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The need for a statement of faith arose shortly after the beginning of the Vineyard movement in 1983. We were growing quite rapidly and people were coming into the movement from a variety of theological backgrounds and church traditions. To remain true to the faith once and for ever given to the saints, we knew it was necessary to develop a statement of faith that was faithful to Scriptures and represented the diversity of those who are committed to live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and in relationship with one another in the Vineyard.
The Bible is our final authority in matters of faith and practice. Therefore, the statements that follow reflect our best attempt to express what we believe, and how we are to live out that faith at this time. Upon further reflection, greater biblical insight, or increased wisdom through experience, these statements could be revised. Until such time, the Vineyard USA Board of Directors has formally adopted this document as our official statement of Faith. This action was taken in 1994.
The understanding that the Kingdom of God is the integrating motif of our understanding of the story of God, the Bible and our theology has influenced the structure of this document. From beginning to end, this Statement of Faith reflects our understanding that biblical theology is eschatological in nature and this eschatological dimension is expressed in terms of the Kingdom of God.
The Vineyard USA Board commends this Statement of Faith for use by all our pastors and in all our churches. We pray that God will bless our sincere desire and humble attempt to be ambassadors of His rule and reign through our lives and that His will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Berten A. Waggoner
National Director
The Vineyard USA – A Community of Churches
Sugar Land, Texas
January 2006
1. God the King and the Holy Trinity
WE BELIEVE that God is the Eternal1 King2. He is an infinite,3 unchangeable4 Spirit,5
perfect6 in holiness,7 wisdom,8 goodness,9 justice,10 power11 and love.12 From all
eternity13 He exists as the One14 Living15 and True16 God in three persons17 of one
substance,18 the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,19 equal in power and glory.20
1. Deuteronomy 33:27; Romans 1:20;
2. Psalm 95:3; Isaiah 43:15;
3. Psalm 147:5; Job 11:7-9;
4. James 1:17;
5. John 4:24;
6. Matthew 5:48;
7. Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 115-16;
8. Psalm 104:24; Proverbs 2:6; Isaiah 28:29;
9. Exodus 33:19; Psalm 63:2; Psalm 31:19;
10. Psalm 33:5; Psalm 89:14; Isaiah 30:18;
11. Exodus 15:6;
12. 1 John 4:8;
13. Isaiah 43:13;
14. Isaiah 45:5; 1 Corinthians 8:4;
15. Psalm 42:2; Psalm 84:2;
16. Jerimiah 10:10;
17. John 1:18; John 10:30; John 14:9; John 14:16-17; John 14:26; John 15:26; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18;
18. John 1:1; John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 3:17;
19. Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4;
20. Revelation 5:13; Ephesians 3:14-21
2. God the King: The Creator and Ruler of All Things
WE BELIEVE that God's kingdom is everlasting.21 From His throne,22 through His Son,
His eternal Word,23 God created,24 upholds25 and governs26 all that exists:27 the heavenly
places,28 the angelic hosts,29 the universe,30 the earth,31 every living thing32 and
mankind.33 God created all things very good.34
21. Psalm 45:6; Psalm 145:13; Daniel 4:3;
22. Psalm 93:1-2;
23. John 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:1-2;
24. Genesis 1:1; Psalm 95:3-5;
25. Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3;
26. Psalm 103:19; Psalm 104:24-29;
27. Psalm 96:4-6;
28. Psalm 89:11;
29. Psalm 103:20-21;
30. Colossians 1:16-17;
31. Psalm 104:5;
32. Psalm 103:22;
33. Psalm 22:28; Psalm 47:8;
34. Genesis 1:31
3. Counterfeit Kingdom: Satan and Demonic Hosts
WE BELIEVE that Satan, originally a great, good angel, rebelled against God, taking a
host of angels with him.35 He was cast out of God's presence and, as a usurper of God's
rule, established a counter-kingdom of darkness36 and evil on the earth.37
35. Revelation 12:7-9;
36. 2 Corinthians 11:14; Colossians 1:13-14; Ephesians 6:12;
37. Mark 3:22-26; Ephesians 2:1-2; 1 John 5:19
4. The Kingdom in the Creation of Man, the Fall and The Doctrine of Original Sin
WE BELIEVE that God created mankind in His own image, male and female,38 for
relationship with Himself and to govern the earth.39 Under the temptation of Satan,40 our
original parents fell from grace,41 bringing sin,42 sickness43 and God's judgment of
death to the earth.44 Through the fall, Satan and his demonic hosts gained access to
God's good creation.45 Creation now experiences the consequences and effects of
Adam's original sin.46 Human beings are born in sin,47 subject to God's judgment of
death48 and captive to Satan's kingdom of darkness.49
38. Genesis 1:26-27;
39. Genesis 1:26;
40. Genesis 3:1; Revelation 12:9;
41. Genesis 3:8; Romans 1:21; Romans 5:16;
42. Romans 5:12;
43. John 5:14;
44. 1 Corinthians 15:22;
45. John 8:44; 1 John 5:19;
46. Romans 8:20-23;
47. Psalm 51:5;
48. Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 2:5; Romans 2:12; Hebrews 9:27;
49. Galatians 1:3-5; Galatians 4:8-9; Colossians 1:13
5. God's Providence, Kingdom Law and Covenants
WE BELIEVE that God did not abandon His rule over the earth50 which He continues to
uphold by His providence.51 In order to bring redemption, God established covenants52
which revealed His grace to sinful people.53 In the covenant with Abraham, God bound
Himself to His people Israel, promising to deliver them from bondage to sin and Satan
and to bless all the nations through them.54
50. Psalm 24:1; Psalm 96:10;
51. Isaiah 40:22; Hebrews 1:3;
52. Romans 9:4;
53. Ephesians 2:12;
54. Genesis 17:3-8; Genesis 12:2-3; Genesis 15:4-6; Romans 4:3-5; Romans 4:16; Romans 4:20-25; Galatians 3:6-9; Galatians 3:13-14
WE BELIEVE that as King, God later redeemed His people by His mighty acts from
bondage in Egypt55 and established His covenant through Moses, revealing His perfect
will and our obligation to fulfill it.56 The law's purpose is to order our fallen race57 and to
make us conscious of our moral responsibility.58 By the work of God's Spirit,59 it convicts
us of our sin60 and God's righteous judgment against us61 and brings us to Christ alone
for salvation.62
55. Exodus 15:3-18;
56. Exodus 19:3-6; Exodus 24:3-4; Exodus 24:7; Romans 8:3-4; Romans 8:12-14;
57. Deuteronomy 5:1-3; Deuteronomy 30:15-18; Galatians 3:23-25;
58. Psalm 25:8-10; Romans7:7;
59. John 15:26; John 16:8-11; 2 Corinthians 3:14-17;
60. Romans 7:13; Galatians 3:19; Galatians 3:21-22;
61. Romans 2:1-11;
62. Galatians 3:24; Philippians 3:8-9
WE BELIEVE that when Israel rejected God's rule over her as King,63 God established
the monarchy in Israel64 and made an unconditional covenant with David,65 promising
that his heir would restore God's kingdom reign over His people as Messiah forever.66
63. 1 Samuel 8:6-8;
64. 1 Samuel 8:21-22; 1 Samuel 9:15-16; 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 10:24;
65. 2 Samuel 7:11b-16; Psalm 89:34-37;
66. Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1-5; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Ezekiel 34:23
6. Christ the Mediator and Eternal King
WE BELIEVE that in the fullness of time,67 God honored His covenants with Israel and
His prophetic promises of salvation68 by sending His Son,69 Jesus, into the world.70
Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary,71 as fully God and fully man in
one person,72 He is humanity as God intended us to be.73 Jesus was anointed as God's
Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit,74 inaugurating God's kingdom reign on
earth,75 overpowering the reign of Satan by resisting temptation,76 preaching the good
news of salvation,77 healing the sick,78 casting out demons79 and raising the dead.80
Gathering His disciples,81 He reconstituted God's people82 as His Church83 to be the
instrument of His kingdom.84 After dying for the sins of the world,85 Jesus was raised
from the dead on the third day,86 fulfilling the covenant of blessing given to Abraham.87 In
His sinless, perfect life88 Jesus met the demands of the law89 and in His atoning death on
the cross90 He took God's judgment for sin91 which we deserve as law-breakers.92 By
His death on the cross He also disarmed the demonic powers.93 The covenant with
David was fulfilled in Jesus' birth from David's house,94 His Messianic ministry,95 His
glorious resurrection from the dead,96 His ascent into heaven and His present rule at the
right hand of the Father.97 As God's Son and David's heir,98 He is the eternal Messiah-
King,99 advancing God's reign throughout every generation and throughout the whole
earth today.100
67. Mark 1:15; Galatians 4:4;
68. Romans 1:2-4;
69. John 1:14;
70. John 1:17-18;
71. Luke 1:30-35,
72. John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-7;
73. Romans 5:19; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 1 Peter 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 8:29;
74. Luke 3:21-22; Luke 4:16-21;
75. Mark 1:14-15; Luke 11:20; Luke 17:20-21;
76. Luke 4:1-13;
77. Luke 4:43;
78. Luke 4:40;
79. Luke 4:41;
80. Luke 7:14-17;
81. Mark 1:16-17;
82. Mark 3:13-15;
83. Matthew 16:18;
84. Luke 9:1-2; Luke 10:1-17;
85. John 1:29; John 6:51; John 4:9-10;
86. Mark 8:31; 1 Corinthians 15:3-5;
87. Galatians 3:13-14;
88. Acts 3:14-15; Hebrews 4:15;
89. Romans 5:18-19;
90. 1 Peter 2:24;
91. Galatians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21;
92. Romans 1:18; Romans 1:32; Romans 2:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10;
93. Colossians 2:13-15;
94. Matthew 1:1;
95. Luke 1:68-72; Luke 2:10-11; Matthew 9:27;
96. Acts 2:24-28;
97. Acts 2:29-36;
98. Romans 1:1-4;
99. Hebrews 1:1-3;
100. 1 Corinthians 15:24-26; Ephesians 1:19-23; Revelation 5:5
7. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church at Pentecost in
power,101 baptizing believers into the Body of Christ102 and releasing the gifts of the Spirit
to them.103 The Spirit brings the permanent indwelling presence of God to us104 for
spiritual worship,105 personal sanctification,106 building up the Church,107 gifting us for
ministry,108 and driving back the kingdom of Satan by the evangelization of the world109
through proclaiming the word of Jesus110 and doing the works of Jesus.111
101. Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4;
102. 1 Corinthians 12:13;
103. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7;
104. John 14:16-17;
105. Romans 12:1; Ephesians 5:18-20;
106. Romans 8:3-4;
107. 1 Corinthians 14:12; 1 Corinthians 14:26;
108. Romans 12:4-6;
109. Luke 11:20; 1 John 3:8b;
110. Ephesians 6:10-20;
111. John 14:12-13; Romans 15:18-19; 1 Corinthians 4:20
WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ112 and that He is
our abiding Helper,113 Teacher,114 and Guide.115 We believe in the filling or the
empowering of the Holy Spirit,116 often a conscious experience,117 for ministry today.118
We believe in the present ministry of the Spirit119 and in the exercise of all of the biblical
gifts of the Spirit.120 We practice the laying on of hands for the empowering of the
Spirit,121 for healing,122 and for recognition and empowering of those whom God has
ordained to lead and serve the Church.123
112. Romans 8:9-10;
113. John 16:7;
114. John 14:26;
115. John 16:13-15; Romans 8:14;
116. Luke 24:49; Acts 4:31;
117. Acts 8:18-19; Acts 19:1-2;
118. 1Corinthians 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Corinthians 6:4-7;
119. Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:15-17;
120. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; 1 Corinthians 14:1; 1 Corinthians 14:5; 1Thessalonians 5:19-21;
121. Acts 8:14-17; Acts 19:6;
122. Mark 1:41; Luke 6:18b-19; Mark 16:18;
123. Acts 13:1-3; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6
8. The Sufficiency of Scripture
WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit inspired the human authors of Holy Scripture124 so that
the Bible is without error125 in the original manuscripts. We receive the sixty-six books of
the Old and New Testaments126 as our final, absolute authority, the only infallible rule of
faith127 and practice.128
124. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; John 14:26;
125. Psalm 19:7-9; Psalm 119:30; Psalm 119:43; Psalm 119:89; Matthew 5:17-18; John 3:34; John 10:35; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Revelation 22:6;
126. Luke 24:44; 2 Peter 3:15-16; Revelation 22:18-19;
127. Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35;
128. Matthew 7:21; Matthew 7:24; Luke 1:38; James 1:22-25
9. The Power of the Gospel Over the Kingdom of Darkness
WE BELIEVE that the whole world is under the domination of Satan129 and that all
people are sinners by nature130 and choice.131 All people therefore are under God's just
judgment.132 Through the preaching of the Good News of Jesus and the Kingdom of
God133 and the work of the Holy Spirit,134 God regenerates,135 justifies,136 adopts137 and
sanctifies138 through Jesus by the Spirit139 all who repent of their sins140 and trust in
Jesus Christ as Lord141 and Saviour.142 By this they are released from Satan's domain
and enter into God's kingdom reign.143
129. Luke 4:5-7; 1 John 5:19;
130. 1 Corinthians 15:22; Ephesians 2:1-3;
131. Romans 1:21-23; Romans 1:32;
132. Romans 1:18; Romans 2:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ephesians 5:6;
133. Mark 1:14-15; Acts 8:12; Acts 28:31; Ephesians 5:5;
134. John 16:7-11;
135. John 3:5-8; 1 Peter 1:23;
136. Romans 5:1-2; Romans 5:9;
137. Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6;
138. Ephesians 5:25; Hebrews 13:12;
139. 1 Peter 1:1-2;
140. Acts 2:38;
141. Romans 10:9;
142. 1 John 4:13-15;
143. Colossians 1:13-14; Philippians 3:20
10. The Church: Instrument of the Kingdom
WE BELIEVE in the one,144 holy,145 universal Church.146 All who repent of their sins and
confess Jesus as Lord and Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit147 and form the
living Body of Christ,148 of which He is the head149 and of which we are all members.150
144. John 17:20-21; Ephesians 4:3-6;
145. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17;
146. Matthew 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 2:18-19; 1 Peter 2:9-10;
147. Titus 3:4-7;
148. Romans 12:4-5;
149. Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 5:23;
150. 1 Corinthians 12:27
11. Baptism and the Lord's Supper
WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ committed two ordinances to the Church: water
baptism151 and the Lord's Supper.152 Both are available to all believers.
151. Matthew 28:19-20;
152. 1 Corinthians 10:14-17; 11:23-26
12. The Kingdom of God and the Final Judgment
WE BELIEVE that God's kingdom has come in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ,153
that it continues to come in the ministry of the Spirit through the Church,154 and that it will
be consummated in the glorious, visible and triumphant appearing of Christ155 - His
return to the earth as King.156 After Christ returns to reign,157 He will bring about the final
defeat of Satan and all of his minions and works,158 the resurrection of the dead,159 the
final judgment160 and the eternal blessing of the righteous and eternal conscious
punishment of the wicked.161 Finally, God will be all in all162 and His kingdom, His rule
and reign,163 will be fulfilled in the new heavens and the new earth,164 recreated by His
mighty power, in which righteousness dwells165 and in which He will forever be
worshipped.166
153. Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 4:23; Matthew 12:28;
154. Matthew 6:10; Matthew 10:7-8; Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:11; John 15:26-27; Romans 14:17-18;
155. Mark13:26; Acts 1:9-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:8;
156. Revelation 19:11-16;
157. Matthew 25:31-32; 1 Corinthians 15:23-25;
158. Revelation 20:10;
159. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52;
160. John 5:28-30; Revelation 20:11-15;
161. Matthew 25:31-46;
162. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28;
163. 1 Timothy 6:13-16;
164. 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:5;
165. Revelation 21:27;
166. 1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 7:9-12
If you desire further information regarding our theological position e-mail
(info@vineyardusa.org) to request the paper entitled "Association of Vineyard Churches
Theological and Philosophical Statement".
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