Statement of Faith
So that we may have unity among us, and that we all speak the same thing regarding the foundation of our faith, and that with integrity we present our witness of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah as those who walk in His light, (1 Corinthians 1:10 & Acts 2:42) we establish and profess the following beliefs as both core and essential. It should be noted that other doctrines are also necessary elements of the faith, and just because a position is not stated here does not mean that it is not upheld by this institution. However, the goal of Kehillat Yeshua Messianic Yeshiva is to try to bridge the gap between the Messianic movement and the great long-standing history and tradition of the Christian Church. To realize this vision, we attempt to be as ecumenical as we can in areas where disagreements must be accepted on the terms of, as John Wesley said, "agreeing to disagree."
Scripture
All Scripture is given by the Breath/Spirit of God [Elohim], and is to be used for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness, for all who believe. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21). This Scripture, commonly called “The Bible,” is composed of multiple books written over a large span of time. These are the Tanakh (“Old Testament”) as well as the B’rit Hadasha (“New Testament”). We accept and affirm these canonical 66 books as being Scriptural. We affirm that while other books and writings exist, and can also be useful for learning and instructing, we do not consider them canonical Scripture. Further:
God (Elohim)
Hear, O Israel: YHWH [the LORD] is our God. He is One. He is ADONAI (Deuteronomy 6:4 & Isaiah 43:10-11). He is the Creator of heaven and earth, of all living things, and of everything both visible and invisible (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:15-17). He is limitless in power, authority, time, matter, and space. He has chosen, in His infinite wisdom, to reveal His nature to humanity through interactions with man and through the Scriptures.
Yeshua Messiah (Jesus Christ)
Yeshua of Nazareth is Ha’Mashiach (Jesus Christ, the Messiah). He is the Unique Son of God. Savior, King of kings, Lord of lords. He is the image of the invisible God, both pre-existent and eternal, and the fullness of Deity dwells within Him. He is the Word, Which has been with God and is God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (John 1, Colossians 1:15-20, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, Matthew 5:18; 24:35)
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit (Ruach Ha’Qodesh), being of and from God, is sent out by both Father and Son to empower God’s people to do His will. The Holy Spirit works a regenerative work in believers, to set them apart (ie. to sanctify, make holy), and is the down payment of what is to come. (John 14-16, Acts 1-2, Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 2, 2 Corinthians 5:5)
Salvation
Messiah Yeshua provided the ultimate sacrifice required for the removal of sins. He was born of a virgin, was sinless, and performed many miracles. He died by crucifixion an atoning death in order to provide salvation, and was raised from the dead on the third day. Whosoever believes this, repents of their sins, and trusts that Yeshua is the Messiah, are forgiven their sins and are welcomed into Covenant with Him, regardless of whether they be Jew or Gentile. Therefore they become co-heirs and inheritors of all the promises God made with Abraham and Israel. (John 1:29, Isaiah 7:14;9:6-7, Matthew 1, Hebrews 4:15; 2:4, Leviticus 17:11, Isaiah 53, Psalms 22, Romans 5:6-11, Ephesians 2:8, Matthew 27:50-28:20, Romans 10:9-12 & 1 Corinthians 5-7)
Sin
Sin is the transgression of the Commandments of God. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death, and man is incapable of providing his own salvation. Yeshua, through His atoning sacrifice, has paid the penalty of sin and thereby provided salvation. This salvation is granted on a basis of faith and trust, by the grace of God, and is not based on any work of man. (1 John 3:4, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8-9, John 3:16, John 3:36, Ephesians 2:8-9)
Resurrection & Eternal Life
The promise of faith in Yeshua, while walking according to the will of God, is resurrection from the dead, eternal life, and reigning with Yeshua forever in the place where His Kingdom will be established. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 19-22).
The Assembly (Church)
Regarding the Body of Messiah, which is made up of:
Scripture
All Scripture is given by the Breath/Spirit of God [Elohim], and is to be used for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness, for all who believe. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21). This Scripture, commonly called “The Bible,” is composed of multiple books written over a large span of time. These are the Tanakh (“Old Testament”) as well as the B’rit Hadasha (“New Testament”). We accept and affirm these canonical 66 books as being Scriptural. We affirm that while other books and writings exist, and can also be useful for learning and instructing, we do not consider them canonical Scripture. Further:
- Since Scripture is the Word of Elohim, we affirm that it should be the guiding principle of our lives.
- It follows then that the Torah [Law] is still and shall remain in effect. (Matthew 5:17-20).
- We affirm and profess belief in the continuance of Sabbath and Festival Days. (Leviticus 23).
- We affirm and profess belief in the continuance of the Biblical Dietary Laws. (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 12)
- We affirm that all the Torah which can be kept appropriately while in exile, should still be kept, and is not necessarily limited to the specific points enumerated here.
God (Elohim)
Hear, O Israel: YHWH [the LORD] is our God. He is One. He is ADONAI (Deuteronomy 6:4 & Isaiah 43:10-11). He is the Creator of heaven and earth, of all living things, and of everything both visible and invisible (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:15-17). He is limitless in power, authority, time, matter, and space. He has chosen, in His infinite wisdom, to reveal His nature to humanity through interactions with man and through the Scriptures.
Yeshua Messiah (Jesus Christ)
Yeshua of Nazareth is Ha’Mashiach (Jesus Christ, the Messiah). He is the Unique Son of God. Savior, King of kings, Lord of lords. He is the image of the invisible God, both pre-existent and eternal, and the fullness of Deity dwells within Him. He is the Word, Which has been with God and is God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (John 1, Colossians 1:15-20, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, Matthew 5:18; 24:35)
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit (Ruach Ha’Qodesh), being of and from God, is sent out by both Father and Son to empower God’s people to do His will. The Holy Spirit works a regenerative work in believers, to set them apart (ie. to sanctify, make holy), and is the down payment of what is to come. (John 14-16, Acts 1-2, Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 2, 2 Corinthians 5:5)
Salvation
Messiah Yeshua provided the ultimate sacrifice required for the removal of sins. He was born of a virgin, was sinless, and performed many miracles. He died by crucifixion an atoning death in order to provide salvation, and was raised from the dead on the third day. Whosoever believes this, repents of their sins, and trusts that Yeshua is the Messiah, are forgiven their sins and are welcomed into Covenant with Him, regardless of whether they be Jew or Gentile. Therefore they become co-heirs and inheritors of all the promises God made with Abraham and Israel. (John 1:29, Isaiah 7:14;9:6-7, Matthew 1, Hebrews 4:15; 2:4, Leviticus 17:11, Isaiah 53, Psalms 22, Romans 5:6-11, Ephesians 2:8, Matthew 27:50-28:20, Romans 10:9-12 & 1 Corinthians 5-7)
Sin
Sin is the transgression of the Commandments of God. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death, and man is incapable of providing his own salvation. Yeshua, through His atoning sacrifice, has paid the penalty of sin and thereby provided salvation. This salvation is granted on a basis of faith and trust, by the grace of God, and is not based on any work of man. (1 John 3:4, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8-9, John 3:16, John 3:36, Ephesians 2:8-9)
Resurrection & Eternal Life
The promise of faith in Yeshua, while walking according to the will of God, is resurrection from the dead, eternal life, and reigning with Yeshua forever in the place where His Kingdom will be established. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 19-22).
The Assembly (Church)
Regarding the Body of Messiah, which is made up of:
- Jews according to the flesh (bloodline descendants of Abraham through Isaac) who place their faith in Israel's Messiah Yeshua have not disowned or separated themselves from their race and Hebraic heritage, but remain sons and daughters of Israel.
- Gentiles who place their faith in Israel's Messiah Yeshua are also counted spiritually as sons and daughters of Abraham, and thus also share in this rich and meaningful Hebraic heritage. (Romans 2:28-29; Romans 10-11, Acts 21:17-26, Galatians 3:28-29 & Deuteronomy 28)
- To be followers of Yeshua the Messiah, so that we may mature into the example He left us and to know Him. (Ephesians 4:13 & Matthew 7:20-27)
- To be holy and separate from the world as our Father is holy. Therefore, we are to learn and act on those things which makes us holy in His sight. (Leviticus 11:44-45 & Ephesians 5:27)
- To be righteous (right decision-making) and Godly (forgiving in this world). (Titus 2:12)
- To be clean, first in our conscious inner man, and also in our outward walk accordingly as we grow in the Spirit [Ruaḥ] and understanding of the Word. (Psalm 51:10 & 1 Thessalonians 4:7)
- To be full of love for one another, thus proving we are Yeshua's disciples; to be caring for a lost world; to take the message of the Good News of Yeshua to all nations; to care for the widows and orphans. (John 13:34-35, Romans 1:16 & 1 John 4:7-8)