What We Believe
“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” (A. W. Tozer)
We are Southern Baptist.
As a voluntary, participating member of the Southern Baptist Convention of churches, Calvary affirms “The Baptist Faith and Message 2000” as our official Statement of Faith.
We are Calvary.
The following is a summary of the doctrines (found in the BFM 2000) that our church affirms and teaches as essential doctrines:
The Bible is God’s Word
The Bible is comprised of 66 books, all of which were written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the Bible is God’s Word and is therefore entirely true, inerrant, authoritative, and sufficient.
(Psalm 19:7–11; Isaiah 40:8; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20–21)
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
God is three-in-one
There is only one true God, Creator of heaven and earth, who eternally exists in three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
(Genesis 1:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-6; 46:9–10; Matthew 3:13–17; 28:17–20; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:4–6; 1 Timothy 2:5)
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Jesus is the Son of God
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, was born of a virgin, and is both fully God and fully human.
(Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:34–35; 2:52; John 1:1–4, 14; Colossians 1:15–20; Hebrews 1:1–3)
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Jesus accomplished our salvation
Jesus Christ died as the perfect, sacrificial substitute to pay the penalty for sin.
(John 1:29; 10:1–18; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1–4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 3:18)
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Jesus rose from the dead
Jesus Christ physically rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will one day physically return.
(Matthew 28:1–20; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–53; John 1:20–21:25; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:12–34; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 1:7)
The Holy Spirit is our Helper
The Holy Spirit is the Divine Helper, Counselor, and Instructor who reveals Christ, convicts of sin, leads to repentance, and guides, comforts, and sanctifies believers.
(John 14:26; 16:8; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:11; 8:26; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Titus 3:3–6)
“And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
We are sinners in need of salvation
All humanity, Christ excluded, is sinful by both birth and action. Therefore, the deserved penalty for sin is physical and spiritual death.
(Genesis 2:15–17; 3:19; 6:5; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23; 5:8, 12–21; 6:23; 7:18; Ephesians 2:1–3; James 1:14–15)
“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. ”
God’s glory is the goal
All things exist for the glory of God.
(Psalm 148; Proverbs 16:4; Isaiah 61:3; Ezekiel 20; Romans 11:33–36; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Ephesians 1:3–14)
Salvation comes by faith in Christ
Only through faith in the Person and work of Jesus Christ and repentance from sin can one be reconciled to God and experience true life and joy.
(John 3:18; 14:6; Acts 2:38–39; 4:12; Romans 3:21–26; 1 Timothy 2:5–6)
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
We proclaim Christ through two ordinances
Jesus directed the church to practice two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe biblical baptism is for believers, and it serves as a public declaration of new life in Christ. We believe the Lord’s Supper serves as a symbol, memorial, and reminder of Christ’s bodily sacrifice on our behalf.
(Matthew 26:26–30; Mark 14:22–26; Luke 22:19–20; Acts 2:38, 41–42; 8:35–39; 16:30–33; Romans 6:3–5; 1 Corinthians 11:23–29; Colossians 2:12)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. ”
Jesus is coming back
There will be a future resurrection of the dead. Only those who turn from sin and to Jesus in faith and repentance will be raised to eternal reward. Those who do not turn from sin and to Jesus will be raised to eternal punishment.
(Matthew 25:31–46; John 5:28–29; Acts 24:15)
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”