First we’ll examine where the Vineyard’s Statement of Faith comes from (all quotes are in italics). See the making of it so to speak. Then, we will see how much it tells about the kingdom of God.

We start with confession of the Trinity and the two natures of Christ incarnate, both fully God and Man at the same time. The source: the creeds of the Church Fathers.

Next, we identify ourselves as heirs of the Reformation. Like Paul we declare that it is “Justification by Faith” alone. The Word of God written is the only absolute authority for the church. Spiritual warfare is a reality. While we live in Christ’s kingdom, we do battle with Satan’s kingdom, knowing that the victory has already been won and God’s kingdom is forever.

Thirdly, we embrace the themes of the Evangelical Awakening of the 18th century led by John Wesley. Conversion to Christ is through the “new birth” authored by His Spirit. Personal holiness is a necessary fruit.

Fourthly, we are beneficiaries of the “Great Century of World Missions” (the 19th Century). We believe that the “Great Commission” stands, making us intentional “missional communities.” Calls for conversion and church planting are not optional.

Fifthly, we are also heirs of the 20th Century Pentecostal/Charismatic renewals.

Lastly, we have the teachings from the “Biblical Theology Movement”. We see New Testament faith as fully “eschatological.” This means that we are not simply waiting for the End, we are living in it. The consummation of all things has already begun in the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and the outpouring of his Spirit at Pentecost.

It may already be evident that the kingdom of God is deeply ingrained in us. It should not surprise as this is a key premise that explains who we are and what we do. Now let’s see how our Statement of Faith narrates the kingdom of God.

Satan led a heavenly revolt. He tempted our original parents who fell from grace, bringing sin, (and) sickness…to the earth. And so, Human beings are born in sin, subject to God’s judgment of death and captive to Satan’s kingdom of darkness.

But God still rules. He is intent on restoration. He established an unconditional covenant with Abraham, promising blessing to the nations. He delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, and by gave the law through Moses. Its purpose is to convict us of sin, bringing us to Christ alone for salvation. Later, God made an unconditional covenant with David, promising an heir, seated upon his throne forever.

This is fulfilled in Jesus, the incarnate, eternal Son who was anointed as God’s Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit, inaugurating God’s kingdom reign on earth, overpowering the reign of Satan by resisting temptation, preaching the good news of salvation, healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. Gathering His disciples, He reconstituted God’s people as His Church to be the instrument of His kingdom.

Of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we say, In His sinless, perfect life Jesus met the demands of the law and in His atoning death on the cross He took God’s judgment for sin which we deserve as law-breakers. By His death on the cross He also disarmed the demonic powers. Jesus now reigns as King: The covenant with David was fulfilled in Jesus’ birth from David’s house, His Messianic ministry, His glorious resurrection from the dead, His ascent into heaven and His present rule at the right hand of the Father. As God’s Son and David’s heir, He is the eternal Messiah-King, advancing God’s reign throughout every generation and throughout the whole earth today.

More to tell, for on the Day of Pentecost: The Spirit brings the permanent indwelling presence of God to us for spiritual worship, personal sanctification, building up the Church, gifting us for ministry, and driving back the kingdom of Satan by the evangelization of the world through proclaiming the word of Jesus and doing the works of Jesus.

Finally on that day of Christ’s visible, glorious return everything will be consummated, including Satan’s destruction, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment. Then God will be all in all; His kingdom, His rule and reign will be fulfilled in the new heavens and the new earth…in which righteousness dwells and in which He will forever be worshiped.

So what does the Statement of Faith say of Vineyard?

We belong to mainstream, historical Christianity. What a rich inheritance we have! Vineyard is basically conservative Evangelical. But we are Evangelicals with a difference. In short, as Alexander Venter has put it, we embrace Evangelical theology and Pentecostal experience, and in doing so cut across Evangelical experience and Pentecostal theology.

Vineyard is about following closely after what Jesus has done. We preach and minister the kingdom, and train disciples to do the same.

From beliefs to practice, that’s the way Vineyard “does church”. For example, when our Statement of Faith confesses, We believe in the filling or the empowering of the Holy Spirit, often a conscious experience, for ministry today. We believe in the present ministry of the Spirit and…exercise…all of the biblical gifts of the Spirit. This leads to action. We practice the laying on of hands for the empowering of the Spirit, for healing, and for recognition and empowering of those whom God has ordained to lead and serve the Church.

Acknowledgment: Our thanks goes to Don Williams, a highly regard theologian and Vineyard pastor for his research on the subject and publication of the paper “Why Vineyard: A Theological Reflection”
By Don Williams