Our Beliefs

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)

The real evidences of our holiness are these character issues.
(Ten Core Virtues):  (also see Galatians 5:22-23)

• Joy
  I have inner contentment and purpose in spite of my circumstances.
  "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."  John 15:11

• Peace
  I am free from anxiety because things are right between God, myself and others.
  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7

• Faithfulness
  I am faithful to fulfill God's will for my life.
  "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."  Proverbs 3:3-4

• Self-Control
  I have the power, through Christ, to control myself.
  "So, then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled."  1 Thessalonians 5:6

• Humility
  I choose to esteem others above myself.
  "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others."  Philippians 2:3-4

• Love
  I unconditionally love others.
  "This is love:  not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since god so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us."  1 John 4:10-12

• Patience
  I am patient with others.
  "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly."  Proverbs 14:29

• Kindness/Goodness
  I choose to do the right things in my relationships with others.
  "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."  1 Thessalonians 5:15

• Gentleness
  I am thoughtful, considerate and calm in dealing with others.
  "Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near."  Philippians 4:5

• Hope
  I can cope with the hardships of life and with death because of the hope I have in Jesus Christ.
  "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf."  Hebrews 6:17-20

These values reflect the culture we wish to have at Calvary and comprise the grid through which all decisions about our ministries must pass.  Though some may not be Biblical absolutes, they clarify the attitudes and approaches we take in accomplishing our purpose.  

• Lost People 
  Lost people matter to God, therefore they matter to us!
  (Acts 1:8; Luke 5:30-32; Luke 15; Luke 19:10; Matthew 18:4) 

• Grace Orientation
  A loving, welcoming, grace-filled environment should characterize our church life.  (1 Corinthians 13; Nehemiah 3; Luke 10:1; John 13:34-35) 

• Relationally Centered 
  We believe that true community and life change happen best in small groups.  (Luke 6:12-13; Acts 2:44-47) 

• Spiritual Authenticity 
  Christ-followers should demonstrate authenticity and yearn for continuous growth.  (Ephesians 4:25-26, 32; Hebrews 12:1; Philippians 1:6) 

• Mobilized Congregation 
  We must operate as a unified community of servants who exercise their spiritual gifts.  (1 Corinthians 12, 14; Romans 12; Ephesians 4:11-16; Psalm 133:1) 

• Fully Devoted Christians 
  Full devotion to Christ is normal for every believer.
  (1 Kings 11:4; Philippians 2:1-11; 2 Corinthians 8:7) 

• Creative and Innovative 
  We encourage creativity and innovation, flexibility and adaptability as we respond to the Holy Spirit.  (1 Chronicles 12:32; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23) 

• Relevant and Biblically Faithful
  We must be culturally relevant while remaining faithful to the truth.   
  (1 Corinthians 9:19-23; Philippians 1:15-18) 

• Ministry Excellence 
  Excellence honors God and inspires people.
  (Colossians 3:17; Malachi 1:6-14; Proverbs 27:17) 

• Family Affirming 
  We seek to provide an atmosphere which supports and strengthens marriages and families.  (2 Timothy 1:5)