What is Calvary Chapel?
That’s a question we are frequently asked. Calvary Chapel is not a denomination. It’s an association of churches worldwide where the Bible is taught chapter-by-chapter and verse-by-verse.
About God
We believe 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.
We believe in the person of God the Father, an infinite, eternal, 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.
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, substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal, visible return to earth.
We believe in the person of the Holy Spirit, who was sent by 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. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide. We believe that all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available for the believer, and that they are to be exercised decently and in order.
About the Bible
We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error and the infallible rule of faith and practice. The Word of God is the foundation upon which this church operates and is the basis by which this church is governed.
We believe that the Word of God supersedes any earthly laws that are contrary to the Holy Scriptures.
About Salvation
We believe that all people are sinners by nature and are, therefore, condemned. However, God saves and regenerates those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord.
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.
Baptism
Here at Calvary Chapel Greer, we believe that water baptism is a clear picture of what Jesus has done for us, illustrating Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
We believe that you Identify with Jesus’ death as you walk into the water, saying that you are now dying to the old life of sin. Identify with Jesus’ burial as you go down into the water, saying that the old You with your worldly passions and desires is dead; But, you don’t stay dead, you come out of the water to- Identify with Jesus’ resurrection! You are saying that you are now going to live and walk in newness of life. You are no longer dominated by sin’s power but have total confidence in the Holy Spirit’s power to give you victory over sin & to fulfill your calling!
At Calvary Chapel Greer we believe that baptism is not necessary for salvation. We believe salvation comes ONLY through Jesus, by His grace through faith in Him. Baptism is simply taking the next step in your faith and fulfilling the example first set by Jesus. Following His example, you are being obedient by publicly acknowledging and declaring the decision you have made to follow Christ!
3 foundational things that we as a Calvary Chapel affiliate Church believe the scriptures teach regarding baptism:
Believers Baptism
We believe the scriptures teach “Believers Baptism.” As you study the book of Acts you find that each person who was baptized chose to be baptized after deciding to be saved by receiving forgiveness of their sins through faith in Jesus. For this reason, we don’t practice infant baptism or children who can’t yet give a simple explanation of their saving faith in Jesus.
Identification with Christ
We don’t believe the scriptures teach “Baptismal Regeneration.” Which is a theological term that means a person is only saved once they’ve been baptized. The Bible teaches that the forgiveness of sins comes through confession of sin & faith in Jesus.
- Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.”
- Ephesians 2:8-9 also states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Full Immersion
We believe the scriptures teach “Full Immersion” as the method for baptism. We’re not dogmatic about this and we don’t want anyone to feel insecure if your “Believers baptism” was performed in another manner. However, we believe that the Bible teaches baptism as highly symbolic, and without full immersion the visual symbolism loses some of its meaning.
CCG Baptism Sermon video links:
Learn More
The original Calvary Chapel was established in the late 1960’s when Chuck Smith opened the church doors to local surfers, hippies, and other non-conventional groups of individuals to hear the Word of God taught and to have their lives radically changed through the redeeming power of Jesus and His finished work on the cross. Since that time, Calvary Chapel has grown to include over 1500 churches in the USA alone, with hundreds more scattered throughout the world. In addition, Bible colleges, radio stations, and online programming are used to spread the message of hope through Jesus.
Calvary Chapel Greer began when Randy and Keli Lucero followed the Lord’s leading to move from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to upstate South Carolina to plant a new Calvary Chapel here. You might be thinking, “Why another church when there are already so many established churches in this area?” It’s true that the upstate has an ample supply of churches of all sizes, denominations, and styles. But Calvary Chapel’s chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse approach to Bible teaching is unique and effective. Apparently, God saw a need for this approach here in our area!
CCG’s first service in June of 2006 was held in a picnic shelter at Lake Robinson. From there, we moved to a coffee house and then to the Greer Opry House before acquiring our own building on New Woodruff Road in Greer. By 2014 we were outgrowing that facility, and the Lord graciously opened a door for us to purchase and renovate our current facility on Brushy Creek Road.
