Core Beliefs
Calvary Chapel of the Berkshires has been formed as a fellowship of believers in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our supreme desire is to know Christ and to be conformed to His image by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not a denominational church, nor are we opposed to denominations as such, only their over-emphasis of doctrinal differences that have led to the division of the Body of Christ.
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.
WE BELIEVE that all the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice.
WE BELIEVE worship of God should be intelligent. Our services are designed with great emphasis upon teaching the Word of God that He might instruct us how He would be worshiped.
WE BELIEVE worship of God should be inspirational. We give a great place to music in our worship.
WE BELIEVE worship of God is fruitful. We look for His love in our lives as the supreme manifestation that we have truly been worshiping Him.
WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is 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.
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 in 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.
WE BELIEVE that all people are sinners by nature and choice and, therefore, are under condemnation. That God regenerates by the Holy Spirit and that those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In addition, that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit and, in so doing, empowers them for service.
WE BELIEVE in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the Head and all regenerated persons are members.
WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ordinances to the church:
1. Baptism by immersion
2. The Lord’s Supper: Communion open to all believers
WE BELIEVE in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the empowering Spirit for service, subsequent to or simultaneously with, the indwelling Spirit for salvation.
WE BELIEVE in the personal, visible return of Christ to the earth, and the establishment of His kingdom in the resurrection of the body, the final judgement, the eternal blessing of the righteous, and ultimate justice of a righteous God towards the wicked.