Doctrinal Statement
The Bible - We believe the Bible to be the inerrant, infallible Word of God. We further believe that the Authorized Version published in 1611 is that providentially preserved Word of God, to the exclusion of all other English Versions.
The Trinity - We believe that there is only one God revealed in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit who are co-equal.
Jesus - We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and He was total God and total man. He died on Calvary's cross, was buried in a tomb, and rose bodily from the dead.
Prophecy - We believe that Jesus Christ is coming back to rapture the church before the Tribulation Period begins and will return to earth bodily at the end of the Tribulation Period to establish His Kingdom for one thousand years.
Salvation - We believe in a literal heaven and a literal hell. Salvation is provided for man only by receiving Jesus Christ by grace through faith. This salvation, once accepted, is eternally secure by the power of God.
The Church - We believe that a Baptist Church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith, and fellowship of the Gospel in a literal, visible assembly.
Distinction
Calvary Baptist Church is an Independent Baptist Church. This means that our church is self-governing. We are not a member of any convention, fellowship, or association, which could control our direction or beliefs. We are unaffiliated with any groups or camps. All monies are given directly to the budgetary items voted on at the annual budget meeting. We are free to fellowship or associate with any church who is of like faith and practice.
Calvary Baptist Church is a Fundamental Baptist Church. The term fundamental refers to an adherence to the great cardinal doctrines of the faith as stated in our beliefs. We will not fellowship with any group who does not hold to the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
We are a Baptist Church in that we hold to the distinctives of historic Baptists. The term Baptist identifies these distinctives from the following acrostic:
Bible authority - God's Word is inerrant
Autonomy of the local church
Priesthood of the believer
Two Biblical offices: Pastor & Deacon
Individual soul liberty
Separation of Church and State
Two ordinances: Baptism by immersion & Lord's Supper
Membership
A person who believes that he/she has been led of the Lord to unite with Calvary Baptist Church may unite in the following manner.
- By being baptized into the membership of Calvary Baptist Church. Those who placed their faith in Christ as Savior, may present himself/herself for baptism at the invitation.
- By presenting himself/herself at the invitation with the desire to unite with the church. He/she will be asked to give his/her testimony of salvation and Scriptural baptism.
All candidates should plan to come during the invitation at the end of the service to present themselves. The church will vote after they have shared their testimony to the deacons.