What is Calvary Chapel?

Calvary Chapel was started by Chuck Smith and has grown to be a notable group of churches in the United States. What do they believe?

Chapters:
00:00 History
01:51 CCA and CGN Split
05:29 Beliefs
06:20 Ordinances
06:54 Scripture & Creation
08:08 Sin Nature
08:23 Salvation Experience
08:41 Calvinism/Arminianism
10:11 Eternal Security
10:50 Charismatic Movement
11:43 Holy Spirit Baptism
12:42 Initial Evidence Doctrine
13:51 Speaking in Tongues
13:52 Healing & Miracles
16:18 Weaknesses of Charismatic Movement
16:54 Slain in the Spirit/Word of Faith
17:39 Eschatology
18:46 Sexuality
19:20 Divorce & Remarriage
20:00 Abortion
20:22 Worship Style
22:17 Alcohol
23:35 Tithing
24:55 Church Growth
26:43 Church Polity
28:18 Offices & Role of Women
29:03 Colleges, Affiliations, Statistics

[redsiberian]

I grew up at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa and one of the things I always saw Chuck Smith doing was leading by servitude he was always picking up trash, smiling, and spreading love through his relationships. He was a true man of God and a hero in the faith.

[pattihill]

I attended Chuck's first church in Costa Mesa. I traveled from San Clemente at least once a week to attend a bible study taught by him. We sat cross-legged on shag carpeting. I remember my legs, even at 14, cramped from sitting in one position so long. I still study the Bible as Chuck taught it, verse by verse. I'm so very grateful for the love of God's Word I gained from attending Calvary.

[malloryjines]

Husband and I attended Calvary in 1973 when they grew so large, they purchased a plot of land on Sunflower st in Santa Ana. They erected a large circus tent on the spot until they could build the modest church that is still there today. We went to countless Bible studies, church services and “afterglows”. Got married in the church once it was built. Pastor Chuck officiated at our wedding in 1974. Had 2 sons that he dedicated. His method of teaching through the Bible is the basis of my knowledge of the Bible today. He was always kind, with a huge smile on his face. I loved that church and feel it was a base that our lives were built upon.

[BabyFed]

Wow, Calvary Chapel seems to be far more Biblical than I had previously thought. Thank you for the information, brother. Also, I really appreciate Chuck Smith’s love and devotion to the simple preaching and teaching of God’s word in its proper context

[Ken]

My middle daughter still attends. She long ago urged me to listen from Oregon. It opened my heart spirit to return to and serve my Lord and Savior I grew up with. Now at age 80, my heart still grows with the Holy Spirit! God Bless you all! ❤️🙏😎🇺🇸

[davemitchell]

Interestingly, I believed in every one of the "distinctives" before I met Chuck Smith or ever even heard of Calvary Chapel. I had never been comfortable with some of the teachings I was raised with or the denomination I joined when I became an adult. When I discovered CC, I said, "This is incredible! They hit Biblical doctrine right on the head." I shortly began attending a local CC. That was 21 years ago. Today, I am pastor of a small mission congregation associated with CC.

[sharonlee]

This presentation was so good!! I was in a Foursquare church for 32 years, now a Calvary Chapel for the past 5 years. The Lord sure had His perfect plan for me when He moved me out of a longtime comfort zone. I’m sitting under solid biblical teaching—book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. We don’t even pass an offering plate. There are boxes in the foyer if you so choose to contribute—and even during Covid, funds came in like crazy and we retired our church mortgage loan!! God has been blessing obedience to His Word!!! 👍🏼🙏🏼📖

[gerrithoeks]

Well done. :) I'm a young Calvary Chapel pastor and this is the most comprehensive, objective, helpful overview CC I've ever seen. Thank you. I think I will be using this for onboarding staff and leaders.

[whitneygongola]

So thankful for Calvary Chapels and their dedication to teaching God’s word and being led by the Spirit! My father is a Calvary Chapel pastor in Virginia, and my husband is now a pastor of a Calvary Chapel here in Greenville, NC after the Lord called us to move here last year and plant the church. What a journey of faith it has been, and so rewarding to see the hunger for God’s word in this community!

[brettwheeler]

No pomp and circumstance, no game show atmosohere, no pastors on stage who think it's the comedy hour, no name it & claim it garbage, etc. Calvary Chapel is learning and understanding God's Holy Word, plain and simple. I'm always amazed at how many Christians never read or learn the Bible. Come find a home at Calvary Chapel!

[lowes]

I was Saved in 1978 and immediately began attending Calvary Chapel, Brea CA. We held Services in an abandoned XXX theater. The small group was a bunch of committed younger Christians, on fire for the Lord. Through God's Power, we loved one another, accepted everyone and grew in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord. God Blessed the small gathering greatly, and we grew as a Fellowship. We all received our Baptism in the Pacific Ocean on a warm Saturday afternoon. It was always a great time to drive down to Costa Mesa for Pastor Chuck's Sunday night Service. I moved up to Santa Cruz and was married to my wife on Christmas Eve, 1979, by Pastor Johnie Johnston of Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz. My wife passed in 1997, while holding on to Jesus' nail scarred hand. 
43 years later, Jesus is STILL, Lord of all. What wonderful memories. Thanks for the video!

[lilitalia]

Thank you for this video and historical / foundational look at Calvery Chapel. I rededicated my life to Jesus at a local Calvary that I've been attending for the past month. I didn't realize how starved I was for the Word and simple (but no less beautiful) worship. I thank God for all the seeds that had been planted in me over the years. When I made the decision to leave my church and find a new home, only one came to mind: Calvary! So grateful. 🙏

[jeffking]

When I was in prison, I read some of his books.
The thing I found was how he BALANCES many doctrines.
I really like his look at Scriptures.
I have and use his study Bible.
✝️🙏🙂

[chrislem]

I was brought up in a very strick denomination church. At 19 yrs old my boss took me to Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa a 2-1/2 hour drive. The moment I stepped into CC u could feel the love no one was talking to me u could just feel the love people smiling. Then Pastor Chuck came out sitting on the bench chair he didn't even have to say anything he was smiling n he had such a glow about him. That's when I learned about the bible n the Holy Spirit. His smile was so genuine. I have never since a child felt that kind of love going to the church my parents made me go. We had prayer books not bibles. All I know when we get to heaven Jesus is going to have that smile, n will hear welcome home. I will never forget my 1st experience going to CC in Costa Mesa n hear Pastor Chuck speak n teach. To have a pastor where the Holy Spirit is present an experience I will never forget. My local CC I was baptisted in the ocean. I hope n pray that people who listen n read these posts turn their life over to Jesus Christ as their Lord n Savior

[DNS-FRANK]

Im a member of Calvary chapel Oxnard ❤❤❤ love it there

[JohnVanRuiten]

I think that was a pretty good assessment of Calvary Chapel. I've belonged to 3 different ones only because of moving. It's real simple, study God's Word, verse by verse.

[s.d.atkinson]

I studied at Through the Bible radio with J. Vernon Magee for a long time. I enjoyed his book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse method of teaching. When I found Calvary Chapel I knew I was in the right place!
❤🥰🙏😍❤️

[MichaelAMartin]

I have prayed (along with others) that a CC would be established near me and now we have one! It’s about an 11 minutes drive from where I live!

[counselorjay]

This is a very good, unbiased representation of the Calvary Chapel movement. You earned my subscription to your channel. :)

[whatisthetruth]

When I was 19 years old, i've always thought that churches are about money until I attended Calvary Chapel. The emphasis on studying the word of God is more important than anything. After 15 years I'm still attending CC. Praise God for this video.