Calvary Church - connecting people with God

The following represent a simplified form of the basis for our teaching and Christian life at Calvary.

• The Bible
  We believe the Bible is God's complete and accurate Word to us and has the right to command our lives. (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:21; Matthew 5:18)
  

• God
  We believe there is one infinite, eternal, true God who created all things and exists in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 5:3,4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6)
  

• Jesus Christ
  We believe Jesus Christ is both God and man, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a perfect blood sacrifice for our sins. He arose bodily from the grave, ascended into heaven, and is now our high priest and advocate. (2 Corinthians 5:21; John 1:1-14; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 2:1)

• Holy Spirit
  We believe the Holy Spirit as a divine Person points people to Jesus Christ. He convicts of sin and changes the life of the believing sinner. He comforts, takes up residence in, guides, instructs and powers the believer for godly living, worship and service. (John 14:16,17; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9)
  

• Man
  We believe man was originally created in the image of God but fell into sin and lost all spiritual life. This spiritual death is passed on to all mankind, except the man Jesus Christ. Only through a new birth by the Holy Spirit can salvation and life be gained. Subsequently, every believer can approach God personally with no mediator other than Jesus Christ Himself. (Genesis 1:26; 2:17; Romans 3:23, 5:12-19; 8:6,7; Ephesians 2:1-3)
  

• Salvation
  We believe no one can be at peace with God except through the blood of Jesus Christ who died as our substitute. That salvation is received as a gift through faith alone. The moment we put our confidence in Jesus Christ as Forgiver and Leader we pass from death into everlasting life and become children of God forever. (John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:18,19; Romans 5:6-9)
  

• Church
  We believe the universal Church is composed of all who are united by the Holy Spirit to Jesus Christ. The local church is a group of believers who regularly meet for worship and ministry. The Ruler over the local church is Jesus Christ Himself. The local church is commanded to practice two special symbols, believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper, neither of which brings salvation, but both of which are evidences of obedience and community with the Lord. The Church and the secular government should be separate. (Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 2:23-47; Ephesians 1:22; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30; Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-7; Acts 5:29)
  

• Outreach
  We believe our purpose is to preach the gospel of salvation by faith and thereby reach the vast number of people who really are lost. No degree of human reformation or morality will bring salvation. (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 19:10; Acts 1:8)
  

• Future
  We believe there is a real heaven and a real hell. The souls of believers at death go immediately to be with Jesus Christ, their bodies waiting for the resurrection at His coming, commonly known as the rapture of the Church. The souls of unbelievers at death are separated from God, awaiting the raising of their bodies when at the final judgment they will be sent into everlasting punishment. Jesus Christ will come in person to introduce His kingdom on earth for the millennium. Then will come the new heaven and the new earth forever. (Luke 16:19-26; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:1-15)

• Christian life
  We believe the child of God is not to have the attitudes and behaviors that characterize this world. As disciples we are to grow in our obedience to Jesus Christ. We are to show compassion to those in need and recognize that what we own belongs to God. (1 Peter 1:16; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John 5:15-17; James 2:14-17; Psalm 82:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:17-19)