Calvary Baptist Church
A "Body of Christ" Fellowship:
Calvary
Baptist Church is designed to work in
harmony with its Bible School and its Missionary Fellowship. We
believe that in this Church Age, our Lord Jesus Christ has chosen the
Local-Church as His primary vehicle of expression to a lost and dying
world. Every local church should consider itself a “lighthouse” to guide
lost souls into safe harbor. One early Revivalist referred to the local
church as a “soul saving station for every nation.” Surely, this is the
first and foremost vision and purpose for the local church.
The
local church is also to serve as our Lord’s “Base and
Center of Operations” for His many-membered Body (the Church), and to provide a
safe and nurturing environment for the flock of God as a secure and “well
guarded sheepfold,” under the watchful care and oversight of a dedicated and
able shepherd, working in conjunction with others within the Five-Fold Ministry
Offices.
This
is our Lord’s Divine plan and design (without
exception) for every Kindred, Tongue, People, and Nation! Local church
structure and order is not a religious nuance reserved for the Western
world. Perhaps the greatest and most faithful examples of the local
church in recent times are to be found in the persecuted, underground church,
existing in oppressive and hostile nations.
We refer
to Calvary
Baptist Church,
as a "Body of
Christ" Fellowship, because: “… [We are] set for the defense of the
gospel…” (Philippians 1:17);
which is (“…the Faith
once delivered unto the saints…” – Jude 3); as established by our Lord Jesus
Christ and His Apostles. As such, it is a place, welcoming all true
members of Christ’s Body, regardless of National origin, or Denominational
Affiliation. It is a place conducive to the moving and working of the
Holy Spirit, the operation of His Gifts and Ministries, and the nurturing and
development of those individuals called and anointed for the exercising
thereof.
Our
Church-structure and government is based upon the
Apostles’ Doctrine, set- forth in the Gospels, and in the Acts of the Apostles;
beginning with the teachings of our Lord, finalized in Acts Chapter One, after
His Resurrection as the “Risen, Glorified Lord;” and the “Chief-Cornerstone,”
then onward through the Apostle Peter’s grand sermon (Acts Chapter Two),
setting in place that colossal Foundation-Stone of Acts 2:38. From thence
we build upon the Apostolic Pattern, especially as reflected in the Church at Antioch (Acts 11:20-30; 13:1-4; 15:30-35;
Galatians 2:11-13), and the Apostolic writings, which
established the Doctrinal Foundations for Christian Faith and Practice.
A local-church
is intended to be a “spiritual family,” and
as such is called to undergird, strengthen, and nurture the spiritual
development and growth of nuclear families within its domain; with truth and
integrity; providing comfort, healing/restoration, deliverance, instruction,
fellowship, and community to everyone within its sphere of fellowship.
It must provide religious teaching and training for children and youth (as
well as for adults) via a Sunday School department, catechism, and Bible
classes, seminars, conferences, etc.
We also
believe Christian Fellowship (with a
family-expression of Church and Community) to be very important for the healthy
growth and development of one’s Faith and Christian experience. In view
of this fact, Calvary Baptist Church embraces a vision
for a family oriented center in union with its Bible Institute, which
will offer such programs for those in the Fellowship.
An account
was told years ago by a young man who had been
running from the call of God. In a night vision, he saw himself driving
at a high speed, desperately trying to outrun a huge tornado which was gaining
momentum behind him. When all seemed hopeless, he came upon an old
country church with many cars parked around. He came to a screeching
halt, sprang from the car, and ran inside where he found one vacant seat,
remaining. He was told, “We have been waiting for you. This is your
seat. Here nothing can harm you! Here you will be safe!”
Thank God for the safety and refuge of the local church!
A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never
failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal
ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work
us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed
with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving
would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to
them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
