What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of Calvary Chapel Summerville 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.

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 things.
 (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:8; Isaiah 48:16;
Matthew 28:19-20; John 10:30; Hebrews 1:3)

We believe in the person of God the Father, an infinite, eternal, 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 those who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
 (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2; Psalm 102:27;
John 3:16 and 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17; Titus 1:3)

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments
are the Word of God, fully inspired, without error,
and the infallible rule of faith and practice.
The Word of God is the foundation upon which this church operates and is the basis for which this church is governed.
We believe that the Word of God supersedes any earthly law
that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures.
 (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12;  
1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:3-4; 2 Peter 1:21)

We believe in the person of 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 earth.

(Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:23; Mark 16:19; Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1-2; John 8:58; John 11:25;  1 Corinthians 15:3-4;
1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 1:2; Revelation 1:8)

We believe in the person of the Holy Spirit,
Who came forth from the Father and Son
to convict the world of sin, righteousness,
and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower
for ministry all who believe in Christ.
(Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:18; John 16:8-11;
Romans 8:26; Romans 15:13,16; Hebrews 9:14)

 We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ
and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide.
(John 6:13; John 14:16-17; John 16:8-11; Romans 8:26)

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all biblical gifts of the Spirit according to the instructions given to us in 1 Corinthians 12-14. (1 Corinthians 14)

We believe that all people are sinners by nature and,
therefore, are under condemnation; that God saves and regenerates,
based upon faith by the Holy Spirit,  those who repent of their sins
and confess Jesus Christ as Lord.
(Acts 8:15-17; Ephesians 2:1-3; Ephesians 2:8-9;
Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8; Titus 3:5)

We believe in the universal church, the living spiritual body,
of which Christ is the head and all who are born again
are a part of the body of Christ.
(1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:15-16)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ instituted
two ordinances for the church:
(a) full immersion water baptism of believers,
and (b) the Lord's Supper
(Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ validated the ordinance
of marriage, and that marriage is between
one man and one woman for life.
(Matthew 19:4-5; John 2:1-11)

 We believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ
which is His personal, visible return to earth
and the establishment of His millennial kingdom,
in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment
and eternal blessing of the righteous
and endless separation of the wicked
(Matthew 16:27; Acts 1:11;
Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:11-15)

 We believe in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church where all believers will meet the Lord in the air and be taken out of this world
 prior to the tribulation that will come upon the earth.
(Isaiah 26:20; Matthew 24:29-31; Luke 21:36; Romans 1:18;
Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16;
1 Thessalonians 5:9; 2 Peter 2:7-9; Revelation 3:10;
Revelation 5:7-10; Revelation 7:13-14)

 We believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell
and that all those who place their faith, hope, and trust in Jesus Christ
will spend eternity in Heaven with the Lord, while those
who reject Jesus’ free gift of salvation will
spend eternity separated from the Lord.
(Psalm 9:17; Matthew 5:3; Matthew 5:22;
Matthew 18:9; Matthew 25:31-34; Mark 9:42-49;
Luke 12:5; John 3:18; Hebrews 12:23; 1 Peter 1:4;
Revelation 14:10-11; Revelation 20:11-15).