• Calvary Chapel, Calvary Distinctives

    Posted on June 18th, 2010

    Written by B.P.U Contributor

    Tags

    The Calvary Chapel Distinctives: Chapter 1

    The Calvary Chapel Distinctives: Chapter 1

    When I went to college I had a very difficult time because when the professors found out I was a Christian, they would start bringing up issues of church history that I was all too familiar with. My only response was, “Look, don’t judge Christianity by the imperfect examples that we have seen in history. Judge it by Jesus Christ. Let’s go back to what He said and what He taught. He taught, ‘blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.’ Do you have a problem with that? He taught that we should love one another. Do you have a problem with that? He taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Do you have a problem with that?” When you talk about the basic teachings of Jesus, even skeptics have to confess that they don’t have a problem. What they do have is a problem with people who have claimed to be Christians and the things they have done in the name of Christ.

  • Calvary Chapel, Calvary Distinctives

    Posted on June 17th, 2010

    Written by B.P.U Contributor

    Tags

    The Calvary Chapel Distinctives: The Call to Ministry

    The Calvary Chapel Distinctives: The Call to Ministry

    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. How do we know we are called? The ministry to the called is not an option, it’s a necessity. As Paul expressed it, “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (I Corinthians 9:16). Jeremiah decided that he wasn’t going to speak anymore because it got him into so much trouble. He was thrown in jail and had his life threatened. So he decided, “Hey, I’m through. I’m out of here, man.” And he said, “I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” (Jeremiah 20:9). It takes that kind of calling because the ministry is not all glamour. There are extremely difficult times. As Peter wrote, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” (I Peter 4:12). We need to understand that even if God has called you to the ministry, that calling is going to be subject to extreme testing. How certain are you that you have been called by God to serve Him?

  • Calvary Chapel, Calvary Distinctives

    Posted on June 16th, 2010

    Written by B.P.U Contributor

    Tags

    The Calvary Chapel Distinctives: Preface

    The Calvary Chapel Distinctives: Preface

    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. If Calvary Chapel is exactly like the church across the street it would be better to simply merge the two. But, if there are distinctives that make us different, then we have a unique and special place in the plan of God. Certainly there are churches that share many of our beliefs and practices. We’re not renegades. But God has done a wonderful work of balance in the Calvary Chapel movement that does make us different in many areas.