Doctrinal Statement

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT OF FAITH

We believe the following doctrines to be entirely consistent with God’s revealed word and that they are essential to Christian faith and practice. What follows is our theology of…

THE HOLY BIBLE

We believe:
The Scriptures, the Old and New Testaments, are the revealed Word of God. (2 Peter 1: 20-21)
They are without error and completely trustworthy. (Psalms 19: 7-8)
They are the supreme standard by which all faith, doctrine and practice are measured. (2 Timothy 3: 16-17)
The authority and truthfulness of Scripture rests in its being inspired by God. (2 Timothy 3: 16-17)

THE TRIUNE GOD

We believe:
There is only one true God, (Deuteronomy 6: 4)
who eternally exists, (Psalms 102: 25-27)
who is infinitely perfect, and (Matthew 5: 48)
who is holy (Isaiah 6: 3)
He is one God who exists in three persons: (Matthew 3: 16-17)
God the Father, (Ephesians 4: 6)
God the Son, (John 5: 18)
God the Holy Spirit, (Acts 5: 3-4)
Each being distinct in function yet the same in essence and every divine perfection.

GOD, THE FATHER

We believe:
God the Father is the author of the universe. (Genesis 1: 1-31)
He is the creator, giver, and sustainer of life. (Isaiah 40: 28-31)
He is sovereign (being able to carry out all that He wills). (Job 42: 2)
All wisdom originates in Him, and that He alone knows all things. (Matt. 24: 36) He hates sin and carries out divine judgment against all wickedness. (Romans 2: 1-16)
He is compassionate and merciful to those who seek him. (1 John 4: 9-10)
He is the author of the plan of salvation. (John 3: 16-17)

GOD, THE SON

We believe:
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, the promised Messiah. (Matthew 16: 15-17)
He became man without ceasing to be God. (John 1: 1-2, 14)
He was born of the virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1: 26-35)
He lived as a man without sin. (1 Peter 2: 22)
He lived completely submitted to the Father. (Luke 22: 42)
He came to earth to reveal God and to save sinners. (Philippians 2: 5-11)
He accomplished man’s salvation by His voluntary death on the cross: (1 Peter 2: 24)
Dying in our place, (1 Corinthians 15: 3)
Literally and physically rising from the dead, (Acts 2: 22-33)
And turning away the wrath of God from those who receive Him. (John 3:36)
He ascended into heaven and now abides at the right hand of God the Father. (Luke 22: 69)
Serving as: High Priest (Hebrews 4: 14-16), Intercessor (1 Timothy 2: 5), and Advocate (1 John 2: 1) for all believers.

GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe:
The Holy Spirit to be the third person of the Trinity.
The function or ministry of the Holy Spirit is to:
Glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, (John 16: 13-15)
Convict the world of its sin, (John 16: 7-11)
Effect new birth in the believing sinner, (Titus 3: 5)
Indwell the Christian, (John 14: 16-17)
Seal the believer for redemption, (Ephesians 1: 13-14)
Instruct and to guide the Christian, (John 14: 26)
Empower the believer for godly living, (Galatians 5: 16-17)
Intercede for the Christian in prayer, (Romans 8: 26)
Distributes spiritual gifts unique to each believer, (1 Corinthians 12)
And Restrains evil in our day. (2 Thessalonians 2: 6-7)

MAN

We believe:
Man (male/female) was created by and in the image of God. (Genesis 1: 26-28)
Man was to serve as steward over the rest of creation. (Genesis 1: 26-28)
Through the first man Adam’s disobedience, all became sinners. (Romans 5: 12-14)
As sinners, we face God’s wrath and eternal separation from Him. (John 3: 36)
We are slaves to sin and unable to overcome this lost condition on our own. (John 8: 34)
The just penalty for this condition (sin) is Physical and Spiritual death. (Spiritual death is eternal separation from God which, without the intervening work of Christ, would be every person’s eternal state.) (Romans 6: 23)

SALVATION

We believe:
God has not left Man in his lost condition, (Romans 6: 23)
God provided for man’s redemption through His Son Jesus Christ. (Matthew 1: 21)
Jesus Christ made possible the forgiveness of sin: (Acts 2: 36-38)
He took our sins upon Himself, (1 Peter 2: 24)
And He died in our place. (Romans 5: 8)
Christ satisfied God’s requirements regarding sin and its penalty (Romans 3: 23-26)
By His death and shed blood. (Romans 5: 9-11)
Whoever, without exception, turns to Christ and, in faith, repents and receives Him will: (Mark 1: 15)
Receive forgiveness of sin, (Romans 10: 9-13)
And inherit the gift of eternal life in heaven. (John 3: 15-18)
Salvation is a miraculous work by the Holy Spirit, (2 Corinthians 12: 3)
And it is what Christ referred to as being born again. (1 Peter 1: 3-9)
Salvation is a gift of His grace, completely separate from any works of man. (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

SPIRIT BEINGS/ANGELS

We believe:
Angels are:
Created, spirit beings. (Psalms 148: 2, 5)
Some exist as holy, (Mark 8: 38)
And others exist as fallen. (2 Peter 2: 4)
With moral judgement, (Jude 1: 5-6)
With high intelligence, (Matthew 28: 5)
The holy angels exist to:
Glorify God, (Isaiah 6: 3)
Serve as messengers of God, (Acts 10: 3-8)
And minister to the people of God. (Hebrews 1: 14)
Satan (a fallen angel) literally exists. (Job 1 & 2)
He was cast out of heaven for wanting to be “like” God. (Isaiah 14: 12-17)
He is the deceptive enemy of God and man. (Ephesians 6: 11-13)
He actively opposes God on earth. (Matthew 4: 1-11)
At the appointed time, he will be punished. Cast into the lake of fire with those whose names are not found in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelations 20: 10, 15)

THE CHURCH

We believe:
The true Church (Global) is the body and bride of Christ of which He is the head. (Ephesians 5: 22-32)
It is made up of all true believers (Those who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been born again by the Holy Spirit). (Revelations 7: 9)
It is to be the protector and proclaimer of truth as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. (1 Timothy 3: 14-15)

Within the ‘Global’ Church are ‘local’ churches, (1 Corinthians 16: 19)
Of which Calvary Baptist Church (CBC) is one.
All are subject to the same authority of Christ and the Word of God. (Ephesians 5: 24)
CBC practices the ordinances of Baptism and Communion (Ordinance: a long established practice held to be symbolic of a spiritual reality and ordained by Christ.) (Acts 2: 37-47)
We believe baptism is: (Matthew 28: 18-20)
A demonstration of:
A belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ, (Acts 2: 27-40)
Repentance (an appeal to God for the forgiveness of sin) & (Mark 1: 4-5)
A desire to:
Identify with Jesus in His death, burial, & resurrection. (Romans 6: 3-8)
Immersion of a believer in water (“Baptize” is translated from the original Greek word “baptizo” which means to immerse). (Mark 1:10)
We believe:
Communion is:
Also known as ‘The Lord’s Supper’.
Instituted by Christ. (1 Corinthians 11: 23-26)
A privilege & obligation commemorating Christ’s sacrificial death.
We practice ‘open communion’ meaning to participate:
You don’t have to be a member of CBC.
You must be truly born again.
You must properly examine yourself, examining all sin. (1 Corinthians 11: 27-29)
The bread & the cup are symbolic only of the body & blood of Christ.

THINGS TO COME

We believe:
Three days following Christ’s death on the cross, (Matthew 12: 39-40)
God raised Him from the dead, and (Matthew 28: 1-7)
He ascended into heaven and rules at the right hand of God the Father. (Mark 16: 19)
Jesus Christ will personally and physically return from heaven. (Acts 1: 6-11)
At this time, there will be a bodily resurrection of the dead. (Philemon 3: 20-21)
Believers in Christ shall share with Him in His resurrection unto everlasting life in a literal heaven. (Hebrews 9: 27-28)
Non-believers will face judgment and everlasting punishment in a literal hell. (Revelations 20: 11-15)

CONVICTIONS STATEMENT

“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters…” (Romans 14:1-5, 10-13, 22-23). We believe the following doctrines to be consistent with God’s revealed Word, and that, though they are not essential to Christian faith, they are substantially important for our church practices. Though one may not hold the same convictions, one must be comfortable abiding by those convictions within the membership of this body. The following are our convictions concerning…

FAMILY AND MARRIAGE

We believe:
The family is the foundation of society as a God-given institution created for His glory. (Genesis 2: 24)
The responsibilities and structure of family is founded in Scripture. (Colossians 3: 18-21)
Family members are responsible to submit to each other: (Ephesians 5: 21- 6: 4)
in obedience to God, (1 Peter 2: 13-15)
Out of a love for Christ, and (Ephesians 5: 21)
Out of a love for one another. (Romans 12: 10)
Marriage is a sacred union ordained by God. (Genesis 2: 24)
For the happiness of mankind. (Genesis 2: 18)
For the propagation of the race. (Genesis 1: 28)
Marriage is to be a lifelong spiritual and physical union between one man and one woman. (Matthew 19: 3-9)
It serves as a reflection of the glory of Christ and his church. (Ephesians 5:22-25)

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

We believe:
The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to all believers. (1 Corinthians 12: 1, 4, 11)
These gifts bring glory to God, (1 Peter 4: 10-11)
Help and encourage the Church, (1 Peter 4: 10-11)
Function out of love, and (1 Corinthians 13: 1-3)
Are practiced properly, orderly, and with understandability. (1 Corinthians 14: 26-39)

SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER

We believe:
The Father’s will is:
All who believe in Christ as Savior will have eternal life. (John 6: 39-40)
Salvation is solely accomplished by God on the basis of His grace. (Ephesians 2: 8-9)
Upon believing, a person is “born again”. (John 3:3)
This believer is sealed/secure in Christ, kept by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1: 13)