The Vineyard stands firmly in the center of historical, orthodox Christian teaching. Out of loyalty to Christ and the gospel (good news) we have come to a number of convictions concerning the clear teaching of the Bible. At the same time we have not included in our statement of faith much that can be legitimately debated by orthodox, sincere Christians. We do have boundaries, but our boundaries are broad and inclusive. On the spectrum of Christian churches:

• we are orthodox
  
• we are evangelical
  
• we are empowered evangelicals

Since Jesus loves his whole church we try to maintain an attitude adopted by a Christian leader several hundred years ago:

• in essentials, unity
• in non-essentials, liberty
• in all things, charity

Our Faith "Basics"

THE BIBLE
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is our supreme source of truth for faith and practice, without any mixture or error. The Bible is relational. It is about being successful in life "from God's point of view." It deals with family, feelings, friends, fitness, finances... as well as faith: the major issues of life. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)

GOD
God rules! He is the Creator and King of the universe! He is real! He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are equal, yet one God. Out of God's greatness and sovereignty and love He interacts very personally with us and works miracles in our lives. There is life and hope in Jesus! God has a powerfully good plan for us! (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

JESUS
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. As the God-man, Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin, death, and the devil. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lord. Our lives have great value because of Jesus. He takes care of our past, present, and future. He alone gives us freedom, new life, new hope, new joy - because of his life in us! (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 1-2; 4:14-16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:0-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)

THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He directs and empowers our lives on a daily basis, giving us understanding of spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right. He fills us, operates gifts in us and grows fruit in our lives. There is daily fellowship and interaction with God available through the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 14:16-17; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18; Galatians 5:25)

HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the image of God and to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude of "NO" to God, resisting God, and moving into negative, self-centered living, separates people from God and leads to a self-destructive life. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)

SALVATION
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty and power. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Salvation means to come into "wholeness." It is saying "YES" to God, cooperating with Him and moving into a positive future. Anytime we realize our need for God is a time of salvation! Eternal life, however, begins the moment we receive Jesus Christ into our life by faith. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; 1:12, 16; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)

GRACE
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self- effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. And it is the grace of God that enables us to be "grace-driven" versus "guilt-driven." (John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Romans 8:1)

ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. Jesus Christ will one day personally, visibly appear on earth and bring the eventual consummation of his eternal Kingdom, the final judgment, the eternal blessing of the righteous and the endless suffering of the wicked. (John 3:16; John 2:25; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)