Faith Statement

The first thirty-nine books of Scripture are often called the TANAKH and were written primarily in Hebrew, with some portions in Aramaic. The twenty-seven books commonly called the New Testament are preserved in their earliest available manuscripts in Greek.

We sometimes use Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek terms when they help communicate a biblical concept clearly. For example, Torah means instruction or law, shalom means peace, Yahweh is the name of God represented by the Hebrew letters Yod-Hey-Vav-Hey, and Yeshua is the Hebrew name commonly rendered Jesus in English.

We pronounce the divine name “Yahweh.” We recognize that other sincere views exist concerning its ancient pronunciation, but we believe Yahweh is the most likely pronunciation.

• Yahweh is the Creator of the universe and everything in it. (Genesis 1)
• Yahweh is one and does not change. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Malachi 3:6)
• Mankind was placed in the Garden of Eden, where creation was good. Human disobedience introduced sin and death into the human experience. (Genesis 2–3; Romans 5:12)
• Scripture defines sin as lawlessness or transgression of God's instruction. (1 John 3:4; Romans 7:7)
• All have sinned and therefore all need Yahweh's grace. (Romans 3:9, 23)

We believe Yahweh gave His instructions through Moses and that Scripture refers to these instructions as the Torah, or Law of Moses. Yahweh's covenant with Israel called His people to live according to those instructions, and Scripture also provided one standard for the native-born and the sojourner who joined them. (Deuteronomy 31:9; Joshua 8:32; Numbers 15:16)

Israel repeatedly failed to keep covenant and was scattered among the nations. The prophets nevertheless promised restoration and a new covenant in which Yahweh's instruction would be written on the heart. (Jeremiah 31:31-33; Ezekiel 36:19, 26-27)

We believe Yahweh's instructions were not abolished. Yeshua affirmed the enduring authority of the Law and the Prophets, and faith does not make the Law void. (Matthew 5:17-19; Romans 3:31)

• Yahweh sent His Son, Yeshua, born of a virgin, as the promised Messiah and the solution to the problem of sin and death. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Romans 8:2)
• Yeshua's name means “Yahweh saves.”
• Yeshua taught and demonstrated how to walk according to the Father's will and instructions. (John 17:4; 1 John 2:6)
• Yeshua is the Word made flesh, and the fullness of God dwelled in Him. (John 1:14; Colossians 2:9)
• Yeshua and the Father are one in perfect alignment of will; Yeshua did what the Father gave Him to do. (John 10:30; John 17:4)
• Through His ministry, death, and resurrection, Yeshua paid the penalty for sin and began the promised work of regathering and restoring Yahweh's people. (1 John 2:2; Matthew 10:6; James 1:1; Jeremiah 31:31)
• Yeshua was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead after three days, just as He foretold. (Matthew 27:63; Acts 10:39-40)

We believe salvation is by Yahweh's grace through faith. We cannot earn forgiveness or salvation by our works, ancestry, or moral performance. Yeshua's sacrifice is a gift we do not deserve and could never purchase for ourselves. (Ephesians 2:1-9; Romans 5:6-8)

Grace does not make sin acceptable. Scripture asks whether we should continue in sin so that grace may abound and answers, “By no means.” Those who have received grace are called to live differently. (Romans 6:1-2, 12-13)

We believe genuine faith bears fruit in obedience. Works do not purchase salvation, but what a person truly believes is demonstrated in how that person lives. (James 2:18, 22; John 3:36)

When we sin, Yahweh is gracious and faithful to forgive those who confess and return to righteous living; Yeshua's blood cleanses from sin. (1 John 1:7-9)

We believe Yahweh's instructions are rooted in love. The greatest commandments are to love Yahweh and to love our neighbor, and the rest of the Law hangs on those principles. (Matthew 22:36-40)

Loving Yahweh includes keeping His commandments, while loving others means treating those made in His image according to His righteous standard. (Deuteronomy 6:5-6; Leviticus 19:18; 1 John 4:20-21; 1 John 5:3)

We believe Yahweh empowers His people to obey by changing the heart and placing His Spirit within them. His Spirit guides His people into truth and produces a life increasingly aligned with His ways. (Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 16:13)

We believe those who belong to Yeshua will be resurrected and will reign with Him on the earth for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4-6)

After Messiah's millennial reign, mankind will face resurrection and judgment. Scripture teaches both reward and punishment according to Yahweh's righteous judgment. (Revelation 20:11-13; Matthew 25:31-46)