Calvary Chapel is a Bible believing, verse-by-verse preaching church. Below are some of the core beliefs held by Calvary Chapel Winnetka.
We Believe:
In one living and true God; eternally existing in three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory. This triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all things.
We believe scripture, the old and new testament, are the Word of God. They are fully inspired, without error in the original manuscripts, and are the infallible rule of faith as well as practice.
We believe in God the Father, the First person of the trinity, an infinite, personal being, Spirit (that is, immaterial), perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. He concerns Himself in the affairs of men, hearing as well as answering prayer. He saves, freely through Jesus Christ, all those who come to Him from sin and death.
We believe in the divine logos (John 1:1-4, translated “Word”), the Second person of the trinity, co-eternal, and co-creator of all things; came down in the form of man known as Jesus of Nazareth, having been born of a virgin, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. After having lived a sinless life, displaying the Kingdom of God through miracles and teachings, He was crucified upon a cross for the substitutionary atonement of our sins. After three days he bodily resurrected, appearing to many and ascended into heaven where he makes perpetual intercession for His people. And we await for His personal, visible return to earth.
We believe the Holy Spirit, the Third person of the trinity, proceeds from the Father and Son. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and 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 have sinned and are under just condemnation. In order to save man God provided grace, accomplished on the cross by Jesus Christ, freely given through the Holy Spirit, regenerating those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. We believe that that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit, empowering them for service.
We believe in the whole body of Christ, that is the universal church from all times, of which Christ is the head. We believe the universal church is the people of God, not a building or any one denomination. The church is made up of those who profess faith, repent of their sin, abide in Christ, and adhere to biblical doctrine.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ordinances to the church: (a) full immersion water baptism, and (b) the Lord’s Supper. We believe in baptism by immersion and that communion is open to all believers.
We believe in the personal, visible, bodily return of Jesus Christ to earth for the purposes of establishing His kingdom. We believe in the future bodily resurrection; some to everlasting condemnation, others eternal blessing.
What is termed “The Apostle’s Creed” embodies the fundamental facts of the Christian faith laid out more concisely than what is expressed in this doctrinal beliefs statement.
Application of our Beliefs
Vision & Mission:
To be workers in the field of the Lord’s ever breaking Kingdom in the world. Seeking to fulfill the Great Commission given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28:19-20). We seek glorify Jesus Christ through the spreading of the gospel, so that more might be saved. Growing is spiritual maturity through the systematic teaching of God’s Word, worship, prayer, discipleship, and evangelism so that we can impact the community and the world for Jesus Christ.