About our Statement of Faith
We do not like "statements of faith." The Word of G-d is our guide to beliefs. However, because people need to know basic facts that identify us as different and some clarity on certain aspects of our faith, we offer the following.
CONCERNING G-D
1. We believe in the existence of the creator, blessed be He. He is the one true G-d, the G-d of Avraham (Abraham), Yitz'chak (Isaac), and Ya'akov (Jacob) as revealed in the Holy Scriptures of the Tanakh (Old Testament) and the Brit Chadasha (New Covenant). Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:6, 14; Acts 7:32
2. We believe that G-d always was, is, and will be. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He said "I change not." He is the everlasting One. Psalms 90:2, 93:2; Isaiah 40:28; Malachi 3:6; Daniel 4:3
3. We believe that G-d is the creator of the heaven and the earth, and that all things were created by Him, and for Him. Genesis 1:1, 21, 27, 5:2; Psalms 89:12; Isaiah 42:5, 43:1, 45:12, 18, Revelation 4:11
4. We believe that G-d is spirit and we are to serve Him in spirit and in truth. Genesis 1:2, 6:3; John 4:23-24
5. We believe that G-d is one (echad) and beside Him there is no other. "Here Israel, the LORD your G-d, the LORD is one." [Deuteronomy 6:4]. Exodus 20:3, 34:14; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6, Mark 12:29
6. We believe that G-d is the redeemer and there is no other. Isaiah 44:6, 44:24, 47:4, 48:17, 49:7, 49:26, 54:5, 54:8, 59:20, 60:16, 63:16; Jeremiah 50:34
7. We believe that G-d is a personal G-d who is concerned about the affairs of mankind. He is our heavenly Father and we seek to have and build a personal relationship with Him. 1Kings 10:9; 2Chronicles 9:8; Psalms 68:5, Malachi 2:10, John 3:16, 16:27; Ephesians 5:2; 2Thesolonians 2:16; 1John 4:10-11
CONCERNING MAN
8. We believe that man is a created being made by G-d, in the image of G-d, and was originally placed in Gan-Edan (Garden of Eden). Genesis 1:26, 5:1-2, 2:8
9. We believe that we are to serve G-d and Him only as our G-d, our King and our Lord in all matters that are spiritual and physical as directed by Him in His scriptures. (cf. item 10) Exodus 23:25; Deuteronomy 13:4
CONCERNING THE SET-APART (HOLY) SCRIPTURES
10. We believe that the Holy Scriptures include the 66 books of the combined Tanakh (Old Testament) and the Brit Chadasha (New Covenant) are the inspired word of G-d, given to man so that we can more clearly understand G-d, know His love for us, and what He requires of us. Jeremiah 31:3; 2Timothy 3:16; Proverbs 8:17; John 14:15
11. We believe that the original manuscripts were inerrant in their giving and recording. G-d has preserved His word down through the ages in sufficient integrity to serve this day as authoritative for the matters written therein. Exodus 24:4-8; Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Acts 20:32; Romans 10:17; 2Corinthians 5:19; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 1:13, 6:17; 2Timothy 2:15; 1Peter 1:23, 25
12. We believe that G-d has given us, Israelite and gentile alike, His statutes and judgments in the Torah, and His revelation continued in His writings, prophets and His Son. Exodus 12:19, 48-49, 20:10, 23:12; Leviticus 16:29, 17:12, 17:15, 18:26, 19:10, 19:33-34, 24:16, 24:22; Numbers 9:14, 15:14-16, 26, 29-30, 19:10, 35:15; Deuteronomy 1:16, 5:14, 10:19, 16:11, 14; Joshua 8:33; Ruth 2:10; Romans 2:12-29
13. We believe that Yeshua of Nazareth, the Messiah, did not remove Torah requirements, but was Torah observant, and taught us to keep His commandments. Torah, and the balance of scripture, is practical for both Israelites and gentiles to learn the expectations of G-d and to follow those instructions that can be followed since the destruction of the temple and the scattering of the Cohanim (priesthood).Matthew 5:17-19; John 14:15, 23; Romans 3:31; 1John 2:3-4, 2:7, 3:22, 24, 5:2-3; 2John 1:6; Revelation 12:17, 14:12, 22:14
CONCERNING SIN
14. We believe that sin is transgression of Torah. 1John 3:4
15. We believe that Adam sinned against G-d by eating of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and this disobedience (sin) brought death to all of mankind, curses, and expulsion from Gan-Edan. Both Adam and his wife Havah (Eve) immediately died spiritually when they ate of the tree and died physically at a later time. Genesis 2:17, 5:5; Romans 5:14
16. We believe that because of Adam's sin, everyone who is born is born out of sin and are spiritually dead. Because of sin and spiritual death, all of mankind is in need of a Messiah to provide a way for the forgiveness of sin so they may be made alive spiritually. 2Chronicles 6:36; Psalms 51:5; John 8:34; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8-14; 1Corinthians 15:22
CONCERNING ISRAEL
17. We believe that G-d called Avram out of Ur and the Chaldees and even though both Avram and his wife Sara were well advanced in years, G-d gave Sara a child, Yitz'chak (Isaac), to carry the promise and the blessing given by G-d that through Avram that all nations shall be blessed. G-d changed Avram's name to Avraham (Abraham) in that he will be the father of many nations. The blessing of Yitz'chak (Isaac) was specifically and exclusively passed to Yitz'chak's son, Ya'akov (Jacob), and then to Ya'akov's twelve son's. G-d changed Ya'akov's name to Israel and the seed of Israel are the Israelites. Nehemiah 9:7; Genesis 11:30, 12:1-3, 17:5, 15-17, 18:11-14, 21:1-3, 32:28; Exodus 6:8; Leviticus 26:42; Matthew 8:11, 22:32; Mark 12:26; Luke 13:28; Acts 7:8
18. We believe that Israel was chosen to be a priestly nation for all the nations of the earth, and this duty has been partially fulfilled in the Messiah, but will not be fully fulfilled in Israel until the thousand year reign of Messiah. Exodus 19:6; Hebrews 9:11; Ezekiel 46:1
19. We believe that G-d has scattered Israel into the nations of the earth, but he has not abandoned Israel. At this later time He is calling the Children of Israel back into the Promise Land, Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel). Isaiah 51:11
20. We believe that Eretz Yisrael, promised to the descendants of Avraham, belongs solely to the descendants of Israel (Ya'akov). Exodus 6:8; Deuteronomy 1:8, 6:10, 30:20, 34:4; 2Kings 13:23; Jeremiah 33:26
21. We believe that the Messiah will return to Eretz Yisrael and establish His thousand year reign over all the earth. Acts 1:9-11; Zechariah 12:10; Ezekiel 46:1; Revelation 20:4
CONCERNING THE MESSIAH
22. We believe that through the descendant of Avraham, Yitz'chak, and Ya'akov (Israel), of the line of Yehudah, of the Branch of Yesse, of the seed of David, G-d has prepared His anointed One, the Messiah, to save His people. Isaiah 11:1-5; Luke 4:16-22
23. We believe that to facilitate the necessary requirements for Messiah, G-d chose a virgin, into whom He placed a child, to be born as a human, who is also called the Son of G-d, and even called the son of man. He is the seed of the woman who is promised to crush the serpent's (HaSatan) head. He was named Yeshua (historically referred to as Jesus) because He shall save His people. Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; Matthew 1:23-25; Luke 1:26-35
24. We believe that Yeshua came to bring salvation to the Jew (Israelite) first, and then to the gentile. It is the extending of salvation to the gentile that fulfills the promise made by G-d to Avraham that "through you all nations shall be blessed." [Gen 12:2-3] Genesis12:2-3, 18:18, 22:18, 26:4; Romans 1:16
25. We believe that Yeshua lived a sinless life, He is Torah observant, and He is One with the Father. G-d is echad (one) and is not divided, and Yeshua is the very presence of G-d on earth. This mystery has confounded man for two-thousand years, but even before Yeshua was born, Isaiah wrote of Him as "the Everlasting Father." Upon Him shall the scepter not depart. Yeshua told those around Him that "before Abraham was I AM." [Jn 8:58] Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 9:6-7; Micah 5:2; John 8:42, 8:58; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 4:14-15
CONCERNING ATONEMENT FOR SIN
26. We believe that G-d has provided only one payment (atonement) for the forgiveness of sin, and that payment is death. Death is facilitated by the shedding of blood so that most things are atoned by the shedding of the blood of the transgressor. In His mercy, G-d allows us to present to Him a substitute to die in our place, and when the prescribed blood is shed in the prescribed manner, then through G-d's unmerited favor, forgiveness is extended. At first, G-d prescribe specific animal sacrifice to serve as the substitute, and then, at the appointed time His Son Yeshua gave His life, shedding His blood on the execution stake as the required unblemished (sinless) offering for the forgiveness of sin for all who would t'shuva (repent) of their sin, and accept Him as that necessary sacrifice. Thus Yeshua's blood sacrifice may be imputed upon us. His death was the necessary offering made once and for all, and it is perfect for the forgiveness of sin. It is effectual for all who would believe, from the time it was provided, during this present time, and into the future. Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:22; Leviticus 4:26, 31, 35, 5:10, 13, 16, 18, 6:7(5:26), 19:22; Numbers 15:28; Acts 2:38; 3:19
27. We believe that all people (male and female) are born in sin, and therefore must have a blood offering for the forgiveness of sin as prescribed by G-d. Leviticus 17:11; Psalms 51:5 (51:7); 1John 1:8; Hebrews 9:22
28. We believe that forgiveness of sin is provided by G-d's unmerited favor (grace). One is to go before G-d in prayer with a humble and contrite heart, asking for the forgiveness of one's sin and accepting the blood atoning sacrifice of Yeshua as the necessary blood offering for the forgiveness of sin. When one approaches G-d in prayer with a humble and contrite heart, one is displaying the act of t'shuva (repentance). T'shuva is the turning from one's sin, turning toward G-d, and seeking His ways. G-d extends His forgiveness to those who He has called and who have turned to Him seeking forgiveness of sin. This forgiveness of sin is not through any work or action of the sinner, but is a free gift provided by G-d to the sinner so that no one can boast. It is necessary to accept Yeshua's blood atoning sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin: there is no other way to right standing with G-d. During the time of the Levitical priesthood and the temple, G-d forgave those who came to Him with a humble and contrite heart and the applicable offering, but this forgiveness was only applied for the sin for which the offering was made. If one sinned thereafter then one would need another offering for the forgiveness of subsequent sin. One cannot become righteous by doing good deeds, asking forgiveness of others, or any other method. Yeshua said, "I am the way, and the truth and the life and NO ONE comes to the Father but by me." [John 14:6] All who have not accepted the blood atoning sacrifice of Yeshua are in a condition of sin and spiritually separated from G-d. G-d is a just and righteous G-d that cannot allow unrighteousness into His kingdom. As such no one can enter into His Kingdom without accepting Yeshua's death as a substitutional death for one's sin. Ezekiel 14:6, 8:30; Matthew 3:2, 4:17; Mark 1:15, 6:12; Luke 13:3, 5, 16:30; Acts 2:38, 3:19, 17:30, 26:20; Romans 5:15-17, 8:10-11; Galatians 2:21; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 9:13-14; Revelation 2:5, 14:13
29. We believe that when one accepts the substitutional death of Yeshua, His blood atoning sacrifice is spiritually imputed (applied) to the door post of our lives (our heart). This is the fulfillment of the picture of the blood of the Pascal (Passover) lamb applied to the doorpost of the houses of Israel in Egypt on the night the Angel of the LORD passed over those houses and spared the lives of the Israelites, but killing the first born males throughout the land of Egypt who did not have the blood upon their door posts. If we have accepted Yeshua's atoning death, then when we die in this world, we will pass to the afterlife, and will be marked as sons and daughters of G-d. Because it is appointed unto all to die and then the judgment, those who have accepted Yeshua's substitutional death will be found written in the Book of Life, and those who have not accepted Yeshua's substitutional death will not be found written in the Book of Life. As such, the judgment of the second death, the Lake of Fire burning with Brimstone, will pass over all who are found written in the Book of Life, but for all those who are not found written in the Book of Life, they shall be thrown into the Lake of Fire burning with Brimstone, which is also the final appointed place of HaSatan, his demons, death and she'ol (the grave). Exodus 12:7, 13; Matthew 18:8, 19:29, 25:41, 46; John 1:12, 3:16, 36, 4:14, 5:24, 6:27, 40, 47, 12:50; 2Thessolonians 1:8-10; Revelation 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:10-15, 21:27
30. We believe that when Messiah died on the execution stake on Pesach, was buried and in the grave on Unleavened Bread, and was resurrected from the dead three days later as a first fruit offering for Bikkurim (the morrow after the Sabbath after the Passover). He appeared to many people for 40 days. After 40 days He was taken up into heaven to sit down on the right hand of the Father. G-d then poured out His Ruach HaKodesh on Shavu'ot upon those who believe and received Yeshua's blood atoning sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. In the future, Yeshua shall return to earth, judge the nations and establish a thousand year reign, thus fulfilling the Autumn mo'edim (appointed times) of Leviticus 23. All nations shall be required to go up to Jerusalem from year to year to worship the King of kings, the Lord of Host, the Messiah, during the thousand years. Hosea 3:5; Amos 9:11-15; Zechariah 14:1-19; Matthew 24:27-30; John 14:28, 16, 18:33-19:18, 19:40-42, 20:1, 29:11-16; Acts 1:1-11, 2:1-41; 1Corinthians 5:7; Revelation 20:4-6
CONCERNING LIFE IN MESSIAH
31. We believe that those who are descendants of Israel (Jews) who do not know Messiah Yeshua are like branches broken off of the Olive Tree of Israel. When each one accepts Yeshua Messiah's blood atoning sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin, then G-d reattaches that one to the Olive Tree of Israel. Those who are not of Israel, who are goyim (of the other nations; gentiles) are of a wild olive tree. When one who is a gentile trusts in the blood atoning sacrifice of Yeshua Messiah for the forgiveness of sin, then G-d removes them from the wild olive tree and grafts them into the Olive Tree of Israel, and thus they are made One, both Israelite and gentile, in the Olive Tree of Israel. Becoming one in the Olive Tree, there is no difference between Israelite and gentile, for both are equal in the eyes of G-d, both will receive the promises made to Israel, both will have a right to the Tree of Life in the New Jerusalem, and both will dwell the new earth. This oneness and unity does not discriminate between male and female or between master and servant. Acts 13:46; Romans 11:1-36
32. We believe that when one accepts Yeshua's blood atoning sacrifice, it is because the Holy One, blessed be He, has called them, and they are made alive (quickened) in the spirit, and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) enters into them and imparts spiritual manifestations as determined by G-d for the furtherance of His Kingdom. When one accepts Yeshua's blood atoning sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin, then one is born again as a son or daughter of the Most High. John 1:12-13, 3:3, 3:7-8, 6:44, 14:15-16, 15:26-27, 16:13-16
33. We believe that when one is born again, they become a son or daughter of The Most High and are to grow as sons and daughters by being Torah observant, steadfast in prayer, and non wavering in trust (faith) in G-d. As stated, one is only saved by G-d's unmerited favor (grace) through trust (faith), and this is not of our self's, not of works, least anyone should boast. [Ephesians 2:8] Torah observance therefore is not to achieve salvation, but to do what G-d requires of us because we love the Father and want to be obedient to His will. Yeshua said, "If you love me you will keep my commandments." [John 14:15] Psalm 119:11, John 14:15, 15:10, Ephesians 2:8
CONCERNING THE SPIRIT REALM
34. We believe that G-d created an angelic realm of spiritual beings to work as messengers for His cause. These spiritual beings include the angles who are messengers of the most high, and those demons as determined and appointed by G-d. G-d is in charge of the spirit realm and is in total control and has authority of all things. Ezekiel 28:13, 15
35. We believe that the HaSatan (the adversary) is an angelic being and set in opposition to man to be his/her adversary. As such, HaSatan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may destroy. HaSatan is appointed to fulfill his intended purpose and then will be discarded into the Lake of Fire burning with Brimstone at the appointed time. Job 1:6-7; 1Peter 5:8; Jude 1:6; Revelation 20:10
CONCERNING THE END TIMES
36. We believe that at the appointed time Yeshua shall return to earth and shall establish His Kingdom, rebuilding the tabernacle of David, and will rule and reign for a thousand years. In that day He shall be One and His name One. At the end of a thousand years, HaSatan will be released from the pit, where he will be confined before the thousand year reign of Messiah, and shall go out to deceive the nations once again. HaSatan shall gather them for battle against Yeshua and His elect. At that time Yeshua shall consume them with fire. Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 20:4-10
37. We believe that after the thousand year reign, G-d shall destroy the heaven and earth and shall create a new heaven and a new earth. Those who are saved by the blood atoning sacrifice of Yeshua will live in the new earth and He shall care for them. Isaiah 60:20; Daniel 9:24, 12:2; Romans 6:22; Jeremiah 10:10; Ezekiel 37:26; Daniel 4:3
CONCERNING THE SABBATH
38. We believe that the Sabbath day is the seventh and final day of every weekly cycle as was established in creation by YHWH. It was revealed to us with the extra portion of manah provided on the day before each Sabbath by YHWH in the wilderness and therefore cannot be discerned by any other method. Only by keeping track of the weekly cycle over the generations so we will know when the Sabbath day comes will work in establishing this weekly day of worship. Any other means of trying to set the Sabbath day such as watching the sun, moon and stars is not scriptural and will not work in determining the festival of Shavuot. Seven Sabbaths plus one day make 50 days to Shavuot and never more or less. Genesis 1.1-2.3; Exodus 16:13-36; Leviticus 23.15, 16.
CONCERNING THE MOADIM (FESTIVALS)
39. We believe that the beginning and end of the months of the calendar are established by the observance of the "new moon crescent." However, because the high priest must sanctify the months and holy day schedule for the year, we may not alter the instructions of the most recent high priest and ruling high counsel. These dates are set by calculation in modern times by the last officially recognized high priest--Hillel 2. The moadim (holydays) are determined in the Torah by the new moons and seasons and are sanctified by the high priest and the ruling beit din - knesset of Israel. No other man or organization may change the calendar regulating the holy day observance of the Word of YHWH. Leviticus 23; Numbers 27.21.
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