What We Believe

Our Beliefs

_{The following are the core beliefs of Calvary Chapel River Cities based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these Biblical Doctrines.}

The Bible

<sup>We believe that the Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God (2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 19:7–9). The Scriptures were written by men who were divinely moved by the Holy Spirit, resulting in God’s complete and trustworthy revelation of Himself and His will for humanity (John 17:17; Proverbs 30:5).

We affirm that the Scriptures are entirely free from error in their original writings and serve as the final authority in all matters of faith, doctrine, and conduct (Matthew 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). The Bible is the supreme and sufficient standard by which all human opinions, traditions, and laws must be tested (Isaiah 40:8; Hebrews 4:12).

We believe that the Word of God is fully sufficient for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, equipping the believer for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105). The Bible supersedes all human authority and earthly laws whenever they conflict with God’s revealed truth (Acts 5:29).

We affirm that the Bible is the foundation upon which the Church is built and the true basis for Christian faith, fellowship, and unity (Ephesians 2:19–22; John 17:21). Through Scripture, God speaks with absolute authority and enduring relevance to all generations.</sup>

The Godhead

<sup>We believe in one Triune God—the Creator of all things—who is holy, sovereign, and eternal, existing in three co-equal and co-eternal Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). God is infinite in being, perfect in all His attributes, and worthy of all worship, confidence, and obedience.

We believe in God the Father, the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of all things (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 24:1; Colossians 1:16–17). He is perfect in love, power, holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, justice, and mercy (1 John 4:8; Psalm 18:30). The Father is unchangeable—He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). In His mercy, He cares for His creation and graciously saves all who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ, adopting them as His children (John 1:12; Romans 8:15–16; Ephesians 1:3–6).

We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal and only begotten Son of God (John 3:16; Colossians 1:15). He was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin, and is both fully God and fully man (Matthew 1:18–23; John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:5–8). We affirm His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), His miracles and teachings (John 20:30–31), His substitutionary and atoning death on the cross (Romans 3:23–25; 1 Peter 2:24), His bodily resurrection from the dead (Luke 24:6–7; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4), His ascension into heaven (Acts 1:9–11), and His continual intercession for believers (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). Therefore, Jesus Christ is the sole and all-sufficient Mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:6).

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son (John 14:16–17; 15:26). The Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7–11); regenerates and sanctifies believers (Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:11); and empowers them for godly living and service (Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:16-21). Through regeneration, the Spirit unites the believer with Christ and His Church, making them part of God’s family (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 2:18–22). The Holy Spirit indwells every believer as an abiding helper, teacher, and guide (Romans 8:9–11; John 14:26). The primary evidence of a Spirit-filled life is the fruit of the Spirit, especially love (Galatians 5:22–23; John 13:35).</sup>

Mankind

<sub>We believe that man was directly created by God in His image and likeness to glorify Him and enjoy fellowship with Him forever (Genesis 1:26–27; Isaiah 43:7). Humanity was created good and without sin, possessing moral responsibility and the ability to choose between right and wrong (Genesis 1:31).

 We believe that Adam, the first man, sinned through disobedience to the command of God and thus fell from his original state of innocence (Genesis 2:16–17; 3:1–19; Romans 5:12). As a result, all humanity inherited a sinful nature, became alienated from God, and incurred the penalty of both spiritual and physical death (Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1–3). Because of this condition, man is utterly incapable of saving himself or meriting God’s favor through his own efforts (Isaiah 64:6).

We believe that man’s salvation is wholly of God’s grace, accomplished through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ, who alone can reconcile humanity to God (Romans 5:8–10; 2 Corinthians 5:18–21). Through repentance and faith in Christ, the sinner is forgiven, justified, and made a new creation (John 3:3–7; Romans 8:1).</sub>    
                  

Salvation

<sub>We believe that salvation is a gift of God, given by His grace and received only through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose shed blood provides full and sufficient atonement for sin (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 3:23–25; 1 Peter 1:18–19). Salvation is not the result of human effort or merit but entirely the work of God’s grace through the redemptive act of Christ on the cross (Titus 3:5–7; 2 Timothy 1:9).

 We believe that, because of the universal effect of sin and spiritual death, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born again by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:12). Our redemption is accomplished solely through the substitutionary sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, who died in our place, bearing the penalty of our sins and satisfying the justice of God (Isaiah 53:4–6; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

 We believe that the new birth is the work of the Holy Spirit, regenerating the heart and imparting new life to the believer (John 1:12–13; Titus 3:5). This work is manifested through genuine faith in Christ, resulting in justification, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God (Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:13–14).

 We affirm that repentance is an essential aspect of believing, inseparable from true faith, yet not a separate or additional condition for salvation (Romans 2:4). Likewise, acts such as confession, baptism, prayer, or faithful service, while important expressions of faith and obedience, are not to be added as requirements for salvation (Romans 10:9–10; Galatians 2:16; 3:11).

 Therefore, salvation is found by grace through faith in Christ alone, to the glory of God (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 11:36).</sub>

Sanctification 

<sup>We believe in sanctification, the gracious and continual work of God by which believers are set apart from sin and consecrated unto God (Hebrews 10:10). Sanctification is both positional and progressive.

Positional sanctification occurs immediately at the moment of salvation when the believer is united with Christ through faith in the gospel and declared holy before God (1 Corinthians 6:11). This position is secured entirely through the finished work of Christ and the believer’s identification with Him in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–5).

Progressive sanctification continues throughout the believer’s life as the Holy Spirit works within to conform the believer to the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:29). Through the Spirit’s ongoing ministry, believers are convicted of sin, led to confession, and cleansed from unrighteousness (John 16:8; 1 John 1:9). Although believers may still struggle with sin, the dominion and love of sin are broken, and a growing desire for holiness is produced as they yield to the Spirit rather than to the flesh (Romans 6:11–14; Galatians 5:16–25; Philippians 2:12–13).

Sanctification involves being set apart for Christ and His purposes, enabling believers to walk in obedience, bear spiritual fruit, and faithfully represent Him in the world (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Timothy 2:21).

Scripture presents sanctification in the past, present, and future:
Past: Believers have been sanctified through the sacrifice of Christ.
Present: Believers are being sanctified by the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.
Future: Believers will be fully sanctified and glorified in the presence of Christ . 

Through this divine process, our faith is anchored in the promise that God, who began a good work in us, will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). We are being transformed from glory to glory, with the assured hope that one day we shall see Him face to face (2 Corinthians 3:18).</sup>

The Church

<sub>We believe that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately united by the Holy Spirit into one spiritual body—the Church, the Bride of Christ—with Christ Himself as the Head (1 Corinthians 12:12–13; Ephesians 1:22–23; Colossians 1:18). The Church is a unique spiritual organism created by Christ, consisting of all believers who have been born again and redeemed by His blood (Ephesians 2:19–22; 1 Peter 2:9–10).

 We believe that the Bible clearly teaches the establishment and ongoing life of  local churches, which are visible expressions of the universal body of Christ (Acts 2:42–47). Believers are called to gather together in such assemblies for worship, prayer, instruction in the Word, fellowship, service, and the observance of the ordinances (Hebrews 10:24–25).

 We affirm that Christ alone is the supreme authority over the Church, and that all matters of leadership, spiritual gifts, order, discipline, and worship must be governed by His will as revealed in Scripture (Ephesians 4:11–16).

 The biblically appointed offices under Christ’s authority are Pastors, Elders, and Deacons, each of whom must meet the qualifications established in Scripture (1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4). Pastors and Elders are entrusted with teaching, shepherding, and spiritual oversight, while Deacons serve by meeting practical needs and supporting the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:1–6).

 We believe that the purpose of the Church is to glorify God by growing in faith through the teaching of Scripture, by building up one another in love through fellowship and discipleship, and by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations (Matthew 28:19–20; Philippians 2:15–16).</sub> 

Second Coming of Christ

<sup>We believe in the personal, visible, and imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ to gather His Church and to consummate God’s eternal plan of redemption and judgment (John 14:1–3; Acts 1:9–11; Revelation 22:12).

We affirm the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, when the Lord Jesus Christ will descend from heaven, and all true believers—both those who have died in Christ and those who are alive at His coming—will be caught up together to meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 1 Corinthians 15:51–53). This event will remove the Church from the earth before the outpouring of God’s wrath during the seven-year Tribulation period (Revelation 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Daniel 9:24–27).

We believe that after the Tribulation, Jesus Christ will return to earth in glory and power with His saints to judge the nations and to establish His millennial kingdom—a literal thousand-year reign of righteousness, peace, and justice (Matthew 24:29–31; Revelation 19:11–16; 20:1–6). During this time, Christ will fulfill the promises made to Israel, restore all things according to the will of God, and reign as King of kings and Lord of lords (Isaiah 9:6–7; Jeremiah 23:5–6; Zechariah 14:9).

We believe that following the millennial kingdom, the final judgment will take place, when the wicked will be cast into the lake of fire and the righteous will dwell forever in the new heaven and new earth in the presence of God (Revelation 20:11–15; 21:1–4).</sup>

Baptism

<sub>We believe that water baptism is a public declaration of inward faith in Jesus Christ. It is an outward sign of the inward transformation that has already taken place in the life of one who has been born again through faith in Christ (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3–4). Baptism symbolizes a believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and serves as a testimony of their new life in Him (Colossians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

We hold that only those who have genuinely committed their lives to Jesus Christ should be baptized, in obedience to His command and as a personal testimony of faith (Acts 8:36–38; Acts 18:8).

Based on Scripture, we do not practice infant baptism, since infants are unable to understand or respond to God’s Word in faith (Acts 2:41; Romans 10:9–10, 17). However, children who are able to comprehend and personally believe the Gospel may be baptized upon a credible profession of faith in Christ (Mark 10:14; Matthew 19:14).

We believe that baptism itself does not grant salvation. The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is by grace through faith alone and is the gift of God’s mercy—not the result of any human work or ritual (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 3:28). Baptism, therefore, is an act of obedience and identification with Christ, not a means of obtaining salvation (Acts 10:47–48; 1 Peter 3:21).</sub>
  

Communion

<sup>We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ established the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion, on the night before His death as He shared the Passover meal with His disciples (Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; Luke 22:19–20). This ordinance was instituted as a memorial of His sacrificial death and as a continuing reminder of the New Covenant in His blood (1 Corinthians 11:23–26).

The Bread symbolizes Christ’s body, which was beaten and broken for us as He bore our sins on the cross (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). The Cup symbolizes His blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins and the redemption of those who believe (Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:22).

We believe that participation in the Lord’s Supper is for believers only, those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Before partaking, believers are called to examine their hearts, confess any known sin, and approach the table in humility and reverence (1 Corinthians 11:27–31; 1 John 1:9).

The Lord’s Supper serves as a time of remembrance, reflection, and renewal—remembering Christ’s sacrifice, proclaiming His death until He returns, and celebrating our unity in Him as one body (1 Corinthians 10:16–17; 11:26).</sup>

Marriage

<sup>We believe that marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, established and blessed by God from the beginning of creation (Genesis 2:18–24; Matthew 19:4–6). Marriage is designed by God to reflect His glory, to provide companionship, and to serve as the foundation for family and society (Proverbs 18:22; Hebrews 13:4).

We believe that the marriage of believers should mirror the loving and sacrificial relationship between Christ and His Church. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loves the Church—selflessly, faithfully, and sacrificially—while wives are called to lovingly and respectfully submit to their husbands’ godly leadership as the Church submits to Christ (Ephesians 5:22–25; Colossians 3:18–19; 1 Peter 3:1–7).

Marriage is intended to reflect the covenant relationship between Christ and His redeemed people; therefore, believers are instructed to marry only those who share their faith and new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 6:14; Amos 3:3).

We believe that sexual intimacy is a gift from God to be expressed exclusively within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24–25; 1 Corinthians 7:2–5; Hebrews 13:4). Any form of sexual activity outside of biblical marriage—including adultery, fornication, homosexuality, or any other sexual immorality—is contrary to God’s design and command (Leviticus 18:22; Matthew 15:19; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, 18–20).</sup>

Spiritual Gifts

<sub>We affirm that the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the New Testament are still active and available today according to God’s will (1 Corinthians 12:4–11, 28–31; Romans 12:6–8; Ephesians 4:11–13). These gifts are given to build up and edify the Church and to glorify Christ. We believe that all spiritual gifts must be exercised in love, humility, and order, under the guidance of Scripture and the leadership of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:1–3; 1 Corinthians 14:26–33, 40).

We reject the idea that the miraculous gifts have ceased (cessationism), yet we also reject any misuse or counterfeit manifestations that contradict Scripture or exalt self over Christ (1 John 4:1; 1 Corinthians 14:37–40). We desire that all things be done decently and in order, with discernment and a focus on glorifying Jesus Christ rather than elevating spiritual experience.

We believe the Holy Spirit continually fills and empowers believers to walk in truth, bear witness to Christ, and grow in holiness as they yield to His leading (Galatians 5:16–25; John 14:16–17, 26). The Spirit’s ongoing work in the life of the Church is vital for accomplishing God’s mission in the world until Christ returns.</sub>

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