God
There is only One True, Holy and Just God, eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and omnipresent and has set in place a plan to save those who have faith in his Son Jesus Christ as Lord and continue in obedience to Him (1 John 5:7, Hebrews 5:9, John 17:3).
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He humbled Himself to live on earth, clothing Himself in flesh and blood and was completely God and man. Jesus offered His own life as a flawless sacrifice to pay mankind’s debt to God brought on by sin for every single human being, past, present and future. Jesus was crucified and died upon the cross to pay that debt and to bring salvation and forgiveness of sins to those who choose to follow Him. Three days after His death, God resurrected Him from the grave, and He is alive and reigning in His Kingdom today. Through the power of Jesus’ resurrection, all who honour Jesus as Lord will also share in a resurrected body and eternal life with God the Father (1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 1:1-4).
Second Coming
At God’s appointed time, Jesus Christ will come again to earth to bring judgment on both the living and the dead and at that time, He will establish His eternal reign as King. Only God the Father knows the time of Jesus’ return and the subsequent end of time on earth (Matthew 24:30-31, Mattew 24:36-44, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Baptism
Baptism by immersion is ordained and commanded by Jesus and is a key decision within the journey of a Christian. Baptism is the means by which believers proclaim a new identity in Christ by emulating His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-11, Colossians 2:12).
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a gift from God the Father sent by Jesus following His resurrection and ascension into heaven. The Holy Spirit is God’s presence within us – a counsellor to those who have received Him through faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit provides peace, discernment, guidance, comfort and wisdom to those who believe and empowers believers to accomplish God’s will for their lives. The Holy Spirit is also the means by which men’s and women’s hearts are convicted of sin and guided to repentance. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control are outward evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5).
Doctrine
The Vine’s doctrine is based solely on the Holy Bible, comprising the sixty-six Old and New Testaments books. The Bible was penned by human hands under the authority, inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Therefore the Bible is inerrant and the final authority in matters of faith and practice for the believer in Jesus Christ and for His Church (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Salvation
The central purpose of God’s revelation through Scripture is to redeem mankind back into fellowship with Him. This is made possible through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. The free gift of salvation is found through Jesus Christ alone. God’s Word gives the following instruction to those who choose to follow Jesus and call Him Lord:
Profess that you are a sinner and in need of a Saviour (Romans 3:23, Acts 2:37-38, Ephesians 2:1-3).
Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only way to salvation from the debt of sin (1 Peter 3:18, John 14:6).
Confess that Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead (Matthew 10:32, Luke 12:8, Romans 10:9-10).
Repent – Turn from your sin and embrace an obedient life in Jesus Christ, holy and pleasing to God (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Romans 6:1-2).
Be baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16).
All those who continue to live by faith and obedience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ are assured of their salvation and the promise of eternal life with God (John 15:5-8).