We believe the Bible is the Word of God. We believe the 66 canonical books of the Old and New Testaments were inspired by God. God the Holy Spirit moved in and through the human authors to select the very words and to produce the entire text, while at the same time preserving the individual style of each human author (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21).
We believe the Bible is God’s completed revelation and that the original manuscripts were free from error. The Bible is wholly true, accurate, and trustworthy, and is the supreme and final authority in all matters to which it speaks, whether ethical, moral, behavioral, doctrinal, historical, geographic, or scientific. We believe an accurate understanding of the Bible is arrived at through a literal, historical, grammatical and contextual interpretive process (2 Timothy 3:16-17; I Corinthians 2:1-13).
The Trinity
We believe in one God, creator and sustainer of all things, eternally existing in three distinct persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each is equal in every divine quality and executes distinct but harmonious functions (Matthew 28:19; John 1:1, 14, 18; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4 – 6).
God the Father
We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. In His very essence (Genesis 1:1; John 4:24; First Chronicles 29:10-13), God is self-existent, eternal and unchanging (Jeremiah 23:24; Psalm 90:2; Psalm 119:137). God is all-powerful and all-knowing and His perfect knowledge extends to all things past, present and future (Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 46:9,10; Hebrews 4:13). Although God detests evil, He is longsuffering and compassionate toward sinful people (Psalm 116:5; Ephesians 2:4-7),He concerns Himself in the affairs of men, He hears and answers prayer, and He saves from sin and Hell all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:8-11; John 3:16).
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God’s only eternal Son. God the Son has precisely the same nature, attributes and perfections as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. We believe that He is not only perfect God, but perfect man (John 3:16; John 10:30; 1 John 5:20).
We believe Jesus Christ is one person with two inseparable, yet wholly distinct, complete, natures; one human and one divine. Jesus as a man was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus Christ experienced genuine temptation but did not sin (Luke 1:31, 35; Luke 2:6-7; Mark 1:13).
We believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead in the same, yet glorified body, in which He had lived and died. Upon His ascension, He was received by His Father as the ultimate assurance that His redeeming work was accomplished (Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24:37-39; Acts 1:9). He is presently seated at the right hand of God the Father, where He is engaged in intercession on behalf of His people.
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit and in His distinct personality. He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. His ministry glorifies Jesus Christ and implements Christ’s work of salvation (Acts 5:3,4; John 16:8-10).
We believe the Holy Spirit regenerates (Titus 3), baptizes (1 Corinthians 12:13), seals (Ephesians 1:13), and indwells (1 Corinthians 6:19) all believers, securing them in Christ forever, and empowering them for godly living and service. Spiritual gifts are sovereignly given to all believers for the common good of the church. No gift signifies His baptism or filling, nor does any gift provide authoritative revelation beyond what has already been revealed in the Holy Scriptures (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11).
The evidence of the Holy Spirit’s ministry is demonstrated by the fruit of the Spirit and the building up of the body into Christ-likeness (Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:7; Galatians 5:22-24; Ephesians 4:12-16). Life in the Spirit includes trials and does not guarantee physical health, material wealth or confirming signs. Sign gifts (healings, miracles, tongues and interpretation of tongues) were given for the express purpose of authenticating the apostles as revealers of divine truth, and were not intended to be characteristic of all believers (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 13:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:7-12; Hebrews 2:1-4).
Humanity
We believe God directly created the first man and first woman, Adam and Eve, in His own image and free from sin. God created human beings as immortal, rational, and morally responsible individuals. Humanity has been given the purpose to glorify God, enjoy His fellowship and accomplish His will on earth (Genesis 1:26-31; 2:7; Matthew 19:4).
We believe Adam sinned, and as a result, all people are sinners by nature and choice, and are spiritually dead in their relationship to God. Because sin is rooted in the core of their being, they are totally incapable of being reconciled to God apart from divine grace (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12-21; 3:21-26; Ephesians 2:1-10).
We believe all people stand in need of the Savior, who alone can address their spiritually dead condition. We believe those who repent of sin and trust the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and reconciled to God. We believe genuine saving faith should, and will be, evidenced by a life of faith expressed through obedience to the Word and righteous living, good works and proper social concern (John 14:1-6; Romans 1:16-17; Titus 3:3-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 10:25-37).
We believe that righteous living includes adherence to the establishment of marriage by God (Genesis 2:24,25; Matthew 19:4,5), as a lifelong covenantal relationship between one man and one woman (Romans 7:2). We believe marriage is the only permissible context for intimate sexual expression and is the foundation for the human family (1 Corinthians 7:1-9). We believe in the sanctity of human life (Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13-15), which has value in God’s sight from the beginning, at conception, until death, when our spirit returns to God who gave it (Psalm 51; Ecclesiastes 12:7).
Salvation
We believe salvation is provided wholly by God’s grace and received through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).
We believe God the Father, by His love and grace, was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself by giving His only begotten Son as the sinless, substitutionary sacrifice for sinful humanity. In the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, full payment was made for the sins of the world and God’s perfect justice was satisfied (Colossians 1:19-20; Hebrews 10:12; 1 John 2:1-2; Titus 3:5; Galatians 2:6-8).
We believe personal salvation is received through faith in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ alone, apart from any human merit, deed, or ritual. Upon faith God justifies, regenerates, redeems, forgives, and gives eternal life. God’s faithfulness guarantees the eternal security of all true believers (Romans 8:1; 1 John 5:13; John 6:47; John 10:27-30).
Church
We believe in the New Testament Church, the spiritual body of Christ of which He is the head. We believe the Church began on the Day of Pentecost and is comprised of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit (Colossians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 12:13, 27, Romans 12:4-5, Acts 2).
We believe the Universal Church is expressed in Local Churches whose members have been baptized by immersion upon credible confession of faith and associated themselves for worship, instruction, evangelism, and service. Each believer has equal access to God and the responsibility to offer up sacrifices, including self, praise, and possessions (1 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:2, 1 Peter 2:5).
We believe there are two ordinances for the local church: believer’s baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:19, Acts 19:3-5, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
We believe the Lord's Supper is a memorial to the death of Jesus Christ. The elements of the Lord's Supper are symbols. There is no real presence of Christ in them, nor is grace received through participation (1 Corinthians 11:24-25).
We believe in the autonomy of each local church, while recognizing the value of cooperation and interdependency. The leadership of the church is responsible and accountable first to Jesus Christ as the Chief Shepherd, then to the congregation, as servants, overseeing in love and humility. We believe only biblically qualified men are to serve in the position of pastor. (Romans 15:25-27, 1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-7).
Relationships With Government Agencies
We believe God in His wisdom has ordained human government. God uses government as an instrument for promoting good and punishing evil among those governed. The church is God’s instrument for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, calling people to salvation, expressed through a life of faith and service. The church and State are best served when citizens are free to faithfully “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:15-22; Rom 13:1-7).
Last Things
We believe a person’s eternal destiny is forever sealed by their acceptance or rejection, in this lifetime, of Christ and His work on the cross. Believers will experience eternity in the presence of God in Heaven. Unbelievers will be in Hell, a place of suffering and loss, eternally separated from the presence of God (Luke 16:19-31; John 3:16; John 14:1-3; Matthew 10:28).We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ in the air for His Church, and in the pre-millennial coming of Jesus Christ to the earth with His saints to establish His kingdom on earth. After this, Christ will establish his eternal kingdom, where believers will live with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:1-2; Revelation 21:1-4).
Calvary Baptist Church is part of the Southwestern Conservative Baptist Association. You can find out more about SWCBA at http://www.southwestcba.com
Our Pastor
Ken Demeter, Senior Pastor, brings a wealth of experience to the position of senior pastor. He has degrees from Azusa Pacific University and Talbot Theological Seminary. Pastor Ken has experience with youth, families, counseling, discipleship, and missions. His Biblical and practical sermons provide the inspiration for spiritual growth, family strength, and Christ centered worship. Pastor Demeter resides in Wickenburg, AZ, with his lovely wife Lori and their two teenage boys.
A note from 1970, on our church history...
On October 1, 1961, a new Baptist Church was begun under the leadership of Rev. Bert Follmar. Services were held in the American Legion Hall, and the first Sunday there were 22 people present.
Our first Wednesday prayer service met on July 11, 1962, at the home of Mr. & Mrs. W.D. Simpson. These were blessed times and we saw many miraculous answers to our prayers.
On May 6, 1962, an organizational meeting was held in the Legion Hall following a fine potluck dinner. At this meeting the church officially received the name of Calvary Baptist Church of Wickenburg. Rev. Bert Follmar was asked to continue as Pastor. Application was made to affiliate with the Arizona Baptist Convention and the C.B. of America. The first church officers were elected. Board of Deacons elected were Dick Savage, Jim Mickelson, Emil Barentine and W.B. Thomas. Church clerk Florence Thompson, Treasurer Katherine Barentine, Trustees Willis Estes, R. Shannon, Paul Carter, and W.D. Simpson. Dr. C.I. Tucker brought a challenging message to the new church.
In September of 1962 land was purchased from Dr. Brailliar for a church building. On October 19, 1962, Calvary Baptist Church became incorporated. The incorporators were Emil Barentine and W.D. Simpson.
Our first missionary speaker was the Rev. R. Phillips of Hong Kong.
Baptisms were held in various places such as the First Baptist Church of Glendale, Youngtown and the Flying E Ranch.
On Sunday afternoon, July 24, 1963, a potluck dinner and business meeting were held and Bert Follmar was called to pastor full time beginning September 1963. July 25th he resigned his teaching position and that same afternoon left on vacation in Canada. Bert and his wife Marjorie moved to Wickenburg in August to begin full time duties.
We had many blessed days in the Legion hall and many humorous incidents, such as cleaning the Legion hall early Sunday morning and placing pans in the areas where the rain came through the roof. At times the juke box in the bar at the other end of the Legion hall became so loud we had to sing louder and our special speaker of this particular Sunday had to speak louder. Incidentally the speaker was Dr. Moffitt.
The Women’s Missionary Society organized on September 26, 1963, and have been very active working for our missionary families both home and abroad.
The planning committee of February 2, 1964, was dissolved and reinstated in June to form the building committee, consisting of Ted DeVries, H. Anderson, Dolph and Elzbeth Simpson, Vern Sien, Ed and Faith Krieble.
On October 11, 1964, a ground breaking ceremony was held and Al Barber and Dr. C.I. Tucker participated.
The big brass bell which you hear ringing out telling you it is time for services was donated to us by the Santa Fe Railway.
We will all remember the first wedding held in the church. The builders were not quite through and the ladies were trying to clean up and prepare for this occasion in which Mac Nixon and Sherri Shannon were to be wed in January, 1965.
The dedication held on February 28, 1965, was a big day for those who had engaged in this venture of faith. The building was dedicated to the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, beginning at Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria then to the uttermost part of the earth; for conversion of lost sinners and for the edification of the Saints. Dr. Claude Moffitt was guest speaker and Mr. V. Goodwin was soloist. Special recognition was given to Dolph Simpson and Vernon Sien, the contractors who gave of themselves in this labor of love, and to the members and friends for their many labors, prayers and gifts.
On September the 6th of the year 1970, the mortgage on the church building was burned.
We thank the Lord for His goodness to us, for His faithfulness to us and the many blessings which he has bestowed upon this people. This year has been one of spiritual reviving among our people. Many souls have been saved, baptized and many have rededicated their lives to the Lord. The Lord has blessed in giving talented leadership in all areas of the church. There has been such growth that additional space had to be rented for Sunday school rooms.
We are trusting that in the days that lie ahead that the Lord will continue to pour out His blessings upon this church and the congregation will continue to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ken Demeter, Senior Pastor, brings a wealth of experience to the position of senior pastor. He has degrees from Azusa Pacific University and Talbot Theological Seminary. Pastor Ken has experience with youth, families, counseling, discipleship, and missions. His Biblical and practical sermons provide the inspiration for spiritual growth, family strength, and Christ centered worship. Pastor Demeter resides in Wickenburg, AZ, with his lovely wife Lori and their two teenage boys.
