The early church was remarkably successful in spreading the good news about Jesus Christ. At Calvary Chapel Cumberland we model ourselves after the description of the early church described in Act 2:42:

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

The Apostle’s Doctrine - This is the teaching of God’s Word, the Holy Bible. At Calvary Chapel Cumberland, we teach the Bible verse by verse and chapter by chapter. The scriptures have not changed in the past 2000+ years and are just as relevant today as they were then.

Fellowship – This is the knowledge that all believers in Jesus Christ share in each other's lives. It’s more than simply attending a social function or weekly services. It’s about building relationships which are grounded in the love of Jesus Christ. All believers have Christ in common.

Breaking of Bread – This is the principle of taking communion both individually and as a corporate body as a reminder of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Prayer – This is our direct personal communication with God through His son Jesus Christ. Prayer is the time we spend praising God, petitioning God, and interceding for others to God.

As we abide in the Love of Jesus Christ, follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and instill the above concepts in the people of Calvary Chapel Cumberland, we expect to see the believers enjoying an abundant life in Christ while being prepared for the work for which the Lord has set each one of us apart.

At Calvary Chapel Cumberland, we believe the Apostles were given a mission by our Lord Jesus Christ and that mission still applies today: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Calvary Chapel Cumberland has been formed as a fellowship of believers in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our supreme desire is to know Christ and be conformed to His image by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not a denominational church, nor are we opposed to denominations as such, only to their overemphasis of the doctrinal differences that have led to the division of the body of Christ. It is the policy of this church to give preeminence to preaching the gospel, to studying the Word of God, and to exalting the Lord Jesus Christ.

Statement of Faith – Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct

The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Calvary Chapel of Cumberland’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Pastor and Board of Directors are Calvary Chapel Cumberland’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.

1. We believe in what is termed "The Apostles' Creed" as embodying all the fundamental doctrines of orthodox evangelical Christianity. 

2. We believe there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all. 

3. We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love; 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.

4. We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings; His substitutionary atoning death; bodily resurrection; ascension into heaven; perpetual intercession for His people; and personal, visible return to earth. We believe that He is one and the same as God. He was fully human and fully God. 

5. We believe in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower in ministry all who believe in Christ. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher, and Guide. We believe that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit and power for service, either at the time of, or subsequent to, regeneration, which is a separate work from the indwelling Spirit for salvation. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all biblical gifts of the Spirit as reflected through the fruit of that same Spirit.

6. We believe that the Bible clearly delineates that spiritual gifts are for the edification of the body and that they are to be exercised in love. We believe that love is more important than the most spectacular gifts, and without love, all exercise of spiritual gifts is worthless. In our services, we focus on a personal relationship with God through worship, prayer, and the teaching of the Word of God. We do not practice speaking in tongues during worship or while a Bible study is in progress because we do not believe that the Holy Spirit would interrupt Himself. God is not the author of confusion. These gifts are allowed to be manifested in a biblical fashion during more intimate settings, e.g., prayer services and small groups where their benefit can accomplish the purpose for which they have been given - the edification of the body of Christ.

7. We believe that all the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, and that they are the infallible rule of faith and practice.

8. We await the pre-tribulation rapture of the church, and we believe in the literal Second Coming of Christ with His saints to rule the earth, which will be personal and visible. This motivates us to holy living, heartfelt worship, committed service, diligent study of God's Word, regular fellowship, participation in adult baptism by immersion and Holy Communion.

9. We believe in the universal Church, in the living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members.

10. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ordinances to the Church: 1) baptism, and 2) the Lord's Supper. We believe in baptism by immersion and communion, both of which are open to all believers in Jesus Christ. 

11. We believe in the laying on of hands for the sending out of pastors and missionaries, and in conjunction with the anointing of oil by the elders for the healing of the sick. 

12. We believe the only true basis of Christian fellowship is Christ's (agape) love, which is greater than differences we possess, and without which we have no right to claim ourselves Christians.

13. We believe worship of God should be spiritual; therefore, we remain flexible and yielded to the leading of the Holy Spirit to direct our worship. 

14. We believe worship of God should be inspirational; therefore, we give great place to music in our worship.

15. We believe worship of God should be intelligent; therefore, our services are designed with great emphasis upon the teaching of the Word of God that He might instruct us on how He should be worshiped. We seek to teach the Word of God in such a way that its message can be applied to the individual's life, leading that person to a greater maturity in Christ. We teach both expositionally and topically. 

16. We believe worship of God should be fruitful; therefore, we look for His love in our lives as the supreme manifestation that we have been truly worshiping Him. 

17. We believe that the church government should be simplistic rather than a complex bureaucracy, and we depend on the Holy Spirit to lead, rather than on fleshly promotion.

18. We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Genesis 1:26-27) Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

19. We believe the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Genesis 2:18-25)

20. We believe God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4)

21. We believe God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.

22. We believe any form of sexual immorality (including: adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and the use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

23. We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Calvary Chapel Cumberland.

24. We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Calvary Chapel Cumberland as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the Calvary Chapel Cumberland members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Calvary Chapel Cumberland in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22)