Vine Academy Statement of Faith

Bible

We believe the Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is the complete and revealed Word of God, fully inspired by God and without error in the original writings, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice. (John 17:17; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:19-21; Rev 22:18-19).

The Trinity

We believe there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; that they are equal in every divine perfection; and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption (Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 9:14; Genesis 1:26).

God the Father

We believe in God, the Father, an infinite personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, that He saves from sin and spiritual death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (John 3:16-17; John 4:24; John 17:5).

Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ; God’s only begotten Son, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, future return for His Church, and personal visible return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Isaiah 7:14; John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:2-3; 1 John 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 19:11-16).

The Holy Spirit

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 all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide (John 14:26; 16:7-15; Romans 8:14-17; Ephesians 1:13-14).

Man

We believe mankind was created by God. Both male and female were created in the image and likeness of God are equal in dignity, worth , and value before God were given different roles and were originally righteous. Tempted by Satan, however, both Eve and Adam rebelled against God, fell from their state of righteousness, and as a result, plunged both themselves and the whole human race into ruin, sin, and death (physical and spiritual). Man retains God’s image and likeness, although it is marred by sin and death.  We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice. They are, therefore, under the judgment of God and thus have no ability to save themselves from their sins. (Gen 1:26-27; Gen 3:18; Rom 5:12; 15-19; Psa 51:5; Prov 20:9; Rom 3:23; Gal 3:27-28)

Salvation

We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are saved from the penalty of sin, born again unto eternal life by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, and brought into personal fellowship with God. We believe that this salvation is a free gift from God, effected upon the ground of the shed blood of Jesus Christ alone, that it is given by grace and received by faith, and that apart from Jesus Christ, salvation is impossible. All who have trusted Christ for salvation will persevere in faith in Christ until they die or Jesus returns, whichever comes first.  (John 1:12-13; 3:3, 16-17; Acts 4:12; 20:21; Ephesians 2:1-9; Titus 3:5).

Christian Conduct

We believe that Christ-followers should love the Lord God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, and live for the glory of God and the well-being of others; that their conduct should be blameless before the world; that they should be faithful stewards of their possessions; that their goal should be the glory of God and full maturity in the stature of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 5:16; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 2:14-16; Colossians 3:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).

Identity

We believe that human life begins in the womb, and every person has intrinsic value by bearing the image of God.  The differences between male and female reproductive structures are integral to God’s design for self-conception as male or female. Every person is designed by God to work for His glory.  We are given mental, physical, and spiritual gifts to cultivate for the advancement of God’s kingdom in our individual spheres of influence within families, churches, vocational callings, and communities. (Gen 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-16; Jer 1:5; Jer 17:9; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:2-3; Col 3:17)

Marriage

We believe that Marriage was ordained by God at creation to be between one man and one woman until they are parted by death. Further, because marriage provides a picture of Christ’s relationship with His church, we believe that it is contrary to God’s will and Word for a man to have more than one wife, or a woman to have more than one husband at a time, or for a person to wed someone of the same sex. (Gen 1: 26-28; Gen 2:18-25; Mal 2:13-16; Matt 19:4-6; Rom 1: 26-27)

Church

We believe the universal body of Christ is the called-out multitude of believers from every tribe, language group, kindred group, and nation who have been, are, or shall be saved in and by Christ. The earthly expression of the Body of Christ is seen in the local church, which is a community of people who confess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and who, in obedience to Scripture, are organized under qualified leadership, gather for preaching, prayer, worship, observe the Biblical ordinance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  They are called to love God and others, are unified by the Holy Spirit, are disciplined for holiness, and serve others in the name of Christ. This service consists of their bearing witness to the salvation of Christ in their own local community, in word and deed, for God’s glory and their joy.  (Eph 1:22-23; Eph 5:25-27; Rev 19:7-9 Acts 2:42; Heb 10:23-25; Matt 28:19-20; 1 Cor 11:24-26)

The Last Things

We believe that after death, people’s bodies return to dust after death and see corruption. The soul returns to God. We believe that Jesus Christ will return bodily, with power and great glory as He promised, to bring vengeance on His enemies and to establish His eternal kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal blessedness of the saved, and the endless suffering of the lost (Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:1-15).