We are REFORMED in our faith and practice according to the Scriptures as summarized during the 16th Century Protestant Reformation in the Three Forms of Unity, which include: the Belgic Confession (1561), the Heidelberg Catechism (1563) and the Canons of Dort (1619).  We believe that we come into a saving relationship with God only because of His gracious work in our hearts; therefore He deserves our praise in every area of life.

We are a CHURCH belonging to the one holy, universal and apostolic Church instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ for the ministry of the Word (preaching of the Law and the Gospel), the ministry of the Sacraments (Baptism and the Lord’s Supper) and the shepherding of God’s people by pastors and elders.  As a historic Christian Church, we believe and profess the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.

We chose CALVARY as our name because the centrality of this place in terms of the person and work of Jesus Christ.  It was on the cross at Calvary that Jesus Christ cried out in agony, bled, died, and endured the wrath of God against the sins of his people.  Jesus cried out on the cross, “It is finished!”   There is nothing for the people of God to do to add to or take away from the work of the word of Jesus Christ.  The church is to proclaim the gospel which is the good news about what Jesus Christ has done.  Jesus Christ alone bore the penalty of God’s wrath against his people while on the cross, and thus, those who believe in him are forgiven of all their sins: past, present, and future.

In addition, Jesus Christ perfectly and perpetually obeyed the Law of God throughout his entire life on earth.  This righteousness (Christ’s obedience) is imputed to the Christian by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.  God imputes (credits, reckons) Jesus’ righteousness to the Christian as if they had been perfectly obedient all their lives.  In other words, the Christian is not only forgiven but declared holy and righteous by God in union with Jesus Christ.

Certainly, the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, three days after Calvary, is seminal for the life of the Christian and for the historic reality of our salvation.  God raised Jesus from the dead, vindicating him as the suffering-righteous servant/Son who conquered sin, Satan, and death (our three great enemies).  The physical resurrection of Jesus Christ is also a surety for the resurrection of the body of all Christians when Jesus returns.  This reality offers unspeakable comfort, solace and hope for Christians as we continue to pilgrim in this sin-cursed world.

We use the word Calvary as a short-hand for everything that Jesus Christ did and is doing to secure salvation for his people.  Jesus does not merely provide a way of salvation, but the Holy Trinity actually saves a people for their own treasured possession.

We are recipients of grace from beginning to end in terms of our salvation and seek to demonstrate ourselves as grateful children of the king.  We worship God and in gratitude, we love and serve one another in light of who we are in Christ.  Christ accomplished redemption for his people and the Holy Spirit applies that redemption to his people through Word and Sacrament.

This reality of salvation in Christ alone is summarized pastorally and beautifully in the first question of our catechism.  We include it here for your reflection.  (Heidelberg Catechsim Q&A #1).