Our statement of Faith includes the foundational truths
upon which we base all of our beliefs. It is expected that
all persons employed by Calvary Chapel San Diego are familiar
with, agree with and exhibit belief in, demonstrated through
actions and lifestyle, all 37 Sections of the Doctrinal
Statement of Faith.
| Section 1. |
We believe the Bible is the inspired
Word of God equally in all parts and without error
in its original manuscript, absolutely infallible,
and our source of revelation from God, superior to
conscience and reason, though not contrary to reason;
and it is therefore our rule of faith and practice
(II Timothy 3:16-17; I Peter 1:23-25; Hebrews 4:12). |
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| Section 2. |
We believe in one God who has revealed Himself
in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are
all co-eternal, all stand equally superior to time,
free from the temporal distinctions of past and future.
The Eternal FATHER (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalms 90:2;
Psalms 102:27; I Timothy 1:17). The Eternal SON (John
1:1-2; John 8:58; Hebrews 1:8; I John 1:2; Micah
5:2; Revelation 1:8). The Eternal SPIRIT (Hebrews
9:14). The Eternal GODHEAD (Romans 1:20). |
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| Section 3. |
We believe in the pre-existence, incarnation and
virgin birth of Jesus Christ who came into the world
to reveal the Father, and was the brightness of His
glory and the express image of His person and that
Jesus Christ was the Creator of all things, for by
Him the worlds were made. We further believe that
in Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead
bodily and that He was very God and very Man (Matthew
1:20-23; John 1:1-2 & 14; I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews
1:1-3; Colossians 2:9; Ephesians 3:9 KJV). |
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| Section 4. |
We believe in Jesus Christ's sinless life, miracles,
substitutionary death, bodily resurrection and His
ascension into Heaven, and acknowledge His Lordship
over all things in heaven and in earth, and under
the earth (Philippians 2:9-10; Hebrews 4:15; Acts
2:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 15;3,4; Luke
24:51). |
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| Section 5. |
We believe that man was created by a direct and
immediate act of God (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7). |
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| Section 6. |
We believe that man by transgression fell from
a state of righteousness and holiness, in which he
was first created, into total spiritual depravity,
a state of death in trespasses and sins, in which
he is held as a slave of sin and an enemy of God,
being unable to attain divine righteousness by his
own efforts, but must be redeemed and delivered by
the power of the gospel (Romans 5:12-21; I Corinthians
15:1-4). |
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| Section 7. |
We believe that each believer must lay a foundation
of Biblical truth and experience upon which he builds
his life. These "foundation stones" are:
repentance from dead works, faith toward God, doctrine
of baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of
the dead, eternal judgment and perfection (Hebrews
6:1-3). |
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| Section 8. |
We believe that repentance and faith toward our
Lord Jesus Christ produces the work of justification
in the believer. Through faith in the shed blood
of Christ, he is justified and made a partaker in
the death of Christ. This is the initial step of
salvation (Romans 5:1, 9; Luke 22:20). |
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| Section 9. |
We believe that water baptism is an important command
to obey (Matthew 28:19), but is not necessary for
salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is performed only
upon repentant believers in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ (which we believe to be the fulfillment
of the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit).
This act is usually done by immersion. |
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| Section 10. |
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit according
to Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6. We also hold that the real
evidence of the filling of the Holy Spirit is love
and responsive obedience to the Word of God (John
14:15;14:23;15:10), a Christ-like life, showing forth
Christ's character, nature (the Jesus Style) and
experiencing and manifesting the fruit of the Holy
Spirit (I Corinthians 13:1-7,13; Galatians 5:22-23). |
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| Section 11. |
We believe in the doctrine of the laying on of
hands for: the impartation of the spiritual gifts
(I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6); the ordination
and official recognition and setting apart for ministry;
the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17-18); the
ministry of healing the sick (Mark 16:18); and the
blessing and dedication (setting apart) of children
(Mark 10:16). |
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| Section 12. |
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 immediately baptizes the
believer with the His Spirit into the body of Christ
(Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13). |
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| Section 13. |
We believe in the personal, visible return of Christ
to earth and the establishment of His Kingdom, in
the resurrection of the body, the final judgment
and eternal blessing of the righteous and endless
suffering of the wicked (Revelation 20:1-6, 10-15). |
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| Section 14. |
We believe in the historical “Apostles Creed” as
embodying fundamental facts of the Christian faith. |
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| Section 15. |
We believe that "by grace are ye saved through
faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift
of God, not by works lest any man should boast" (Ephesians
2:8-9) We further believe that the emphasis for a
continuous walk in grace should be heart righteousness
and purity, believing in the keeping power of God,
walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh
in a lifestyle that demonstrates the character, standards
and convictions of Jesus Christ, not being conformed
to the world (Jude 24; Romans 8:25; Galatians 5:16-25;
Romans 4:1-5; 12:1-2). |
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| Section 16. |
We believe in the practice of worship with one's
total being as set forth in the Word of God (John
4:23-24; Psalms 103:1). |
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| Section 17. |
We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit
is being manifested in the Church through the fruits
(Galatians 5:22-23), graces, ministries and gifts,
and we also hold that the gifts of the Spirit (I
Corinthians 12:8-11) should be operative in the Church
today in order for the Church to enjoy the fullness
of God. Also, we hold that these gifts are imparted
by the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit and only work
or operate by this one and self-same Spirit (I Corinthians
12:11). |
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| Section 18. |
We believe in divine healing for the whole man.
Healing was obtained through the atonement in Christ's
sacrificial death (I Peter 2:24-25; Isaiah 53:4-5).
We believe in healing as practiced by the early church
(Acts 4:30; I Corinthians 12:9; James 5:14-15). |
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| Section 19. |
We believe that we are one body, being members
of one another and that the basis of our fellowship
is in Christ and in the love and power of the Spirit
(Ephesians 2:13-22; 4:3-6; I John 1:6-7). |
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| Section 20. |
We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ
expressed as the church individual, the church local,
and the church universal and invisible (all saints
of all places and all times united together under
one Lord). As such, we believe the Church to be more
than just a building or a gathering of people. It
is a body living in relationship and harmony under
the direction of the head, Jesus Christ (I Corinthians
6:15; II Corinthians 1:1; Romans 16:5; I Peter 2:4-5;
Ephesians 2:19-22; I Corinthians 12:12-31; Romans
12:4-5; Ephesians 4:11-16). The local church is an
expression of the community and fellowship of God.
As the Body of Christ in the earth, it is an intimate
community of people that is devoted to apostolic
teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer.
The local body will meet together regularly as a
whole and in smaller groups. We consider the fellowship
of the saints in the private homes of the members
to be an essential expression of the life of faith
of the Church. To this end, the Word of God frequently
refers to the church as a “household” (Matthew
16:13-20, 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; I Peter 4:17; I
Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 2:19; I Peter 2:5; Acts 18:8;
Romans 16:5, 10, 11; I Corinthians 1:11, 16; 16:15,
19; Philippians 4:22; Colossians 4:15; II Timothy
1:16; 4:19). |
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| Section 21. |
We believe in church discipline administered within
the Church in a spirit of meekness and confidentiality.
The first purpose of such discipline is the restoration
of the believer and/or the purification of the Church.
The steps of discipline are one- on-one private confrontation,
private confrontation with witnesses, and finally
ask them to leave the Church, in hopes that separation,
at some point in the future will lead to repentance
and restoration back to the fellowship (Matthew 18:15-20;
Galatians 6:1; Romans 16:17; II John 9-11; I Corinthians
5; II Corinthians 2:6-8; I Timothy 5:20). |
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| Section 22. |
We believe as members of the same body of Christ,
baptized by one Spirit into one body, that we must
endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond
of peace, and as such, that we are discouraged from
bringing a lawsuit in a civil court against another
person who professes to be a Christian or against
a Christian ministry. We believe that all such disputes
should be resolved within the Body of Christ without
taking them before unbelievers for judgment (1 Corinthians
6:1-8; Ephesians 4:1-6). |
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| Section 23. |
We believe that faith without works is dead. We
do not believe, as a matter of the fundamental beliefs
and doctrines of this Church, that any matter can
be believed without there being an accompanying and
corresponding action. Our faith is an active faith
that requires the doing of acts in the world. Our
faith is not a passive or complacent system of intellectual
belief or assent to doctrine, but is an active force
in our lives that requires and results in actions
being taken. A living, active faith will be manifested
not only in belief and mental assent but in actions
expressing and based upon that belief. If a belief
is truly held, it will be acted upon. The act is
as much a fundamental aspect of our faith as the
belief upon which the act is based (James 2:14-26;
Ephesians 2:8-10; Matthew 7:21; Matthew 7:24-27;
Matthew 5:16; II Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 16:27;
Revelation 2:23; 22:12). |
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| Section 24. |
We believe that in all matters concerning the Body
of Christ, in its direction, discipline, ministry
and functioning, that specific guidance and instruction,
revelation and discernment of truth from falsehood,
is available by the leading of the Holy Spirit who
enables us to know spiritual things, and we are confident
in basing decisions and actions upon such faith and
direction (Acts 13:1-3; I Timothy 1:18; Romans 8:14;
I Timothy 5:22; John 16:13-15; I Corinthians 5:3). |
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| Section 25. |
We believe in Christ's bodily ascension into heaven,
in His exaltation and His immanent personal return
in power and great glory, and in His everlasting
Kingdom and dominion (Acts 1:11; 3:19-21; Daniel
7:14; Revelation 20:4). |
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| Section 26. |
We believe that the fearful, the unbelieving, the
abominable, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters and
liars shall have their part in the lake which burns
with fire and brimstone, which is the second death
(Revelation 21:8). |
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| Section 27. |
We believe that there shall be a new heaven and
a new earth wherein dwells righteousness (II Peter
3:13; Revelation 21:1). |
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| Section 28. |
We believe in the reality and personality of Satan
(Job 1:7; Matthew 4:1-11), and that he was defeated
by Christ through His death, burial and resurrection
at Calvary (Ephesians 1:19-23; Colossians 2:15; Hebrews
2:14, 15; 1 John 3:8) and that Christ has delegated
His authority over all the works of Satan to His
body the Church (Matthew 28:18-20). |
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| Section 29. |
We believe a divinely called and scripturally ordained
ministry is provided by our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Head of the Church, for the two-fold purpose of the
evangelization of the world and of the edification
and oversight of the body of Christ (Mark 16:15-20;
Ephesians 4:8-16; Acts 20:28). |
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| Section 30. |
We believe there is the occasional need for deliverance.
For one to be freed from bondage associated with
demon activity, it is God’s desire to bring
deliverance to His people (Job 5:19, Psalms 91:3,
II Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 2:15; II Peter 2:9). We
have been granted the authority in the name of Jesus
to bring deliverance to others (Mark 16:17; John
14:12; I Corinthians 12:8-11). We must understand
that our warfare is with the forces of evil (Ephesians
6:12), our weapon is the Word of God, our authority
and power is from Jesus Himself (Mark 16:17, Acts
1:8), and that the battlefield is first of all in
the spiritual realms (Ephesians 6:10-18; II Corinthians
10:3-5; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:22-23). |
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| Section 31. |
We believe in God as the Creator of all things.
We believe that God created man and that He created
them male and female. As such He created them different
so as to complement and complete each other. God
instituted monogamous marriage between male and female
as the foundation of the family, the basic structure
of human society. For this reason homosexuality is
unnatural, sinful, and unacceptable to God (Genesis
2:21-24; Romans 1:26-32; I Corinthians 6:9, 13-20;
11:1-16; 14:35; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Timothy 2:9-15). |
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| Section 32. |
We believe that repentance is a gift from God (John
1:13; Romans 9:16). Repentance is dependent upon
the convicting action of the Holy Spirit in the lives
of sinners and believers. The conviction of the Holy
Spirit, which often accompanies the preaching of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ, will result in the revelation
of the sinfulness of self which should lead to Godly
sorrow. Remorse, or worldly sorrow, is a feeling
of deep regret, or hopelessness. It does not lead
to constructive change. On the other hand, Godly
sorrow produces repentance which causes us to turn
away from sin and selfishness and to receive faith
for change. True repentance is life giving and changes
the way we feel and act about sin, self and God.
Repentance is a total change of heart, mind, attitude,
emotions, will, action and lifestyle flowing from
the sorrow of the Holy Spirit’s conviction
of sin (John 1:12,13; 6:44,65; II Corinthians 7:10;
Psalms 51; Acts 11:18; II Timothy 2:25; Genesis 6:3;
Romans 1:18-32; Matthew 9:12-13). |
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| Section 33. |
We believe that the Scriptures are clear concerning
helping those in need. We are commanded to do good
to all people as we have opportunity, with a special
emphasis upon caring for those who profess to be
fellow Christians, especially those in our own fellowship
of believers. We are commanded to be generous and
willing to share, laying up treasure for ourselves
in the coming age by our kindness and generosity
in this life. This is true for the Church as an organization
as well as for the individual members of the Church.
Therefore, in accordance with the biblical commands,
as a fundamental aspect of the practice of our faith,
we will share of our material goods with those in
need and will minister to them to the best of our
abilities. (Proverbs 25:21; Isaiah 58:10; Galatians
6:10; I Timothy 6:18-19; Hebrews 13:16). |
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| Section 34. |
The Elders of this Church shall have the right
to determine who may attend Church meetings and functions.
This Church is owned by the Lord Jesus Christ who
has entrusted the care of the flock to the leadership
He has raised up here. It is not a place of public
accommodation, nor is it a public institution, and
its property is not a public place, but is rather
private property belonging to this Church (Acts 20:28-31;
II Peter 2:1-3; I Timothy 1:20; 6:5; I Corinthians
5:1-13; II Thessalonians 3:6-15; II John 9-11; II
Timothy 3:1-5; Titus 3:10-11; Romans 16:17). |
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| Section 35. |
We believe that the Scriptures clearly define that
believers can seek out advice, consultation, direction,
purpose, resolution, and guidance from among the
shepherds, elders, mature men and women within the
Body of Christ (I Kings 1:12; Proverbs 27:9; Proverbs
11:14; Psalms 55:13-14). We further believe that
consultation and instruction is applicable by the
Scriptures through sessions with a person or persons
in close deliberation to give counsel. This also
provides safety, defense, rescue and freedom from
trouble (Psalms 55:13-14; Proverbs 12:15). The personal
care of the saints is the sanctification of the whole
person, body, soul and spirit (I Thessalonians 3:13;
5:23), through the love that flows from faith, patience
and hope and the redemptive power of the cross of
Christ (Romans 3:25; Luke 9:23). The atoning blood
of Jesus (Ephesians 2:13-16; I Peter 1:18-19), the
transformation of the soul through the Word of God
(Romans 12:1-2), the denying of the old nature (Galatians
2:20, 5:24; I Peter 1:13-15), salvation through grace
not works (Ephesians 2:1-9), and the promise of the
resurrection (John 3:16, 11:25-26). These are the
effective working mechanisms that characterize pastoral
care ministry. Such ministry is foundational to the
practice of our faith. |
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| Section 36. |
We recognize and believe that the Church in these
last days has been and is in a revival of restoration.
We maintain that God, in this hour, is moving to
restore the Church to the complete and full New Testament
pattern, power and practice, but shall not be limited
to just this. However, we shall examine all new doctrinal
concepts or experiences in the light of the full
revealed Word of God, and if they shall be found
to be in harmony with the Scriptures, they shall
be accepted. If not found in harmony with the Scriptures
or the Nature of Jesus (The Jesus Style), they will
and must be rejected and taught against and will
not be a part of the practice of the Church. We believe
that the complete revelation and truth of God is
already written and contained in the Scripture, and
that its progressive unfolding will only add to,
and not take from, what God has already revealed
to the Church (Acts 3:21; 15:15; II Peter 1:20; Ephesians
3:1-6; Revelation 10:6-7). |
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| Section 37. |
We believe marriage is to be between one man and
one woman only. We believe marriage to be an institution
ordained by God at the creation of man (Genesis 3).
We believe that Scripture clearly teaches that God
is opposed to divorce and that hardness of heart
is the root cause of all divorce (Matthew 19:8-10).
We believe that married couples are to pursue reconciliation
(Matthew 18), and are not to seek to be divorced
(1 Corinthians 7). We do understand that divorce
may be outside the control of one or the other persons
in a marriage. Biblical grounds for divorce are defined
as “an unbeliever departing” (1 Corinthians
7), and “adultery” (Matthew 19). Any
divorce outside these Biblical exceptions is believed
to be unbiblical. |
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