Statement of Faith

The Holy Scriptures

1.  By “The Holy Bible” we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written IS the very Word of God.

2.  By “inspiration” we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired as no other writings have ever been or ever will be.(2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25; Psalm 119:160; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:130; Luke 24:25-27; John 17:17; Luke 24:44-45; Psalm 119:89; Proverbs 30:5-6; Romans 3:4; 1 Peter 1:23; Revelation 22:19; John 12:48; Isaiah 8:20; Ephesians 6:17; Romans 15:4; Luke 16:31; Psalm 19:7-11; John 5:45-47)

The True God

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the maker and supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, love and obedience; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, equal in divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.  (Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; John 14:10, 26; John 15:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

The Person and Work of Christ

1.  We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. (Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2; 14; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-8)

2.  We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.  (Acts 2:18-36; Romans 3:24-25; Romans 4:25; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

3.  We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate.  (Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2)

4.  We believe in the “blessed hope” the personal, imminent, coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in the air for all redeemed ones in Christ, both those that are alive and remain and those that are asleep in Him.  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; Titus 2:13)

5.  The Second Advent of Christ:  We believe in the premillenial, personal coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints to earth to conquer His enemies and establish His kingdom on earth; to rule and to reign in righteousness and peace for one thousand years as King of kings and Lord of lords.  (Zechariah 14:1-5; Revelation 19:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:13)

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

1.  We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature. That He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers in to the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption.  (John 16:8-11; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30)

2. We believe that He is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and opportunity of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit.  (Ephesians 1:17-18; Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27)

3.  We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells all believers by Jesus Christ. We believe the Holy Spirit manifests His gifts through obedient and yielded believers in Jesus Christ. (John 14:15-26, 16:7-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6)

4.  We believe that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is to permeate a believer’s life, revealing a mature life devoted to Jesus Christ.  (Galatians 5:16, 22-25)

The Devil, or Satan

1.  We believe that Satan was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels.

2.  We believe that Satan is a personal being, a fallen angel,the author of sin, and the instigator of the fall of man.

3.  We believe him to be the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience, the god of this age, the accuser of the brethren, the adversary of Christ and His Church, and that he transforms himself as an angel of light to entice and deceive.

4.  We believe that he counterfeits the works of God by fostering religious movements and systems of doctrine, which systems in every case are characterized by denial of the efficacy of the blood of Christ and of salvation by grace alone, and is destined by God’s judgment to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone to be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 12:7, 9-10, 20:10; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:15; Genesis 3:1-6; Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:14-15)

Creation

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind.” (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11; Acts 4:24; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; John 1:3; Revelation 10:6; Romans 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jeremiah 10:12; Nehemiah 9:6; Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:21-23; Genesis 1:11; Genesis 1:24)

The Fall of Man

We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now born sinners,and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse.(Genesis 3:1-6, 24; Romans 5:12, 19; Romans 3:10-19; Ephesians 2:1, 3; Romans 1:18; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:32; Romans 1:20, 28; Galatians 3:22)

The Virgin Birth

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost, in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God, and God, the Son.  (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psalm 2:7; Galatians 4:4; 1 John 5:20; 1 Corinthians 15:47)

The Atonement for Sin

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord,bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is ever qualified to be a suitable, compassionate and all-sufficient Savior. (Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24; John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:14; Isaiah 53: 4-7; Romans 3:25; 1 John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 10:18; Philippians 2:8; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18; Isaiah 53:11; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:20; Isaiah 53:12; Hebrews 9:12-15; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:2)

Grace in the New Creation

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. (John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 5:1; John 3:6-7; 2 Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 2:13; John 1:12-13; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:9)

The Freeness of Salvation

1.  We believe in God’s electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are freely made to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate offer to all mankind to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation. (1 Thessalonians 1:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 1:2; Titus 1:1; Romans 8:29-30; Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17; Romans 10; 13; John 6:37; Isaiah 55:6; Acts 2:38; Isaiah 55:7; John 3:15-16; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5; John 5:40; John 3:18; John 3:36)

2.  We believe that the new birth of the believer is an act of God the Spirit and comes only through individual faith in Jesus Christ and no other act such as confession, baptism, prayer, or faithful service is to be added to believing faith as a condition of salvation. (John 1:12; Romans 1:16; Galatians 3:24; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 4:5)

Justification

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.  (Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11; Zechariah 13:1; Romans 8:1; Romans 5:9; Romans 5:1; Titus 3:5-7; Romans 1:17; Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 3:11; Romans 4:1-8; Hebrews 10:38)

Repentance and Faith

We believe that Repentance and Faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and seeing the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior. (Acts 20:21; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:37-38; Luke 18:13; Romans 10:13; Psalm 51:1-4, 7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Luke 12:8; Romans 10:9-11)

The Church

1.  We believe that Calvary Baptist Church is a congregation of baptized believers united by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel, said church being understood to be the citadel and propagator of the Divine and Eternal Grace; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers of ordination are Pastors whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures.  We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.  (Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 8-11; Acts 14:23; Acts 6:5-6; Acts 15:23; Acts 20:17-28; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Matthew 28:19-20; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23-24; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 15:22; Jude 3, 4; 2 Corinthians 8:23-24; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Leviticus 27:32; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13)

2.  We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry. (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28; Ephesians 4:11-12)

Baptism and The Lord’s Supper

1.  While recognizing that water baptism has no saving merit, we believe that the believer should be baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is pre-requisite to the privileges of a church relation and The Lord’s Supper. (Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 3:16; Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41)

2.  We believe that The Lord’s Supper is a memorial service in which the elements symbolize the broken body and shed blood of Christ at Calvary and is to be partaken of after solemn self-examination, by believers only, who are walking in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:23-31; Matthew 26:26-30)

Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming King of kings of the earth. (Romans 13:1-7; 2 Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21-23; Acts 23:5; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14, 17; Acts 4:19-20; Daniel 3:17-18; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 23:10; Philippians 2:10-11; Psalm 72:11)

The Resurrection and Return of Christ

We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value. Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily “the third day according to the scriptures"; that He alone is our “merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God”; “that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him to into heaven”—bodily, personally and visibly; that the “dead in Christ shall rise first”, that the living saints “shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,at the last trump”; “that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David”; and that “Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet.”  (Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2-7; Acts 1:9, 11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Revelation 3:21; Hebrews 8:1, 6; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 5:9-10; John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Matthew 24:27; Matthew 24:42; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Luke 1:32; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Isaiah 11:4-5; Psalm 72:8; Revelation 20:1-6)

Missions

The command to give the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable and this Commission was given to the churches. Therefore, it is our duty to follow the Biblical admonition by supporting mission endeavors in Benson, the State of Arizona, the United States of America and foreign countries.

Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.”

Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

John 20:21, “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”

Romans 10:13-15, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach except they be sent?  As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

The Grace of Giving

Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the faith.

2 Corinthians 8:7, “Therefore as ye abound in everything, in faith, in utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace (giving) also.” (2 Corinthians 8:1-11)

We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the first day of the week.

1 Corinthians 16:2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”

Under grace we give, and do not pay, the tithe—“Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils”; Hebrews 7:2, 4 –And this was four hundred years before the law, and is confirmed in the New Testament; Jesus said concerning the tithe, “These ye ought to have done.”—Matthew 23:23.

In the New Testament it was the common treasury of the church.

Acts 4:34, 35, 37, “And brought prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the apostles' feet…Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Human Sexuality

1. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman, and that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage. (Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10-15; Ephesians 5:22-23)

2.  We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, adultery and fornication are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex.  We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. (Genesis 2:24, 19:5, 13, 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-9; Hebrews 13:4)

Any employee of the church engaged in any of the aforementioned practices shall be immediately terminated from employment.

3. We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church.  (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18-20; 1 Timothy 2:8-12, 3:4-5, 12)