Doctrine
What is our basis for theological unity in the Vintage Faith Community? Simply, we believe the Gospel. We intend to maintain unity on the important, primary, and core issues of theology without getting weighed down by secondary matters. While we highly value theology and doctrine, and believe that the content of faith is extremely important, we aim to keep it simple without being simplistic. It really is all about Jesus. We want you to know Jesus and to study theology. Get as much training as you can, learn more than “the basics,” be able to speak intelligently and articulately about the faith, and keep a close loyalty to Jesus.
We may find various theological issues in which we disagree; as long as it is not a disagreement over the essentials of historic, biblical orthodoxy, we may just “agree to disagree” and be united in the essentials. Here are the essentials:
One Living and True God
God eternally exists in three distinct personae: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit-- equal in power and glory. He has revealed Himself to be perfect in love, holiness and righteousness. He created all, upholds all and governs all.
The Written Word of God, the Bible
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are given by divine inspiration and are the written Word of God, the final authority for the lives of believers in every culture and age, and the infallible rule for faith and practice. They are to be interpreted according to their context and purpose in reverent obedience to the living Lord who speaks through them in power by his Holy Spirit. The primary purpose of Scripture is to lead people to faith in Jesus.
God the Father
God has revealed Himself as a Father who is an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; He hears and answers prayer; and He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and is both true God and true man. He was born of a virgin; lived a sinless life; fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah; performed miracles as evidence of His Messianic identity; died a substitutionary, atoning death for our sins; rose bodily from the dead; ascended into heaven; and offers continual intercession for His people.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Jesus Christ and is an abiding Helper, Teacher, Gift-giver, and Guide. The true believer receives the Holy Spirit and is baptized into the Body of Christ at conversion, but the Spirit's empowering for godly living, ministry and mission must be sought and activated by faith. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we can experience repeated fillings and a progressive liberation from the bondage of sin, Satan, and the world.
God's Plan to Save Man
Man was created in God's image, tempted by the devil and subsequently rebelled against God. Men and women are now fallen in nature and evidence this condition in sinful deeds. Thus, they are sinners under condemnation. God regenerates those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord, declares them righteous, forgives them of their sins, adopts them as His children, baptizes them with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of their future resurrection and inheritance with Christ, incorporates them into His Body and empowers them for His service.
The Believer's Authority
The believer possesses great authority through Christ over the powers of spiritual darkness led by Satan, the ruler of this world. We actively exercise this authority as we pray, walk by faith, exercise spiritual gifts and progress toward spiritual maturity in Christ. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit brings a present, though partial, reality of the kingdom of God on earth, as He acts in and through our lives with sovereign, supernatural power.
The Church
The Church is the living, spiritual Body of Christ of which Christ is the Head and all regenerated persons are members. The local church is the primary instrument of God for the extension of His kingdom today. The Lord Jesus Christ committed two ordinances to the church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. We respect the variations of practice of these ordinances and affirm the unity of Christ's Body.
The Visible, Bodily Return of Christ Jesus
Christ will return to the earth physically to raise the dead, judge the world, consummate His glorious kingdom, and usher in the new heavens and earth. This is the hope of the church.