Holy Spirit is active today; all gifts available; no required sign
Vineyard affirms that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, fully active in the church today, and that all spiritual gifts described in the New Testament — including tongues, prophecy, healing, words of knowledge, and others — continue to operate and are available to believers. Spirit baptism is a normative experience of empowerment that may accompany or follow conversion.
Vineyard does not require speaking in tongues as the initial physical evidence of Spirit baptism, distinguishing it from classical Pentecostalism. John Wimber's famous phrase 'everyone gets to play' encapsulates the movement's approach: the gifts are for ordinary believers, not a spiritual elite, and the goal is effective ministry to others rather than personal ecstatic experience. Vineyard has a robust theology and training culture around 'Signs and Wonders' ministry.
Key Distinctions
- Personhood:
- third divine person, coequal with Father and Son
- Spiritual gifts view:
- continuationist — all gifts including tongues and prophecy continue today
- Spirit baptism:
- distinct experience subsequent to salvation; evidenced by spiritual gifts
Scripture References
Sources
- Vineyard USA Statement of Faith
- John Wimber, Power Healing; Power Evangelism