Shalom, I am TORAH Observant and a ZIONIST, my faith is Messianic Judaism not Greco-Roman Christianity. I am a Filipino of the Sephardic lineage and Grafted-In to the Olive Tree of Yisrael. My Hebrew name is Gidon ben Yosef. :)
My Messianic Congregation's Statement of Faith
We believe Elohim is Echad, the Creator of heaven and earth, who Himself is uncreated and eternally existent. Though He is Echad God, He is triune in nature (Isaiah 48:16-17), expressed as Abba-Father, Son Yeshua and Ruach HaKodesh, Matthew 28:19. This 3 in 1 unity is beyond human understanding to fully explain.
We believe that the BIBLE, the Holy Scriptures, consisting of the TanaKh (Hebrew scriptures/Old Testament: torah, prophets & writings) and the later writings commonly known as the B'rit Hadasha (New Covenant/testament), is the only infallible and authoritative word of Adonai Elohim. We recognize the bible’s divine inspiration, and accept its teachings as our final authority in all matters of faith and practice (Deut. 6:4-9; Prov. 3:1-6; Ps. 119:89, 105; Isa. 48:12-16; Rom. 8:14-17; II Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17).
We believe that salvation is a free gift of Elohim available through acknowledging Yeshua the Messiah as Lord Adonai (Romans 10:9) through Biblical repentance and confession of sin (Luke 5:32; Acts 5:31; Romans 2:4; 10:10; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Peter 3:9) which results in a person being born again (John 3:3, 7; 1 Peter 1:3, 23) or spiritually regenerated by an indwelling of the Ruach HaKodesh. Salvation does not come by works or obeying commandments (Matthew 5:20; John 1:17; Romans 2:12-13, 25; 3:20, 27; 4:14; 8:3; 10:5; Galatians 2:16, 21; 3:2, 11, 21; 5:4; 6:13; Philippians 3:9) but if one is of the faith, then he will have “works†(James 2:14-16).
We believe in the deity of Yeshua HaMashiach (John 1:1-18), and his virgin birth (Is. 9:6; Is 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25), in His sinless life (Is. 53; 2 Cor. 5:21; Lk. 1:35), in His miracles (Matt. 4:23-25), in His vicarious and atoning death through his shed blood (Is 53; Dan. 9:24-27; Rom. 3:21-31; Heb. 9&10), in His bodily resurrection (Zech. 12:10 & ch. 14; Matt. 28), in His ascension to the right hand of the Abba-Father (Ps. 16:10 & ch. 110; Acts 1:1-11; Heb. 1:1-3), and in His personal and physical return in power and glory (Dan. 7:9-14; Matt. 26:57-64; Rev. 1:1-18).
We believe in Adonai Elohim's everlasting covenant with Yisrael, and that there is an irrevocable calling in relation to Yehudim being a distinct and recognizable people in the earth. Goyim who place their faith in Yeshua, are "grafted into" the Jewish olive tree of faith (Rom. 11:17-25) becoming spiritual sons and daughters of Avraham (Gal. 3:28-29) thereby making them fellow citizens and full-participants with the Commonwealth of Yisra'el (Eph. 2), thus granting them the divine privilege of following the whole of the Torah.
We believe in the spiritual unity of all followers of Yeshua, Yehudi and Goy, as Messiah has broken down the middle wall of partition, making us one in Him. In the context of this unity, there are many diverse and valid cultural distinctions and identities within the Body of Messiah. (We acknowledge that the New Covenant body of believers is composed of both Yehudim and Goyim who have received Yeshua the Messiah as the Promised Redeemer. The "middle wall of partition" has been broken down and now we worship the God of Israel together (I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 2:13-14).
We believe that YHVH has written this very same Torah upon every heart (Yehudi and Goy) of those who have placed their trusting faithfulness in Yeshua (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:7-12).
We believe that this same Torah is a foundational revelation of the righteousness of HaShem and serves as a description (along with the rest of the Scriptures) of the lifestyle of the Redeemed Community (James 1:16-27).
We believe in worshiping Yahweh with the lifting of our hands, with the tambourine, in dance, in praise and with stringed instruments (Psa 150:4, Psa 47:1, Psa 28:2, Psa 63:4, Psa 119:48).
We believe that through His sacrifice, Messiah has filled the Torah with His Spirit (Matthew 5:17-20), not annulled it, and has given it greater understanding.We do not believe that observance of the Torah is mandatory for salvation (Matthew 5:20; John 1:17; Romans 2:12-13, 25; 3:20, 27; 4:14; 8:3; 10:5; Galatians 2:21, 16; 3:2, 11, 21; 5:4; 6:13; Philippians 3:9), but rather that it is the Torah which has defined sin for mankind (Romans 3:31; 5:13; 6:15; 7:7-9, 12; 8:2; 10:4; Galatians 3:24; Hebrews 7:19; 10:28; James 2:9). By further studying it we can further understand what Messiah died for and therefore we can better our spiritual walk. After salvation, by obedience we would want to then desire to not break our Abba-Father’s Mitzvot (Psalms 1:2; 40:8; 119:92, 174; Romans 7:12; 1 Timothy 1:8).
We believe that the true saints of Elohim are the ones who have trusting faithfulness in Yeshua and those who keep His Mitzvot as an end-time witness. We do not keep Torah to be Saved! We keep Torah because we are Saved. . Rev. 14:12.
