Vineyard Churches
Vineyard Churches is a charismatic evangelical denomination founded by John Wimber in 1982, growing out of a church he had planted in Anaheim, California. The movement is known for its 'naturally supernatural' approach to ministry — integrating biblical scholarship with an expectation of signs, wonders, and healing — and its 'already/not yet' Kingdom theology, influenced by George Ladd. Vineyard has approximately 2,400 churches in over 95 countries.
Theology
Christology
Soteriology
Salvation
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ
Atonement & Ransom
Nuanced
Penal substitution central; Christus Victor and healing in atonement emphasized
Predestination
Nuanced
Arminian-leaning; salvation is offered to all and freely received
Original Sin
Affirms
Humanity is fallen and spiritually dead; all need redemption in Christ
Eschatology
Soul & Afterlife
Affirms
Believers are with Christ after death; bodily resurrection awaited
Hell
Affirms
Hell is real; the unrepentant face eternal separation from God
Heaven
Affirms
Heaven and the renewed creation are the eternal home of the redeemed
Second Coming
Affirms
Jesus will return visibly and bodily to complete God's Kingdom
Millennium
Nuanced
Kingdom already/not yet; broadly premillennial but not dogmatic
Ecclesiology
Scripture
Scripture Interpretation
John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"
Affirms
The Word is God; affirms Jesus' deity; supports Spirit-empowered ministry foundation
Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"
Nuanced
Peter's faith-confession is the rock; Jesus is the ultimate foundation; apostolic authority affirmed
Romans 9:18-21 — "God's Sovereign Choice"
Nuanced
God's sovereign choice coexists with human responsible choice; both divine election and human response
James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"
Nuanced
Faith must be evidenced in works; living obedience demonstrates true belief; works flow from faith
Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Affirms
Baptize in the Name; Trinitarian formula affirmed; water baptism follows faith in Christ
Hebrews 1:8 — "Your Throne, O God"
Affirms
Hebrews 1:8 affirms Christ's divinity and eternal throne; worship of Jesus as God affirmed
Revelation 20:1-6 — "The Thousand Years"
Varies
Varied views on Revelation 20 interpretations; emphasis on present kingdom reality and future consummation
Genesis 1:1-2 — "In the Beginning"
Affirms
God created all things; creation reflects God's character; stewardship of creation affirmed
Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Nuanced
Mark 16:9-20 textually disputed but content affirmed; signs and wonders mission continues in Church
John 7:53–8:11 — "The Woman Caught in Adultery"
Nuanced
Passage textually questioned but message of grace and restoration affirmed and preached
1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"
Nuanced
1 John 5:7-8 longer reading questioned but Trinitarian content affirmed from undisputed texts
Deuterocanonical Books — "Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees"
Denies
Deuterocanonical books not canonical; Protestant 66-book canon affirmed; apocrypha excluded
Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"
Denies
Shepherd of Hermas excluded from canon; post-apostolic non-biblical Christian writing
Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"
Affirms
Isaiah 7:14 prophecy of virgin birth; attests to Christ's unique incarnation and divine mission
Ethics & Practice
Sabbath
Nuanced
Sunday worship as Lord's Day; no Saturday Sabbath requirement
Blood Transfusions
Affirms
No prohibition; prayer for healing and medicine are complementary
Military Service
Varies
No official position; individual conscience respected
Holidays
Affirms
Christmas and Easter celebrated; Pentecost especially significant