| First a comment from a very wise
brother:
"In essential beliefs -- we have unity."
| “there is one body and one Spirit…there
is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and
Father of us all…” |
| Ephesians 4:4-6 |
"In the non-essential beliefs -- we have liberty."
| “Accept him whose faith is weak, without
passing judgment on disputable matters…who are
you to judge someone else’s servant? To his
own master he stands or falls…So then each of
us will give an account of himself to God…So
whatever you believe about these things keep them
between yourself and God.” |
| Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22 |
"In all our beliefs -- charity (relating to
one another in a loving way)."
| “…If I hold in mind not only all
human knowledge but also the very secrets of God,
and have the faith that can move mountains -- but
have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” |
| 1 Corinthians 13:2 |
Essentials we
believe...
- ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible, both Old Testament and New (Tenach and B’rit
Hadasha) is the inspired Word of God, without error in the
original writings, the complete revelation of God’s
will for the salvation of men, and the divine and final
authority for all Christian faith and practice (Proverbs
30:5-6; Isaiah 40:7-8; Jeremiah 31:31; Matthew 5:18; II
Timothy 3:16,17; II Peter I: 19-21).
- ABOUT GOD
There is one God. He is the Creator of all things, infinitely
perfect and eternally existing in three Persons: Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. All equally possess the same divine
attributes (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 48:16; Matthew 28:19-20)
- ABOUT JESUS THE MESSIAH
Jesus the Messiah (Yeshua HaMashiach) is the Son of God.
He is fully God and fully man, having been conceived of
the virgin Mary, who was of Davidic descent. Jesus died
on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins according to the
Scriptures (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; I Peter 2:4). Further,
He arose bodily from the dead after three days (Psalm 16:10-11;
Matthew 12:39-40), ascended into heaven, where at the right
hand of the Majesty on high, He is now our high priest and
advocate (Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 1:3; I John 2:1).
- ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) is present in the world
to make men aware of their need for Messiah Jesus. He also
lives in every believer from the moment of salvation. He
provides the believer with power for living, understanding
of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved.
As believers we seek to live under His control daily. (John
16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; II
Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 1: 13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians
5:18.)
- ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like
Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s
creation. Although every person has tremendous potential
for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience
toward God called sin. This attitude separates people from
God and points to their need for reconciliation and salvation.
Only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation
and spiritual life be obtained (Genesis 1:26,27; Isaiah
53:6a; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:4-7; Titus 3:5-7)
- ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God’s free gift to us. We can never make
up for our sin by self-improvement, good works, or religious
ceremony. Only by trusting in Jesus as God’s offer
of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty.
When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus
in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one
receives Jesus into one’s life by faith. (John 14:6,
1:12; Romans 5:1, 6:23; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8,9;
Titus 3:5)
- ABOUT ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist
eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God
through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated
from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal
life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
(John 3:16, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; I Corinthians 2:7;
Revelation 20:15)
- ABOUT ORDINANCES (IMMERSION AND LORD’S SUPPER)
Immersion in water (baptism) and the Lord’s Supper
are signs of the New Covenant commanded by the Messiah Jesus
to be practiced and are to be observed by followers of the
Messiah (Christians) during the present age (Matthew 26:26-29;
28: 19-20; Acts 8:35-37; I Corinthians 11:23-30).
- ABOUT THE UNIVERSAL BODY OF BELIEVERS
The universal fellowship of believers (one true church)
is composed of all Jews and Gentiles who have embraced Jesus
as Messiah and Lord. The Spirit of God baptizes (identifies)
all believers at the moment of salvation in the Body of
the Messiah. The universal fellowship (church) is distinct
from Israel though it shares the spiritual blessings of
the covenants God made with Israel and should not be seen
as fulfilling nor replacing God’s plan for Israel
because the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable (Romans
11:28, 29).
- ABOUT THE REMNANT
God called a people to Himself who are the physical descendants
of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Genesis 12:1-3; Deuteronomy
7:6-9; 14:1-2). God has made unconditional covenants with
this elect nation of Israel that have remained unfulfilled
(Genesis 17:6-9; Deuteronomy 29:1-30:10; II Samuel 7:12-16;
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 9:4). In Israel’s history
of unbelief, there has always been a remnant according to
the election of grace (Romans 11:1-5). There will be a national
regeneration of Israel at which time all the provisions
of the unconditional covenants will be fulfilled, including
the seed, land and blessings aspects (Ezekiel 36: 25-28;
Hosea 3:4-5; Zechariah 12:10-13:1; Romans 11:25-29).
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