What We Believe

  • 1. The Doctrine of Inspiration – We believe the Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments (OT & NT), as originally given in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek languages, is the verbal, plenary, inspired revelation of God, inerrant, infallible, and eternal (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:20-21; I Cor. 2:13; Jn. 17:17; Ps. 119:89).

    2. The Doctrine of Preservation – We believe the Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT) of the OT, including the consonants, vowels, and accent pointings, and the Greek Textus Receptus (TR) of the NT, embody the verbal plenary, preserved Scriptures in the original languages equally inerrant and infallible, and therefore should be used as the authority for all translations (Ps. 12:6-7; Pro. 30:5; Isa. 59:21; Mt. 4:4; 5:18).

    3. English Translations – We believe that the King James Version (KJV), also known as the Authorized Version (AV), is an accurate and reliable translation of God’s preserved words (as found in the Hebrew MT and the Greek TR) into the English language; and as such, shall be the official and only translation of the Holy Scriptures used in all of our ministries (Mt. 5:18; 24:35; Jn. 12:48; Rev. 22:18-19).  We do NOT believe that any translation of the Bible into English is inspired.

  • 1. The Trinity – We believe in the Triune God-Head, the one and only one living and true God, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; revealed under the personal and relative distinctions of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (I Jn. 5:7, 20; Isa. 48:16-17; Mt. 28:19). 

    2. The Person and Work of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ).

    a. His Person – We believe Messiah Yeshua, eternally existing as God the Son, is the Second Person of the Triune God, co-equal with the Father.  Fulfilling prophecy, He was born of the virgin Mary, having been conceived by the Holy Ghost in order to manifest the Godhead in human flesh and become mankind’s redeemer (Heb. 1:1-5; Phil. 2:5-8; Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Lk. 1:35; Jn. 1:1-4; I Tim. 3:16; I Jn. 5:20; Gal. 4:4-5).

    b. His Work – We believe that in His first coming, Messiah accomplished the spiritual redemption of mankind by His vicarious death, burial, and bodily resurrection from death, His shed blood being the price of man’s redemption.  Afterwards, He ascended to His throne in Heaven to intercede for man as his great High Priest, edifying His churches until He returns (Mt. 16:18; 27:1-28:15; Acts 1:6-11; 20:28; I Pet. 2:24; Heb. 9:11-28).

    3. The Death, Burial, Resurrection, and Ascension of Messiah Yeshua. 

    a. Substitutionary Sacrifice.  We believe that Messiah died for the sins of all mankind according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood (Isa. 53:6; Mk. 10:45; I Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 5:9; I Jn. 2:2). 

    b. Death, Burial, and Bodily Resurrection. We believe that after three days burial He arose bodily from the dead in the same body in which He suffered and died, and thereby constituting the Gospel message (Mt. 12:40; Acts 3:15-16; I Cor. 15:1-4). 

    c. Ascension and High Priestly Ministry. We also believe that our Lord ascended into Heaven; that He is now seated at the right hand of the Father and is our High Priest and Divine Advocate with the Father (Mk. 16:19; Acts 1:9-11; I Tim. 2:5; Heb. 2:17; 5:9-10; 8:1, 6; 12:2; I Jn. 2:1). 

    d. Finished Work of Redemption. We believe that by His finished work on the cross and His unceasing ministry of intercession in glory, that Messiah Yeshua has procured for every believer eternal redemption, eternal salvation, and everlasting life (Mk. 16:19; Jn. 3:16; 19:30; 20:27; Rom. 5:9; I Cor. 15:3,4; Heb. 5:9; 7:25; 8:1; 9:12; I Jn. 2:2).   

    4. The Personality and Ministry of the Holy Spirit.

    a. His Personality – We believe that the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Triune God is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son, possessing all the same attributes and perfections (Acts 5:3-4; Gen. 1:1-2; Mt. 3:16-17; 28:19-20).

    b. His Ministry –

    (1) Convicts.  We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person, that He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment, and that He regenerates the sinner by the Word of God (Jn. 16:7-15).

    (2) Indwells. We believe that He permanently indwells the body of each believer, that he seals, enlightens, instructs, and guides every born again person, and that He is the efficient Powerful Person of godly living, service, and spiritual worship (Jn. 14:6, 17, 26; 16:7-15; I Pet. 1:23; Eph. 4:30). 

    (3) Gives New Birth.  We believe that all who by faith, receive the Messiah Yeshua, are born again by the Holy Spirit, and thereby become the children of God (Jn. 1:12-13; 3:5-17; I Pet. 1:18-19). 

    (4) Authenticator.  We believe that the Messiah baptized certain first centuries believers in the Holy Spirit to authenticate His Jerusalem assembly under the New Covenant (Mt. 3:11; Mk. 1:8; Lk. 3:16; Jn. 1:33; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 8:15-17; 10:44-45; 11:15-17; 19:6).

    5. The Creative Work of God

    a. The Creation of Heaven and Earth – We believe that the Lord God created the Heavens and Earth in six literal days.  We oppose all forms of evolution including theistic evolution, the day-age theory, and the Gap theory (Gen. 1:1-19; Ps. 104:1 ff.; Jn. 1:1 ff.; Col. 1:16).

    b. The Creation of Angels – We believe that the Triune God created the angelic realm during the creation week, including Michael, Gabriel, and Lucifer.  We believe that Lucifer fell sometime after Day Six and took a third of the angels [demons] with him (Isa. 14:12-14; Ezk. 28:12-17; Col. 1:16; I Tim. 3:6; Rev. 4:11; 12:4).

    c. The Creation of Man – We believe that God created man [Adam] on the Six Day in His image, as an untested but holy creature.  We believe He created Eve from Adam on Day Six (Gen. 1:26-31; 2:7-25; 5:1-2; Eph. 4:23-24; I Tim. 2:14-16).

  • 1. The Fall of Man – We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature, are totally depraved, and for those who reach moral responsibility become sinners in thought, word, and deed, and that they must be born again to be accepted of God.  Those that are not born again will spend eternity in hell, which is a literal place of eternal conscious separation from God and punishment in the lake of fire. (Jn. 3:1-5; 5:28-29; Rom. 5:12; 3:10; 7:9; Rev. 20:11-15).

    2. The Salvation of Man – We believe that God holds all men without excuse, and that man has the full responsibility and ability to believe the Gospel (i.e., the death, burial, and resurrection of Messiah) to be saved.  We believe that the Lord Messiah Yeshua died for all mankind and made full atonement for all men’s sins.  We believe those who have been born again have everlasting life and shall not come into judgment, but have passed from death unto life.  We reject as unbiblical the notions of “easy-believe-ism,” “praying a prayer,” Calvinism, and works-salvation. (Jon. 2:9; Lk. 18:13; 16:31; Jn. 1:12-13; 3:18; 5:24; Acts 2:38; 3:19; Rom. 1:20; I Jn. 5:1).

    a. Repentant Faith.  We believe the Bible defines ‘believing’ the Gospel as having repentant faith.  Neither repentance nor faith are considered works (Mk. 1:15; Jn. 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9).  

    b. Repentance.  We believe that repentance is a change of mind and purpose toward God, prompted by the Holy Spirit, that results in a change in action.  It is characterized by godly sorrow for sin as offensive to God and ruinous to the soul.  In repentance, man turns from his sins to submit unconditionally to God as his Lord (Ezk. 18:20-22; Mk. 6:12; 8:34-36; Lk. 13:3; Acts 3:19).

    c. Faith.  We believe that salvation comes by faith alone in the finished work of Messiah Yeshua on the cross, apart from any works or merit of the believer.  Saving faith means to forsake all confidence in any supposed goodness and religious rituals and to instead trust in the Messiah’s blood and righteousness alone (Rom. 3:27-28; 4:1-5; Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5). 

    3. The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers – We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Messiah forever (Jn. 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1; 38-39; I Cor. 1:4-8; I Pet. 1:4-5).

    4. The Sanctification of the Believer.  We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means—especially the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer, in the context of the Lord’s assembly. (Jn. 14: 16-17; 17:17; Rom. 8:9-14; I Cor. 1:2; I Thes. 4:3; I Pet. 1:2; II Pet. 1:5-7). 

    We believe that the Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) is just as relevant for the New Covenant believer as it was for the Old Testament Saints. Understanding and applying the Torah is a crucial aspect of the sanctification process in a believer’s life. The Torah was practiced in the early churches which affirmed the Messiah’s statement that He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfil. (Mt. 5:17, Acts 6:8-13, 15:1-21, 18:21, 20:16, 21:20-24; Rom. 3:31, 7:12, 22).

    a. We believe the Bible forbids divorce (and divorce and remarriage), and that marriage is for the lifetime of the spouses.  Any effort to divorce, or divorce and remarry, is considered sin.  Any individual that has divorced and remarried should remain in their current marriage. No man with divorce in his marital life may be qualified for the offices of bishop or deacon (Gen. 2:24; Mal. 2:16; Mt. 1:18-25; 5:32; 19:8-9; Mk. 10:5-12; Rom. 7:2-3; I Cor. 7:10-11; I Tim. 3:2, 12).  

    b. We believe that God gave human sexuality for the genders of male and female to enjoy exclusively within biblical marriage.  We believe the Bible condemns sodomy, bestiality, fornication, pornography, and all aberrant sexual practices such as rape, child molestation, “living together,” etc. (Gen. 2:24; 18:20; 19:4-7; Mt. 5:27-28; I Thes. 4:3).

    c. We believe that man was created in the image of God and the woman was created distinctly by God for the man.  Thus, an individual does not have the ability or right to change their gender.  An individual’s gender distinction should be maintained according to God’s created order which is distinguished by attire, appearance, roles and authority (Gen. 1:26; 2:18-23; Deut. 22:5; I Cor. 11:3-16; 14:34-35; Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18-19; I Pe. 3:1-7; I Tim. 2:9-12; Tit. 2:3-5).

    d. We believe the Bible condemns abortion, cremation, and the “donating” of the body or organs to “scientific research” or other medical purposes (Ex. 20:13; Ps. 139:13-16; I Sam. 31:12; I Cor. 15:1-58).

    e. We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and, that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded of God (Rom. 12: 1 14:13; II Cor. 6:14-7: 1; II Tim. 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; II John 9-11).

  • 1. The Origin of the Church

    a. Beginning.  We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ began His New Covenant church during His lifetime, using the baptized converts of John the Baptist, and commissioning twelve as Apostles, to carry out His work (Mt. 3:2-6; Jn. 1:35-42; Mt. 10:2-4).

    b. Edification.  We believe He edified His assembly with the teaching about church discipline, participation in the LORD’s feasts, and the Great Commission (Mt. 16:18; 18:16-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20).

    c. Inauguration.  We believe that His New Covenant assembly of baptized believers was publicly inaugurated on the Day of Pentecost (Ex. 40:34; I Ki. 8:11; Ezk. 43:2-3; Acts 1:5, 14-15; 2:1-4).

    2. The Meaning of the Church

    a. Ekklesia.  We believe that the word church (ekklesia) means a visible assembly in every NT occasion (115x), referring to either the assembly of Israel, the civil assembly, or the New Covenant assembly.   We believe that the visible, local church is the body of Christ (Act 2:41-47; 7:38; 19:32, 39, 41; 20:28; I Cor. 12:27; Heb. 12:23).

    b. Congregation Covenanted Together.  We believe that when ekklesia refers to the New Covenant assembly, it refers to an organized congregation of baptized believers; associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; meeting on the Sabbath (last day of the week also known as the Lord’s day); observing the LORD’s feasts; governed by his laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; and its only proper officers are bishops and deacons (Mt. 18:20; I Cor. 11:17-18; 16:1-2; Rev. 1:13).

    c. Distinctions.  We believe that the ekklesia is distinct from the “the kingdom of God” (the realm of regeneration that is universal and invisible), and “the family of God” (all saints including OT, Tribulation, and Millennial saints) (Jn. 3:3-5; Eph. 3:15).

    d. No Universal Church.  We believe that the NT Scriptures repudiate the notions of a “universal, visible church,” a “universal, invisible, church,” a “ghost church,” “the mystical church,” or “the mystical body of Christ.”  We reject the notion that the Holy Spirit baptizes all believers into some mystical body (Gal. 1:2; Rev. 2-3).

    e. No Para-Church.  We reject therefore the implementation of such unbiblical notions of para-church ministries or mission agencies functioning outside the authority of the local church, or such man-centered movements that insists on organizing around a larger “cause of Christ” movement than the local church.  The local church is the exclusive repository and dispenser of truth in this dispensation (Mt. 28:19-20; I Tim. 3:15).

    3. The Purpose of the Church

    a. Great Commission.  We believe that the purpose of the church is to carry out the Lord’s Great Commission by going to the nations and discipling them, baptizing them, and instructing them in the Torah (Mt. 28:19-20).

    b. Appointed Times. We believe that the biblical church must practice the biblical appointed times of the LORD in unity (Lev 23; I Cor. 12:13).

    c. Baptism. We believe that biblical Baptism is the public immersion of a believer in water, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and our new life in Him; and that it is the means by which God puts the believer into the assembly, and that it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership (Mt. 3:5-6, 13-17; Acts 2:38-41; 8:37; Rom. 6:3-5; I Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12; I Pet. 3:21).

    d. Church Discipline. We believe that the assembly has the authority to exercise church discipline upon itself following the Lord’s instruction of initially going to the offending party privately, then with one or two other witnesses, and if no resolve, then bringing the offending party before the assembly for reconciliation or disposition (Mt. 18:15-17; I Cor. 5:1-13; II Thes. 3:6; 10-15).

    e. Separation. We believe that the church must separate itself, both individually and corporately from all forms of worldliness and religious compromise, including liberalism, ecumenism, new evangelicalism, the new age movement, the charismatic movement, and man-centered fundamentalism (Rom. 16:17-19; II Cor. 6:14-18; II Thes. 3:6, 10-15; II Tim. 2:19-22).

    f. Autonomy.  We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control of any hierarchy, government, state or any other entity; that the church is not a legal entity but a scriptural and spiritual body placed under the headship of Christ alone. (Mt. 22:21; Acts 5, 13:1-4; 15:19-3 1; 20:28; Rom. 16:1, 4; 1 Cor. 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; Eph. 5:23-32; 1 Peter 5:14).

    g. Training Men.  We believe the assembly has the responsibility to train primarily the men of the church in the Scriptures as the leaders of their respective homes and for service in the church. (Acts 18:24-28; Eph. 5:25-30; II Tim. 2:2; Tit. 2:1-2; I Jn. 2:14).

    h. Exercise of Spiritual Gifts.  We believe that the Scripture teaches that each believer has one of the seven spiritual gifts enumerated in Rom. 12:6-7 (e.g., the gift of prophecy, the gift of ministry, the gift of teaching, the gift of exhortation, the gift of giving, the gift of ruling, and the shewing mercy), which gift must be exercised in the local church for mutual edification and for ultimate reward or loss of reward of the Bema of Christ (Rom. 12:6-8; I Cor. 12:4-6; I Pet. 4:10-11; I Cor. 3:9-15).  

    4. Biblical Officers of the Church

    a. Pastor/Bishop/Elder.  We believe that the NT assembly of Messiah has as the leader of the church the office of Pastor, known also as Bishop or Elder.  His responsibility includes prayer, Bible study, and giving oversight to the assembly as a caring leader.  He must fulfill the qualifications of Scripture (Jn. 10:11, 14; Acts 6:4; 20:28; Phil. 1:1; I Tim. 3:1-7, 5:17; Tit. 1:5-9; I Pet. 5:1-4).

    b. Deacon.  We believe that the New Covenant assembly of Messiah has as servants the office of Deacon.  His necessity and duties are connected to the care of widows.  He must fulfill the qualifications of Scripture (Acts 6:1-6; Phil. 1:1; I Tim. 3:8-13; 5:3-16).

    c. We believe that the offices of the apostle, prophet and evangelist have ceased.  The apostles and prophets helped to lay the foundation, but after the transitionary period in the New Testament, the Scriptures only present the patterns and qualifications for the offices of pastor/bishop/elder and deacon (Eph. 2:20; 4:11; Phil. 1:1; I Tim. 3:1-13; II Tim. 4:5).

    d. We do not believe in the man-made distinctions of “clergy” and “laity.” The body is comprised of many members, all equally important and each one placed into the ministry upon salvation (I Cor. 12:12-24; I Tim. 12-13; Rev. 1:6; 2:6, 15).   

  • 1. The Second Coming.

    a. Daniel’s Heptads.  We believe that Daniel’s Seventy Weeks refers to God’s judgment on Israel, with the first sixty-nine heptads covering the period from the rebuilding of Jerusalem to the Cross, and the last heptad of one week or seven years, referring to the Tribulation.  The interval between the first sixty-nine and the last seven includes the crucifixion of Christ and the destruction of Jerusalem, and allows for what turns out to be the period of the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven (Dan. 9:24-27; Rev. 6-19). 

    b. The Rapture.  We believe the catching away of believers, commonly known as the Rapture, will occur at the end of the Tribulation.  The saints who will be raptured will be New Covenant saints that survive the Tribulation either by escaping via the “Greater Exodus” or by the LORD’s mercy, prior to the LORD executing his wrath upon the earth. (I Thes. 4:13-5:11).

    c. The Tribulation.  We believe that the Tribulation will be the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy of divine judgment on Israel and the world with the purpose of calling multitudes to salvation from the Antichrist and his program.  (Isa. 24-26; Zech. 14:1-21; Rev. 6-19).

    d. The Revelation of Messiah.  We believe that Second Coming of the Messiah will conclude the Tribulation. He will rapture the saints that are alive, resurrect all deceased saints, destroy the unsaved armies surrounding Jerusalem, and cast the Antichrist and the False Prophet into the Lake of Fire (Isa. 26:19; Dan. 12:1-2; I Thes. 4:13 ff.; Rev. 19:7-21).

    2. The Resurrection Program.  We believe that all of Adam’s seed, saved or unsaved, will be resurrected to life or damnation (Jn. 5:28-29).

    a. The Resurrection of Life.  We believe that all of the righteous, saved saints from Adam to the last Millennial saint, according to his own order, will receive bodily resurrection for eternal life (Acts 1:11; I Cor. 15:5-28; II Cor. 5:1-11; Phil. 3:20-21; I Jn. 3:1-3).

    b. The Resurrection of Damnation.  We believe that all of the unrighteous, unsaved sinners from Adam’s seed will receive bodily resurrection for eternal death (Rev. 20:10-15).

    3. The Millennial Reign of the Messiah.

    a. His Kingship.  We believe that the resurrected Yeshua will sit on the throne of David as King of kings and Lord of lords (Isa. 9:6-7; Lk. 1:32; Acts 2:29-30; Rev. 19:16).

    b. His Reign.  We believe that the Messiah will rule the earth with a rod of iron for one thousand years (Ps. 72:8; Isa. 11:4-5; 32:1; I Cor. 15:25; Rev. 20:1-4, 6).

  • 1. Civil Government. We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home; 2) the church; and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equally sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; I Pet. 2:13-14).