Calvary Schools of
Statement of Faith
Calvary Schools of
I. The Scripture
We believe that the Bible, composed of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is the verbally inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, and the only infallible rule of faith and conduct; the original autographs of which are inerrant. II Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; II Peter 1:19-21.
II. The Trinity
We believe that the One True God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent Lord. He has further revealed Himself as a Trinity in unity of three Persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit, who are all equally worthy of glory, majesty, and honor. The Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son. Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11; Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 12:29; John 1:18, 15:26; II Corinthians 13:14.
III. God the Father
We believe that God the Father is an infinite, unchangeable, personal spirit, who is perfect in holiness, sovereignty, wisdom, and love. He is the origin, creator, and preserver of all things, who revealed Himself as “I AM.” By His mercy and grace, He saves from death all those who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ, His Son. Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14-15; Psalm 145:8-9; Romans 11:33-36; I Corinthians 8:6.
IV. God the Son: Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, and the eternal Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, yet lived a sinless life. He took upon Himself our full human nature, uniting divine and human natures in one Person, both natures being whole, perfect, and distinct. He died on the cross as a substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for the sin of the world. He arose from the dead, and He ascended into heaven, where He is now our interceding High Priest, Mediator, and Shepherd. Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:14; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15; I Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 1:1-4, 4:14-15, 7:26-27; I Peter 2:24-25.
V. God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person who was promised by Jesus to be the Counselor and to build His Church. He ministers to every believer by indwelling, baptizing, sealing, sanctifying, and giving gifts. These spiritual gifts are given to glorify Christ and edify the body of Christ. John 14:16-17, 16:7-14; Acts 5:3-4; I Corinthians 12:4-6, 13; Ephesians 1:13-14, 2:22.
VI. Man
We believe that man was created good and originally lived in perfect communion with God, for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” However, Adam, by voluntary transgression, sinned and by his disobedience the entire race was alienated from God. This results in not only physical, but spiritual death which is separation from God; and all human beings, by physical birth, possess a sinful nature and are therefore actual sinners in thought, word, and deed; and that man as such, is condemned to Hell and utterly unable to remedy his lost condition by himself. Man’s only hope of redemption is by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Genesis 1:26-31, 3:1-8; Romans 5:12-21, 3:23, 6:23.
VII. Salvation
1. Conditions of salvation: We believe that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. By the sovereign grace and mercy of God, Christ purchased our salvation on the cross, and we receive it through faith apart from any work or merit. A person is saved when they repent of their sins, ask for forgiveness from God, and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. John 1:12, Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-15; Ephesians 2:8-10; II Timothy 3:14; Titus 2:11, 3:5-7.
2. Justification: The believer is declared righteous by God because Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to the believer and the believers’ sins have been placed on Christ. The believer is therefore “in Christ.” Romans 3:21-26, 4:5-8; I Corinthians 1:30; II Corinthians 5:21.
3. Sanctification: We believe that the believer is completely sanctified in that he is positionally holy and righteous in God’s sight. However, the believer is to be progressively sanctified as he grows in grace and is transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. John 17:17; I Corinthians 1:30; II Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:24; I Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 10:14; II Peter 3:18.
VIII. Baptism
We believe that the ordinance of baptism by immersion in water was instituted by Jesus Christ. It signifies burial with Christ and should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures by all who are true believers in Christ. In so doing, they declare to the world that they have died with Jesus and that they also have been raised with him to walk in the newness of life. Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4.
IX. The Lord’s Supper
We believe that the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements of bread and the fruit of the vine, is the symbol of our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ, a memorial of His suffering and death, and prophesy of His second coming, and is enjoyed by all believers, “Until He comes.” Luke 22:19-20; John 6:48, 51, 53, 57; I Corinthians 11:26.
X. The Church
We believe that the Church was born at Pentecost, and is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Holy Spirit. Each believer is born again, baptized, and sealed by the Spirit, and is therefore placed in the body. The three marks of the Church are: the preaching of the Word of God, the administration of the sacraments (ordinances), and the practice of church discipline. Matthew 18:15-17; Acts 2:1-4; I Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:19-22; Colossians 1:18.
XI. Evangelism
We believe that Jesus Christ gave the “Great Commission” to His disciples and to all believers. Those whom God has saved, He has also sent out into the world to be His ambassadors and witnesses. Their primary purpose is to make Christ know to the whole world. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 17:18; Acts 1:8; II Corinthians 5:18-20.
XII. The End Times
We believe that the return of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven is imminent. At His return, He will rapture His Church to heaven. God the Father will then pour his judgments onto the world through a time of Tribulation. Following that, Jesus will return with His angels to establish His Millennial reign. At the Judgment Seat of Christ believers will be judged according to their works and motives, and will later enter into the New heaven and the New Earth. At the Great White Throne Judgment unbelievers will be condemned to eternal, conscious punishment and death in Hell. Romans 8:23; I Corinthians 15:51-52; II Corinthians 5:10; I Thessalonians 4:15-18; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; I John 3:2; Revelation 20 & 21.