DOCTRINE- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


Calvary's doctrinal positions are summarized on our "Beliefs" page.
Our full doctrine statement, membership covenant, and philosophy of ministry can be read in our "Church Constitution"
Below are clarifications of our position on a variety of other issues.

MEMBERSHIP
The NT clearly indicates followers of Jesus identified themselves with and committed themselves to a particular local body. In order to implement the principles of accountability and commitment to the local body of Christ, as defined in the NT and practiced in the early churches, Calvary recognizes the need for formal membership.  Some scriptures showing church membership are:
Who are the elders responsible for? (Heb 13:17), who do members submit to? (1Tim 5:17; Heb 13:17).
They kept numerical records, tracking growth (Acts 2:37-47).
They kept records of widows, organized (1 Tim 5:3-16).
They held elections to appoint deacons (Acts 6:1-6).
They exercised church discipline (Mat 18:15-20; 1Cor 5:11-12; Gal 6:1).
They had an awareness of who was a church member (Rom 16:1-16).
Elders care for specific people (Acts 20:24-30; 1Pet 5:1-5)
Most of the epistles were written "to the church" in given places (1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 2:1; Gal 1:2; Eph 1:2; Phi 1:1; 1Ths 1:1; 2Ths 1:1; Rev 1:4).

BAPTISM AND COMMUNION
Since Jesus commands that all of his disciples be baptized, baptism is a prerequisite for CBC members (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38, 41; 10:48; 18:8; 1 Peter 3:21).
Baptism is the initiation rite of Christianity… Acts 2:41; 8:12-13, 36-38; 10:47-48; 18:8; 22:16,  
Our general understanding of baptism for church membership can be read on our "Membership" page.  Additional baptism questions are answered on our "Baptism FAQ" page.

SOVEREIGNTY AND SECURITY
  It is God's divine decision to save a person (John 6:37; John 6:44; John 6:65; Romans 8:29-30; Romans 9:11-18; Acts 13:48; Acts 16:14; Ephesians 1:4-6; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Peter 1:3) and it is God's kindness, forbearance and patience that lead that person to repentance (Romans 2:4). The Bible also teaches that each person is responsible to embrace or reject Jesus as Savior and Lord and that God welcomes all who come to Him by faith apart from works (Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 15:7; Luke 20:9-18; John 6:37; John 7:37; Romans 10:9-13; Acts 16:30-34; Acts 17:30.) Both of these two truths-God's sovereignty in salvation and man's responsibility to embrace Christ-are taught in the Scriptures.  

  We believe it is impossible for someone who is genuinely saved to lose their salvation.  This security is based upon the Lord's guarantee of each believer's adoption as His son or daughter (Galatians 4:4-7), and His seal of the believer by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14), and the conviction that God gives the Holy Spirit to each believer as a down payment toward future bliss in heaven (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). A person who professes genuine faith in Christ immediately becomes His possession (Luke 23:42-43; Acts 2:40-41; Acts 16: 30-34), and nothing can snatch that person out of His hands (John 10:27-29). Having been bought with the price of Jesus Christ's crucifixion as complete payment for sin, Christians are not their own. They are Christ's possession (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This assurance is absolutely certain, reserved in heaven, protected by God's unlimited power (1 Peter 1:4-5).

THE SCRIPTURES
  We believe in the Scriptures as the final authority and the standard for faith and practice (Matthew 4:4; Psalm 119) in the life of the church and in our daily lives.  The Bible is sufficient for counsel in every issue of life (Psalm 19:14-17; 2 Timothy 3:16).  We believe that the very words of Scripture in the original Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic are inspired by God. Therefore, we believe that the Bible versions which translate God's Word most literally into modern English should be preferred.  We tend to recommend the following "literal" translations NASB, ESV, HCSB, NKJV, NET.  

  We believe the Bible to be inerrant therefore we believe that expository, verse by verse preaching is the best way to proclaim Biblical truth from the pulpit each week.  Simply put, at Calvary we believe that God has given us a book, and that our duty is to boldly proclaim it, and humbly do what it says.

  We believe in using a consistent, literal-normal, historical-grammatical interpretation of Scripture.  We believe that although there may be several applications of any given passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation. The meaning of Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies the literal grammatical-historical method of interpretation under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit (John 7:17; 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-15; 1 John 2:20). We believe a key to understanding any given passage is to discover the individual authors original intended meaning and the original audiences understanding.

CHARISMATIC / PENTECOSTALISM
  Calvary is a baptistic, calvinistic, cessationist, church body but we welcome all who love Jesus as their Savior, all who love His Word and all who are seeking Him. We believe that the "sign gifts" given to the apostles, as the foundation of the church (Eph 2:20; Act 1:21, 25; Rev 22:18-19), are no longer in operation today.   We do believe that the life of  following Jesus is a supernatural one and that the Lord continues to perform miracles as He wills.

WOMEN IN MINISTRY
  Calvary affirms the God-ordained and significant role that women should play in establishing and leading the local church.  Every leadership opportunity is open to women except those roles excluded by Scripture. The Scriptures clearly state that men are to serve in the offices of Elder and Deacon and that women are not to serve in church positions in which they exercise authority over men or in which they teach doctrine to men (1 Timothy 2:12; 3:1-2; Titus 1:6-9).  Calvary does not see this as an issue of equality - men and women are equal under God - however, the Bible is clear that men and women do not have the same roles. Qualified women should serve in any leadership position that is not forbidden in the Scriptures.  Calvarys position is often described as "complementarian".




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