Calvary Bible Chapel accepts the Bible as its divinely inspired authority in all matters. The following is what we believe the Bible teaches regarding the Christian faith.
The Bible
Every word in the original writings of the Holy Scriptures is inspired of God, authoritative and without error. The Bible is the only written revelation of God to man and is infallible (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; Proverbs 30:5-6).
The Godhead
There is one God, existing eternally in three persons Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable (Exodus 34:6-7; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; 10:30; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8-12).
Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus is the eternal Son of God. He entered the human race miraculously by being born of a virgin. He did not sin and He could not sin. He died as a substitute for all the sins of the human race, was buried, rose bodily from the grave and ascended to the Father’s right hand where He now ministers as our Great High Priest (Matthew 1:21-23; John 1:1, 14; Acts 1:9; Romans 1:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:14-15; 7:25; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18).
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit convicts and converts the sinner. He regenerates, indwells, baptizes and seals all true believers in Christ and empowers them to live a holy life (Matthew 28:19; John 16:8; Romans 8:9-16; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14)
Man
Adam was created in the image and likeness of God and was an innocent being. He subsequently sinned, and as head of the human race, he passed on a sinful nature to all mankind. All men are sinners by nature but also by practice. Apart from God’s salvation man is lost eternally (Genesis 1:27; 9:6; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1).
Sin
Sin is violation of, or disobedience to, the revealed will of God. It is also a state, the absence of righteousness or anything that falls short of the perfect glory of God. God has established that the penalty for sin is death (Isaiah 53:6; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 3:23; James 2:10; 4:17; Revelation 20:11-15).
Salvation
Without the shedding of the precious blood of Christ, there is no remission of sin. Salvation is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and entirely apart from law-keeping or good works. It is entered into by all those who hear and understand the gospel, repent of their sin, and trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Lord and Savior (Mark 1:15; John 1:12-13; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Hebrews 9:22).
The Assembly
The universal church is made up of all true believers in the Lord Jesus from Pentecost to the Rapture. Each local assembly or church should be a miniature of the universal church, expressing the great truths of the latter. The local assembly is made up of believers in the Lord Jesus who have been baptized following their conversion and who meet together for teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayers and evangelism. Christ is the head of each assembly and He entrusts leadership to the elders, men who are recognized as Christ’s undershepherds. Each assembly is to have deacons to serve the practical needs of the assembly (Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 27; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:24-25, 30; Acts 6:3-6; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Hebrews 13:17).
Ordinances
There are two Christian ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism by immersion signifies that the believer has died with Christ, has been buried with Him and has risen to walk in newness of life with Him. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial feast at which believers worship the Lord and show forth His death until He comes again. In accordance with the early church, the Lord’s Supper should be celebrated every Lord’s Day (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 10:47-48; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:26).
Assurance and Security
All true believers can know that they are saved on the authority of the Word of God. Those who are in Christ are safe and secure for all eternity (John 10:28-29; Romans 5:1; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 John 5:13).
Christian Life and Priorities
Christians are called to live a holy life. They are to be disciples of Jesus Christ, and as such, to live lives of service and testimony in the power of the Holy Spirit. This service includes ministry in the assembly and propagation of the gospel to the whole world. They are forbidden by Christ to lay up treasure on earth and are promised a reward in heaven for faithfulness in serving God on earth (Matthew 6:19-34; Mark 8:34-35; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 1 Peter 1:15-16 1 John 2:6).
Spiritual Gifts
Christ gives to each believer, at conversion, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, some gift or gifts to equip him to serve the Lord and edify other believers. Gifts are given by a sovereign acts of God’s Spirit and not in response to the desires or prayers of men. Some gifts were foundation, and the miraculous gifts, such as healing, miracles, tongues and interpretation of tongues, were gifts given as a sign to the Jews during the transitional period as the church was being established. These foundation and miraculous gifts ceased when their purposes were accomplished (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; 14:22; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 2:20; 3:5; 4:11-12; Hebrews 2:3-4).
Future Events
God has revealed different dispensations, or stewardships, with corresponding rules governing life and relationship with God. In every dispensation, the way of salvation is by faith alone. The present dispensation is the age of grace. The church did not exist prior to this age, and does not take the place of Israel in the prophecies of Scripture. The personal, imminent return of the Lord Jesus to rapture the Church will be followed in order by the tribulation, Christ’s thousand year reign on earth, and the eternal state of punishment for the unsaved and blessings for the saved (Matthew 24:21, 29-30; 25:46; Romans 6:14; 1 Corinthians 10:32; Ephesians 3:2-6; Colossians 1:25-27; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:4-10; Hebrews 7:18-19; Revelation 10:1-6).
Each believer in fellowship must be in absolute agreement with the assembly on the MAJOR DOCTRINES in the Doctrinal Statement. In secondary matters, nonessentials or matters of moral indifference, there shall be liberty. However, those in fellowship who hold opposing views to the doctrinal statement of the assembly shall refrain from teaching their views either publicly or privately. No one shall be permitted to propagate views that are contrary to the Doctrinal Statement or that prove divisive.