The sole basis of our belief is the Bible, composed of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament. We believe that Scripture in its entirety originated with God, and that it was given through chosen men. Scripture thus speaks with the authority of God and reflects the backgrounds, styles and vocabularies of the human authors. We hold that the Scriptures are infallible, inspired, and inerrant in the original manuscripts. They are the unique, full and final authority on all matters of faith and practice and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God.
2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21
We believe that there is one true, Holy God, eternally existing in three persons of the Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—each of Whom possess equally all the attributes of deity and the characteristics of personality. In the beginning God created out of nothing the heavens and the earth and all the things therein, thus manifesting the glory of His power, wisdom and goodness. By His sovereign power He continues to sustain His creation. By His providence He is operating throughout history to fulfill His redemptive purposes.
Genesis 1:26, Matthew 3:16–17,
John 10:30, Ephesians 1:3–6
The central purpose of God’s revelation in Scripture is to call all people into fellowship with Himself. Originally created to have fellowship with God, man defied God and sinned. He chose to go his independent way, and was thus alienated from God, and he suffered the corruption of his nature, rendering him unable to please God. The fall took place at the beginning of human history, and all individuals since have suffered these consequences and are thus in need of the saving grace of God. The salvation of mankind is, then wholly a work of God’s free grace, not the result, in whole or in part, of human works or goodness, and must be personally appropriated by repentance and faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ. When God has begun a saving work in the heart of any person, He gives assurance in His Word that He will continue performing it until the day of its full consummation.
2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21
Jesus Christ is the eternal second Person of the Trinity who was united forever with a true human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father and voluntarily atoned for the sins of all by dying on the cross as their substitute, thus satisfying divine justice and accomplishing salvation for all who trust in Him alone. He rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of the Father, where He, the only Mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own. He shall come again to earth, personally and visibly, to consummate history and the eternal plan of God.
1 Timothy 2:5, Luke 1:34, Matthew 1:20,
Romans 3:21–26, John 20:17,
Luke 24:6, Luke 22:19–20, John 10:15,
1 Timothy 2:6, Acts 7:55, 1 Corinthians 15:14
The essential accompaniment of a genuine saving relationship with Jesus Christ is a life of holiness and obedience, attained by believers as they submit to the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. He was sent into the world by the Father and the Son to apply to mankind the saving work of Christ. He enlightens the minds of sinners, awakens in them a recognition of their need of a Savior and regenerates them. At the point of salvation He permanently indwells every believer to become the source of assurance, strength and wisdom, and uniquely endows each believer with gifts for the upbuilding of the body. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Scripture. His power and control are appropriated by faith, making it possible for the believer to lead a life of Christ-like character and to bear fruit to the glory of the Father.
2 Corinthians 5:17, John 1:12–13, John 3:5–6,
John 16:13, John 16:7–11
Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. For all mankind, there will be a resurrection of the body into the spiritual world, and a judgment that will determine the fate of each individual. Unbelievers will be separated from God into condemnation. God’s judgment will reveal His justice in consigning them to eternal retribution for their own rejection of Jesus Christ. Believers will be received into eternal communion with God and will be rewarded for works done in this life.
1 Corinthians 3:13–15, 2 Timothy 4:8,
Matthew 25:31–46, Revelation 20:4–5,
Revelation 20:11–15
That which joins believers together as one is Jesus Christ. He is the head of the church. There is one true church comprised of all those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Scripture commands believers to gather together to devote themselves to worship, prayer, and teaching of the Word, fellowship, service to the body through the development and use of talents and gifts, and outreach to the world. Observance of baptism and communion are the sacraments of the church established by Jesus Christ.
Wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command, there is the local expression of the church. Under the watchful care of elders and other supportive leadership, its members are to work together in love and unity, intent on the one ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.
Ephesians 1:22, Acts 2:38,41,47,
Romans 12:4–8, Ephesians 4:11–12, Acts 20:28,
Matthew 28:19–20, Hebrews 10:25
Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. This church recognizes that it cannot bind the conscience of individual members in areas where Scripture is silent. Rather, each believer is to be led in those areas by the Lord, to whom he or she alone is ultimately responsible and accountable. We believe the Statement of Faith to be an accurate summary of what Scripture teaches. All are urged to refrain from advocating doctrines that contradict the Statement of Faith in such a way as to cause dissension or confusion.
1 Corinthians 10:31–33, Romans 14:1–12,
Titus 3:10, Romans 16:17
Further information can be found within the pages of the book “Calvary Chapel Distinctives” which can be accessed at:
Calvary Chapel Distinctives