These are the Articles of Faith for Calvary Baptist Church of Windsor Locks, CT. 

These articles are historically rooted in, derived from,

and in essential agreement with the New Hampshire Confession of Faith.

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Section 1. | Doctrine of the Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any mixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man, the true center of Christian union and supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried.

We believe we have the completed revelation to man in the sixty-six books of the Bible as it now stands and that anyone who adds or takes away from this completed revelation is cursed of God.

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• By the “Holy Bible” we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written does not only contain and convey the Word of God, but is the very Word of God.

• By “Inspiration” we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired.

 

(II Timothy 3:16,17; II Peter 1:19-21; Acts 28:25; Psalm 119:89,105,130,160; Luke 24:25-27; John 17:17; Luke 24:44,45; Proverbs 30:5,6; Romans 3:4; I Peter 1:23; Revelation 22:18,19; John 12:48; Isaiah 8:20; Ephesians 6:17; Romans 15:4; Luke 16:31; Psalm 19:7-11; John 5:39,45-47)

 

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Section 2. | Doctrine of God

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is YAHWEH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love;  that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

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God the Father:

We believe that God the Father is Father only to those who receive Jesus Christ as Saviour: that He is perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, and measureless in power: that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer: that He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent: and that He is the object of our worship and praise.

(Psalm 65:2; Psalm 139:1-24; Matthew 5:45; Psalm 147:5; Matthew 6:24-34; John 14:6; I Timothy 2:5).

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God the Son:

We believe that God the Son is the Creator and Sustainer of all creation: that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary: that He is God manifest in the flesh, very God and very man: that He was sent by the father for the purpose of being the perfect sinless sacrifice, for the sins of mankind: that He died in our stead, was buried and rose bodily, personally, and visibly again the third day according to the Scriptures gaining victory over death for us: that He is the object of our faith: that He is the only way to the Father: that He will reign as King of Kings literally on earth for 1000 years: and that He will judge evil works of darkness at the end of time. (Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1,14; John 3:13-17; John 14:16; Acts 16:31; I Corinthians 15:1-4, 55-57; Colossians 1:16, 17; I Timothy 2:5; I Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; Hebrews 4:14-16; Revelation 20:4-6, 11-15).

 

God the Holy Spirit:

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, equal with the Father and Son and of the same nature; that He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment; that He bears witness to the Truth; that He is the agent of the New Birth; that He baptizes all true believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sanctifying all of them unto the day of redemption; that He endues, guides, teaches and helps believers; and that it is the privilege and obligation of all the saved to be filled (controlled) with the Spirit, the evidences being love, joy, peace long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Speaking in tongues is not such an evidence. In relation to the evil world, He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled. (Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; 5:18; John 3:5-7; 14:16,17,26; 16:7-15; Galatians 5:2-23; I Peter 1:22-23; II Thessalonians 2:1-12).

 

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Section 3. | Doctrine of the Virgin Birth

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of a woman, and that He is both the Son of God and God, the Son. (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:34; John 1:14; Psalm 2:7; Galatians 4:4; I John 5:20; I Corinthians 15:47).

 

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Section 4. | Doctrine of Creation

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s own image and after his own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through indeterminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly, and God’s established law was that they should bring forth only “after their kind.” We believe in a literal 24-hour day in which God chose to create the heavens and all that is in the earth including man in six 24-hour days. Upon the seventh 24-hour day He rested. (Genesis 1:1,11,24,26,27; 2:21-23; Exodus 20:11; Acts 14:15; 17:23-26; Colossians 1:13-17; Hebrews 11:3; John 1:3; Revelation 10:6; Romans 1:20; Jeremiah 10:12; Nehemiah 9:6).

 

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Section 5. | Doctrine of the Fall of Man

We believe that man, in the person of the first Adam, was created in innocence, but by voluntary transgression fell into sin, thus plunging the whole race into condemnation and death: so that now all mankind is born in sin and shapen in iniquity and become willful sinners with the first expression of personal choice; and so are without excuse before God. (Genesis 3; Romans 5:10-19).

 

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Section 6. | Doctrine of Salvation

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature (being 100% God and 100% man), yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is every way qualified to be suitable, a compassionate and all-sufficient Saviour. (Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24; Matthew 18:11; John 3:15; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:14; I John 4:10; Romans 3:25; Isaiah 53:4-7; I Corinthians 15:3; John 10:18; Philippians 2:8; II Corinthians 5:21; II Peter 3:18; Galatians 1:4; I Peter 2:24; I Corinthians 15:20; Hebrews 12:2; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:2).

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Justification:

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us. (Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11; Zechariah 13:1; Romans 1:17; Romans 4:1-8; Romans 5:1,9; Romans 8:1; Titus 3:5-7; Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).

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Freeness of Salvation:

We believe in God’s electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involved him in an aggravated condemnation. (I Thessalonians 1:4; Colossians 3:12; I Peter 1:2; Titus 1:1; Romans 8:29,30; Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17; Romans 10:13; John 6:37; John 3:15,16,18, 36; John 5:40; Isaiah 55:6,7; Acts 2:38; I Timothy 1:15; I Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5).

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Grace in the New Creation:

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again, that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process, that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God, that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with the divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. We believe in the eternal security of the believer in Christ. (John 3:3; II Corinthians 5:17; I John 5:1; Acts 2:41; Acts 17:30-33; John 3:6,7; John 10:27-29; Philippians 1:6; Luke 5:27,28; II Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 5:9; Colossians 2:13; John 3:8; John 1:12,13; II Corinthians 5:19; Galatians 5:22,23.)

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Repentance and Faith:

We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with genuine contrition, heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King and confess and rely on Him alone as our only and all-sufficient Saviour. (Acts 37,38; Acts 20:21; Mark 1:15; Isaiah 55:6,7; Luke 12:8; Luke 18:13; Romans 10:9-11,13; Psalm 51:1-4,7).

 

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Section 7. | Doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints

We believe that only real believers endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark, which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation. (Psalm 121:3; Matthew 6:30; Matthew 13:19-21; John 8:31,32; John 10:28,29; John 16:8; Romans 8:23,35-39; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 1:21,23; Hebrews 1:14; I Peter 1:5; I John 2:19).

 

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Section 8. | Doctrine of Separation

We believe that we are mandated by God in the Scriptures to separate ourselves unto Christ and, as much as is possible, from any participation in or endorsement of sin: from ecclesiastical organizations and religious personalities that deny the faith or compromise its message; from brethren that walk disorderly or who unrepentantly continue in sin or engage in the compromise aforementioned. Believers are not to enter marriage, partnerships, or other bonds with unbelievers, which create an unequal yoke. We, therefore, urge every member of Calvary Baptist Church to abstain from every questionable thing, keeping himself/herself from even the appearance of evil in religion, dress, conversation, amusement, business, habit, etc., according to the teachings of God’s Word. (Romans 12:1-2; 14:13; II Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 4:1-32; 5:8-11; Philippians 2:12-16; II Timothy 3:1-5; Titus 3:1-11; James 4:4; I John 2:15,16; II John 9-11; II Thessalonians 2:15, 3:6-15).

 

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Section 9. | Doctrine of Marriage

We believe in the sanctity of marriage, that it is an institution ordained of God, a relationship between one man and one woman, Divinely intentioned to be severed only by death. (Genesis 2:20-25; Mark 10:9; Romans 7:2,3; Ephesians 5:22,23).

 

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Section 10. | Doctrine of Civil Government

We believe that civil government is a divine appointment, for the interests, and good order of human society, that magistrates are to be prayed for conscientiously, honored and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is the only Lord of the conscience and the coming Prince of the Kings of the Earth. We believe in the separation of church and state and in religious liberty for all men. (Ezekiel 18:21,22; II Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 72:11; Daniel 3:17,18; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 22:21; Matthew 23:10; Acts 4:19, 20; Acts 5:29; Acts 23:5; Romans 13:7; Philippians 2:10,11; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13,14,17; Revelation 10:6).

 

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Section 11. | Doctrine of the Church

We believe that the church exists in two aspects:

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Organism:

We believe that the church as an organism is the body of the bride of Christ, His fullness, composed of all the redeemed. We believe that Christ gave Himself for the church; that He is its only true head.(I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:20-23; 3:3-11; Colossians 1:18).

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Organization:

We believe that the establishment and continuation of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament. We believe that the church as an organization is an assembly of baptized believers, voluntarily associated by covenant in faith for fellowship, worship and service; that its mission is the spread of the gospel to all men and to earnestly contend for the faith. We believe that its officers are pastors and deacons whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scripture. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government free from the interference of an hierarchy of individuals or organization, religious or governmental; and that its only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is Scriptural for the furtherance of the gospel; and that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and methods of its cooperation. On all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 14:27; I Corinthians 3:9-17; 6:4,5; 7:17; 11:16; 16:19; II Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:2 I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11; Revelation 2:1-3:22).

 

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Section 12. | Doctrine of Church Ordinances

We believe that there are two Christian ordinances and that they are symbolical, not sacramental: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

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Baptism: We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that it sets forth in picture the essential facts in redemption – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe that it gives testimony to what has taken place in the heart of the believer – death to sin and resurrection to walk in newness of life. Baptism after salvation is an act of obedience and is a prerequisite for local church membership and to the Lord’s Supper. (Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:4; Acts 2:41; 8:12, 26-39).

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Lord’s Supper: We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of the Lord’s death to be observed till He comes; that the elements – the bread and the fruit of the vine – are only symbols of His broken body and shed blood, and that our observance of it is a pictorial testimony of the believer’s fellowship with the Crucified Saviour and should be preceded by solemn heart-searching and self-judgment. In order to maintain the purity of this ordinance, the pastors will faithfully seek to determine that only those who are biblically qualified are admitted to the Table. (Matthew 26:26-30; I Corinthians 10:16-21; 11:17-34).

 

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Section 13. | Doctrine of Stewardship

We believe that stewardship is the active recognition of the Lordship of Christ over all believers, and that it is our joyous privilege to give back to the Lord our tithes and offerings of money, our talents, and time. (Malachi 3:10; Genesis 28:22; I Corinthians 4:1,2; 16:1-3; II Corinthians 8:2-9).

 

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Section 14. | Doctrine of the Lord’s Day

We believe the scriptures teach that the first day of the week, Sunday, is the Lord’s Day and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes by the devout observance of the day. (Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:1,2; Hebrews 10:25).

 

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Section 15. | Doctrine of Spirit Beings

We believe that angels and demons are spirit beings. Angels were created as heavenly hosts, but some through choice are now the hosts of Satan and dishonor and will share in his ultimate doom. The angels of heaven, ministering spirits, are sinless and pure and are forever seeking to praise God in their ministries for Him and His people. Their ministries, ranks, and orders differ, and their strength, appearance, travel, etc. are not bound by natural human laws. They are immortal and do not marry. Their abode is in heaven. (Matthew 18:10; 22:30; Mark 5:2; 8:38; Colossians 1:16; I Thessalonians 4:16; Hebrews 1:14; Jude 6,9).

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Section 16. | Doctrine of Satan

We believe in the personality of Satan and that he was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world. We hold him to be man’s great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power behind the present apostasy; the lord of the antichrist, and the author of all the powers of darkness– destined however, to final defeat at the hands of God’s Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Revelation 12:9; Jude 6; II Peter 2:4; Ephesians 2:2; John 14:30; I Thessalonians 3:5; Matthew 4:1-11; I Peter 5:8; Zechariah 3:1; I John 3:8; Matthew 13:25,37-39; Luke 22:3,4; Revelation 12:10; Revelation 13:13,14; Revelation 19:11-16,20; Revelation 20:10; Revelation 12:7-9; Revelation 20:1-3; II Thessalonians 2:8-11; Matthew 25:41).

 

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Section 17. | Doctrine of Future Events

We believe in the premillennial return of Jesus Christ; that He will come before the seven year tribulation period to catch away His church, coming only into the air; and that He will come with His church at the close of the tribulation to judge the living nations and to set up His kingdom on earth. We believe in a literal 1000 year reign of Christ here on earth. (Matthew 28:6,7; Luke 24:2,4-6,39; John 20:27; I Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9,11; Hebrew 8:1,6. Hebrews 12:2; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 5:9,10; I Timothy 2:5; I John 2:1; John 14:3; I Thessalonians 4:16,17; I Corinthians 15:42-44,51-53; Philippians 3:20,21; James 5:8; Matthew 24:27,42; Matthew 25:13; Psalm 72:8; Isaiah 9:6,7; Isaiah 11:4,5; Isaiah 32:1; Luke 1:32; I Corinthians 14:25; Revelation 20:1-4,6; Revelation 3:21).

 

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Section 18. | Doctrine of the Righteous and the Wicked

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, and in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.

(Malachi 2:18; Genesis 18:23; Romans 6:17,18; Proverbs 11:31; I Peter 4:18; Romans 1:17; I Corinthians 15:22; Acts 10:34,35; I John 2:29; I John 3:7; Romans 6:16; I John 5:19; Galatians 3:10; Romans 7:6; Romans 6:23; Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matthew 25:34,41; Matthew 7:13,14; John 8:21; I John 2:15; Luke 9:26).