What we believe
At Vista we believe that sound doctrine is the foundation of discipleship. Here are the “5 Gs” of sound doctrine we want every disciple to know.
GOD's Nature
We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously proposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
Read the following verses and ask...What does it say about God? About man? (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, John 1:1-3,14, Colossians 1:15-19, Acts 5:3-4)
God's Broken Law
We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled, and renewed. Read the following verses and ask...What does it say about God? About man? (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 3:1-7, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:18-19)
God's Gift- Salvation
We believe that Jesus Christ, perfect God and perfect man, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, and as our representative and substitute shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation. He died and rose again to solve the problem of human sin and will one day return to earth. Then all humanity will be raised from the dead and those who have trusted Him as Savior, who are members of the church, will enjoy eternity with Him. Those who have not trusted Him as Savior will be separated from Him in hell. Read the following verses and ask...What does it say about God? About man? (1 Corinthians 15:3-6, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9,10).
God's Word
We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
Read the following verses and ask...what does it say about God? about man? (2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
God's New Creation
We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor, and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
Read the following verses and ask...what does it say about God? about man? (Titus 2:11-14, Matthew 22:36-40, Matthew 28:18-20)