WE BELIEVE that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error in the original autographs/documents and the infallible rule of faith and practice. The Word of God is the foundation upon which the church operates and is governed. We believe that the Word of God supersedes any earthly law that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures (Isaiah 28:13; Nehemiah 8:8; John 17:17; II Timothy 3:16- 17; Hebrews 4:12; I Peter 1:23-25; II Peter 1:3-4, 21)
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, 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, kindness, 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, 102:27; John 3:16, 4:24; I Timothy 1:17; Titus 1:3)
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, 8:58,11:25; I Corinthians 15:34; I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:8; I John1:2; 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 (John 16:8-11; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:26, 15:13,16; II Corinthians 3:18; 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 16:13, 14:16-17, 16:8-11; Romans 8:26).
WE BELIEVE that all people are sinners by nature and choice, falling short of God’s standard and breaking His commandments – and therefore are under God’s righteous judgment. Yet, God saves and gives new life and power to all who come to Him in repentance and faith, trusting in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. This salvation is not based upon works but the grace of God. At the cross, Jesus Christ died in our place as our substitute, absorbing God’s wrath that should have come upon us. Because Jesus died for the sins of the world the invitation to believe is open to all, and whoever desires may come unto Jesus for new life and the forgiveness of sins. Apart from receiving this grace through faith in Jesus Christ no person can be saved. (Matthew 11:28; John 3:16; Acts 3:19, 20:21; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-3, 8-9; I John 2:2; Revelation 22:17)
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, 20:11-15; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 John 2:28)
Heaven & Hell are Literal Places
WE BELIEVE in a literal Heaven and literal Hell. Those whom place their faith, hope and trust in Jesus Christ will spend eternity in Heaven with the Lord. Hell is a literal place of eternal suffering prepared for Satan and the demons AND is the consequential destination of those who do not place their personal faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. (Matthew 10:28, 25:41, 25:46; Hebrews 9:27; John 14:2; Mark 9:42-29; Matthew 6:19-20; 2 Peter 2:4-9; Philippians 3:20; Psalm 9:17; Revelation 21:7-8)
WE BELIEVE Scripture affirms God’s sovereignty in electing those who are saved as well as mankind’s moral responsibility to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our conviction is that both are biblical components in the work of salvation and we do not subscribe to any theological systems that would emphasize one at the exclusion of the other. (John 1:12-13; John 3:16; John 5:40; John 6:29; John 6:65; Ephesians 1:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2)
Prosperity Theology is in Error
WE BELIEVE that God is sovereign and does heal and bless those whom He wills. Malachi 3:10, Psalm 34:8-10, Philippians 4:19, John 9:2-3, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 However, God cannot be commanded, coerced, nor otherwise convinced to heal, manifest material wealth, or work miracles according to man’s will, a practice commonly referred to as “positive confession” or as “prosperity theology.” (Isaiah 46:10; Daniel 4:35; John 19:11; 2 Corinthians 12:7-11; James 4:12)
WE BELIEVE that the Bible clearly communicates that spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit to whom He wills, when He wills, for the glory of God and for the edification of the body. While there can be no additions to the canon of Scripture, obediently and lovingly exercising the gifts brings God honor and glory. As God is a God of order, we further believe the gifts are alive, active, and to be exercised in an orderly manner. (1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13; 1 Corinthians 14:12; 1 Corinthians 14:26-40)
WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit for power and service, either at the time of or subsequent to regeneration, and that this is a separate work from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for salvation. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all biblical gifts of the Spirit as reflected through the fruit of that same Spirit. (Luke 24:49; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 8:14-17; Acts 10:44-47; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Galatians 5:22-23)
WE BELIEVE the only true basis of Christian fellowship is Christ’s (agape) love, which is greater than differences we possess, and without which we have no right to claim ourselves Christians. We further believe that Christ loves us too much to leave us the way we are and by His love, through the power of the Holy Spirit, He transforms us by the renewing of our minds. (John 13:34; John 17:25-26; 1 John 2:8; 1 John 4:7; Romans 12:1-2)
WE BELIEVE that baptism by full immersion in water is the next step in the Christian walk after a person has decided to follow Jesus Christ. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It is the opportunity to publicly identify ourselves with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:36-38; Acts 10:47-48)
WE BELIEVE in the Biblical account of creation and God as the Creator. We believe that God created man and that He created them male and female. As such, He created them different to complement and complete each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. For this reason, homosexuality, and all other “sexual preferences” or “orientations” are unnatural, sinful, and unacceptable to God. Accordingly, this ministry will not perform any marriage ceremonies between individuals of the same sex. Further, this ministry will not condone nor recognize such same-sex marriages, civil unions, or domestic partnerships even if the state and/or federal government passes laws that provide for recognition of such unions. (Genesis 1:27-28, 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Hebrews 13:4; Proverbs 6:32; Ephesians 5:21-33, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 7:2; Malachi 2:15; Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:18-32)
WE BELIEVE that marriage is exclusively the legal union of one genetic male an one genetic female and is evidenced by a marriage ceremony. We also believe that legitimate biblical sexual relations are exercised solely within the bounds of a Biblical marriage. Hence, sexual activities such as, but not limited to, adultery, fornications, pre-marital sex, incest, polygamy, homosexuality, transgenderism, bisexuality, cross-dressing, pedophilia, and bestiality are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and therefore, Calvary Chapel Aiken. Further, lascivious behavior, the creation, viewing, and/or distribution of pornography and the efforts to alter one’s physical gender, or gender related appearance, are incompatible with a true Biblical witness. (Genesis 1:27-28, 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Hebrews 13:4; Proverbs 6:32; Ephesians 5:21-33, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 7:2; Malachi 2:15; Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:18-32)