WE BELIEVE that there is only 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.

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WE BELIEVE that the SCRIPTURES of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice.

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WE BELIEVE in GOD THE FATHER, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayers; and that he saves from sin and death all who come to him through Jesus Christ.

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WE BELIEVE in 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, viable return to earth.

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WE BELIEVE in the HOLY SPIRIT, who came forth from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ; we believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher, and Guide. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all Biblical Gifts of the Spirit.

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WE BELIEVE that all PEOPLE are sinners by nature and choice and, therefore, are under condemnation; that God regenerates by the Holy Spirit, Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit and power from service, often subsequent to the regeneration.

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WE BELIEVE in the universal CHURCH, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the Head and all Regenerate persons are members.

 

WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ORDINANCES to the Church: (i) baptism, and (ii) the Lord’s Supper. We believe in baptism by immersion and communion open to all believers.

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WE BELIEVE also in the LAYING OF HANDS for the baptism with the Holy Spirit, for the ordination of pastors, elders, and deacons, and for receiving gifts of the Spirit of healing.

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WE BELIEVE in the personal, visible RETURN OF CHRIST to earth and the establishment of His Kingdom, in the resurrection of the body, the final judgement and eternal blessing of the righteous, and endless suffering of the wicked.

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WE BELIEVE in what is termed “THE APOSTLES’ CREED” as embodying fundamental facts of Christian faith.

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WE BELIEVE that marriage is exclusively the legal union of one genetic male and one genetic female, sanctioned by the state and evidenced by a marriage ceremony. We also believe that legitimate biblical sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage. Hence, sexual activities such as, but not limited to, adultery, fornication, pre-marital sex, incest, polygamy, homosexuality, bisexuality, pedophilia, and bestiality are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the church. Further, lascivious behavior (e.g., creating, viewing, distributing pornography, or any combination thereof, efforts to alter one’s physical gender or gender-related appearance, etc.) is incompatible with a true biblical witness (Genesis 2:24; I Corinthians 5:11; 6:9; 6:18-20; 7:1-3; 7:8-9; Romans 1:18-32).

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We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26-27), and that rejecting one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake all sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). We believe the issues of gender, marriage, and sexuality are complex as they apply to individuals. There are such things as same-sex attraction and gender identity confusion because we exist in a fallen, sinful world in fallen bodies with desires warped by sin. Because every person is created in the image of God and is of inestimable worth in God’s eyes, Calvary Chapel Winchester will minister according to the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone in need of help in working through these issues towards living in and daily exercise of whole- hearted faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:1-2; 1 John 3.7-10, 5:1-4).

 

Due to the vast differences between the view of marriage propounded by the State of California and the clear and consistent teachings of the Bible, Calvary Chapel Winchester will only perform sacramental marriages and will not perform civil marriages, nor will it execute any civil marriage certificates solemnizing any marriage. As common law marriage is not recognized by the State of California, any persons seeking such civil recognition of their marriage may choose to have a civil marriage ceremony performed and the marriage certificate solemnized by such civil marriage provider.