Statement of Faith - What We Affirm

We Believe...

We Affirm Elohim:

We affirm that the universe (cosmos) was created by Elohim ("Mighty One," sometimes called "God"). This creative act uniquely and definitively identifies who He is. Since He created all, He is in a classification far above all other living beings in the universe. He is the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving Creator and Mighty One. (Genesis 1; Isaiah 44:24)
We affirm that Elohim has revealed to us His personal Name, which is hwhy (probably vocalized "ee ah oo ah" or Yahuwah, though Yehovah may also be correct) because he wants to be called upon by his own personal name. We affirm that this is implied not so subtly by the appearance and use of his name "Yahuwah" over 6000 times in the Hebrew Scriptures (!) and that His Name must be honored and used respectfully because of who He is. (Exodus 3:14,15; 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11)
We affirm that Elohim alone is the source of all life, and that He alone can give life. His personal name calls attention to this fact: Yahuwah means "the one who is" or "the eternally existing living one" or even "the one who was and is and is to come" (Genesis 2:7; Exodus 3:15; John 5:21)
We affirm that Elohim is unique. There is none like him. There is none that is His equal. There is no other. He is singular in mind, purpose, being and personality. (Genesis 1:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; John 10:30; James 1:17)
We affirm that our Maker has revealed Himself in four significant ways: he has made Himself known to us through His handiwork (creation), through the writings of the prophets (i.e. the Bible), by His interventions in human history (theophanies and christophanies), and by taking up a body of human flesh. (Exodus 3-12; John 1; Romans 1:19, 20; Revelation 1:1; 19)
We affirm that Elohim can not be "put in a box" and defined by human reasoning. Men have mistakenly thought that the truth that Elohim is one must exclude the possibility that he could be manifest in human flesh. In fact, Elohim exists in his native state as Spirit. But he has entered into his creation as a man. Yet, he still is One. (Deuteronomy 6:4; John 1:18, 10:30, 17:21)
We affirm that He is dynamically involved in His creation and is seeking personal relationship with willing human beings. (Genesis 1,2,3; 1 Timothy 2:3,4; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 2:20,22)
Note: We are utilizing the original Hebrew names as a standard naming convention in place of the more common Hellenized and Anglicized names we find in most English language Bibles. Elohim is being used instead of the more traditional "God." The name Yahuwah (or Yahweh) is being restored because it is the actual Hebrew name of Elohim, in place of the offensive and indefensible substitute designation "the LORD." And the name Yahusha is being used rather than the more popular (but incorrect) "Jesus." These are the actual and original words and names from the Hebrew Scriptures. (Exodus 3:15)

We Affirm the Inspiration of the Scriptures:

We affirm that Elohim has spoken to man on many occasions and has revealed Himself through the prophetic writings that He inspired holy men, who were moved by the Holy Spirit, to write. (Jeremiah 1:9; 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:1,2; 2 Peter 1:20,21)
We affirm that Yahusha (also known by many as "Jesus") and His mission are the main focus of the Law, the Prophets and the Writings (which three divisions of the Old Testament are also known as the TaNaK, an acronym for Torah, Neviim, Ketuvim, Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:27; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
We affirm that the writings of the "Old Testament" and the writings of the "New Testament" are inseparable. Neither can be correctly understood without the other. These writings form a single message to mankind which is referred to in the Scriptures as the Eternal Gospel. (Romans 1:1-5; Hebrews 1:1,2)

We Affirm the Literal 7 Day Creation:

We affirm that hwhy created the universe out of nothing, and by His spoken word he formed the heavens and the earth in six literal days. (Genesis 1:1-2:1; Hebrews 11:3; Exodus 20:11)
We affirm that He created mankind after the pattern and in the likeness of his own being, with similar characteristics, traits and emotions. (Genesis 1:27; Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 11:7; 2 Corinthians 3:18)
We affirm that on the sixth day of creation, Elohim designed and formed man to be capable of living forever in fellowship with Him. (Genesis 3:22; John 3:16)
We affirm that hwhy, following six days of labor in creation week, rested on the seventh day and set the seventh day apart as a special and unique day, to establish a pattern for all mankind to follow. (Genesis 2:2,3; Exodus 20:8)
We affirm that this seventh-day Sabbath is a gift from Elohim, and was given to us so that we can experience rest from our labor and unhindered fellowship with Elohim on that day every week. (Mark 2:27)
We affirm that the weekly experience of companionship with Him on Sabbath is essential to experience wholeness in mind, body and spirit (i.e. "holiness"). (1 Peter 1:15,16; Exodus 20:8, 11; Genesis 2:3)
We affirm that in resting on the Sabbath day, people can demonstrate their acceptance of and appreciation for and participate in Elohim’s perfect plan for them. (Hebrews 4:9)
We affirm that participation in the seventh day Sabbath is an act of faith, demonstrating one's trust in Yahuwah's provision and one's confidence that Yahuwah will give rest to all His own in the kingdom Yahusha will establish on earth. The Sabbath, then, is a shadow or harbinger of things which Messiah will fulfill. (Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 4:4-6)
We affirm that setting apart the Sabbath day is the sign or mark on all those doing so that they belong to Elohim.

We Affirm the Abiding Validity of Elohim's Law:

We affirm that Elohim gave to man instructions (Torah) to live by, which are not just for the Jewish people or a previous "dispensation," but are for the well being of every person who wants to experience eternal life. (Exodus 20:1-17; Matthew 5:17-20)
We affirm that He established these eternal instructions (laws) at Creation as suitable expressions of Elohim's good and acceptable and perfect will. (Genesis 1:14; 26:5; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 12:1,2)
We affirm that Elohim wants to place these spiritual laws in the heart and mind of man to give us a clear sense of direction. (Jeremiah 31:33; Romans 1:19-21)
We affirm that though His laws are eternal, there is great confusion in the thinking of most people about which of His instructions are eternal, because many have seared their own consciences through unbelief and disobedience and have instead accepted and trusted a man-made lie about what Elohim's instructions for his people are. (Romans 1:18-32; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 1 Timothy 4:2)

We Affirm that Mankind's Sin is the Cause of the Deterioration of the World:

We affirm that in Adam our father, all of mankind rejected Elohim’s plan for them through Adam's one act of disobedience in the garden. (Genesis 3; Romans 5:19)
We affirm that man’s rejection of Elohim resulted in the withdrawal of Elohim’s presence and the rescinding of the capability to experience eternal life. (Genesis 3:22-24)
We affirm that rejection of Elohim's ways, which He calls "sin," is the primary cause of (and has resulted in) sorrow, pain, disease, suffering and death for all mankind. (Romans 3:23; 6:23)
We affirm that this fall and rejection of Elohim's way caused the broken fellowship of man with man, and was the reason for the separation of mankind into diverse nations, cultures and languages. (Genesis 4:7,8; 11:6-8)

We Affirm Redemption (Ransom) Through Messiah's Shed Blood:

We affirm that before the creation, in the kind, loving heart of Elohim, our Creator formulated a plan to restore mankind to a personal fellowship with Him in the event that he should reject his Creator. (Ephesians 1:3-5; 3:11)
We affirm that the only way that man could be restored to fellowship with his Creator is by having the penalty for his sin paid for by a ransom - the death of an innocent and sinless substitute person. (Isaiah 53:5,6; Acts 4:12)
We affirm that not just any man can be a ransom for another's sin, because each man's death can only be in payment for his own sins. (Psalm 49:7)
We affirm that Elohim’s plan for restoration was to send the only worthy person, a sinless person - Himself, in human flesh - to take upon himself the penalty for sin by dieing for every one who would place their trust in him. (John 3:16)
We affirm that hwhy Elohim began to unfold his plan to restore human beings to Himself by choosing a people, Israel, through whom He would enter the world in human flesh. (Genesis 18:18; 22:18; 26:4,5; Romans 4:16-25)
We affirm that Elohim previewed his plan for the redemption of man and the restoration of the universe in the set-apart Appointments that He gave to His people. (Leviticus 23; Colossians 2:16,17)
We affirm that these set-apart Appointments depict the gracious and definitive acts of salvation that Elohim in human flesh would personally perform on behalf of mankind at pre-ordained appointed times during the course of human history. (1 Corinthians 5:7)

We Affirm that Yahusha (aka Jesus) is the Creator and Lord of the Universe and the Promised Messiah:

We affirm that Yahusha of Nazareth is hwhy Elohim, manifest in human flesh, who is revealed throughout the Scriptures, and is one and the same as hwhy Elohim who created the world, and has personally intervened at many times in history. (John 1:1-14; 8:58; Colossians 1:15,16)
We affirm that Yahuwah tabernacled in human flesh, being born of a virgin, and was given the human name Yahusha. (Matthew 1:18; John 1:14)
We affirm that Yahusha lived a sinless, human life on earth, and is therefore qualified to be the perfect sacrifice for the remission of all the sins of the world. (John 1:29; Hebrews 7:26; 9:14)
We affirm that Yahusha died on behalf of all who place their trust in Him. (Isaiah 53:4,5; Romans 4:25; 5:17,18)
We affirm that Yahusha's resurrection from the dead is definitive proof that He is the promised Moshiakh (Messiah, Acts 2:31-36; 17:31; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28).

We Affirm that Salvation is a Gift:

We affirm that to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel), Elohim had promised a Seed (Messiah), a Blessing (forgiveness of sins), and an eternal Inheritance (a plot of ground) with that Seed on the New Earth. (Genesis 12:1-3; 15; 18; Ephesians 1:10)
We affirm that Yahusha is that Seed, and that He and all who place their trust in Him, both "old" and "new" covenant saints, will together be the recipients of those great and precious promises. (Galatians 3:16; Ephesians 2:10-22; 3:6; Hebrews 11:39,40)
We affirm that Elohim freely offers to all humanity the opportunity to receive forgiveness of sin and to experience a cleansing work of the Holy Spirit in his life. (Romans 6:23; John 14:16)
We affirm that just as the one act of disobedience of man resulted in his loss of fellowship with Elohim and his death sentence, the one act of Yahusha in substitutionary self-sacrifice (the ransom) is sufficient to restore the sinner to fellowship with Elohim and to grant him eternal life which he had once enjoyed in the beginning. (Romans 5:12-19)
We affirm that man can never earn merit towards salvation by performing acts of good, but that only through a simple, yet profound faith in Elohim can man be brought back into fellowship with his Creator. (Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:8,9)
We affirm that this profound faith in Elohim issues in faithful obedience to his commandments and fidelity to walking in all his ways. (John 14:15)
We affirm that righteousness is not given merely because one "believes" (no "cheap grace" here), but is the natural result of loyalty to the Master expressed in wholehearted obedience to every word that proceeds from the mouth of Elohim. (Deuteronomy 8:3)

We Affirm that Elohim has Established Permanent Guidelines for True Worship:

We affirm that true worship - that which is done "in Spirit and in truth" - must be framed around the first four of the ten commandments
1) We affirm that having other mighty ones - superstitions, sports idols, political idols, etc. - separates one from acceptable worship of the true Elohim
2) We affirm that objects of worship - prayer beads, yard statues, images and statues of saints, pictures of "Jesus" and the like - are an offense to the living Elohim. These choices also separate us from his face
3) We affirm that not calling upon him by his correct Name (YHWH), substituting his name with other designated phrases (the LORD, Adonai, HaShem) and not living in obedience to his commandments are all forms of "taking his name in vain"
4) We affirm the the Sabbath and all the annual Appointed Times are required in the true worship of the Creator and Redeemer and that other worship days (Sunday, Christmas, Easter and the like) are offensive and unacceptable to Him
We affirm that Yahusha is fulfilling the promises Elohim made to our forefathers according to His plan at the exact Appointed Times which he depicted in the weekly Sabbath and annual set-apart Appointment celebrations. (Matthew 26:17,18)
We affirm that these Appointed Times are not "for the Jews only," but were established at Creation for all who say "Yes" to Him to be the blueprint for true and acceptable worship of the Creator Elohim. (Genesis 1:14, "seasons" is the Hebrew moedim, or appointed times)
We affirm that Elohim's set-apart Appointments are all about Yahusha (Jesus) in that they depict the Eternal Gospel - His death at Passover, His resurrection at First Fruits, the sanctification of his people during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, His sending of the set-apart Spirit at Pentecost, His future coming to "rapture" the church with the sound of the trumpet during the day of Trumpets, His work of atonement (judgment) of sin on the Day of Atonement and His kingdom reign with His people during the Feast of Tabernacles. (Colossians 1:14-22; John 4:24)
We affirm that Elohim has very clearly revealed in His Word, through the weekly Sabbath and the annual set-apart Appointments, the time and the manner in which He wants to be worshiped -and that truth seekers will structure their worship of hwhy the Creator around these Appointed Times and Seasons, all of which are declared to be set-apart Appointment Days by the Creator. (Genesis 1;14; Leviticus 23; Deuteronomy 6:1,2; Daniel 7:25)
We affirm that some day very soon, in fulfillment of the set-apart Appointment celebrations, Yahusha will return from heaven to consummate his work of redemption by restoring creation to its original brilliance for the perpetuation of life and to tabernacle with men. (Acts 3:21; Revelation 21)

We Affirm that the Genuine Faith Response is to Walk in Obedience to hwhy's Laws:

We affirm that a life lived in submission to the whole will of Elohim is the primary duty of man. (Deuteronomy 8:3; Ecclesiastes 12:13,14)
We affirm that in the terms of the covenant which Yahuwah made with His people Israel, and in the teachings of Yahusha, which are clarifications and explanations of the terms of that same covenant, Elohim has revealed his will for the conduct and lifestyle of His covenanted people (all who place their faith in Him, both "Old Testament disciples" and "New Testament disciples"). (Matthew 5-7; 24-25)
We affirm that Elohim wants those who place their trust in Him to live their lives in complete surrender to His will and to be wholly devoted to Him in every facet of their lives. (Leviticus 11:44,45; 19:2-4; 1 Peter 1:15,16)
We affirm that this surrender to Him includes being submissive in every area of our life: in our appearance, in our clothing, in our eating, in speech and in everything we do - we are to do it His way. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
We affirm that Elohim has enabled His people to live this set-apart life by placing His Holy Spirit within the hearts of those who put their trust in Him to give understanding of the Torah and its application and to give power to obey it. (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13)