What We Believe  

 

​The following doctrines represent the essential truths of the Christian faith. They have been confessed by Bible-believing Christians throughout church history and form the foundation of our faith, worship, and ministry. While believers may differ on certain secondary matters, we believe these truths are central to the Gospel and essential to orthodox Christianity.

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About the Bible:  

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We believe that the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God and His complete revelation to humanity. We believe that Scripture is inerrant in its original writings, fully trustworthy, and the final authority for faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

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We believe that the Bible is sufficient to guide and teach us in all matters of faith, doctrine, and Christian living. As God's Word, it serves as the foundation for the life, ministry, and governance of the church. (Psalm 119:105; Matthew 4:4; Acts 20:32)

 

About God:  

 

We believe in one living and true God who eternally exists in three distinct yet perfectly united persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three persons are equal in deity, glory, power, and majesty and together are worthy of all worship, honour, and obedience. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30)

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We believe that God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things. He is infinite, eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, perfectly holy, perfectly loving, and completely trustworthy. (Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 40:28; Revelation 4:11)

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We believe that God the Father mercifully concerns Himself with the affairs of humanity, hears and answers prayer, and lovingly draws people to Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. (John 3:16; Romans 8:15; James 5:16)

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About Jesus Christ:

 

We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man. He is God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1,14; John 10:33)

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We believe that He lived a sinless life, though tempted in every way as we are, and that through His life, teachings, and miracles He perfectly revealed the Father. (Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 7:26; John 14:9)

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We believe that Jesus willingly died on the cross as the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins, bearing the judgment that we deserved, and that through His death God has provided salvation for all who repent and place their faith in Him. (Isaiah 53:5-6; Philippians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Hebrews 2:9)

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We believe that He rose bodily from the grave on the third day, conquering sin and death, and appeared to many witnesses before ascending into heaven where He now sits at the right hand of the Father and continually intercedes for His people. (John 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:4-8; Mark 16:19; Hebrews 7:25)

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We believe that Jesus Christ will personally, visibly, and gloriously return to the earth in power and victory to establish His kingdom and fulfill all the purposes of God. (Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-16)

 

About Salvation:  

 

We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice and therefore stand under God's righteous condemnation. Because God is perfectly holy, no person can enter His presence or be reconciled to Him through their own goodness, works, or religious effort. (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23)

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We believe that salvation is a gift of God's grace and is available to all through the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has provided the only way for sinful people to be forgiven and restored to fellowship with God. (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:8-9)

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We believe that the Holy Spirit regenerates those who come to God in repentance and faith, enabling them to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Salvation is received by grace through faith and not by works, so that no one may boast. (John 3:3-8; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5)

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We believe that all who place their faith, hope, and trust in Jesus Christ are forgiven of their sins, adopted into God's family, and granted eternal life. (John 3:16-19; John 5:24; Romans 8:15-17)

 

About the Holy Spirit:  

 

We believe in the person of the Holy Spirit, Who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ; (Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 3:18, John 16:8-11, Romans 8:26, 15:13-16, Hebrews 9:14).

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We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide. (John 6:13, 14:16-17, 16:8-11, Romans 8:26).

 

About the Church:  

 

We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, consisting of all those who have been born again through faith in Jesus Christ. Christ alone is the Head of the Church, and all believers are united in Him regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or background. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18)

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We believe that God calls His people to gather together for worship, prayer, fellowship, discipleship, and the teaching of His Word. The Church exists to glorify God, build up believers, and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:11-16)

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We believe that Jesus Christ instituted two ordinances for the Church: believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism publicly identifies a believer with Christ in His death and resurrection, while the Lord's Supper serves as a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and a proclamation of His return. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

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We believe that Christians should pursue unity, love, holiness, and mutual encouragement as they live together as God's people and bear witness to Christ in the world. (John 13:34-35; Ephesians 4:1-6; Hebrews 10:24-25)

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About Eternity: 

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We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the final judgment of all people, the eternal blessing of those who belong to Christ, and the eternal separation from God of those who reject Him.

 

We believe in a literal heaven and a literal hell. (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:11-15)

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Marriage & Sexuality:

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We believe that God created humanity as male and female and that marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. We believe that sexual intimacy is a gift from God to be enjoyed exclusively within the covenant of marriage. (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:31-32)

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Our Distinctives

 

While we gladly recognise and fellowship with many Bible-believing Christians from a variety of church backgrounds and traditions, the following convictions help shape the teaching, leadership, and ministry philosophy of Calvary Waterford.

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The Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

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We believe that all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit described in the New Testament remain available to the Church today and should be exercised according to the teaching and order established in Scripture.

 

We seek to be both Spirit-filled and Biblically grounded, avoiding both the neglect of spiritual gifts and their misuse. (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12-14)

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Church Leadership:

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We believe that God has established qualified male elders to provide spiritual oversight, leadership, and teaching within the local church. Elders are responsible for shepherding the church, teaching God's Word, guarding sound doctrine, and providing spiritual leadership. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9)

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We also recognise the Biblical office of deacon, whose role is to serve the practical needs of the church and support its ministry. We believe that both men and women may serve in this capacity according to their gifting, character, and calling. (Acts 6:1-7; Romans 16:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13)

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We affirm and encourage the vital ministry of women throughout the life of the church and are grateful for the many ways God uses both men and women to build up His people and advance the Gospel.

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Baptism:

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We practice believer's baptism by immersion for those who have personally repented of their sins and placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism does not save but serves as a public declaration of faith and obedience to Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:3-4)

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The Return of Christ:

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We believe that Jesus Christ will personally and visibly return to establish His Kingdom upon the earth. We hold to a premillennial understanding of Christ's return and anticipate the future fulfilment of God's promises to Israel and the nations. (Revelation 19-20)

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We further believe that the Church will be caught up to meet the Lord prior to the outpouring of God's wrath during the Tribulation period. While faithful Christians hold differing views on the timing of these events, this understanding shapes our teaching and expectation concerning the Lord's return. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 3:10)

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Ministry Philosophy:

 

As a Calvary Chapel church, we are committed to the verse-by-verse teaching of Scripture, dependence upon the Holy Spirit, prayer, evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.

 

We desire to maintain simplicity in ministry while equipping believers to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and serve Him faithfully. 

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Local Church Autonomy:

 

We believe that each local church should be governed under the Lordship of Jesus Christ according to the teaching of Scripture. We do not operate according to a formal church membership.

 

While we enjoy fellowship and cooperation with like-minded churches and ministries, Calvary Waterford is self-governing and accountable ultimately to Christ as the Head of the Church.. 

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