What We Believe: Calvary Chapel Newnan Statement of Faith
Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Calvary Chapel Newnan based on the foundational truths
taught in the bible. Our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical
doctrines.
The Holy Trinity
We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons: The Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds
all, and governs all things.
God the Father
We believe in the person of God the Father, an infinite, eternal, personal Spirit, perfect in
holiness, wisdom, power and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that
He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all those who come to Him
through Jesus Christ.
God the Son
We believe in the person of Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit.
We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings, his substitutionary atoning
death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people and
personal, visible return to earth.
God 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. 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 Baptism with the
Holy Spirit as a distinct and separate experience to that of regeneration, occurring either
subsequent to or simultaneous with salvation, evidenced by a greater dynamic in the Christian’s
life, enabling that person to be a bold and more effective witness. The supreme evidence of the
Spirit-filled life is the fruit of the Spirit, love. We believe in the present day ministry of the Holy
Spirit in regard to the exercise of all biblical gifts of the Holy Spirit, and in the Biblical use of the
gifts in accordance with Paul's instructions in the Corinthian letter.
The Holy Scriptures
We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God,
fully inspired without error and the infallible rule of faith and practice. The Word of
God is the foundation upon which the church operates and is the basis for which the
church is governed. We believe that the Word of God supersedes any earthly law that
is contrary to the Holy Scriptures.
The Church
We believe in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the
head and all who are born again are a part of the Body of Christ. We believe that the
Lord Jesus Christ instituted two ordinances for the church: full immersion water
baptism of believers, and the Lord’s Supper.
Sin and Salvation
We believe that all people are sinners by nature and choice, falling short of God’s
standard and breaking His commandments – and therefore are subject to God’s
righteous judgment. Yet, God saves and gives new life to all who come to Him in
repentance and faith, trusting in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. At the cross,
Jesus Christ died in our place as our substitute, absorbing God’s wrath that should
have come upon us. Because Jesus died for the sins of the world the invitation to
believe is open to all, and whoever desires may come unto Jesus for new life and the
forgiveness of sins.
Heaven and Hell
We believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell and that all those who place their faith,
hope and trust in Jesus Christ will spend eternity in Heaven with the Lord. Those who
reject Jesus’ free gift of salvation will spend eternity separated from the Lord.
Christ's Second Coming
We believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, which is His personal, visible return
to Earth and the establishment of His millennial kingdom, in the resurrection of the
body, the final judgment and eternal blessing of the righteous and endless separation
of the wicked. We believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church where all
believers will meet the Lord in the air and be taken out of this world prior to the
Tribulation that will come upon the earth.
Church Government
We believe that the example of the Patriarchs, Moses, the Judges, the Kings, the
Apostles, and the Bishops of the early church all point to a consistent standard of
Spiritual Leadership through Godly men who are God called and set apart for such a
task. We believe that the Biblical model for leadership in the church is a Pastor
(Bishop) led church, with council, accountability, encouragement, support, and
assistance in the work of the Ministry from a plurality of Biblically qualified Elders.
Pastoral Leadership
We believe in the pattern and principle of male leadership and responsibility in both
the home and the church. This is the pattern found in the Bible from the Patriarchs to
the Apostles, and is consistent with the sacrificial example of Jesus. We believe this
limits the roles of pastoral leadership and doctrinal authority to qualified men.
Christian Marriage
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 and the basic structure of human society. Therefore, we perform marriages in
accordance with the Bible consistent with the Old and New Testament.