Calvary UPC - Springfield

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1. We like people and given the opportunity will want to hear your story. The congregation is diverse - including those who love “that old time rock and roll,” former addicts, the religious and irreligious.

2. The way we do church is “fun” rather than boring.

3. Our teaching and preaching is relevant. Real human issues are addressed. Further, Calvary is a thriving congregation that has recently moved into a “new to us” facility at 2850 North Park Avenue. Hundreds of hours and tens of thousands of dollars have been invested in upgrading the facility. Those involved in Children’s Ministry love children and seek to excel. People tend to ask - as they should about the doctrine or teachings of a church.

1. The Bible is God's word.

2. There is One God manifest in numerous ways across time. This One God is the eternal Father, the Son of God in redemption, and the Holy Ghost presently working in our lives. The eternal Father is not denied. Instead, the Father is identified. This one God's name is Jesus Christ. When one receives the Holy Spirit that person receives the spirit of Christ. Our teaching about the "oneness of God" may be misunderstood. We welcome questions from students of the scripture.

3. We teach the necessity of having faith in Jesus as the Christ (Messiah). Throughout the Bible, faith is always expressed with obedience.

4. We observe and teach that in the New Testament, this obedience brought on by faith in Christ, involved repentance from one's sin. Repentance means doing an "about face" regarding one's behavior. Example: a liar who repents begins to tell the truth; a thief who repents stops stealing.

5. It is also noted that in the New Testament, the obedience brought on by faith in Christ, led those who believed to be water-baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. To be baptized is to be immersed in the water, with the name of Jesus being declared over you. Baptism is more than a public display. One's sins are "remitted" when being baptized in Jesus name.

6. We also teach that as happened in the New Testament, the person who repented and was baptized in Jesus name was promised that they would receive the Holy Ghost. Throughout the history of the church found in the New Testament book known as the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit) came into one's life with the evidence of speaking in other tongues (a language one does not know or speak) as the spirit gave expression. The initial evidence of the Holy Spirit coming into one's life was speaking in other tongues as the spirit gave utterance.