What Makes us Distinct?

"What is it that makes Calvary Chapel different from other Bible-believing, evangelical churches? It's always good to have a grasp of the unique work that God has done in our fellowship...There are many who believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but they don't have a strong emphasis on Biblical teaching, nor do they look to the Word to guide their experiences with the Holy Spirit. There are many who have a strong emphasis on teaching the Word of God, but they don't share the view that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available and valid today. In Calvary Chapel we find the teaching of the Word, and an open heart to the work of the Holy Spirit. It is this balance that makes Calvary Chapel a distinct and uniquely blessed movement of God." (Excerpt from Chuck Smith's Calvary Distinctives.)  

The Call To The Ministry "No man taketh honour unto himself, but he that is called of God..." Heb. 5:4 If there is one characteristic that is absolutely essential for effective ministry, it's that we must first have a sense of calling-the conviction in our hearts that God has chosen and called us to serve Him. The Bible tells us to make our calling and election sure. Are you convinced that God has called you into the ministry? This is very important because ministry is not a profession that we might choose. It's a calling of God. However, it is also true that Christ wants each member of His body to be active, "...the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all." (1 Corinthians 12:7).  

God's Model for The Church "Upon this rock I will build my church..." Matt. 16:18 In Calvary Chapel we look to the book of Acts as the model for the church. We believe that church history, for the most part, has been a sad and tragic story of failure. Many horrible things have been done in the name of Jesus Christ under the banner of the church. So, you can't look at church history for a model for the church. The divine ideal is found in the book of Acts. This was a church that was dynamic. It was a church led by the Holy Spirit and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It was a church that brought the gospel to the world...There were four basic functions of the early church. Acts 2:42 tells us, "And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." The Lord certainly took care of everything for the church in Acts. "And the Lord added to the church daily, such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).  

Church Government "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church," Eph 1:22 We recognize the New Testament doesn't give a clear definitive statement of God's preference for church government. We find three basic forms of church government. Two come from the New Testament, and one from church history. First, the church is ruled by bishops, or overseers, Gr. 'episkopos'. Another form of leadership involved a group of gifted men called the elders, or Gr. 'presbyteros.' A third form comes from church history, known as congregational rule; there is nothing in the Bible about congregational rule. Many churches are divided over the other two options. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Head over the body of the church. It's His church. The church leaders resemble Moses and his supporting leaders, going to God, and then coming to back to God's people with God's will, guidance and blessing.  

Male Spiritual Leadership “And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression,” 1Tim 2:12-15.   We hold to male spiritual leadership at Calvary Chapel Thunder Mountain.  The Pastors and Elders of CCTM are made of up men who have not only demonstrated the gifts and character listed in the Pastoral Epistles concerning elders in the church but have also undergone rigorous teaching and training at CCTM.  Women are prohibited only to “hold spiritual authority” over a man in such an office.  The issue is not value or ability, but order as established by God.  Women hold many vital roles at CCTM, including the leading of ministry teams (in a deacon-like capacity), the teaching of other woman, praying, exercising spiritual gifts etc., as outlined in the scriptures.

Empowered By The Spirit "But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth." Acts 1:8 Another Calvary Chapel distinctive is our position concerning the Holy Spirit. We believe that there is an experience of the empowering of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer that is distinct and separate from the indwelling of the Spirit that takes place at conversion. We acknowledge a three-fold relationship between the Holy Spirit and the believer that is recognized by three Greek prepositions • 'para' (with), 'en' (in), and 'epi' (upon). We also believe that the Holy Spirit provides the power in the life of the believer to give him victory over sin and over the flesh.  

Building The Church God's Way "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." Zech. 4:6 We don't get involved in a lot of spiritual hype. We don't try to motivate people carnally...We are of the belief that if the Lord doesn't build the house, they labor in vain who build it, so all of our hype and pressure aren't really going to do the job. We simply trust in the work of the Holy Spirit, and of Jesus Christ who is building His church as He said He would.  

Grace Upon Grace "For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace..." Hebrews 13:9 Calvary Chapel has a distinctive position on the subject of God's grace. We realize that without the grace of God none of us would have a chance. We need the grace of God in our lives. We need it daily. We experience it, and we're saved by it personally. But we also stand in grace. We believe in the love and grace that seeks to restore the fallen.  

The Priority Of The Word "Till I come, give attendance to the reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." 1 Tim. 4:13 We must be able to say, "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." This can only be done by teaching through the whole Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation. Although topical sermons have their place, they can never substitute a systematic study of the entire Bible, verseby-verse, chapter-by-chapter, and book-by-book. We try to follow the biblical example of Nehemiah 8, where they read from the Word of God, and gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.

The Centrality Of Jesus Christ "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus our Lord..." 2 Cor. 4:5 One of the important characteristics of Calvary Chapel is the centrality of Jesus Christ in our worship. We don't allow any practice or behavior that would distract the people from focusing on Him. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:29, "No flesh shall glory in His presence."  

The Rapture Of The Church "Looking for that blessed hope, and that glorious appearing of the great God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Titus 2:13 The rapture refers to the time when Jesus Christ will come, without warning, and take away His church from this earth. After the rapture, the Lord will pour out His wrath on this sinful world. The Rapture can take place at any time. The Second Coming is a separate event, which does have certain prophetic requirements before it can happen, unlike the Rapture. We believe in the pre-Tribulation Rapture (That the church is caught up to be with the Lord, before the Tribulation) There are no prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled before the Rapture occurs. It could happen today!  

Having Begun In The Spirit "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think that anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit..." 2 Cor. 3:5-6 Calvary Chapel is a work that was begun by the Spirit. Every new and great movement of God is born of the Spirit. When we examine church history and the various great movements of God, we discover they were all born in the Spirit. Yet such moves of God historically seem to move from that birth in the Spirit to ultimately seeking to be perfected in the flesh. This seems to be a continual cycle in the history of the church. Movements that were once alive in the Spirit become dead in ritualism. Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, churches begun in the Spirit, and chided them. "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:3).  

The Supremacy Of Love "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another." John 13:35 Without love all the gifts and powers of the Holy Spirit are meaningless and worthless. 'Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." (1 Corinthians 13: 1)...All our doctrinal orthodoxy and understanding of the Scriptures are of no value without love...God's supreme desire is that we experience His love and then share that love with others.  

Striking The Balance "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim. 2:15 An important characteristic of Calvary Chapel Fellowships is our desire not to divide God's people over non-essential issues. This is not to say that we do not have strong convictions. When the Bible speaks clearly, we must as well. There are some biblical issues that must be addressed with a balanced view: security of the believer vs. 'perseverance of the saints,' sovereignty of God vs. responsibility of man, etc. When the Bible gives two aspects of truth, we should never overemphasize one at the expense of the other.  

Ventures in Faith  "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6 "It's always an exciting thing to give God a chance to work. God wants you to be a part of what He's doing. I have found that the way we discover what God wants to do is to venture out in faith. We need to step out and see what the Lord might do...God has a work that He desires to do, and God is simply looking for people who are in harmony with what He desires in order that He might show Himself strong on their behalf. The key is to discover what it is that God wants to do. I've found that the best way is by just stepping out. Try it and see. Maybe God will work. Maybe God is wanting to work. Let's give Him a chance."

(This summary has been excerpted and adapted from Pastor Chuck Smith's Calvary Distinctives.)