We Believe...

We Believe…

The Bible is God’s trust-

worthy message for all

people.

Jesus is the only way of

salvation.

Everyone in the world

needs to hear God’s

story.

These simple statements identify the three core beliefs we hold at Calvary. There are many other truths we hold tightly to, however we believe these three are the most

crucial.

Calvary’s doctrinal statement can be obtained by contacting the church office.

The Bible is God’s trustworthy message

for all people

The Bible tells God’s story beginning with

The creation of the world.The creation of the world.The creation of the world.The creation of the world. The Bible explains that suffering is a result of

Humanity’s rejection of Humanity’s rejection of Humanity’s rejection of Humanity’s rejection of God.God.God.God.

The Bible explains God’s plan to

Restore his brokenRestore his brokenRestore his brokenRestore his broken relationship with humans.relationship with humans.relationship with humans.relationship with humans.

The Bible is:The Bible is:The Bible is:The Bible is:

66 books written by several different authors over a period of a few thousand years. The most well-preserved and well-read book in the history of the world. An accurate record of the history of the Jewish people. Several true accounts of the life of Jesus Christ. A collection of letters written by Jesus’ closest friends to those who had become followers of Jesus.

Simple Keys forSimple Keys forSimple Keys forSimple Keys for Studying the BibleStudying the BibleStudying the BibleStudying the Bible

1. Set aside a regular time to read.1. Set aside a regular time to read.1. Set aside a regular time to read.1. Set aside a regular time to read.

2. Ask God to help you understand His 2. Ask God to help you understand His 2. Ask God to help you understand His 2. Ask God to help you understand His

Word.Word.Word.Word.

3. Keep a journal. Write down the 3. Keep a journal. Write down the 3. Keep a journal. Write down the 3. Keep a journal. Write down the

things that stick in your mind.things that stick in your mind.things that stick in your mind.things that stick in your mind.

4. Let yourself be changed.4. Let yourself be changed.4. Let yourself be changed.4. Let yourself be changed.

• Humans were created with the ability to

experience ideal relationships with God

and with each other.

• Our choices to reject God’s “way of life”

severs our relationship with Him, deeply

wounds our relationships with each other,

and causes us to forfeit our “right” to live

in God’s creation.

• God came to earth in the person Jesus. He

lived a full life as a man, yet never sinned.

At the end of his life he was wrongly ac-

cused, condemned and sentenced to die.

• Being without sin, Jesus was the only per-

son to ever die an undeserved death.

• Because he was a man, Jesus’ death was

efficient as a substitute for those deserving

death. Because he was God, his death was

sufficient to restore all creation to relation-

ship with God.

Jesus is the only way of salvation.

Jesus said about himself:Jesus said about himself:Jesus said about himself:Jesus said about himself:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

“He who believes in me, believes not in me but in Him who sent me.” (John 12:44)

You can only be restored to

relationship with God by:

Accepting Jesus’ sacrificial

death as a substitute for

your deserved judgment.

Accepting Jesus’ sinless life

as a substitute for your

sinful life.

Everyone in the world needs to hear God’s message

• Jesus was the perfect representative

of God on earth. (Heb.1:3)

• We can understand God’s message

by understanding Jesus’ message.

Jesus message included

two crucial elements:

Relieving Suffering

Redeeming Sin

Relieving Suffering:

God loves humanity, and it hurts Him when we suffer. The mission of those who represent God to the world is to relieve suffering whenever possible.

“Then the King will say to the people on his right,

‘Come, my Father has given you his blessing. Receive

the kingdom God has prepared for you since the world

was made. I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was

thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was alone

and away from home, and you invited me into your

house. I was without clothes, and you gave me some-

thing to wear. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in

prison, and you visited me.’

“Then the good people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we

see you hungry and give you food, or thirsty and give

you something to drink? When did we see you alone and

away from home and invite you into our house? When

did we see you without clothes and give you something

to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and care

for you?’

“Then the King will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, any-

thing you did for even the least of my people here, you

also did for me.’ (Matthew 25:34-40)

Redeeming Sin:

God is passionate about restoring the broken relationship between Himself and His creation. He has entrusted us to share the good news that His Son has made restoration possible.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All power in heaven

and on earth is given to me. So go and make followers

of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of

the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them

to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be

with you always, even until the end of this

age.” (Matthew 28:19,20)

So... What Now?So... What Now?So... What Now?So... What Now? Who is Jesus to you? Is he a really good guy that lived a long time ago and said and did interesting things? Is he a mystical figure in history that you don’t really understand, but want to know more about? Is he your only hope in life and death?

What is your life’s mission? Are you out to get as much as possible, as quickly as possible, so you can be secure as possible? Are you enjoying life, having fun, doing “whatever feels good?” Are you seeking to follow Jesus’ example by relieving suffering and redeeming sin?

How Can I Learn More?

• Partner with a LIFEGroup The best environment to “learn” about

Christianity is within a group. Learning with

others helps promote follow-up activity.

“Head knowledge” is great, but if it isn’t lived

out, it is meaningless. James 1 says, “Do not

merely listen to the Word and so deceive your-

selves. Do what it says.” Learning about God

in a community will help you take action on

the things you are learning.

• Commit to attending Celebration

Gatherings Every Sunday, the Calvary family

comes together to celebrate our new life in

Christ. Each of these celebration gatherings

features a time of teaching from the Bible.

Committing to attend these weekly gatherings

will quickly help you develop your Christian

faith.

What is Your Next Step?What is Your Next Step?What is Your Next Step?What is Your Next Step?

Launch your Journey by attending

Link-Up

Partner with a LIFEGroup

Use your gifts to Serve others

Assume Christ’s mission and Engage the world around you