What We Believe

Calvary is a member of the Evangelical Free Church of America, a group of like-minded believers who partner together advancing the gospel of Christ.

We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 2:9)

We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Advocate. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 John 2:1; Luke 1:35)

We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and during this age to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service. (John 15:26; John 16:7-14)

We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:23; John 3:3)

We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God. (Hebrews 9:22;Romans 5:1; John 3:16)

We believe that the Lord's Supper and Water Baptism are ordinances to be observed by the Church during this present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation. (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

We believe that the true Church is composed of all such persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ of which He is the head. (Ephesians 4:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:13)

We believe that only those who are thus members of the true and invisible church shall be eligible for membership in the local church. (Acts 2:47)

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church, and that every local church has the right under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs. (Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18)

We believe in the personal, the premillennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this Blessed Hope has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-16; Acts 1:11; 1 John 3:1-3)

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment. (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)