also believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church where all believers will meet the Lord in the air and be taken out of this world prior to the Tribulation that will come upon the earth. (Matthew 24:29-31; Luke 21:36; John 14:1-3; Romans 1:18, 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-16; 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Peter 2:7-9; Revelation 3:10, 5:7-10; 7:13-14)
We also believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church where all believers will meet the Lord in the air and be taken out of this world prior to the Tribulation that will come upon the earth. (Matthew 24:29-31; Luke 21:36; John 14:1-3; Romans 1:18, 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-16; 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Peter 2:7-9; Revelation 3:10, 5:7-10; 7:13-14)
Mankind
We believe that God created mankind male and female. Men and women are both created in the image of God, and as such, they are equal in value, dignity, and worth, but different in function so as to complement and complete each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between one genetic male and one genetic 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. It will not condone or recognize such same-sex marriages, civil unions, or domestic partnerships, even if the state passes laws that provide for recognition of such unions. (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; 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; Ephesians 5:3-7; 1 Timothy 1:9-11).
We believe in the pattern and principle of male leadership and responsibility in both the home and the Church. We believe this limits the roles of pastoral leadership and doctrinal authority to qualified men (1 Corinthians 11:1-12; 1 Timothy 2:1-15).
We 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.
We believe in the pattern and principle of male leadership and responsibility in both the home and the Church. We believe this limits the roles of pastoral leadership and doctrinal authority to qualified men (1 Corinthians 11:1-12; 1 Timothy 2:1-15).
We 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.
The Grace of God
We believe that the Grace of God is God’s free provision and vital resource for salvation (Romans 3:19-24; Ephesians 1:7; 2:7-9; 3:8) as well as for daily living and spiritual growth (2 Peter 3:18; Acts 20:32; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 4:16; 13:9; 2 Timothy 2:1; Titus 2:11-14), received by a humble faith (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; Romans 5:1-2), bearing fruit in our lives (Colossians 1:6), and empowering us for good works and service (Acts 4:33; 14:26-27; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Corinthians 15:10).
The Love of God
We believe that we as Christians are examples of the love of God in this world. It is this (agape) love that we desire to possess and without which we have no right to call ourselves Christians (1 John 4:16-17).