Spiritual Gifts
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowment of all his spiritual gifts, collectively and individually (Rom. 12:6
; I Cor. 12:11, 18; Eph. 4:7-8), and that all believers are given at least one spiritual gift at the time of salvation (I Cor. 12:7) and this gift(s) is determined by God’s sovereign choice (I Cor. 12:11). We further believe that all spiritual gifts are to be used “for the common good” (I Cor. 12:7) and believers are to value and appreciate the gifts and gifted persons that Jesus has placed into His body (I Cor. 12:12-27). Some spiritual gifts served the purpose of attesting the authority and ministry of the original Apostles (Heb. 2:4) who formed the foundation of the Christian Church (Eph. 2:20) and as such are known as “sign gifts” that authenticated their commission and mission as Apostles. Believing God still does miracles today, all believers are encouraged to daily pray and expect Jesus to be supernaturally involved in their lives, both personally and corporately. Because the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowment of all His spiritual gifts, it is God’s prerogative to make use of any of the spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament (Rom. 12, I Cor. 12-14, Eph. 4, I Pet. 4) at any time according to His good pleasure. However, the ministries of Calvary Bible Church will not practice the so-called “sign gifts” (such as speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, etc.) nor activities (such as public healing services, slaying in the Spirit, etc.), commonly associated with some Christian and/or religious movements.