the scriptures
Every word in the original writings is inspired by God and is without error. It is accurate in all matters to which it speaks, spiritual, historical, and scientific. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the foundation of the faith and practice of Calvary Bible Church (II Tim. 3:16, II Pet. 1:21).
gOD
God exists eternally in 3 persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are mysteriously distinct in person but the same in essence. They are one God. (Gen. 1:1; John 10:30; 4:24; Deut 6:4; Mat. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14).
MAN
Man is created in the image and likeness of God. In Adam, all mankind fell into sin with the result that all men and women are now born sinners by nature. Men are justly condemned to eternal judgment and can do absolutely nothing to earn favor or make peace with God (Gen. 1:26; Jeremiah 17:9; Rom. 3:10-18, 5:12; Rom. 3:23; Gal. 3:10; Rom. 6:23).
jESUS CHRIST
The eternal Son of God became incarnate in the Lord Jesus Christ, being born of the virgin Mary, and is true God and true man. He died physically on the cross and was raised from the dead bodily three days later (John 1:1,14,18; 5:18; Heb. 1:1-9; 5:8; I John 5:20; I Tim. 2:5; I Cor. 15:1-5).
SALVATION
Salvation is given to those who are chosen of God and drawn to Christ by the Holy Spirit. The only means to salvation is personal trust (faith, belief) in Christ's substitutionary death and resurrection (Acts 4:12; 13:38-39; I Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 4:4, 5;5:1; John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9; Acts 16:31; Eph 1:4,5; Rom 8:29,30).
SANCTIFICATION
Every believer is promised positional, progressive, and ultimate sanctification (Heb. 10:10,14; John 17:15-17; Eph. 5:26-27; I Thess. 4:3-4; I John 3:2; I Cor. 6:11).
ASSURANCE
All who are born of the Spirit through faith in Christ can have assurance of salvation and are eternally secure in Christ (Rom. 5:1; I John 5:13; Jon. 10:27-29; 17:12; II Tim. 1:12; Eph. 4:30. John 6:37).
HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. He regenerates, indwells, baptizes, and seals all believers in Christ and empowers those yielded to God (Matt. 28:19; John 3:3-7; Tit. 3:5; I Cor. 6:19; Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 2:12; 12:13; Eph. 4:30).
THE CHURCH
The church is composed of all those who believe in Christ alone for their eternal salvation. It is the body and bride of Christ, formed by the baptism of the Holy Spirit and existing in two aspects, universal and local (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:24-30; I Cor. 12:4-13,27).
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Spiritual gifts are God-given enablements designed to empower believers to serve the church and reach the lost with the gospel. Every true believer possesses a spiritual gift. Certain sign gifts or miraculous gifts were intended to be temporary and are not operative today (Rom. 12:3-8; I Cor. 12:4-11, 28-30; 13:8-10; Eph. 4:11-13).
Christian life
Believers are called to a holy life of service and testimony in the power of the Holy Spirit. This service includes the propagation of the gospel message to all peoples. All believers are promised rewards in heaven for their faithfulness in service (I Pet. 1:15-16; Acts 1:8; I Cor. 3:12-17; John 14:1-3).
ORDINANCES
The Bible sets forth two ordinances, the Lord's supper and water baptism. The Lord's Supper is to be celebrated regularly in remembrance of Christ's death on the cross, and in expectation of His return. Water baptism (by immersion) is an outward demonstration of the spiritual reality that a person has both died and risen with Christ in salvation (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:12,36-38; 9:18; 10:47; I Cor. 11:23-26).
end times
The blessed hope of the church is the imminent and bodily return of Christ. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in a glorified body to the earth. In the end, the dead will be raised and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to hell, the place of eternal punishment. The righteous, in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ forever (Matt. 16:27; 24:27-31; 25:31-46; Jon. 14:1-3; Phil. 3:20-21; Tit. 2:11-14; Heb. 9:27-28; II Pet. 3:7-13; Rev. 1:18; 20:1; 22:21).
