Salvation

The Scriptures, fully contained in the Old and New Testaments, are the inspired, infallible word of God in their original autographs and remains the infallible standard for salvation, theology, morality, and Christian living. The Bible is the highest authority for the church. (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25)

There is one God who is the Creator and Sustainer of all created things. As God, he is distinct from creation, being eternal, infinite, immutable, sovereign, and infallible in all things. He is essentially love, holy, truth, life, and the source of morality. God is relational, a Trinity who is one in being and three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19-20; Hebrews 1:3)

God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He created ex nihilo (out of nothing) by the word of his power and with specified complexity. By his creative design living things have the capacity to adapt and flourish. God exercises providential care for his creation, with Christ upholding creation by the word of his power. We reject the views of an eternal universe and naturalistic macroevolution as sufficient explanations for the existence and complexity observed in the universe. We affirm that creation includes spiritual beings and the physical universe, and that the purpose of creation is to glorify God. (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 6:25-33; Psalm 19:1; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:3).

Every human is made in the image and likeness of God, having intellect, feelings, and free will. We are morally responsible for our actions and their consequences. In addition, since humans are communal, the actions of the individual affect the broader community. Adam and Eve chose to sin, and their free will decision affected the whole of humanity. All human descendants from Adam are born with a sin nature and are separated from fellowship with God. We are spiritually dead, incapable of earning salvation from sin.

Salvation is exclusively a work of God. He initiated its plan and accomplished salvation through the virgin birth of Jesus, his sinless life, substitutionary death and resurrection from the dead. Salvation is available to all people, and is the free gift of God apart from any human work, and is received by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ alone. The believer is sealed by the Holy Spirit, who works to transform the believer toward Christ-like character. This process of sanctification is lifelong. (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9)

The universal church is comprised of every person who has placed their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for salvation. The church is a living spiritual body, and transcends all racial, ethnic, political, and geographical parameters. Christ is the head of his church and every born again person is a member of his church. Through the Spirit of God, every member of the church is equipped with gifts that are essential for the whole church to flourish and grow in spiritual maturity. While the gifts differ in function, every gift is equally necessary for the health of the universal church.

Angels are literal, created spiritual beings, who have significant influence in human life. God created angels in perfection and with choice. Lucifer rebelled against God and led one third of the angels in revolt. Their consequence is eternal torment. Satan and demons are finite and have the capacity to negatively influence humans. Angels, in contrast, have the capacity to influence human beings toward righteousness. Both angels and humans will enjoy eternal life together, while demons are sentenced to an eternal torment.

God is omniscient, sovereign, and providentially involved in the universe. Prophecy is the revelation of his plan and he will perfectly fulfill his prophetic word. In addition, prophecy is properly interpreted literally rather than allegorically.

We affirm that every human is made in the image and likeness of God, and life begins at conception. From conception to death, every life is invaluable, worth protecting and celebrating. Physical or mental disabilities do not diminish the innate worth and identity of every human being.

We reject any interpretation of Scripture or caricature of God that diminishes his love for the whole of humanity and of his desire for every person to receive salvation.

Christians are united in the essential truths of Scripture. These essential truths relate to the nature of God, the Person and work of Christ, and the doctrine of salvation. Within Christian thought are various views related to secondary doctrines. On these secondary doctrines we extend liberty while maintaining our unity in Christ.

Calvary Tucson, as a church, is primarily committed to the sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ both domestically and internationally. As a church we do not corporately endorse any political candidate or political party. We are committed to equipping Christians to live out their faith both privately and publicly, standing for biblical values and issues, and encouraging them to vote in a manner that is consistent with biblical faith.