WHAT WE BELIEVE

Statement of Faith

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The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible (As found in literal translations such as the KJV, NKJV, and NASB) itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Calvary Chapel Brighton’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy and discipline, our Senior Pastor and Board of Director is Calvary Chapel Brighton’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.

 

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.

 

WE BELIEVE that the SCRIPTURES of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice.

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WE BELIEVE in God, THE FATHER, an infinite, 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 who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

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WE BELIEVE in JESUS CHRIST, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teaching. His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people and personal, visible return to earth.

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WE BELIEVE in the HOLY SPIRIT, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement, 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 present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all the Biblical gifts of the Spirit.

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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 their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord; that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit and power for service, often subsequent to regeneration.

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WE BELIEVE in the universal CHURCH, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the Head and all regenerated persons are members.

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WE BELIVE that the Lord Jesus committed two ORDINANCES to the Church: 1) baptism, and 2) the Lord’s Supper. We believe in baptism by immersion and communion open to all believers.

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WE BELIEVE also in the LAYING ON OF HANDS for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, for ordination of pastors, elders, and deacons, and for receiving gifts of the Spirit of healing.

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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 judgement and eternal blessing of the righteous and endless suffering of the wicked.

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WE AWAIT the pre-tribulational rapture of the church, and we believe that the second coming of Christ with His saints to rule on the earth will be personal, pre-millennial, and visible. This motivates us to holy living, heartfelt worship, committed service, and diligent study of God’s Word.

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WE BELIEVE in what is termed “THE APOSTLES CREED” as embodying fundamental facts of Christian faith.

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WE BELIEVE that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps 139.)

 

 

 

 

MARRIAGE & HUMAN SEXUALITY

 

 

WE BELIEVE that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27.) Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. 

 

WE BELIEVE that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25.) 

 

WE BELIEVE that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4.) 

 

WE BELIEVE that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. 

 

WE BELIEVE that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10.) 

 

WE BELIEVE that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Calvary Chapel Brighton as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the Calvary Chapel Brighton members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Calvary Chapel Brighton in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess 5:22.) 

 

WE BELIEVE that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11.) 

 

WE Believe that a God designed marriage between a man and a woman is a “typology” of Christ and the Church (Eph 5:22-32). As such, Calvary Chapel Brighton views that marriage is a profound spiritual institution established by God between a Christian man and a Christian woman.

 

WE BELIEVE that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31.) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Calvary Chapel Brighton.