what we believe
This Statement of Faith outlines our core beliefs about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the authority and role of the Bible in guiding Calvary Knoxville on our mission to remain “Grounded, Growing, and Going” as a church family.
Our beliefs are rooted in the word of god.
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About god
There is one living and true God. He exists eternally in three persons…God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, who are equal in power and glory. God created everything from nothing by speaking creation into existence.
about the bible
We believe the Bible is God’s inspired word and specific revelation to mankind. It is the greatest love story ever told and the most extraordinary rescue mission in human history. We believe the Word of God is perfect and infallible, and it is the foundation on which Calvary Chapel Knoxville operates and is governed. We also believe that the word of God supersedes any earthly law contrary to the scriptures.
about the holy spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is a person who is an equal third of the triune Godhead. He is present on earth right now, convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit indwells the believer in salvation and empowers the believer for service. He also gives spiritual gifts to whom He wills, when He wills. We believe that initial, physical evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is one’s love for others. We believe that the spiritual gifts are all active in the body of Christ today but must be used according to God’s word, in balance and order.
about mankind
We believe that mankind is inherently sinful, and all have fallen short of God’s standard of perfection (Romans 3:23). Despite hard work, charitable deeds, or morality, we cannot save ourselves. All have sinned, but we believe we are made new creations in Christ.
about jesus
Like God the Father and God the Spirit, we believe that Jesus is an equal third of the triune Godhead. He exists eternally, having no beginning and no end. All things were created through Him, for Him, and by Him. He was born to a virgin in a feeding trough, lived a sinless life, and died a sinner’s death for all of mankind. After willingly giving up His life, three days later He rose from the dead, overcoming sin and death. He then ascended into Heaven, preparing a place for believers to live forever. We wait in eager anticipation of the day He will return, first to get His church and then seven years later to judge the world and defeat Satan once and for all.
about the church
We believe there is only one church, led by Jesus. The church exists to know, love, and glorify God, and to make Him known to the world. In the church, Jesus appoints apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors/teachers to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. The church, or body of Christ, is commanded to meet weekly for Bible study, fellowship, communion, and prayers. The church is also commanded to make disciples worldwide, baptizing them and teaching them to obey the entire counsel of God.
about human life
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Psalm 139)
About gender
We believe God is the Creator of all creation. God created mankind, and each individual uniquely as male or female. We believe He designed man and woman differently to complement and complete each other.
about marriage
Having created mankind uniquely and individually as either male or female, we believe God instituted monogamous marriage between a man and a woman as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. Marriage is exclusively the legal union of one genetic male and one genetic female, sanctioned by the state and evidenced by a marriage ceremony. Accordingly, this ministry will not perform or allow to be performed upon its property, ceremonies between same-sex individuals, or any other that falls outside of the previously stated definition of marriage. This ministry will not condone or recognize such same-sex marriages, civil unions, or domestic partnerships. Nor will it condone or acknowledge any other union that falls outside the above definition for marriage. This will remain true even if the state or federal legislators pass laws that provide for recognition of such unions.
about sexual relations
We believe legitimate and biblical sexual relations are exercised exclusively within marriage between one genetic male and one genetic female. All sexual activities that fall outside of the parameters of marriage as previously defined are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the church. Many are unnatural, and all are sinful and unacceptable to God.
These include but are not limited to adultery, fornication, pre-marital sex, incest, polygamy, homosexuality, transgenderism, bi-sexuality, transvestism, pedophilia, polyamory, and bestiality. In addition, lascivious behavior and the creation, viewing, and/or distribution of pornography are incompatible with a true biblical witness, as are efforts to alter one’s physical gender or gender-related appearance. (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; John 4:16-18; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9-11, 18-20; 7:1-3, 8-9; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:3-7; 1 Timothy 1:9-11)
