Who we are: “Vinogradna Loza” Church wants to make long-term changes in human life and society

Our mission: to acquire and grow fully consecrated followers of Jesus Christ!

This is how we make a difference, it’s the driving force behind everything we do!

Goal

To become like Christ. Until we all reach the union of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, the perfect Man, in proportion to the growth of Christ’s fullness.

Eph. 4:16

Vision

We dream that every Christian who received the Holy will not waste his life, realize his vocation and bear abundant fruit to the praise of God’s Glory.

(Eph. 1:13-14, Phil. 2:11)

Letter

He saved us not from the works of righteousness that we had done, but from His mercy through the baptism of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

(Titus 3:5, Eph. 2:8-9)

VALUES OF THE CHURCH:

JESUS LOVES AND BUILDS HIS CHURCH!

We value and love the church because Jesus values and loves it.
We value in the church what Jesus values in it:

Цінність 1 - Поклоніння

Adoration

To seek happiness and pleasure in worshiping God’s Glorious Majesty.
(Ps. 15:11)

Цінність 2 - Наставництво

Mentoring

A close mentoring relationship in the church for Christlikeness.
(2 Tim. 2:2)

tsinnist 3 Spilnist

Community

Communion with the church in work as part of one body of Christ.
(1Cor.12:4-20)

Цінність 4 - Благовістя

Good news

Love for the dying world and the preaching of the Gospel of the Greatness of Christ!
(John 3:16)

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power as the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

“God created us with one single desire: to joyfully manifest His LIMITLESS GREATNESS in all spheres of life.”

(John Piper)

At Grapevine Church, we believe that a true true follower of Jesus Christ is fully consecrated! Lives for Him.
A disciple is a fully consecrated follower of Christ.
Disciple – strives to be like Jesus Christ!!!
A disciple is one who reproduces!!!
A disciple is one who multiplies the Kingdom.

Everything is for you, so that grace, multiplied through many, may enrich thanksgiving to the glory of God. 

(2 Cor. 4:15)

…I will build My Church!

(Matthew 16:15)

History of the Church​

The church is the main project of Jesus Christ on earth. The church belongs to Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I will build my church…” He always fulfills His Word. Jesus builds his church:

Before the ascension, Jesus said: “But you will receive power as the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). On the fiftieth day after His resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended on the first Christians and united them into one church. Since that time, the disciples of Jesus form new and new churches from their city to the “end of the earth”.

 The city of Lviv is called the city of temples, but the city has also gained fame as one of the most corrupt cities in Ukraine. Our city needs not just more religious buildings, but living churches where people know Jesus personally. Lviv, a city famous for its beautiful architecture, we want Lviv to glorify God with beautiful hearts.

   Lviv is not a small city, taking into account students and immigrants, up to 1 million residents live here. Therefore, our city needs many more living churches. In 2002, our Art. pastor Ihor Granatiuk accepted to teach at the beginning of the “Tabernacle” church. In 2006, God called him to start a new church, which was named Grapevine.

Repetition of the law 8:2 

І YOU WILL REMEMBER ALL THE WAY THAT THE LORD YOUR GOD HAS LEAD YOU THROUGH

Our History

We thank our Lord Jesus Christ with all our hearts, who saved us and leads us as pilgrims through all life’s difficulties and obstacles

BEGINNING (2004р.)

The Vynogradna Loza church began with a group of young people who organized a Christian English language club in Lviv in 2004. In one of the English camps, young girls Yulia Mudretska, Yulia Mamedova, Lilya Osukhovska converted to the Lord…

ENGLISH CLUB

Sundra, a missionary from the USA, started an English-speaking club, the responsibility of which was entrusted to Ihor Granatyuk from the “Tabernacle” church. Young girls immediately joined the team of assistants in the organization of the club.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH (2005р.)

Через пів року місіонерка залишила Україну – команда молодих християн, прийняла на себе відповідальність за продовження клубу. Ігор Гранатюк вів командні зустрічі аналізу і підготовки, а також готував частування після програми клубу. Загалом клуб тривав 3 роки. Молодь навчалася Слову в домашніх групах по курсах БІ. Зростала духовна спільність і дружба.

INTERNATIONAL CAMP (2006)

After 2 years, in 2006, an international Christian camp was organized on the basis of the club on the Sea of Azov, in which God, through the thoughts of missionary Shannon Ford, began to speak about the beginning of a new church. Yulia Granatiuk decided to be baptized this summer. After a year of prayers, hesitations and doubts, God led to the decision to start the church: “Vineyard”.

ENGLISH CAMP (2007)

BAPTISM (2007)

After the camp, on one of the lakes near Lviv, Yulia Mamedova, Lilia Osukhovska, Volodya Kosarevych, Olya Trotsenko, Oleksandra Trotsenko, Rostyslav Protsyuk and several others were baptized. For about 3 years, the youth went to baptism – it was a challenge for everyone, given the context of religious persecution by their relatives, since all of them were from non-believing families. Svyatoslav Dobryansky and Oleg Yakymov and his wife also joined to help with the organization of the church.

OPENING OF THE CHURCH (2007)

The church started with 10 young people and the young pastor Ihor Granatiuk, who was only 26 years old at the time. Despite his young age, God wisely built the church through him in wise leadership and sound teaching of the Word. With the spiritual growth of the pastor, the church grew spiritually, because everything he studied in theological institutes and in the Word, he immediately passed on to the team. At the core of the vision and structure of the church was and is the church of small home groups. The church made and continues to emphasize not on programs and events, but on the personal growth of students.

THE FIRST OFFICERS (2008)

In March 2008, the Tsetsork family came to the church service, who were in search of God and community and had a huge prayer need for their brother Bohdan. Mykhailo, the youngest son, and his mother, Oksana, actively began going to small groups and studying the Scriptures. In the 2008 camp, Mykhailo decided to follow Christ and was baptized a week later. Michael’s life before Christ was filled with addictions to alcohol and drugs. Christ changed Michael’s life so radically that he immediately stopped his relationship with his beloved girl, to whom he sincerely testified about grace. Within one month, Elizabeth, seeing Michael’s faithfulness and steadfastness, repented and was baptized. Now they are a young active family that serves God to the teenagers of the city. Mykhailo is now a deacon and church administrator.

ONE LORD,
ONE FAITH,
ОДНЕ ХРEЩЕННЯ!

(Eph. 4:5).​

WHAT DO WE BELIEVE?

Jesus warned that in the last days many false teachers will appear. Our goal is to carefully research and carefully explain the Bible. We believe that the Bible is reliable, relevant and practical!

We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament, namely: the 5 books of Moses, the book of Joshua, the book of Judges, the book of Ruth, the two books of Kings, the two books of Samuel, the two books of Chronicles, the book of Ezra, the book of Nehemiah, the book of Esther, the book of Job, Psalms, Proverbs of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, books of prophets: Isaiah and Jeremiah, Lamentations of Jeremiah and books of prophets: Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Hagia, Zechariah and Malachi , as well as the books of the New Testament, namely: the Gospel: from Matthew, from Mark, from Luke and from John, the Acts of the Apostles, the epistle of James, the two epistles of Peter, the three epistles of John, the epistle of Judas, the epistle of Ap. Paul to the Romans, two letters to the Corinthians, letters to the Galatians, to the Ephesians, to the Philippians, to the Colossians, two letters to the Thessalonians, two letters to Timothy, the letters to Titus and Philemon, the letter to the Hebrews and the Revelation of John – true inspired by the Holy Spirit, therefore all these books together constitute the only true revelation to the human race and should be the only source of God-knowledge. The Bible in its original form is the inerrant and inerrant Word of God, all parts of which are inspired by God. God spoke in the Scriptures by means of double authorship. The Holy Spirit guided the authors so much that, despite the individuality of character and the difference in writing style, every word written by them is the Word of God as a whole and in its individual parts. [1]

We believe that the Bible is the only unchanging and perfect (infallible) rule and standard of our faith and conduct. Although there may be several practical applications of each text of Scripture, there is only one true meaning. The Word of God is an objective revelation. The Holy Spirit, enlightening each believer, opens the understanding of the Holy Scriptures with the help of the usual historical and grammatical interpretation of each word in its context. [2] It is the responsibility of every believer to carefully study and apply the meaning of Scripture in the practical circumstances of life.

We believe that there is only one, living, true and eternal God [3] perfect in all His attributes, one in essence, eternally existing in three Persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – each of whom equally deserves worship and obedience. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit [4], in their essence and features are perfect, eternally equal and inseparable [5], so that the Father is true, eternal God [6], the Son is true, eternal God [7] and the Holy Spirit – true, eternal God [8].

God the Father

God the Father is the first Person in the Divine Trinity, Who governs all events according to His will and grace (Ps. 144:8-9; 1 Cor. 8:6). He is the Creator of everything visible and invisible, moving and immovable (Gen. 1:1-31; Eph. 3:9), the only absolute ruler of the universe. He is sovereign in creation, providence and redemption (Ps. 102:19; Rom. 11:36). His paternity is determined by his position in the Trinity and his attitude towards humanity. As the Creator, He is the Father of all mankind (Eph. 4:6), but He is also a spiritual Father, only for believers (Rom. 8:14; 2 Cor. 6:18). Everything that happens, He foresaw for His glory (Eph. 1:11). He unceasingly controls all beings and events (1 Kings 29:11). While sovereign in creation, God is not the author or creator of evil and sin. He hates sin (Abb. 1:13; John 8:38-47). Nor does He diminish the responsibility for the sin of all thinking beings (1 Peter 1:17). God the Father, by His grace, chose the first deposit of the world of His children, who are His property, for eternal salvation [9] (Eph. 1:4-6). He forgives the sins of all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He is the Father of forgiven sinners (Jn. 1:12; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5; Heb. 12:5-9).

God the Son

Jesus Christ is the second Person in the Divine Trinity. He possesses all the characteristics of God equal to God the Father in significance and eternity (John 10:30; 14:9). We believe that God the Father created everything according to His will through Jesus Christ, His Son, by whom everything exists and works [10].

We believe that at the Incarnation Christ voluntarily refused to use His Divine privileges, but He did not lose His Divine essence in any degree. At the incarnation, the second person of the Trinity became fully human and became the God-man (Phil. 2:5-8; Col. 2:9). We believe that Jesus Christ combines the qualities of man and God in an inseparable unity (Mic. 5:2; Jn. 5:23; Col. 2:9). We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23,25; Luke 1:26-35); He was God in the flesh (Rom. 1:1, 14); the purpose of His incarnation was to reveal God to people, free man from the slavery of sin and restore the Kingdom of God on earth (Ps. 2:7-9; Is. 9:6; John 1:29; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 7:25-26; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

We believe that Jesus Christ accomplished our salvation through the shedding of His sacrificial blood, dying on the cross, He did it voluntarily, becoming a substitutionary and redeeming sacrifice (Jn. 10:15; Rom. 3:24-25, 5:8; 1 Peter 2: 24). On the basis of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the sinner who believed in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior is freed from the punishment and power of sin, and in the future – from the very presence of sin, is declared righteous and enters the family of God (Rom. 3: 25, 5:8-9; 2 Cor. 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18).We believe that our justification is accomplished by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now at the right hand of the Father, being our Mediator, Intercessor and High Priest (Matt. 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts. 2:30 – 31; Rom. 4:25, 8:34; Heb. 7:25, 9:14; 1 John 2:1).

We believe in the literal bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ according to Scripture [11]. By resurrecting Jesus Christ from the dead, God the Father confirmed the Divinity of Jesus Christ. The fact of the resurrection also proved that God the Father accepted the ransom sacrifice of His Son on the cross. In addition, the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the guarantee of future life through the resurrection for all believers (John 5:26-29, 14:19; Rom. 1:4, 4:25, 6:5-10; 1 Cor. 15: 20, 23).

We believe that Jesus Christ will return to take his Church, which is his body, by rapture. After which he will return again in glory to establish the Millennial Kingdom on earth (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 20). We believe that Jesus Christ is the One through whom God the Father will judge all mankind (John 5:22,23). As a mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5), the Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22, 5:23; Col. 1:18), the coming King of the whole universe, who will reign on the throne of David (Is. 9 : 6; Luk. 1:31-33), Jesus Christ will be the Judge for those who rejected Him and did not believe in Him as Lord and their personal Savior (Matt. 25:14-46; Acts. 17:30-31 ).

God is the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of God’s Trinity, possessing all the attributes of God, including intellect (1 Cor. 2:10-13), emotions (Eph. 4:30), will (1 Cor. 12:11). infinite (Heb. 9:14), omnipresent (Ps. 139:7-10), omniscient (Isa. 40:13-14), almighty (Rom. 15:13), and true (John 16:13). In all divine attributes, the Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4, 28:25-26; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14; Jer. 31: 31-34; Hebrews 10:15-17).

We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is primarily expressed in the revelation of God’s will to all mankind. The Holy Spirit acted in creation (Genesis 1:2), in incarnation (Matthew 1:18), in the formation of the Scriptures (2 Pet. 1:20-21) and in the matter of salvation (John 3:5-7). We believe that on the day of Pentecost, a special service of the Holy Spirit began – the creation of the Church. On this day, the Holy Spirit descended from the Father, as was promised by Christ (Rom. 14:16-17, 15:26), to begin and later bring to completion the formation of the body of Jesus Christ, that is, His Church (1 Cor. 12:13) . The scope of the ministry of the Holy Spirit includes: revealing to the world about sin, truth and judgment, glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of Jesus Christ (John 16:7-9; Acts 1:5, 2:4; Rom. 8: 29 ; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 2:22).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a supernatural and sovereign performer of the miraculous act of rebirth and baptism (immersion) of every believer into the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit lives in believers, and also sanctifies, instructs, empowers for service and seals on the day of redemption (Rom. 8:9; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13). The Holy Spirit is the Teacher who guided the apostles and the prophets when they wrote down God’s revelation – the Bible. The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer at the moment of salvation (born again) (Eph. 1:13-14). Everyone born again is called to be filled with the Holy Spirit, that is, to submit all areas of his life to His presence and guidance (Jn. 16:13; Rom. 8:9; Eph. 5:18; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 John 2:20, 27).

We believe that the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts in the Church. Spiritual gifts serve to glorify Jesus Christ, redeem those who are perishing, and create and strengthen believers in faith, truth, to prepare the saints for the work of service to build up the body of Christ (Jn. 16:13, 14; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 12: 4-11; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:7-12) …

We believe that man was directly created by oom a oo oraom aza. Man was created free from sin, endowed with true wisdom, intelligence, will, self-determination and moral responsibility before God (Genesis 2:7, 15-25; James 3:9).

We believe that God’s purpose and purpose in creating man was to glorify God, to enjoy fellowship with God, and to have dominion over God’s creation (Gen. 1:26-28; Is. 43:7; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4: 11).

We believe that Adam’s sin of disobedience was rebellion against the absolute authority of God. Man sinned due to the treachery of Satan, and as a result fell away from God – he immediately entered the state of death in soul and body [12]. Having succumbed to the temptation to try to become a god [13], man refused the Lordship of the Creator, becoming guilty before Him, subjecting himself to the wrath of God, and becoming forever a slave of sin, incapable of choosing and pleasing God (Rom. 3:9-23). Since all people are descended from the seed of Adam, they too have become partakers of the same sinful and absolutely corrupt nature [14], they are conceived and born in sins [15], in their essence they are children of wrath [16] who are absolutely incapable and inclined to nothing good, but capable and inclined to all evil [17].

We believe that salvation comes exclusively from God by grace based on the redemption of Jesus Christ, through His shed blood. Man himself can neither reach it nor earn it by his works (John 1:12; Eph. 1:7, 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

Birth from above

We believe that being born again is a supernatural event with the participation of the Holy Spirit, during which a person is given life and a new divine nature (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). This happens instantly by the power of the Holy Spirit through listening to the Word of God (Rom. 5:24), when a sinner who repents under the influence of the Holy Spirit accepts Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior by faith. The true birth from above is confirmed by the corresponding fruits of repentance, a biblical attitude to life and practical deeds. Good works done by a born again person in obedience to God are the confirmation and fruit of being born again (1 Cor. 6:19-20; Eph. 2:10). They will manifest themselves depending on how much the believer puts himself at the disposal of the Holy Spirit through obedience to God’s Word (Eph. 5:17-21; Phil. 2:12; Col. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4-10). Such obedience leads the believer to a constant process of growth in faith, in truth and likeness to Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3:18). The believer’s growth in sanctification and likeness to Christ will be perfect at the moment of glorification of the believer during the second coming of Jesus Christ to earth (Rom. 8:17; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:2-3).

Chosenness

We believe that election is an act of God, when before the foundation of the world He chose those who believed and accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord (Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:4-11; 2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2). We believe that from the beginning of time there has been a free will, not controlled by anything outside itself [18] and God’s determination is to redeem sinners [19]. And since in the council of God, because of His unsearchable, merciful love, before the foundation of the world, a decision was made that God would become the Redeemer by His incarnation in man and His death [20], then those who from the lost human race will really accept redemption in the course of time are chosen by the Father [21], their names are written in heaven [22], are in the hands of the Redeemer [23], as His people [24], as the sheep of His flock, for whom He laid down His life [25], as His heritage [26], and as His bride. These persons are given eternal life in Christ Jesus [27] and at the same time all means are provided that should lead them to faith in Christ, to holiness and, finally, to eternal bliss [28]. Such God’s prediction is unchangeable and confirmed for ages [29], therefore those to whom it concerns – the chosen ones – cannot be stolen from the hands of Christ [30], but by the power of God they are preserved in faith and love for Christ, until they become co-heirs of His glory [31].

We believe that God’s authoritative election, which is clearly presented in the Bible, does not contradict the fact that man is responsible for making a decision to repent and believe in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord (Ezek. 18:23, 32, 33:11 ; John 3:18-19, Romans 9:22-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Revelation 22:17).

We believe that election should be viewed as an act of God’s authority without departing from the general nature of His Divine Personality. God’s authoritative decisions in election operate inseparably with His other characteristics and attributes, such as omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love [32]. Thus, God’s action in election corresponds to His character, which was manifested in the life of Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:25-28; 2 Tim. 1:9).

Redemption and justification

We believe that God could not otherwise have redeemed man from the terrible consequences of his fall, except by the full satisfaction of His holy justice [33]; therefore, from eternity He foresaw His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice of reconciliation [34]. As a result, Christ, the Son of the living God [35], at the time determined by God, came to earth in the likeness of a sinful body [36] in order to redeem the entire human race. He showed perfect obedience by fulfilling the entire Divine Law for us [37], offering His body and His soul as a sacrifice for us [38]. He became a curse for us [39], taking upon Himself the wrath of God and the punishment for our sins [40].

We believe that this eternal and complete redemption [41] by the Son of God is the only cause of our salvation [42], and that through it we are guaranteed the forgiveness of all our sins [43], justification [44], eternal righteousness [45] , deliverance from death, the devil and hell [46], eternal life [47], and also that through this redemption we receive the power to hate sin, to die for it [48], to desire good and to do it [49]. Christ, who accomplished redemption by His death [50], rose from the dead on the third day [51], ascended to heaven [52], sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high [53] and sent us His Holy Spirit, who enables us to receive good things by faith of this glorious redemption [54]. As High Priest, He intercedes for us before the Father [55], stays with us all the days until the end of the age [56] and finally takes us to heaven, where He has prepared a place for us [57].

We believe that justification before God is His action (Rom. 8:33), whereby He declares righteous all those who, through faith in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38, 3 :19, 11:18; Rom. 2:4; 2 Cor. 7:10; Is. 55:6-7), recognizes Him as his personal Savior and Lord (Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 12:3; 2 Cor. 4:5; Phil. 2:11). The essence of Christ’s righteousness is not in any virtues or human works (Rom. 3:20, 4:6), but in the fact that Christ took our sins upon Himself and imputed His righteousness to those who believed in Him (Col. 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24). A born-again person is clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21). This means that God is righteous and justifies the one who believes in Jesus [58].

Sanctification

We believe that every believer is sanctified, that is, separated from the world as God’s property through justification in Jesus Christ, thus recognized as holy, that is, separated from sin. In this sense, sanctification occurs instantly and determines a person’s position before God. This sanctification should not be confused with progressive sanctification, that is, the process of growth in spirit and in truth (Acts 20:32; 1 Cor. 1:2,30, 6:12; 2 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 2:1, 10 :10, 14, 13:12). We believe that every born-again person has an inner need through obedience to the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to grow in holiness, becoming more and more like Jesus Christ [59]. (Rom. 6:1-22; 2 Cor. 3:18; 1 Thess. 4:3-4, 5:23).

Accordingly, we believe that the born-again man is involved in a constant conflict or struggle of his new regenerate nature, that is, the new creation in Christ, with the old sinful nature of sinful man. Nevertheless, the victory of the believer is guaranteed by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in him. This struggle continues during earthly life, and any claims about the absolute eradication of sin in earthly life are unbiblical. Victory over sin is possible only through the Holy Spirit [60]. (Gal. 5:16-25; Eph. 4:22-24; Phil. 3:12; Col. 3:9-10; 1 Peter 1:14-16 1 John 3:5-9).

Confidence in salvation

We believe that all those who are truly born again, saved and redeemed, are preserved in faith by the power of God and thus can fully trust in God, who keeps them in His hand [61] (Jn. 5:24, 6:37-40, Rom. 5:9-10, 8:1, 31-39; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 7:25, 13:5; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24). It is the believer’s privilege to rejoice in the assurance of salvation. At the same time, biblical confidence in salvation does not mean that a person who lives and is in sin can hope for God-guaranteed salvation. Those who live like this are actually only called believers, but have never truly experienced the true birth from above [62] (Rom. 6:15-22; Gal. 5:13, 25-26; Titus 2:11-14).

We believe that all those who believed in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord are immediately immersed by the Holy Spirit in a single spiritual body – the Church [63], which is the bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5: 23 – 32; Rev. 19:7-8), the Head of the Church is Christ (Eph. 1:22, 4:15; Col. 1:18).

We believe that the Church is a unique spiritual organism created by Jesus Christ, consisting of born-again believers in the present age (Eph. 2:11; 3:6). The church is the people of God, separated from Israel (1 Cor. 10:32). It was created on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47). The church will be built on earth until it is caught up by Jesus Christ, after which it will be with Christ forever (1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).

We believe that the New Testament clearly teaches and defines the structure and priority role of local churches (Acts 14:23, 27, 20:17, 28; Gal. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1) and that members of one spiritual body must have fellowship in local churches (1 Cor. 11:18-20; Heb. 10:25). According to the command of Jesus Christ and His apostles [64], as well as according to the example of the apostolic times, and in order to fulfill all the decrees of the New Testament [65], the duty of every convert to the Lord is that he should not remain alone, but should to unite with other disciples of the Lord, as members of the same body [66], as living stones of the one house of God [67] for mutual edification, encouragement and support on the path of salvation [68] in order to be in apostolic teaching, in community, in breaking of bread and prayers (Acts 2:42). Such an association of true disciples of Christ, formed on the basis of the Word of God, is the Church of Jesus Christ. The unchanging rule and guidance of the Church is the Word of God – the Bible [69].

Servants of the Church

We believe that Jesus Christ is the only supreme authority and head of the Church (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18). The order of church leadership, service, and church discipline was established by Christ himself, as set forth in the Scriptures. The Church is led by ministers who have biblical qualifications, recognized by the members of the Church through election and ordination (Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11, 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1- 5). The following ministers of the Church are mentioned in the Bible: presbyters, pastors, bishops, teachers, evangelists and deacons.

We believe that the Bible, speaking about presbyters, bishops, pastors, teachers and evangelists, does not teach about different degrees of church authority, but about different functions of ministers of the Church. The Scriptures entrust these ministers with the responsibility of spiritual care for the members of the Church, first of all, through the faithful preaching of the Word of God and prayer service. [70] In addition, these ministers participate in holding the Lord’s Supper, baptisms, prayers for the sick, [71] marriages, as well as the prayer of blessing with the laying on of hands.

Deacons must also possess the qualities mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. [72] The main task of deacons is to provide all kinds of assistance to presbyters in the performance of their ministry; mainly they are entrusted with responsibility for the material side of the Church’s service and charity.

The ordination of ministers (pastors, presbyters, teachers, evangelists and deacons) is performed by experienced ministers of the local church or ministers invited from other churches, after election by the Church and due testing [73]. All ministers in the Church, first of all, bear direct responsibility to Christ, to each other, to the council of ministers and to the whole Church. We believe that in the presence of Biblical qualification and election of the Church, such ministers have the authority from God to lead, lead and manage the local church as ministers of Christ (1 Tim. 5:17-22). The council of ministers or presbyters of the Church is a body that bears special responsibility in determining the development of the Church and providing spiritual leadership in all matters of the development and functioning of the Church. Members of the Church, in turn, are subordinate to ministers. [74]

We believe that God made the local church the main link in the functioning of the body of Christ – the Universal Church. The local church has no external, human authority to oversee or govern it. The council of elected, biblically qualified ministers and the general assembly of the Church have all the necessary power to resolve any issues of the life and service of the Church. [75] The intervention of any third-party ministers or organizations in the affairs of the Church is admissible only in the form of consultations and is provided at the request of the Church. At the same time, between different churches that correspond to each other according to biblical standards, communication should be maintained, as well as opportunities for mutual assistance and for joint projects in the matter of spreading the Gospel and establishing churches. Each local church through its ministers determines the degree and form of interaction with other churches (Acts 15:19-31, 20:28; 1 Cor. 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

Church discipline

We believe that the spiritual growth of believers in the Church occurs through spiritual nourishment from the Word of God [76] and interaction with each other, which is presented in the Bible as discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:2). Life in the Church involves the interaction of believers with each other, as well as their mutual responsibility to each other (Matthew 18:5-14). The Church must apply measures of church punishment (remarks and excommunication) to members of the Church who sin, do not repent and do not leave sin. Church punishments are applied based on biblical standards (Matt. 18:15-22; Acts 5:1-11; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Thess. 3:6-15; 1 Tim. 1:19-20; Titus 1:10-16). Their goal, first of all, is to help the one who has sinned to repent and be freed from sin. [77]

Spiritual gifts

We believe that the main purpose of the Church is to acknowledge and glorify God (Eph. 3:21), mutual edification and strengthening of each other in faith (Eph. 4:13-16) according to the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:2, 15; 3:16-17). In addition, the Church exists for the fellowship of Christians with each other (Acts 2:47; 1 John 1:3), the fulfillment of biblical commandments and commands (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42). One of the most important tasks of the Church and every Christian is to spread the Gospel throughout the world (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8, 2:42).

We believe that in order to build the Church, serve each other and glorify God, every born-again Christian has certain spiritual gifts from God (Rom. 12:5-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11 ). Every Christian is endowed with gifts according to the sovereign will of the Holy Spirit. [78] One of the main tasks of Church ministers is to prepare believers for the work of service, helping them to correctly apply spiritual gifts for the general building of the Church. [79]…

Water baptism

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ bequeathed to the Church two symbolic signs testifying to the spiritual processes taking place in the lives of believers – water baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:38-42). Water baptism is a demonstration of faith in the crucified, buried and resurrected Jesus Christ. Due to the fact that baptism is a demonstration of the baptized person’s personal faith, it is accepted at a conscious age by full immersion, which symbolizes union with Christ in death for sin and resurrection for a new life in obedience to God (Rom. 6:1-11). Baptism is also a visible sign of belonging to the body of Christ – the Church (Acts 2:41-42).

Lord’s Supper

We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the proclamation of the death of Jesus Christ as the reason for the salvation of every believer. The Lord’s Supper will be carried out by the Church until the moment when Jesus Christ comes the second time. Participation in the supper takes place in the spirit of humility, self-examination and self-examination by every born-again believer who reflects on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the essence of salvation (1 Cor. 11:28-32). We also believe that the bread and wine received during the Lord’s Supper are only images of the body and blood of Christ and that practical participation in the Supper is a demonstration of our union with the resurrected Christ. The right to participate in the Lord’s Supper is given to born-again, saved people who have found it through water baptism and are at peace with God and other members of the local church (1 Cor. 10:16).

We believe that marriage was created by God for communication and mutual assistance between a man and a woman, [83] for the reproduction of the human race. [84] We also believe that a man should have only one wife, and a woman only one husband (during the lifetime of both – both husband and wife) [85]. We recognize that Christians can marry only in the Lord – with believers [86].

Marriage is a mutual consecration of a woman and a man to each other before God and His Church. Such a dedication is made once in a lifetime. [87] All problems that arise between husband and wife should be resolved in the spirit of Christian love and humility on the basis of the Holy Scriptures. The Bible forbids divorce [88] under any circumstances except for the guilt of fornication [89] or in cases where an unbelieving husband or wife leaves a believing wife or husband. [90]

Marriage, being a Divine and civil decree, in addition to consecration before God and the Church, must be documented in accordance with the laws of the country.

We believe that God established the institution of earthly government in order to preserve sinful mankind from final decay. [91] Earthly government has authority from God to protect the good and to punish the wicked. [92] We believe that Christians are bound to show unconditional obedience to the civil laws of the country in which they live, [93] if they do not contradict the principles of the Holy Scriptures. [94] Christians are also bound by God’s command to pray for the government, [95] that it may, by God’s will and under His gracious protection, so exercise the power entrusted to it to preserve peace and justice.

We believe that the government, which according to the Holy Scriptures does not bear the sword in vain, has the right and duty according to God’s law to punish those who do evil [96] and to use the sword to protect its own citizens. However, we recognize that, ultimately, evil is never defeated by evil. [97] Therefore, we believe that the issue of military service is a matter of conscience for every Christian. No one can condemn those who are in military service, as well as force into military service those who, out of deep motives of conscience, ask to be exempted from carrying out military service with weapons in their hands.

Holy Angels

We believe that angels were created by God and are not objects of worship and saving faith, despite the fact that in a certain sense they are more perfect than man. They were created by God to serve and worship Him (Lk. 2:9-14; Heb. 1:6-4, 14; 2:6-7; Rev. 5:11-14; 19:10; 22:9).

Fallen angels

We believe that Satan or the Devil is a created angel. He is the author of sin. God’s righteous judgment awaits him for his rebellion against his Creator (Is. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:11-19), as a result of which he led a huge number of other angels during his fall (Mat. 25:41; Rev. . 12:1-14), and led all mankind into sin through the temptation of Eve (Genesis 3:1-15).

We believe that Satan is the clear enemy of God and man (Is. 14:13-14; Matt. 4:1-11; Rev. 12:9-10), the prince of this world, who was defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ ( Romans 16:20). Satan and his angels (demons) will inherit eternal punishment in torment in the lake of fire (Is. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:11-19; Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).

Death

We believe that physical death is the moment when a person’s soul separates from their body. [98] The human soul is immortal. The souls of the dead are fully conscious (Rev. 6:9-11). At the same time, the souls of saved people are in the presence of Jesus Christ (Luke 23:43; Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:8), and the souls of unbelievers are awaiting great judgment and punishment[99]. For saved people, this division will continue until the rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-17), when our soul and body will be reunited and glorified through our Lord (Phil. 3:21; 1 Cor. 15:35-44, 50-54 ).

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all believers and unbelievers. Believers will be resurrected for eternal life with Christ (Rom. 6:39; Rom. 8:10-11, 19-23; 2 Cor. 4:14), and unbelievers – for judgment and eternal punishment [100] (Dan. 12: 2; John 5:29; Revelation 20:13-15).

We believe that salvation is possible only during a person’s earthly life. After death, a person has no opportunity to change his location[101]. The souls of the unsaved after death are under punishment until the second resurrection (Lk. 16:19-26; Rev. 20:13-15), when the soul and body will be united at the moment of resurrection (Jn. 5:28-29), after which they will appear before the Great White Throne for judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) and will be thrown into the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41-46), where they will suffer eternally, being forever separated from life with God. (Dan. 12:2; Matt. 25:41-46; 2 Thess. 1:7-9).

We believe that one day the Church of Jesus Christ will be caught up from the earth. At the same time, the bodies of believers who will remain alive at that time will be changed. The same believers, who by that time will depart into eternity, will receive new bodies and will be united with Christ and with those brothers and sisters in the Lord who will remain alive, in order to always be with Him. [102]

We believe in the literal, bodily return of Jesus Christ to earth in power and glory to judge the wicked and establish the Kingdom of God forever. [103] We believe that before the second coming of Jesus Christ, there will be seven years of Great Tribulation, during which God’s wrath will be poured out on those who will live on earth (Rev. 6 – 19 chapters).

We believe that after His coming, Jesus Christ will establish the Kingdom of the Messiah on earth for 1000 years (Rev. 20:1-7). At this time, all the resurrected saints will reign with Him over Israel and other nations of the earth (Ezek. 37:21-28; Dan. 7:17-22; Rev. 19:11-16). Immediately before the Millennial Kingdom, the Antichrist and the False Prophet will be defeated and thrown into the lake of fire [104], and the devil will be bound and chained in the abyss for a thousand years (Dan. 7:17-27; Rev. 20:1-7). We believe that the 1,000-year kingdom will be the fulfillment of the promises made to Israel in the Old Testament, where God promised to restore them to the land they lost through disobedience (Deut. 28:15-68; Is. 65:17-25; Ezek. 37:21-28; Zech. 8:1-17) The result of disobedience was that God dealt with the Gentiles for many years (Matt. 21:43; Rom. 11:1-26). The great tribulation and the 1000-year kingdom will be the fulfillment of God’s Word in that Israel will awaken again through repentance to enter the land of blessing, the promised land (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-32; Zech. 12: 10-14; Romans 11:25-29).

We believe that after the 1,000-year reign of the Messiah, Satan will be released for a short time (Rev. 20:7). During this period, Satan will stir up the nations of the earth and gather them to challenge the saints and Jerusalem. Then Satan and his entire army will be struck by fire from heaven (Rev. 20:9). After that, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire, which burns with fire and brimstone (Matthew 25:41; Rev. 20:10).

We believe that all unsaved people will be literally and physically regenerated for judgment before the Great White Throne. They will be judged by God according to the deeds they did on earth, [105] and will be cast into the lake of fire for eternal punishment because their names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. [106]

Eternity

We believe that after the 1000-year reign, the temporary release of Satan and the judgment of unbelievers (2 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 20:7-15), the earth and everything on it will burn up (2 Peter 3:10) , and God will create a new earth for the lives of the righteous (Eph. 5:5; Rev. 20:15, 21-22). In the new earth and the new sky, there will be a Heavenly City that will come down from heaven (Rev. 21:2), where the saints will live forever in unceasing joy and communication with each other and with God (Jn. 17:3; Rev. 21-22) . After that, Jesus Christ will hand over the Kingdom to the Heavenly Father, and thereby complete the mission of saving the human race (1 Cor. 15:24-28). God will dwell in this Kingdom forever (1 Cor. 15:28).

Ми твердо тримаємося точних і чітких висловлювань Святого Письма, які говорять, що як блаженство, так і муки людини після закінчення життя, будуть незмінними, і віруємо, що обидва ці стани вічні, [107] отже, жоден перехід з одного стану в інший, і жоден порятунок після смерті є неможливим. [108] Ми ж, згадуючи слова Господа нашого: “Ото, незабаром приходжу” і з Духом і нареченою Церквою, членами якої ми себе вважаємо, вигукуємо: “Амінь. Гряди, Господи Ісусе!”

JESUS LOVES AND BUILDS HIS CHURCH!​

We value and love the church because Jesus values and loves it.
We value in the church what Jesus values in it:

PRINCIPLES OF LIFE AND SERVICE?

God-centrism – Vinohradnya Loza church exists for God. God is first in all ministry. It is important for us that God be at the center of all our thoughts and conversations on any topics, about all areas of life. Proof of this value is a righteous God-fearing life, prayer as an expression of our thirst, thirst and love for the Heavenly Father.

Matthew 22:37 / Ivan. 14:21.

We believe that a deep study of the Scriptures is a study that is focused on the deep application of the Word to one’s heart and to one’s life. Our ultimate goal of Bible study is practical application and changed lives

James 1:22 / 2 Tim. 3:16-17 / Isaiah 66:2 / Acts 17:11 / Ezra 7:10.

We believe that life-changing power comes only from ministry anointed by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 / Acts 5:32 / Acts 13:2 / Acts 16:6.

We want to worship Christ with all our hearts. We understand that no one can serve two masters. It is important for us to remember that we ourselves and everything we have belong to Christ. We own neither ourselves nor anything. We are only stewards. We wholeheartedly want to dispose of God in such a way as to please Him.

1 Peter 3:15 / Matthew 6:21 / Luke 6:45

We build relationships for Christ. This is not a human mutually beneficial relationship, but a useless relationship in Christ. We build a community not for our own sake, not simply because it is necessary and because it is right – but because Christ united us, freeing us from the slavery of sin, Satan and the power of human thought.

John 13:34 / John 15:12,17 / 1 John 4:21 / Rom 12:10 / Rom 13:8 / Rom 15:7

We want to be purposeful for God and to God, not for ourselves and the world. Since making disciples for Christ is the main reason we are still here on earth, we want to be primarily focused on this. As a result, we believe in clear, obvious multiplication because God wants it.

Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 8:22, Matthew 9:9, Matthew 19:21.

Life on earth is not life, but only preparation, our real life is in Heaven with Jesus!

The real value is what will last forever. Our soul is created to live forever – nothing temporary can satiate it.

Phil. 1:21-23, 3:20 Col. 3:1-4,

Jesus gave us the most precious thing – Himself. Therefore, we gladly participate in Christ’s sufferings. Jesus gave us the special honor of carrying the cross and becoming a sacrifice at the sacrifice.

Matthew 10:37-39, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Mark 10:21, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27; Phil.3:10, 2Cor.1:5, Col.1:24, 1Pet.4:13, Rom.8:17

We are convinced of the need for complete consecration to Christ and His work. We believe that the Bible not only requires every believer to consecrate himself to Christ with all his heart, but also declares the slightest non-conformity to this standard to be a sin. Each believer of the community must cultivate in himself and in others complete consecration to Christ.

Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13