1. The Scriptures Inspired. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the infallible rule of faith and conduct, and is superior to conscience and reason, but not contrary to reason.
(2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Heb. 4:12).

2. The One True Godhead. The Triune Godhead is comprised of three (3) separate and distinct personalities, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, who are eternally self-existent, self-revealed and function as one entity. Jesus Christ, who is God manifested in the flesh, is the second member of the Godhead, coequal and coeternal with The Father and The Holy Spirit.
(Genesis 1:26; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7).

3. The Fall of Man. Man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let us make man in Our Image, after Our likeness”. But, man, by voluntary transgression, fell and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ the Son of God
(Genesis 1:26-31, 3:17; Romans 5:12-21).

4. The Way of Salvation.
(a) Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. On the cross Jesus Christ became sin and sickness providing both salvation and divine healing for all mankind (Psalm 103:3). Therefore, we have been justified freely by His Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 10:810).

(b) Regeneration. The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation, is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. “And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another,just as He commanded us” (1 Cor. 6:9-10; 1 John 3:23).

(c) Justification. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and not by human works; however, our works will determine the rewards we will receive in eternity (Romans 10:91 and II Cor. 5:10).

5. Baptism in Water. The ordinance of baptism by immersion should be observed as commanded in the Scriptures by all who have repented and, in their hearts, have truly believed on Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they declare to the world that they have died to their old of life and through the symbol of burial through water baptism show that they have also been raised with Him to walk with Christ in newness of life. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:47, 48; Romans 6:4).

6. The Lord’s Supper. The ordinance of Holy Communion is a remembrance of the sacrifice and suffering of our Savior when He gave His life at Calvary. We celebrate the remembrance of His sacrifice for our sins monthly and as often as the Lord shall require. “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: [24] And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. [25] After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. [26] For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” (1 Cor. 11:24 – 28).

7. The Promise of the Father. All believers are entitled to, and should ardently expect and earnestly seek, the promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and Fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church. With it comes the endowment of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:48; 1 Cor. 12:131). The full consummation of the Baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the manifestation of spiritual power in public testimony and service (Acts 2:4; 10:4446; 19:2, 6; 1:8).

8. The Church. The church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in Heaven (Ephesians 1:22; 2:1922; Hebrews 12:23).

9. Sanctity of Marriage. Marriage is ordained of God and is a spiritual union in which a man and a woman are joined by God to live together as one (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:7). Because of the divine character of marriage, it is a lifelong commitment with the only clear biblical allowance for divorce being fornication (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). Sexual involvement, either before marriage or with someone other than the marriage partner, is strictly forbidden in Scripture (Exodus 20:14; 1 Corinthians 6:15-18). Understanding the sanctity of marriage, partners should strive to maintain a happy, harmonious and holy relationship. Should divorce occur, the church should be quick to provide love, understanding and counsel to those involved. The remarriage of divorced persons should be undertaken only after a thorough understanding of and submission to the scriptural instructions concerning this issue ( Matthew 19:7-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; Romans 7:2, 3; 1 Corinthians 7:2, 10, 11). Should a Christian desire to remain single, this decision should be respected and should be seen as a viable scriptural alternative (1 Corinthians 7:8, 32-34).

10. Being Good Citizens. As Christians we are members of the kingdom of God as well as a social order of this world. Obedience to God requires us to act in a responsible manner as citizens of our country (Mark 12:13-17; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). Therefore, we should support civil law and order; hold our leaders in respect and pray for them; participate in school, community and governmental activities; exercise our voting rights; and speak out on clear-cut moral issues. God’s law is supreme, but we are to obey the laws ofour country insofar as they are not in conflict with obedience to God (Acts 5:29). When it becomes necessary to disagree with practices and requirements of government, we should do so out of a concern for the promotion of righteousness and not out of delight in discord and controversy. As a Body of Believers at Big Calvary Baptist Church, we will act and practice our beliefs in accordance with the tenets of faith and doctrine found here, including in use of Church property. Any use of Church grounds or other property which would contradict or not be in keeping with the tenets of faith and doctrine found in these Articles of Belief is prohibited.

11. Total Prosperity.
(a) Spiritual. John 3:3, 11; II Cor. 5:1721; Romans 10:910.
(b) Mental. II Tim. 1:7; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3.
(c) Physical. Isaiah 53:4, 5; Matt. 8:17; I Peter 2:24.
(d) Financial. Ill John 1:2; Malachi 3:1011; Luke 6:38; II Cor. 9:610; Deut. 28:114.
(e) Social. Proverbs 3:4.

12. The Pre-millennial Second Coming of Christ. Jesus is coming again to gather all His Saints to Heaven (I Cor. 15:5152; I Thess. 4:1617; and II Thess. 2:1).

13. The Lake of Fire. Those who have not accepted the redemptive work of Jesus Christ will suffer eternal separation from the Godhead. The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. This is the second death, the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20; 20:1015).

14. The Millennial Reign of Jesus. The return of our Lord Jesus Christ with His Saints from Heaven to rule and reign for one thousand years on earth as the Scriptures promised ( Romans 11: 25, 27; 2 Thess. 1:7; Rev. 19:1116; 20:17}. After this, there shall be a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21}.