POSITION STATEMENT
At New Wine Church, we value unity over uniformity. Our goal is to be single-minded in pursuing the Kingdom of God here on earth and being disciples that bring glory to the name of Christ. Too often, members of the Christian community get distracted, divided, and separated into “like-minded churches” who hold similar cultural and political views to their own.
One of the strengths of New Wine Church is our love and grace towards everyone. A great variety of people call New Wine Church home. Individuals find themselves across the cultural spectrum with differing faith backgrounds, differing social economic status, differing sexual orientations, and differing political views (right, left, conservative, progressive, Republican, or Democrat.)
Our mission at New Wine is on earth as in heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven has tangible implications, not only in our spiritual lives, but for our personal and public interactions. Jesus formed a new “politic.” In the classical sense, a politic is simply a group of people who abide by a set of standards and policies. At New Wine, our politic is the politic of the Kingdom. Our policies come from the teachings of the Scripture and from our King Jesus.
While we hold that the Gospel has political implications, we also hold that it is not partisan. Jesus is not a Democrat or a Republican, and it is our desire not to be defined by partisan politics. New Wine has come to settled convictions on several issues that one might view as politically “right” or “left.” For example, we hold to a traditional sexual ethic (Eph. 5:3) and traditional gender differences (Gen. 2:24) that some might interpret as conservative. We also stand against racial injustice (Acts 10:34-36) and believe God has entrusted us to care for the planet (Gen. 2:15), which some might interpret as progressive. Another example is that we hold to a consistent ethic of life. That means that we are pro-life in the sense that we oppose abortion (Ps. 139), which in turn demands that we also care for mothers in crisis pregnancies and support foster and adoption programs (Gal. 6:9-10). A consistent ethic of life requires that we oppose unjust wars (Prov. 16:8) and euthanasia (2 Sam. 1:1-16). Our views of life would not be totally embraced by either the Republican or Democratic party platform. Where these differences cause great division in culture, we seek to bring unity through our differences under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Our convictions have nothing to do with being a progressive or a conservative church but everything to do with following the Scripture diligently. We desire to shape people’s hearts and minds according to Jesus’ Kingdom, which operates differently than anything we find in this world.
One of the strengths of New Wine Church is our love and grace towards everyone. A great variety of people call New Wine Church home. Individuals find themselves across the cultural spectrum with differing faith backgrounds, differing social economic status, differing sexual orientations, and differing political views (right, left, conservative, progressive, Republican, or Democrat.)
Our mission at New Wine is on earth as in heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven has tangible implications, not only in our spiritual lives, but for our personal and public interactions. Jesus formed a new “politic.” In the classical sense, a politic is simply a group of people who abide by a set of standards and policies. At New Wine, our politic is the politic of the Kingdom. Our policies come from the teachings of the Scripture and from our King Jesus.
While we hold that the Gospel has political implications, we also hold that it is not partisan. Jesus is not a Democrat or a Republican, and it is our desire not to be defined by partisan politics. New Wine has come to settled convictions on several issues that one might view as politically “right” or “left.” For example, we hold to a traditional sexual ethic (Eph. 5:3) and traditional gender differences (Gen. 2:24) that some might interpret as conservative. We also stand against racial injustice (Acts 10:34-36) and believe God has entrusted us to care for the planet (Gen. 2:15), which some might interpret as progressive. Another example is that we hold to a consistent ethic of life. That means that we are pro-life in the sense that we oppose abortion (Ps. 139), which in turn demands that we also care for mothers in crisis pregnancies and support foster and adoption programs (Gal. 6:9-10). A consistent ethic of life requires that we oppose unjust wars (Prov. 16:8) and euthanasia (2 Sam. 1:1-16). Our views of life would not be totally embraced by either the Republican or Democratic party platform. Where these differences cause great division in culture, we seek to bring unity through our differences under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Our convictions have nothing to do with being a progressive or a conservative church but everything to do with following the Scripture diligently. We desire to shape people’s hearts and minds according to Jesus’ Kingdom, which operates differently than anything we find in this world.
Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of New Wine Church based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
Bible
The Trinity
The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.
God has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as one substance in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.
The Father
The Son
God is great: He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, Holy. It is in Him that we live, move and exist. God is good. He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.
Jesus Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s ability to dwell among us. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we can have eternal life.
The Holy Spirit
Eternity
The Holy Spirit’s presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin of the unbelief in Christ, our righteousness in Christ, and the coming judgment of the world. He is our teacher, comforter and gives us power to continue the works of the kingdom as demonstrated by Christ.
Man was created to exist forever. He will exist either eternally separated from God by renouncing Jesus as savior, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
Man
Salvation
Man is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of His creation. Man was created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through the sinful disobedience of Adam and Eve, in the garden. As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God through his own effort. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.
The Church
The Church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.