Statement of Faith
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 Testament are the Word of God, fully inspired without error, and the infallible rule of faith and practice.
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.
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 teachings, His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people and personal, visible return to the earth.
WE BELIEVE in the HOLY SPIRIT, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, unrighteousness 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 present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all the biblical gifts of the Spirit.
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; that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit and power for service, often subsequent to regeneration.
WE BELIEVE in the universal CHURCH, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the Head and all regenerated persons are members.
WE BELIEVE also in the LAYING ON OF HANDS for ordination of pastors, elders and for healing.
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.
WE BELIEVE in what is termed “THE APOSTLES’ CREED” as embodying fundamental facts of the Christian faith.
WE BELIEVE in the independence of each church to govern and control its own assets, organization, structure, staff, and ministry programs. Calvary Spokane has no formal or legal affiliation or association with any other church, denomination or fellowship of churches. We share no responsibility for the actions of other churches; even those who originated from Calvary Spokane. We do fellowship with all believers who share our beliefs as outlined in Scripture, and our interpretation of those Scriptures.
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 sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one woman.
WE BELIEVE that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, cohabitation, 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 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 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 Spokane.
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).
WE BELIEVE that in order to preserve the function and as part of the universal Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the Calvary Spokane members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Calvary Spokane in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement of Faith (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:14-16; 1 Thess. 5:22).
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible 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 Spokane’s faith, doctrine, policy, and discipline, our Board of Elders is Calvary Spokane’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.