The first Calvary Chapel began in the late 1960's as a
small non-denominational church of 25 members pastored by
Chuck Smith. As we head into a new century, Calvary Chapel
of Costa Mesa is home to some 30,000 believers, The Word
for Today publishes Bible study books and tapes all over
the world, KWVE broadcasts God's Word to all of Southern
California, and Calvary Chapel's Bible College provides
Bible education to thousands at its home campus in
Murrietta, California and at over 20 extension campuses
world wide.
Because of its size and influence, many Christians have
asked exactly what Calvary Chapel believes, what are its
distinctives, what sets it apart from other Christian
groups. At Calvary Chapel, we have always been hesitant to
try and answer those questions, not because we are unsure
of our beliefs, but because we are cautious to avoid
division within the Body of Christ. After all, what really
matters is what we have in common as Christians: the
"essential" doctrines of the infallibility of God's Word,
the virgin birth of Christ, His sinless life, death for our
sins, bodily resurrection. ascension to glory, and personal
return to rule the earth. These are the essence of
Christianity, and agreed upon by virtually all born again
believers.
When we move away from the essential doctrines to those
that are less essential we risk setting barriers up in the
church, something we at Calvary Chapel have no desire to
do. Still, Calvary Chapel is distinct from denominational
churches and other Protestant groups and people want to
know what those distinctions are.
It is not our purpose to cause division or discord in the
Body of Christ, conversely, we long for unity among God's
people of all persuasions, and we allow for a great deal of
flexibility even within our own ranks. Calvary Chapel
pastors are not clones who all believe exactly the same
thing. Still, there are distinctives that make Calvary
Chapel unique and which define our mission.