What We Believe

The Scripture

The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are divinely inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct and the foundation for our doctrine (2 Tim. 3:15-17, 1 Thess. 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21).

The One True God

The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM,” the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Deut. 6:4, Isaiah 43:10-11, Matt. 28:19, Luke 3:22).

The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
a. His virgin birth (Matt. 1:23, Luke 1:31-35)
b. His sinless life (Heb. 7:26, 1 Peter 2:22)
c. His miracles (Acts 2:22, 10:38)
d. His substitutionary work on the cross (1 Cor. 15:3, 2 Cor. 5:21)
e. His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matt. 28:6, Luke 24:39, 1 Cor. 15:4)
f. His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9-11, 2:33; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:3).

The Fall of Man

Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Gen. 1:26-27, 2:17, 3:6; Rom. 5:12-19).

The Salvation of Man

Mans only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
a. Conditions to Salvation – Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God, according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Eph. 2:8; Titus 2:11, 3:5-7).
b. The Evidence of Salvation – The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Rom. 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Eph. 4:24, Titus 2:12).

Ordinances of the Church

a. Baptism in Water – The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe in Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 10:47-48; Romans 6:4).

b. Holy Communion – The Lords Supper, consisting of the elements — bread and the fruit of the vine — is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4), a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Cor. 11:26), and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Cor. 11:26), and is enjoined on all believers till He comes!

Baptism of the Holy Ghost

The baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the New Birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives the utterance (Matt. 3:11; John 7:37-39, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8, 2:4, 2:38-39, 19:1-7).

Sanctification

Sanctification is an act of separation and of dedication unto God. The Bible teaches that without holiness, no man can see the Lord. We believe in the Doctrine of Sanctification as a definite, yet progressive, work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation at Christs return (Heb. 12:14, 1 Thess. 5:23, 2 Peter 3:18, 1 Cor. 1:30, 2 Cor. 3:18, Phil. 3:12-14).

Divine Healing

Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is the privilege of every member of the Church today (Mark 16:17-18, I Peter 2:24, Matt. 8:17, Isaiah 53:4-5).

The Blessed Hope, The Resurrection of the Just

The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church (1 Thess. 4:16-17, Rom. 8:23, Titus 2:13, 1 Cor. 15:51-52).

The Millennial Reign of Christ

The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years (Zech. 14:5; Matt. 24:27,30; Rev. 1:7, 19:11-14, 20:1-6). This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Ezek. 37:21-22; Zeph. 3:19-20, Rom. 11:26-27), and the establishment of universal peace (Isaiah 11:6-9, Ps. 72:3-8, Micah 4:3-4).

The Final Judgment

There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast, and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake of eternal fire which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Matt. 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Rev. 19:20, 20:11-15, 21:8).

Marriage

God has wonderfully and immutably created each person as male and
female. These two distinct, complimentary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Therefore, marriage has only one meaning as God has stated in the beginning (Gen. 2:24): the uniting of one natural biological man and one natural biological woman in a single, exclusive union.

Gender Identity

God has made all men and women in His image (Genesis 1:26-27).
Therefore, the two genders are both distinct and naturally complimentary. Attempts to change or
modify in any way, physically or emotionally, the gender of an individual would deny the intent of the Creator to be in His image and likeness and would, therefore, be considered sin. (Jer. 1:5)

The Sanctity of Human Life

Whereupon we are created in the image and likeness of God, God has plans for each of us, and He knew us while He was forming us in our mother’swomb; we believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the age, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition fron conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life at every stage of existence. (Gen. 1:26-28; Ps. 139:13-14; Jer. 1:5)

What VCC Believes About Marriage and Human Sexuality

We believe, based on the teaching of the Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments, that marriage is an institution ordained by God from the foundation of the world, and intended as a lifelong union of one man and one woman. This idea is supported by the account of creation in Genesis chapters I and 2. Genesis 1:26-28 provides that God created man in His own image, both male and female. The passage implies that a unity of one man and one woman is in some way necessary to fully represent the image of God in mankind.

Genesis chapter 2 provides a more detailed account in which God created the first man, Adam and decided that it was not good for him to be alone. (Genesis 2:18) God indicated that He would make “a suitable helper for him.” God brought all of the animals to Adam, but none of them was a suitable helper for him, so God then created Eve, the first woman, from part of Adam himself.
God did not createa second man to be Adam’s helpmate, or an assortment of multiple women, but rather one woman. Together they were man and wife and had “no shame” or sin in their union with each other. (Genesis 2:15-25).

Jesus Christ reaffirmed the teaching of the Old Testament when He said, as recorded in Matthew19:4-6, “Haven’t you read, he replied, that at the beginning the creator made them male and female and said for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined
together, let not man separate.”

The Apostle Paul states in Ephesians 5:22-32 that marriage is not merely a human institution, but is a special divine metaphor that is supposed to illustrate the union of Christ and the church. For this reason also, only a union between a man and a woman can be a proper marriage because a union between two men, two women, or one man and multiple women or any collection of people could not properly illustrate the relationship between Christ and His church.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 condemns a variety of lifestyles including those associated with adultery, prostitution and homosexuality. The Bible condemns all forms of sexual immorality andencourages Christians to flee from it because of its destructive effects, and because the body of the Christian is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:12-20). Romans 1:18-32 makes it clear that it is not only sinful to engage in homosexual unions, but also to approve of such sins in others or encourage their practice. As a result, in order to maintain our consistent Christian witness, we cannot sanction, approve, or promote in any way adultery, fornication (a sexual relationship between an unmarried man and woman; i.e. “living together), pornography, pedophilia, polyamory, polygamy, bestiality, or homosexual unions. This is madeclear also by countless other verses throughout the Old Testament as well as by these and other passages in the New Testament.

Our church follows what the Bible reveals as the “sure foundation” of the teachings of Jesus Christ and his apostles (Matthew 7:24-29 andI Corinthians 14:37). The church is called to teach and practice these teachings and is not at liberty to depart from them for a different authority if it is to authentically bear the name “Christian”, Though we strive to live peaceably with all people andto obey legitimate government authority, in instances involving matters as foundational as marriage we must ultimately obey God rather than man if the two come into conflict (Acts4:18-22).

Sexual activities outside of marriage, including but not limited to fornication, adultery, incest, homosexuality, pedophilia, polyamory and bestiality are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the church. Lewd conduct, transgender behavior, and the creation of for distribution or viewing of pornography are incompatible with God’s intention.

VCC Faith Based Policy on Marriage and Human Sexuality

As a result of these above described religious beliefs and our belief in the need for a practice of fidelity to these beliefs, it is our policy that the facilities of this church may not be used for any ceremony that in any way approves of, solemnizes, supports or allows a same-sex union or a polygamist or any union which, in the judgment of the Board of Elders, in some way constitutes
child abuse. It is also the policy of the church that no pastor or member of the church staff shall officiate at any ceremony designed to solemnize, promote, create, or approve of such a union.  Nor may any member of the church enter into such a union without being subject to church discipline.  A civil government’s sanction of a union will be recognized as a legitimate marriage by the church only to the extent that it is consistent with the definition of marriage found in the Policy Statement.

VCC Policy Regarding Sexuality

Recognizing that we all struggle with sin, Victory Christian Church will provide an environment that welcomes people who struggle with sexual sin. We will seek to love all people in Jesus’ name and pointing them towards Christ’s power to forgive and heal.  While the Bible teaches that those who engage in sexual sin, sin against their own body we also recognize that sexual sin is not characterized in Scripture as being more severe than other forms of sin.  We will seek God to discern ways that we can directly and indirectly minister and share God’s love with those struggle with every kind of sin.  We also recognize that there is a difference between temptation and behavior and while temptation is sometimes unavoidable we are responsible for our behavior.

VCC Practices

1. Every pastor, board member, or employee, hired by the church shall affirm their agreement with VCC’s statement on marriage and human sexuality and conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent therewith.
2. The Board of Elders will be asked to affirm their agreement with this policy on marriage and human sexuality and shall conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent therewith.  3. Church leaders, teachers, and members are expected to teach and live in a manner that is consistent with the policies governing VCC.

Statement on Church Discipline

The threefold purpose of church discipline is to glorify God by maintaining purity in the local church (1 Cor. 5:6), to edify believers by deterring sin and promoting purity (1 Tim. 5:20), and to promote the spiritual welfare of the offending believer by calling him or her to return to a biblical standard of doctrine and conduct (Gal. 6:1).The Lord Jesus Christ has entrusted the local church with the authority and responsibility todiscipline members for flagrant sin or serious doctrinal error, with the goal of the restoration of theoffender. This discipline is entrusted to the Pastoral Staff and Church Council and is to follow thebiblical pattern as set forth in Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Corinthians 2:7-8; Galatians 6:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; Titus 3:10-11; and 2 John 7-11. Any member of this church who practices or affirms a doctrine or conduct that, in the judgment of the Pastoral Staff and Church Council, is opposed to the teaching of the Word of God, or is threatening to the testimony of this church, or is divisive to the body, shall be subject to church discipline.  Discipline will follow the said biblical pattern, and is an effort to bring the individual to repentance and protect the church from unrepentant sin. Discipline may involve exclusion from participation in ministry, as well as dismissal from the fellowship of this church. An individual may be disciplined by the Pastoral Staff or Church Council short of dismissal from the fellowship, as they deem appropriate for the specific circumstance (for example, an individual may remain in certain circumstances a member of this church but be denied the privilege of serving in a particular ministry).the names of those who have lost membership by reason of church discipline, and the reason form that discipline, as described in Matthew 18:15-20.

The Pastoral Staff or Church Council, as is required by Scripture, may report to the congregation the names of those who have lost membership by reason of church discipline, and the reason for that discipline, as described in Matthew 18:15-20.

The members of this church further knowingly and voluntarily agree that a member cannot voluntarily withdraw or resign his or her membership in the midst of the discipline process, and may only withdraw or resign his or her membership if they are not the subject of discipline proceeding at the time, or only after a disciplinary process, of which they are the subject, has been concluded as determined by the Pastoral Staff and Church Council.