Vision Community Church Statement of Faith

A statement of faith can be a tricky thing since you are often trying to explain some large concepts in a small space. This is certainly not meant to be an exhaustive list but rather a quick overview. You can find more by reading through the discipleship studies in the Walking With Jesus series on our site. We will also be updating the site regularly with various “position papers” regarding various issues. We want to encourage you to e-mail us with any specific questions you may have.

We stay away from popular terms like Pentecostal, Non-Pentecostal, Charismatic, Non-Charismatic, Wesleyan, Calvinist, etc. because everyone seems to have a different idea of what each of those words means. We strive to live by the Word of God and we remain open to scriptural correction. Many things in the Bible are absolute, such as Jesus being the only way to heaven (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). Other issues may be less absolute and we call these “points of discussion.” We are blessed with extremely competent Bible scholars and we seek to grow together in our knowledge of His Word. We believe it is just as wrong to add things to scripture as it is to take away from it. Therefore to be absolute about things the Bible is not absolute about is simply man-made legalism and religion. We are conservative in our approach to Bible interpretation and we believe the Bible to be our absolute and authoritative foundation for living and for communion with our Lord.

Once again, if you have any questions, or would like clarification on anything, please e-mail us and we will be happy to respond.

This is not intended to be a comprehensive statement of faith, but rather a guide to the doctrinal boundaries within the church. Those who share our spiritual identity will be generally familiar with the following terms, and will be able to fill in what is lacking. However, if you desire clarification of any point, do not hesitate to inquire.

That there is only one God, who has revealed Himself as our Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
In the absolute Lordship and deity of Christ, including His pre-existence, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His atoning death, His bodily resurrection, and His eventual return to the Earth in glory and power to establish His eternal kingdom
In the full spiritual authority, the reliability, and the divine inspiration of the Bible.
That nothing can replace the importance of the local church in the program of God.
That the great task of the Church is worldwide evangelism.
That entrance into the Church is through the "new birth," which is brought about by genuine repentance of sin, confession of faith in Christ as the only Savior, and surrender to Him as Lord.
That membership in the Church is signified by joyful participation in its worship, fellowship, sacraments, witness, and by acceptance of its discipline.
That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is a present, essential component of effective Christian life and witness. And that by His indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life and to receive and use the gifts granted them by God in accordance with 1 Corinthians chapters 12 and 13.
That the church cannot fulfill its mission apart from a Scriptural order of leadership. We accept that it is part of our responsibility to recognize those people and to assist in equipping them to fulfill their ministry.
In the reality of Satan, and the kingdom of darkness over which he reigns. We believe also in the absolute triumph of Christ over the devil and all his works.
That victorious Christian life is built upon a proper understanding and exercise of the spiritual authority conveyed to the believer by the gift of righteousness.
In the resurrection of the dead at Christ’s return, in the certainty of God’s judgment, and in the inescapable result of that judgment foretold in the scriptures for the just and for the unjust.