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Baptism
(Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 8:37)
Baptism is one of the most significant actions any believer can take. Jesus regarded baptism as being so important that, even though He never needed to be baptized, He set an example for all His disciples to follow and was baptized. Jesus’ last words to the twelve were, ‘Go into all the world and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’
In Romans 6:3-4 the Bible explains what happens to us when we are baptized: ‘Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
We believe in the deity of the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son and the necessity of His work in conviction of sin, repentance, regeneration and sanctification, and that the believer is also promised an enduement of power as the gift of Christ through the baptism in the Holy Spirit with signs following. Through this enduement, the believer is empowered for fuller participation in the ministry of the Church, its worship, evangelism and service.
Basic Beliefs
There is only one true God who is the eternal King, Creator and Redeemer of all that is. He has revealed Himself to be eternally self- existent - one being in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God is perfectly holy, just, loving and truthful but most of all He is a lover of relationship within the trinity and with humanity. God is good and He is for us.
The Bible to be the inspired and only infallible and authoritative Word of God. It is the story of God’s pursuit of humanity. The word in print leads us to the word become flesh- Jesus, the lover our souls.
Humankind was created in the image of God. We were created to know and enjoy intimacy with God. He made us free, with real choices because He is desirous of real relationship with us. Humanity willfully rejected the Lordship and glory of God for which we were intended. Because of this, sickness, death and judgment entered the world and now creation experiences the effects and consequences of sin.
The Lord Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of God, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and is God’s Anointed One, empowered by the Holy Spirit to inaugurate God’s Kingdom on earth. He was crucified for our sins, died, was buried, resurrected and ascended into heaven, and is now alive today, in the presence of God the Father and in His people. He is “true God” and “true man.”
We are saved by God’s grace, through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Anyone can be restored to fellowship with God through repenting, believing and receiving Jesus as their Savior and Lord. The Holy Spirit, convicts the world bringing unbelievers to repentance.
Once we are believers Holy Spirit regenerates us. Holy Spirit reminds believers of Jesus’ righteousness, is a comforter and advocate for us as we receive the spirit of adoption and enter into the reality of the Kingdom of God as sons and daughters. Restored to relationship with God through believing in the Lord Jesus Christ we live in our assignment to bring heaven to earth. We do this empower by the Holy Spirit, living a holy life and ministering super-naturally to our world. The baptism of the Holy Spirit according to Acts 1:4-8 and 2:4 is poured out on believers that they might have power to be witnesses to how good God is. Once we know that Jesus believes in us we live not only forgiven but victorious! Our faith in Him releases us to freedom from the power of the enemy - sin, lies, sickness and torment.
The Church consists of all who put their faith in Jesus Christ. He gave His church the ordinances of Baptism and Communion. The Church exists to carry on the ministry of Jesus Christ and further advance His kingdom by undoing the works of the enemy, preaching and living the good news of God’s love, discipling the nations, baptizing and teaching them to love and obey God.
In the ever-increasing government of God and in the Blessed Hope, which is the glorious visible return of our Lord Jesus Christ for His overcoming bride - His church. There will be a resurrection of the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting death.
Membership
Formal church membership that identifies who has committed to the vision and values of our church. We encourage those who come on a regular basis to The Vine to become members and be actively involved in the work. Our requirement for membership is that you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you have been baptised in water and Holy Spirit, and that you agree to uphold our vision and values.
Membership is a prerequisite for leading in areas of ministry of His local church called The Vine. We invite all to participate and be discipled in areas of ministry.
Discipleship
Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." NIV .
At The Vine we are keen to fulfil Christ's basic commission to all Christians, and to develop leaders for the future. It is achieved by each one of us actively discipling in a disciplined manner each other. We encourage each Christian to be discipled by one other person within the church, and wherever possible to disciple at least one other person.
Child Dedication
Child dedication at The Vine, St Ives is a joyful recognition that every child is a gift from God. Parents have a responsibility to develop that gift – to mold and shape, to shepherd and nurture this precious life. Dedication is an opportunity for you to publicly commit yourselves before God, family and friends to raising your child in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Child dedication at The Vine, St Ives is NOT the same as infant baptism. We believe that baptism is a public declaration of an individual’s decision to follow Christ. Since infants are not capable of making that decision, we reserve baptism for a time when an individual is old enough to understand their decision to accept Christ as their Saviour.
Child dedication here at The Vine, St Ives usually takes places during one of our Sunday morning services.
Giving & Tithing
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. NIV
Above all else we encourage cheerful giving, it pleases our Father in heaven. We do believe in the principle of tithing (that is giving of 10% of our income into the work of the local church) as a minimum. God gives us everything we need in the first place including money to invest in the extension of His kingdom.