Statement of Faith
The Bible
We believe the Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old Testament 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; Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:18-19).
The Trinity
We believe in the one true and living God, who exists eternally in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. While equal in every divine perfection, they execute distinct yet harmonious roles in the works of creation, providence, and redemption. (Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 9:14; Genesis 1:26).
Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. We affirm His sinless life, miracles, and teachings, as well as His substitutionary death and bodily resurrection. Following His ascension into heaven, He continues His perpetual intercession for His people and will return for His Church before His final, 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 proceeds from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. His work is to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. As an abiding helper, teacher, and guide, He indwells every believer as their source of spiritual strength and truth. (John 14:26, 16:7-15; Romans 8:14-17; Ephesians 1:13-14).
Mankind
We believe that mankind was created by God in His image and likeness. Both male and female are equal in dignity and worth, though given distinct roles within His design. While originally created righteous, humanity fell through rebellion, plunging the race into sin and spiritual death. Though the image of God remains, it is marred by sin; thus, all are sinners by nature and choice, standing under God's judgment and unable to save themselves apart from His grace. (Genesis 1:26-27, 3:1-19; Romans 5:12, 3:23; Psalms 51:5; Proverbs 20:9; Galatians 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 penatly 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 group 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. (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5, 17:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:2-3, 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. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18-25; Malachi 2:13-16; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 1:26-27).
Church
We believe that 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. (Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27; Revelations 19:7-9, Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:23-25; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:24-26).
I agree to Vine Academy's Statement of Faith.