BELIEFS
We believe in what is termed “The Apostles’ Creed” as embodying all the fundamental doctrines of orthodox, evangelical Christianity. Calvary Chapel churches also follow some “distinctives” that guide our philosophy of worship and studying the Bible.
THE TRIUNE GOD
We believe there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit being equal in power and glory. The triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all.
GOD THE FATHER
We believe in God the Father, an infinite, 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 who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
JESUS THE SON
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings; His substitutionary atoning death; bodily resurrection; ascension into heaven; perpetual intercession for His people; and His personal, visible return to earth. We believe that He is one and the same as God. He was fully human and fully God.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit, The Helper who came forth from the Father with the primary purpose to direct people to Jesus by the conviction of sin, instruction in righteousness, and sanctification. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells and empowers every believer in Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit for the empowerment of service, either at the time of or subsequent to regeneration, which is a separate work from the indwelling Spirit for salvation. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all Biblical gifts of the Spirit as reflected through the fruit of that same Spirit.
THE BIBLE
We believe that the 66 book Canon of the Old and New Testaments are the fully inspired Word of God, without error in the original manuscripts, and that they are the infallible rule of faith and practice.
SALVATION
We believe all people are by nature separated from God and responsible for their own sin, but that salvation, redemption, and forgiveness are freely offered to all by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. When a person repents of sin and accepts Jesus Christ as his/her personal Lord and Savior, trusting Him to save, that person is immediately born again and sealed by the Holy Spirit, all of his/her sins are forgiven, and that person becomes a child of God, destined to spend eternity with the Lord.
THE CHURCH
We believe in the universal church, the body of Christ, of which Jesus Christ is the head. The members of the church are those who have trusted by faith in the finished work of Christ. The purpose of the church is to live out the Gospel by loving Him, obeying Him and loving the world. We believe that baptism by water immersion and communion are open to all believers in Jesus Christ.
ETERNITY
We believe that our eternal destination of either heaven or hell is determined by our response to the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe in the imminent return of Christ and we await the pre-tribulation rapture of the church. We believe in the literal Second Coming of Christ with the church to rule the earth, which motivates us to holy living and heartfelt worship now.
PHILOSOPHY OF WORSHIP
We believe worship of God should be spiritual; therefore, we remain flexible and yielded to the leading of the Holy Spirit to direct our worship. In our services, we focus on glorifying God through worship and prayer. We do not practice speaking in tongues during worship or while a Bible study is in progress because God is not the author of confusion. However, these gifts are encouraged in more intimate settings, such as personal prayer times or after services where their benefit can accomplish the purpose for which they have been given – the edification of the body of Christ.
PHILOSOPHY OF PREACHING
We believe worship of God should be intelligent; therefore, our services are designed with great emphasis upon the teaching of the Word of God. We seek to teach the Word of God in such a way that its message can be applied to the individual’s life, leading that person to grow in maturity in Christ. We primarily teach the Bible in an expository style, but exercise the freedom to teach topically as led by the Lord.
THE TRIUNE GOD
We believe there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit being equal in power and glory. The triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all.
GOD THE FATHER
We believe in God the Father, an infinite, 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 who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
JESUS THE SON
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings; His substitutionary atoning death; bodily resurrection; ascension into heaven; perpetual intercession for His people; and His personal, visible return to earth. We believe that He is one and the same as God. He was fully human and fully God.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit, The Helper who came forth from the Father with the primary purpose to direct people to Jesus by the conviction of sin, instruction in righteousness, and sanctification. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells and empowers every believer in Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit for the empowerment of service, either at the time of or subsequent to regeneration, which is a separate work from the indwelling Spirit for salvation. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all Biblical gifts of the Spirit as reflected through the fruit of that same Spirit.
THE BIBLE
We believe that the 66 book Canon of the Old and New Testaments are the fully inspired Word of God, without error in the original manuscripts, and that they are the infallible rule of faith and practice.
SALVATION
We believe all people are by nature separated from God and responsible for their own sin, but that salvation, redemption, and forgiveness are freely offered to all by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. When a person repents of sin and accepts Jesus Christ as his/her personal Lord and Savior, trusting Him to save, that person is immediately born again and sealed by the Holy Spirit, all of his/her sins are forgiven, and that person becomes a child of God, destined to spend eternity with the Lord.
THE CHURCH
We believe in the universal church, the body of Christ, of which Jesus Christ is the head. The members of the church are those who have trusted by faith in the finished work of Christ. The purpose of the church is to live out the Gospel by loving Him, obeying Him and loving the world. We believe that baptism by water immersion and communion are open to all believers in Jesus Christ.
ETERNITY
We believe that our eternal destination of either heaven or hell is determined by our response to the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe in the imminent return of Christ and we await the pre-tribulation rapture of the church. We believe in the literal Second Coming of Christ with the church to rule the earth, which motivates us to holy living and heartfelt worship now.
PHILOSOPHY OF WORSHIP
We believe worship of God should be spiritual; therefore, we remain flexible and yielded to the leading of the Holy Spirit to direct our worship. In our services, we focus on glorifying God through worship and prayer. We do not practice speaking in tongues during worship or while a Bible study is in progress because God is not the author of confusion. However, these gifts are encouraged in more intimate settings, such as personal prayer times or after services where their benefit can accomplish the purpose for which they have been given – the edification of the body of Christ.
PHILOSOPHY OF PREACHING
We believe worship of God should be intelligent; therefore, our services are designed with great emphasis upon the teaching of the Word of God. We seek to teach the Word of God in such a way that its message can be applied to the individual’s life, leading that person to grow in maturity in Christ. We primarily teach the Bible in an expository style, but exercise the freedom to teach topically as led by the Lord.