OUR MISSION & VISION
Calvary Baptist of Hollister
… is a FRIENDLY church. You will enjoy the hearty welcome, the friendly atmosphere, and the sincere interest shown in you.
… is a BIBLE-BELIEVING church. We preach the Word of God in its entirety, firmly holding the historic truths of the Bible which are fundamental to sound doctrine .
… is a FELLOWSHIPPING church.We desire to build strong Christ-centered relationships. There are many avenues for you to build safe and healthy friendships.
…is a GROWING church.We are evangelistic in doctrine and we have a strong emphasis on outreach.
… is a MISSIONARY-minded church. We support a vibrant missions program, and are reaching many areas of the world with the grace of Jesus Christ.
… is a BAPTIST church. We believe and teach that Baptist distinctives are edifying for church life and practice.
What We Believe
This fellowship receives the Scriptures as the inspired Word of God and as the sole authority in matters of faith and practice. Its understanding of Christian truth as therein contained is expressed by the following declaration of faith:
1. We believe that the Bible is God’s Word, that it was written by men divinely inspired, and that it is the supreme infallible authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
2. We believe in God the Father, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, and measureless in power. We rejoice 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 who come to him through Jesus Christ.
3. We believe in Jesus Christ, that He is the eternal and only begotten Son of God, conceived of the Holy Spirit, of virgin birth, sinless in his life, making atonement for the sins of the world by His death. We believe in His bodily resurrection, His ascension, and visible pre-millennial return to the world according to his promise.
4. We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from God to convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment and to regenerate, sanctify and comfort those who believe in Jesus Christ.
5. We believe that all men by nature and by choice are sinners, but that “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” We believe therefore, that those who accept Christ as Lord and Savior will rejoice for ever in God’s presence, and those who refuse to accept Christ as Lord and Savior will be forever separated from God in an eternal Hell.
6. We believe in the church- a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and of which all regenerated people are members. We believe that a local church is a company of believers in Jesus Christ, immersed on a credible confession of faith and associated for worship, work, and fellowship. We believe that these local churches were committed for perpetual observance, the ordinance of baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, and that God has laid upon these churches the task of proclaiming to a lost world the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and the enthroning of Him as Lord and Master. We believe that all human betterment and social improvements are the inevitable by-products of such a gospel.
7. We believe that every human being is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and autonomous and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; and therefore Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other.
Covenant
As a bond of unity among us this church accepts for its members the following covenant:
Having been led by the Holy Spirit to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and on profession of our faith in Him, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We promise that we will watch over and counsel one another in the spirit of brotherly love, that we will remember one another in our prayers, and that we wilt aid each other in sickness and distress.
We further agree, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to give it a sacred pre-eminence over all institutions of human origin; and to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
We further covenant to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to live carefully in this present world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive, anger; to abstain from everything that will cause our brother to stumble or that will bring reproach upon the cause of Christ; and* to strive to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, that amidst evil and good report we will humbly and earnestly seek to live to the honor and glory of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.