What we believe

Calvary Chapel has been formed as a fellowship of believers in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our supreme desire is to know Christ and to be conformed into his image by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not opposed to denominations as such, only their over-emphasis on doctrinal differences that have led to the division of the body of Christ.
 
We believe the only true basis of Christian fellowship is Christ's (agape) love which is greater than any difference we possess and without which we have no right to claim to be Christians.
We believe worship of God should be spiritual. Therefore: we remain flexible and yielding to the leading of the Holy Spirit to direct our worship.
We believe worship of God should be inspirational. Therefore: we give great place to music in our worship. We believe worship should be intelligent. Therefore: our services are designed with great emphasis upon the Word of God that He might instruct how He should be worshiped.
We believe worship of God should be fruitful. Therefore: we look for His love in our lives as the supreme manifestation that we have truly been worshiping Him.
We believe that there is one living and true God, existing eternally in three Persons: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; and that this triune God created all, upholds all and governs all.
We believe that the entire Bible, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, are the Word of God, fully inspired by the Holy Spirit without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice.
We believe in God The Father, an infinite personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer and that He saves all from sin and death who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, literal miracles and teachings, His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and His personal, visible return to earth.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and the Son in righteousness and judgment to convict the world of sin, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher and Guide. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all the Biblical gifts of the Spirit.
We believe that all people are sinners by nature and choice and therefore are under condemnation; that God regenerates by the Holy Spirit those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord; and that Jesus Christ baptizes regenerated believers with the Holy Spirit, empowering them for service.
We believe in the universal church, the living, Spiritual Body of Christ, of which Christ is the Head and all regenerated persons are members.
We believe in the two ordinances that the Lord Jesus Christ committed to the Church: Water baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We believe in the laying on of hands for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, for ordination of pastors, elders and deacons, and for the receiving of healing and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
We believe in the visible, personal return of Jesus Christ to earth and in the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection from the dead and in the eternal, heavenly blessing of the righteous and the endless suffering of the wicked in hell.