“but set apart Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” – I Peter 3:15, HCSB.
INTRODUCTION
As a Whole Bible Messianic ministry, we believe that the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is our all sufficient description and rule for the values, beliefs, lifestyle, and practice for those within God’s Kingdom. This statement of Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among all those who are part of this Whole Bible ministry (i.e., that we may all speak the same thing, I Corinthians 1:10; Acts 2:42).
The phraseology employed in this Statement is not inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a Whole Bible Messianic ministry. No claim is made that it covers all Biblical truth, only that it covers our need as to these fundamental truths.
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ABOUT THE BIBLE.
WE BELIEVE the Whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is the verbally inspired written Word of God [lit. “God-breathed”] and is the revelation of God to humanity, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith, and the source for Kingdom values, beliefs, lifestyle, and practice.
REFERENCES: 2 Timothy 3:15-17; I Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21.
WE BELIEVE the Whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is eternal and for all believers, whether Jew or non-Jew, for all time, including believers today, and that not the smallest letter or stroke of a pen of anything that God has said in His Word has been “annulled,” “done away with,” or “no longer valid.”
REFERENCES: Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:17-19; I Peter 1:25.
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ABOUT THE ONE TRUE GOD
WE BELIEVE that YHWH is the one and only true God, who has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM,” the Creator of heaven and earth, and the Redeemer, Healer, and Judge of humanity.
WE BELIEVE He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father (Ha-Av), Son (Ha-Ben) and Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh or Ruach Ha’elohim).
REFERENCES: Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43: 10-11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22.
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ABOUT THE LORD YESHUA (JESUS) THE MESSIAH
WE BELIEVE the Lord Yeshua (Jesus) is the Promised Anointed Messiah of Israel & the Nations, the eternal Son of YHWH, the Most High God. As God’s Son, Yeshua (Jesus) was (and shall ever be) both fully God and fully a Jewish man, descended from Abraham and David through Solomon. Some of the things concerning Him, the Scriptures teach:
- His pre-existence as God. REFERENCES: John 1:1-5, 8, 10; 8:58; 17:5; Colossians 1:16-17.
- His miraculous incarnation. REFERENCES: Matthew 1:23; John 1:14, 18; 16:28; Philippians 2:6-7; Colossians 1:15; 2:9.
- His Virgin Birth. REFERENCES: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31, 35) in the city of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:4-6, 10, 11; Luke 2:4-7.
- His descendance from Abraham (Matthew 1:1, 16), Judah (Genesis 49:10; Matthew 1:1-2; Luke 3:33; Hebrews 7:14); David (2 Samuel 7:12-16; I Chronicles 17:11-14; Matthew 1:1; 9:27; 15:22; 21:9, 15; Mark 10:47-48; 11:9-10; Luke 1:27; 32, 69; 18:38-39; Acts 2:30; Revelation 22:16) and Solomon (Matthew 1:16)
- His circumcision on the 8th day. REFERENCES: Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:3; Matthew 1:21, 25; Luke 2:21.
- His parents’ redemption of Him as the firstborn. REFERENCES: Leviticus 12:2-4, 6; Luke 2:23-24.
- His Torah-observant, sinless life. REFERENCES: Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22.
- His Unity/Oneness with God. REFERENCES: John 1:1-2, 12, 14; 10:30, 33; Philippians 2:16-17.
- His Performance of Miracles. REFERENCES: Matthew 15:30-31; Acts 2:22; 10:38)
- His identity as “the Lord of the Sabbath.” REFERENCES: Matthew 12:8; Mark 2:28; Luke 6:5.
- His teaching in the synagogue. REFERENCES: Matthew 4:23; 9:35; 12:9; 13:53; Mark 1:21-29; 3:1; 6:2; Luke 4:16-38; 6:6, 59; 13:10; 18:20.
- His preaching of the kingdom of heaven/God. REFERENCES: Matthew 4:17; 6:33; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2, 60; 12:31-32; 13:29; 16:16; 18:16-17; Acts 1:3.
- His observance of the biblical feasts. REFERENCES: Matthew 26:2, 17; Mark 14:1; Luke 2:41-42; 22:1; John 2:23; 4:45; 5:1; 6:4; 7:2-14, 37; 10:22; 12:20; 13:1, 29.
- His betrayal by a friend. REFERENCES: Psalm 41:9; Matthew 26:14-16, 21, 23, 25; Mark 14:10-11, 18, 20; Luke 21:21, 47-48; John 6:71; 13:2, 21, 26; 18:3.
- His substitutionary atoning work on the cross (I Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21) on the feast of Passover (Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22: 7-16; and I Corinthians 5:7-8)
- His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; I Corinthians 15:4) on the Feast of First Fruits (I Corinthians 5:20)
- His exaltation to the right hand of God (Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9, 11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3)
- His present ministry as our Advocate (I John 2:1), Mediator (I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24) and High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-15; 5:5-10, 20; 8:1-3; 9:11)
- His promise to return. REFERENCES: Matthew 16:27; 24:27, 30, 37, 39, 44; 25:13, 31; 26:64′ Mark 8:38; 9:26; 13:26; Luke 17:24; 18:8; 21:27; John 14:3; Revelation 2:23; 3:11; 22:12-13, 20.
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ABOUT HUMANITY.
WE BELIEVE that all humanity began with the creation of Adam and Eve (Heb. Chavah), who were created “in the image and likeness of God” and were given dominion over all plant and animal life, as well as given the responsibility of being the caretakers (or stewards) of the earth.
REFERENCES: Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7, 18, 21-25; 3:20; 5:1-2.
WE BELIEVE that Adam and Eve (Chavah) voluntarily rebelled against God, thereby separating themselves from Him and His kingdom, resulting in both physical and spiritual death.
REFERENCES: Genesis 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12-19
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ABOUT THE SALVATION OF HUMANITY
WE BELIEVE humanity’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah, the Son of God.
WE BELIEVE that salvation is a life-long process that is comprised of three interconnected processes:
REGENERATION (NEW BIRTH or BEING BORN AGAIN). We believe this is the first phase of the salvation process. In this stage, we believe that we are saved from the punishment of sin. It begins with the confession of our sins and it culminates with water baptism. In this stage we experience the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit; being justified by grace through faith, we become an heir of God, according to the hope of eternal life.
REFERENCES: Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7.
SANCTIFICATION. We believe that this is the second and longest part of the salvation process. In this stage, we believe that we are saved from the power or control of sin in our lives. We believe sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God. REFERENCES: Romans 12:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12.
WE BELIEVE The Scriptures teach a life of “holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.” REFERENCE: Hebrews 12:14.
WE BELIEVE by the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” REFERENCE: 1 Peter 1:15,16.
WE BELIEVE sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his
identification with Messiah in His death and resurrection, and by the faith
reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty
continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit and obedience to God’s Word.
REFERENCES: Romans 6:1-11, 13; Romans 8:1,2, 13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians
2:12,13; 1 Peter 1:5.
- GLORIFICATION. We believe that this is the final stage in the salvation process. In this stage, we believe that we are finally saved from the presence of sin. In this stage, we receive our immortal bodies when we die and come into the Presence of the Lord.
The Evidence of Salvation.
WE BELIEVE the inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit. REFERENCE: Romans 8:16.
WE BELIEVE the outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness. REFERENCES: Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12.
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ABOUT THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
WE BELIEVE all believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Yeshua/Jesus the Messiah. This was the normal experience of all the early disciples of Yeshua/Jesus. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. REFERENCES: Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 8; I Corinthians 12:1-31.
WE BELIEVE this experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. REFERENCES: Acts 8:12-17; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9.
WE BELIEVE with the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as:
— an overflowing fullness of the Spirit. REFERENCES: John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8.
— a deepened reverence for God. REFERENCES: Acts 2:43, Hebrews 12:28.
— an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work.
REFERENCE: Acts 2:42.
— and a more active love for Messiah, for His Word and for the lost.
REFERENCE: Mark 16:20.
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ABOUT THE INITIAL PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.
WE BELIEVE the baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance. REFERENCE: Acts 2:4
WE BELIEVE the speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues, but is different in purpose and use.
REFERENCES: 1 Corinthians 12:4-10; 1 Corinthians 12:28.
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ABOUT DIVINE HEALING.
WE BELIEVE Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers.
REFERENCES: Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:16,17; James 5:14-16.
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ABOUT THE BLESSED HOPE
WE BELIEVE the resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Messiah and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the believer.
REFERENCES: 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51,52.
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ABOUT THE MILLENIAL REIGN OF MESSIAH.
WE BELIEVE the second coming of Messiah includes the resurrection of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Messiah with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years.
REFERENCES: Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:27, 30; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 19:11-14; Revelation 20:1-6.
This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel.
REFERENCES: Ezekiel 37:21,22; Zephaniah 3:19,20; Romans 11:26,27.
and the establishment of universal peace.
REFERENCES: Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalms 72:3-8; Micah 4:3,4.
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ABOUT THE FINAL JUDGMENT.
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to the everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
REFERENCES: Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:8.
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ABOUT THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH.
“We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.” REFERENCES: 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21-22
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