STATEMENT OF FAITH
THE WORD OF GOD
We recognize the teachings of the Bible and trust in them as our single source of authority for beliefs and practice.
We believe that the Bible (Holy Scriptures) of the Old and New Testaments in the original writing consists of sixty-six books. We believe that the Bible is inspired (spoken by God or God-breathed) of God. We believe in the Word of God in both the verbal and plenary (entire or complete) sense, and that it is authoritative and infallible (without error). We believe in the normal, literal, and consistent interpretation of the Scriptures. (Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; Acts 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
THE TRINITY
We believe in one God. Our God exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three have the same attributes and are equal in being, nature, power, and glory. (Genesis 1:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
GOD THE FATHER
We believe that God the Father orders and controls all things according to His own purpose and grace. God the Father is the highest and absolute Ruler in the universe. He created [through Jesus Christ (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16)] the universe apart from any preexisting materials and without any means. He has dictated for His own glory all things that occur. He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and their events. He saves from sin all, who come to Him through Jesus Christ. Once a person has come to Him through Jesus Christ, God the Father relates Himself to them as their Father. (Genesis 1:1-27; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Psalm 90:2, 103:19; John 1:18; Romans 11:33-36; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 1:3-6; Hebrews 4:13; 1 Peter 1:17-21)
JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ is God. He became a man without ceasing to be God. Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and save sinners from spending eternity in Hell. (Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:30-35; John 1:1-2, 14, 18)
We believe that Jesus Christ accomplished our Salvation (our opportunity to spend forever in Heaven and not Hell) through His death on the cross. We believe that He paid the penalty for our sin and died in our place. We believe that Jesus Christ literally and physically rose from the dead. (John 3:16; Romans 3:23-28, 4:25; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 2:9, 15; 1 Peter 1:3-5, 2:24, 3:18; 1 John 2:2)
We believe that Jesus Christ ascended and is now in Heaven, exalted at the right hand of God the Father. He is our High Priest, Intercessor, and Advocate. (John 20:20; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 8:23, 34; Ephesians 1:22-23; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3, 7:25, 9:24; 1 John 2:1-2)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that God the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. We believe that He was active in the Creation. (Genesis 1)
The Holy Spirit restrains God’s enemy, Satan, until God the Father’s purpose is fulfilled. He is the Supernatural Agent in Salvation, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ (the church), indwelling and sealing them. (John 15:26-27, 16:8-11; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14)
We believe the Holy Spirit is the Divine Teacher who guides believers into all truth. It is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with (controlled by and/or guided by) the Holy Spirit. We do believe that when we sin, we grieve and can quench the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. (John 16:13; Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 4:30-32, 5:18-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 John 2: 20, 27)
CREATION
We believe that God by a free act and for His own glory created the universe. He did so without the use of any preexisting materials and without any means. We believe that the creation of the whole visible and invisible universe was spoken by God and took a literal seven days or seven twenty-four hour periods. (Genesis 1:1-27; Exodus 20:8-11; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalms 104:25-26; Isaiah 40:21-31; John 1:1-5; Colossians 1:16-17)
MAN
We believe that man, originally created in the image and after the likeness of God, fell by eating the forbidden fruit. As the consequence of disobedience, the threatened penalty of death was then and there inflicted. The human nature was not only grievously injured by the fall, but totally lost all spiritual life, becoming dead in trespasses and sins and subject to the power of the devil. (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:17; Isaiah 64:6; John 5:39-40, 6:53; Romans 3:10-18, 22, 23; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 5:6; 1 John 3:8)
We believe this spiritual death, or total corruption of human nature, has been transmitted to the entire human race (Total Depravity = all humans except Jesus Christ have been born as sinners). Therefore, every child that has been born into the world is born with that sin nature. That nature is essentially and unchangeably evil, against God, and is incapable of improvement by any educational process or form of law. We believe that the only exception of this is Jesus Christ. (Genesis 6:5; Psalm 14:1-3, 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:16; Romans 5:12-19, 8:6-8)
SALVATION
We believe that due to the total depravity of mankind, it is necessary for God to take the initiative in Salvation. Therefore, God has called out for Himself a people from before the foundation of the earth. Those who will be saved is based upon His grace and mercy alone; not on the merits (or potential merits) of the individual. (John 6:37, 44; Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-6)
We believe that Salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sin. In the instant that we believe, we are immediately justified or declared innocent from the penalty of sin. It is impossible to add to this finished work of Christ, good resolutions, sincere efforts, obedience to the rules and regulations of any church, or anything else to help merit Salvation. We believe that Salvation cannot be obtained by working for it. Christ died to save us from the penalty of sin; Christ lives to save us from the power of sin; and Christ is coming back again to save us from the presence of sin. (John 1:12, 10:27-30, 14:1-3; Romans 3:23-25, 6:23, 10:9-13; Galatians 3:10-13; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-9; Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 1:18-19, 2:24, 3:18; 1 John 2:1-2)
TWO NATURES OF THE BELIEVER
We believe that every person saved has become a “new creation” and now possesses two natures (a new nature which is given at the moment of Salvation and a sinful or “old” nature with which we are all born). The new nature is given for victory over the old nature through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We believe that all claims to erase the old nature in this life are unscriptural. (Romans 6:13, 8:12-13; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 3:5-9)
ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
We believe that all true believers, once saved, are kept secure forever. The believer has eternal life, and Christ promised the believer that they will never come into judgment for their sin. The believer has passed out of death into spiritual life in Christ. (John 3:16, 5:24, 10:27-30; Romans 8:35-39; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 5:13)
THE CHURCH
We believe the universal church is a spiritual entity composed of all born-again persons of this age, of which Christ is the head. The church began on the Day of Pentecost, and the Holy Spirit was sent to indwell the individual believer, as distinct from the nation of Israel. (Acts 1:5, Acts 2, Acts 11:15)
We believe the church, which is the body and bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons of this present age. (Acts 14:27, 20:7, 28-32; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27)
We believe in the autonomy (independence) of the local church. The church is free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government, and is free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5). It is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and furtherance of the Gospel. However, each local church is the sole judge, under the authority of Christ and the Scriptures, of the measure and method of its cooperation, matters of membership, policy, discipline, benevolence, and government. (Acts 15:19-31, 20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
We believe that the officers in the local church are Pastor and Deacon. These men are to lead the local assembly. They need to be accountable, first to God, and then to the congregation. They are to lead, like Christ, with servant-hood being the key dominant characteristic. The duties of the pastor are to guide, instruct, protect, and equip the church. Deacons are to assist the pastor in the ministry of the church. The deacon’s position is to serve in such a capacity as to enable the pastor to devote his attention to the ministry of the Word, prayer, and guidance to the body. (Acts 6:1-7; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 2:1-13, 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-5)
RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL BELIEVERS
We believe that it is the duty of all believers to walk in such a manner that pleases God. We believe that separation from sin (worldly pleasure and practices) is the command of God. (John 17:15-17; Romans 6:11-14, 8:2, 4, 12, 13, 12:1-2; Galatians 5:16-26; 1 John 1:4-10, 2:15-17)
We believe that it is the obligation of every believer to proclaim the Gospel to the entire world. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:17)
We believe that it is the responsibility of all believers to remember the work of the Lord in prayer. (Acts 2:42, 6:3-4; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Timothy 2:1; James 5:16; Jude 1:20)
We believe that it is the responsibility of all believers to support the church in a monetary means as the Lord has prospered them. (Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 8:1-3, 8, 9, 9:6-11)
We believe that it is the responsibility of all believers to faithfully attend the services of the church. (Matthew 18:20; Acts 2:1, 42, 20:7; 1 Corinthians 5:4, 16:2; Hebrews 10:25)
THE ORDINANCES
We believe in two ordinances of the church. The first is water baptism. Baptism, while not a requirement for salvation, is a public testimony that the individual has personally trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior. We do not believe that infant baptism fits the biblical example that we are given. We believe that baptism is to be done after salvation, by immersion, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41, 8:36-39, 9:18, 16:31-33, 18:8; Romans 6:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:5; 1 Peter 3:21)
We believe that Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is the second ordinance of the church. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial, instituted by our Lord, and is to be observed by the church until His return. The Lord’s Supper is a sacred, symbolic, and Scriptural means of remembering His death for our sins. (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-31)
ANGELS
We believe that angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him. Some, the good angels, have remained obedient to Him and carry out His will, while others, fallen angels, disobeyed, fell from their holy position, and now stand in active opposition to the work and plan of God. (Matthew 28:2-3; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Ephesians 6:10-12; Hebrews 1:14, 13:2; Revelation 5:11-12, 12:8-9)
SATAN
We believe that Satan is a created being. He is the declared enemy of God and man. We believe that he is the god of this age. We believe that he will be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11, 25:41; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10)
We believe that Satan is assisted in his attempts to disrupt the will of God by demons (fallen angels). Demonic power is present in our world today. We believe that believers need to stand against what is evil and the power behind it. We believe that a believer cannot be possessed by Satan or demons. Nor is it our purpose in life to do offensive battle against them. We do believe that we are called to resist the devil and put on the full armor of God as our means of protection against the devil and his demons. (Ephesians 6:10-18; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 1 John 4:4, 5:18)
GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
We believe that to fulfill its God-ordained mission, the church has been given spiritual gifts through its members. Each believer, at the time of their salvation (according to God’s will) is given at least one gift for the edification or encouragement of the church. Each member should strive to develop and use their spiritual gift(s) in a way that will glorify God. (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-27; Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
We believe that Apostolic or Sign Gifts such as Biblical speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, miracles, healing, and the like, gradually ceased with the completion of the Bible and ending of the Apostolic Age. (Acts 19:11-12; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, 14:21-22; 2 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Timothy 4:20 – Trophimus was not healed, Paul left him sick in Miletus; Hebrews 2:3-4)
FUTURE EVENTS
We believe in the personal and imminent (approaching or could happen at any moment), pretribulation (rapture before the Tribulation) and premillennial coming of Jesus Christ for His believers. We believe that at the end of the seven-year tribulation, He will return to earth with His saints in power and glory to establish His Millennial Kingdom and reign for a thousand years. (Romans 8:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:1-11; Revelation 3:10, 19:11-16, 20:1-6)
We believe that the souls of those who have trusted in Jesus Christ for their salvation, at death have immediately passed into His presence. They will remain in Heaven until the resurrection of the body at His coming, when soul and body will be united and will be associated with Him forever.
We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain after death in conscious misery until the final judgment of the Great White Throne Judgment at the close of the millennium. At that time, their soul and body will be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting destruction away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power. (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26, 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23, 3:21; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-9; Jude 6-7, 14-15; Revelation 20:4-6, 11-15)
MARRIAGE
We believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. We believe that God is the Creator of marriage and that He instructed a man and a woman to leave their parents and to “cleave” to each other. We believe that God intended for the husband and wife to stick to each other - to never stop pursuing each other. Therefore, we believe that God intended for marriage to be permanent. (Genesis 2:18-25; Proverbs 18:22; Malachi 2:14-15; Matthew 19:3-6; Mark 10:8-9; 1 Corinthians 7:2-5; Ephesians 5:22-25; Hebrews 13:4)
HUMAN SEXUALITY
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. (Genesis 2:24, 19:5, 13, 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4)
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and in the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by Southwest Calvary Baptist Church. (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15, 3:4-5, 12)
We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are a heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. (Genesis 1:26-28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 19:18, 22:15, 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7)