Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
 
Philippians 3:12-14

Calvary Chapel of Waupaca

Statement of Faith, Character, Belief and Ordinances


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; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; Hebrews 9:14)


We believe that the scriptures, the 66 books 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. The Word of God is the foundation upon which this church operates and is the basis for which this church is governed. We believe that the Word of God supersedes any earthly law that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures and we establish our doctrine and Statement of Faith from the Word of God. (Isaiah 28:13; Nehemiah 8:8; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:21)


We believe in the person of 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 prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all those who come to Him through Jesus Christ. (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalms 90:2; Psalms 102:27; John 4:24; 1 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; John 8:58; John 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 1:2; 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. (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:18; John 16:8-11; Romans 15:13,16; 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 14:16-17, 16:8-11)


We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all Biblical gifts of the Spirit decently and in order. We believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Scriptures, and that they are valid for today if they are exercised within the Scriptural guidelines. We believe that love is more important than the most spectacular gifts, and without this love all exercise of spiritual gifts is worthless. (1 Corinthians 12,13,14)


We believe that all people are sinners by nature and, therefore, are under condemnation; that God regenerates by the Holy Spirit based upon faith in Christ Jesus, those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. (Acts 8:15-17; Titus 3:5)

We believe in both the sovereignty of God and mankind’s free will/choice. Therefore we resist the extreme positions of hyper-Calvinism and/or hyper-Arminianism. We feel that both try to force a conclusion that disregards a Biblical balance. The believer in Christ is both secure in his faith and responsible to live a life of faith. (John 10:28-29, Romans 8:38-39; John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, 1 Peter 1:14-16)


We believe in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the head and all who are born again are members. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:15-16)


We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ordinances to the church: (a) Full immersion water baptism of believers, and (b) the Lord's Supper. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)


We believe in the laying on of hands for the ordination of pastors, elders, and deacons. (1 Timothy 4:14)


We believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ at the end of the seven year tribulation period 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 suffering of the wicked. We reject the teaching of "amillenialism" which spiritualizes Scripture and denies the literal 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth as described in Revelation chapter 20. (Matthew 16:27; Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-16, 20: 11-15)


We believe that death seals the eternal destiny of each person. For all mankind, there will be a resurrection of the body into the spiritual world, and a judgment that will determine the fate of each individual. Unbelievers will be separated from God into condemnation. God's judgment will reveal His justice in consigning them to perpetual, eternal retribution for their own rejection of God. Believers will be received into eternal communion with God and will be rewarded for works done in this life. (Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:11-15, 1 Corinthians 3:9-15, 2 Corinthians 5:9-11)


We believe in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell and that all those who place their faith, hope and trust in Jesus Christ will spend eternity in Heaven with the Lord, while those who reject Jesus’ free gift of salvation will spend eternity separated from the Lord. (Matthew 5:3, 25:31-34; Hebrews 12:23; 1 Peter 1:4; Psalm 9:17; Matthew 5:22, 18:9; Luke 12:5)


We believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church where all believers will meet the Lord in the air and be taken out of this world prior to the Tribulation that will come upon the earth. (Matthew 24:29-31; Luke 21:36; Romans 1:18, 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 2 Peter 2:7-9; Revelation 5:7-10, 7:13-14)


We believe in Pastoral leadership as the truest Biblical pattern for church government. Therefore, the Board of Directors, under the leadership of the Senior Pastor, is primarily responsible for direction and decision making.


We believe that those who hold positions within the church that would cause them to be in an authoritative role over men must be adult males. Therefore the Pastors, elders, and ministry leaders of Calvary Chapel of Waupaca must be adult men. This does not mean that women are of lesser value to the church or of lesser intelligence or ability. It is simply a response of obedience to the Scriptures and necessary to keep order in the church. (1 Timothy 2:12-13, 1 Timothy 3:1ff, Titus 1:5-6, 1 Corinthians 14:32-33, 1 Corinthians 14:40)


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, transgenderism, bisexuality, cross dressing, pedophilia and bestiality are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the Church. Further, lascivious behavior, the creation, viewing and/or distribution of pornography and efforts to alter one’s physical gender or gender related appearance are 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)


We believe in the 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 so as 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 (I Corinthians 6:9-11; I Timothy 1:9-11). Accordingly, this ministry will not perform any marriage ceremonies between two individuals who are knowingly involved in any of the above mentioned sins. This ministry will not condone or recognize such same-sex marriages, civil unions, or domestic partnerships even if the state passes laws that provide for recognition of such unions. In compliance with the Scriptures as presented in the Holy Bible, and by the leading of the Holy Spirit, the Pastors and Board of Directors of Calvary Chapel of Waupaca reserve the right to refrain from participation in any public or private ceremonies (such as weddings, civil unions, funerals, internments, etc.) that are determined to be outside of the constraints of our statement of faith, character, beliefs and ordinances. This includes hosting, officiating, sanctioning, or using the building, grounds, or personal property of Calvary Chapel of Waupaca for such events. The final determination in each case will be made by the Pastoral leadership and the Board of Directors of Calvary Chapel of Waupaca.


We believe the worship of God should be spiritual, therefore we remain flexible so the Holy Spirit may direct our worship. We believe worship of God should be inspirational, therefore we give a great place to music in our worship. We believe the worship of God should be intelligent, therefore in our services we emphasize Bible teaching so God may instruct us how He would be worshiped. We believe worship of God is fruitful, therefore we look for His love in our lives as the greatest evidence that we are truly worshiping Him.


We reject: 


The belief that true Christians can be demon possessed.


"5-point Calvinism" (i.e., a fatalistic Calvinistic view that leaves no room for free will; specifically, we reject the belief that Jesus' atonement was limited, instead we believe that He died for all people, and we reject the assertion that God's wooing grace cannot be resisted or that He has elected some people to go to hell; instead we believe that anyone who wills to come to Christ may do so)


We reject the teaching of "amillenialism" which spiritualizes Scripture and denies the literal 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth as described in Revelation chapter 20.


"Positive confession" (the “Word of Faith Movement” belief that God can be commanded to heal or work miracles according to man's will)


Human prophecy that supersedes the Scripture. 


The incorporation of humanistic and secular psychology and philosophy into Biblical teaching. 


The over-emphasis of spiritual gifts, experiential signs and wonders to the exclusion of Biblical teaching.


All forms of Eastern Mysticism including contemplative prayer, Lectio Divina, yoga, any attempt to use mantras or other gimmicks to empty your mind to hear the voice of God.


Any theology that attempts to replace Israel with the church, or transfer the promises given specifically to Israel to the church. We believe that Israel is God’s chosen nation and that the promises given to Israel by God are everlasting. We believe that God is not through with Israel and that He will again work with them nationally after the church age has ended.