1. We believe and teach that all Scripture, which includes The TaNaKh (the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings), and the Ketuvim haNotzrim (the Nazarene Writings, also called the New Testament) are given by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Breath/Spirit of Elohim), and is to be used for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:15-17, I Thessalonians 2:13, II Peter 1:21).
2. Hear O Yisrael, YHWH (Adonai, The L-rd) our Elohim (G-d), YHWH is Echad (One) (Deuteronomy 6:4 & Isaiah 43:10-11). He is the Creator of heaven and earth, of all living beings, and of everything both visible and invisible (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:15-17). Although He is limitless in power, authority, time, matter, and space, He has chosen in His infinite wisdom to reveal His nature to humanity in perceivable and comprehensible ways. Scripture records Adonai (YHWH, The L-rd) revealing Himself in the following ways: as fire (covenant with Abraham between the two halves of the cow; Genesis 15:17), as the form of a man not born of a woman, (when He approached Abraham with the two angels; Genesis 18), as a burning bush (spoke to Moshe; Exodus 3:2), as the fourth Man in the furnace, (Daniel 3:25), as the promised Messiah being a Man made of flesh and born of a woman (Isaiah 7:14, Galatians 4:4). Although there are numerous examples of Adonai revealing Himself to humanity in various ways and forms, of those, He has chosen to refer to and reveal Himself in the following primary manifestations or aspects in this age: Abba (the Father), Messiah Y’shua (Christ Jesus, the Son, the Messiah, Salvation), and The Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Breath/Spirit of Elohim) What makes these aspects important is not only the fact that Adonai used these forms to reveal Himself to humanity, but in doing so He refers to Himself in these primary manifestations or aspects as the one and only true and living Elohim.
3. We believe and teach that Y’shua haMoshiach (pronounced Ye-shoo-ah) of Nazareth is the Messiah of Yisrael, the Savior of the world and the King of kings. He is Elohim who walked among mankind in the flesh, and is now glorified with all power in Heaven and in Earth, at the right hand of Abba. Y'shua haMoshiach was the final Yom Kippur sacrifice required for the sins of the nation of Yisrael. He was crucified on a cross and rose from the dead three full days and full nights afterward. Everyone who repents of their sins and trusts in Him are forgiven their sins and come into a new life with Elohim through Him; and therefore become inheritors of all the promises Elohim made with Abraham and Yisrael. (John 1:12-14, Isaiah 53, Romans 10:9-11, 1 Corinthians 5:7).
4. We believe and teach that the new life through Y'shua haMoshiach brings with it a new creation of the human spirit. An external immersion in water (mikveh) declares that this has taken place, and ordains us into His service as His royal priesthood. The people of Elohim, whom He calls Yisrael, are a holy congregation, and are called to gather and celebrate Him at His Moedim (Appointed Feasts), and be a Royal Priesthood and a Holy Nation. Elohim has established ONE Torah, ONE people, and ONE nation.
5. We believe and teach that Y'shua haMoshiach kept the Torah of Moshe perfectly, and is our example of how to live a Torah Obedient life. He did not “do away” with the Torah, nor was it “nailed to the cross/stake/tree”. When Scripture tells us He fulfilled the Torah, it means in Hebrew thought that He interpreted it correctly. We are to emulate His life which was one of complete Torah obedience. We can do this only after we are “born again” in Messiah. He followed the Oral Traditions, and taught His talmidim (disciples, students) to follow them also, as long as they did not violate, add to, or take away from the Written Torah as given to Moshe.
6. We believe and teach that the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, and is the created Holy Day of Elohim, which He gave to mankind and covenanted with His people Yisrael as a sign forever. The Sabbath begins at sundown on the sixth day and continues until sundown on the Sabbath (Leviticus 23:1-8, Exodus 31:16, Genesis 2:2-3, Isaiah 58:13-14, Matthew 12:8).
7. We believe and teach that the Torah may refer to the Five Books of Moshe, the entire TaNaKh (Old Testament), or the whole Scriptures, (Genesis through Revelation) depending on usage. The Torah in our usage never refers to the Talmud. While we do not consider the Talmud or any other Jewish or Christian commentary on the Scriptures as the Word of Elohim; we know that the writings of Oral Tradition, such as the Talmud, the Mishnah, Gemara, and the Midrash Rabbah contain important, further insight into the character of Elohim and His dealings with His people, and should be studied and applied to our lives as long as such application does not violate, add to, or take away from the Written Torah. The Torah is for all Elohim's people who are part of the Whole-House of Yisrael. There is One Torah for one people, the children of Elohim joined together in Messiah Y’shua. We do not and are not able to practice in the Diaspora those parts of Torah which require residence in the land, a theocratic civil government and/or a consecrated Tabernacle or Temple.
8. We believe and teach that the Scriptural kosher instructions concerning food as found in Torah are for all Yisrael, which includes Judah, Ephraim, and their companions. These kosher food instructions are not optional, but are part of Torah obedience unto Adonai. We also know that these teachings from Torah regarding eating kosher are reinforced, not negated in the Ketuvim Notzrim (the Nazarene Writings, also called the New Testament). The rabbinic kosher instructions sometimes add to Scripture, and are to be inspected and followed only in light of the Torah commandments (Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14:1-21).
9. We believe and teach that Y'shua haMoshiach will return to earth in physical form, appearing in the clouds as the Conquering King (Zechariah 14:4, Revelation 20:7, others). Y'shua haMoshiach will judge all mankind of all acts and words ever committed. The promise of a continual, faithful trust in Y'shua haMoshiach, while walking according to the Torah of Elohim, is eternal life with Y'shua haMoshiach in His Kingdom and in New Jerusalem/Zion forever. (Revelation 19-22). All those not meeting Elohim’s standard will be sent away from His presence, into outer darkness and eternal punishment of the sin. (Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 20).
10. We believe and teach that Yisrael is comprised of all twelve tribes of the physical descendants of the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Yisrael also includes those who are not physical descendants of the Patriarchs, yet serve the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and claim the promise of Abraham’s seed through faith in Y'shua haMoshiach. Believers in Him have made a citizenship choice to become a part of the Commonwealth of Yisrael. The final plan for Elohim is to bring all believers, the remnant of all twelve tribes of Yisrael, and those believers who are not physical Yisraelites, together to be united into one holy people under one Shepherd, namely Y'shua haMoshiach, thus completing the tearing down of the wall of partition. There is not "One-house, there are not "Two-houses", and there are not two covenants. There is only the "Whole-House of Adonai" consisting of all believers in Y'shua haMoshiach, joined together under His leadership, abiding in Him and His Torah. (Exodus 12:49, Ezekiel 37, Romans 10:12, Romans 11:17-24, Galatians 3:28, 29; John 10:16, I Corinthians 12:13, Hebrews 10:25 Hosea 1-2, John 17, Romans 9:26, Ephesians 2, Acts 3:21).
Revised and adopted 2-1-10