Scripture
We believe the
Scriptures, both Old and New Testament, to be the inspired Word of God, without
error in the original writing, the complete revelation of His will for the
salvation of human beings and the divine and final authority for all Christian
faith and life.
God
We believe in one God,
creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three
persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus
Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and
born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross, a sacrifice for our sins
according to the Scriptures. He arose bodily from the dead and ascended into
heaven, where at the right hand of the Majesty on High He now is our High
Priest and Advocate, and in the person of the Holy Spirit, He indwells the
believer.
The Holy Spirit
We believe the
ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during
this age to convict, regenerate, seal, indwell, guide, instruct and empower for
life and service.
Human Beings
We believe humans were
created in the image of God but fell into sin and are therefore lost, and only
through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be
obtained.
Salvation
We believe the shed
blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only grounds for
justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus
Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become children of God.
Ordinances
We believe water
baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church
during this age. They are, however, not to be regarded as a means of
salvation.
(Living Vine Church
practices believer’s baptism by immersion)
The Church
We believe the true
Church is composed of all such persons who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit
through saving faith in Jesus Christ, are united together in the Body of Christ
which He is Lord and Head and are commissioned for the God-given task of proclaiming
the gospel to every person. Only those who are thus members of the true Church
shall be eligible for membership in the local church. Every local church has
the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs.
Christ’s Return
We believe in the
personal and imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that this has a
vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer.
Judgement
We believe in the
bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to everlasting blessedness and
joy with the Lord, and of the unbeliever to judgment and eternal separation
from God.