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CONSTITUTION OF
Congregation B'nei HaMelech
Adopted February 1, 1997
Whereas we hold the Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Tanakh (the Hebrew
Bible or so-called “Old Testament”) and the B'rit Chadasha (“Renewed Covenant” or so-called
“New Testament”) of the (so-called) “Protestant Canon,” to be the inerrant written Word of
G-d in their original autographs; and
Whereas we believe the Bible as we have now received it to be without any material
deviation from those original autographs in matters of doctrine, faith, and conduct;
and
Whereas we therefore accept the Bible as our final authority in all things;
and
Whereas the Bible requires that all things be done decently and in order;
and
Whereas the Bible requires that we submit to the authority of those whom G-d
has appointed to govern us, so long as they do not require us to be disobedient to G-d’s
Own higher authority; and
Whereas those whom G-d has appointed to govern us require that we adopt a
formal governing document which contains certain provisions of man’s law;
and
Whereas the Bible requires that we do nothing to offend our brethren of the true and
precious Faith; and
Whereas those brethren likewise expect that we adopt a formal governing document in
accordance with our accepted tenets;
Therefore we do hereby declare and establish this Constitution to which we voluntarily
submit ourselves.
ARTICLE I
Name and Purpose
Section 1 — Name
This local
manifestation of the Body of Mashiach[1] meeting together as
an independent congregation of believers shall be known for legal and government purposes as
Family Bible Church. The Messianic Jewish ministry of this fellowship shall be known
as Adat B'nei HaMelech (Congregation of the Children of the King).
This
congregation exists solely for the glory of G-d and for
the fulfillment of our divinely-ordained responsibilities (a) toward Him, (b) toward our
families, (c) toward others within the universal Body of Mashiach (“the Miqra”)[2] which is the Body and Bride of Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach,[3] (d) toward those who are outside of the Body of Mashiach (“the
Lost”), and (e) toward G-d’s chosen nation of Israel and her people.
We view those responsibilities to be as follows:
We agree with the Westminster Shorter
Catechism that “Man’s chief end is to glorify G-d, and to enjoy Him forever.”
We accomplish this responsibility toward G-d primarily by loving Him. When we
truly love Him above all else, we will give Him our unquestioning obedience in all things.
Our love and obedience will then glorify Him.
When
one of the Scribes asked Yeshua, “Which mitzvah[4]
is the greatest of all?” Yeshua answered, “The greatest is, ‘Hear, Yisra'el, the Lord our
G-d, the Lord is one: you shall love the Lord your G-d with all
your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
This is the first mitzvah. The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.’ There is no other mitzvah greater than these.” (Mark 12:28-31).[5]
Anyone who does not love G-d as
Mashiach commanded is under the divine curse of G-d. “If any man doesn't love
the Lord Yeshua the Messiah, let him be accursed. Maranata!” (1 Cor. 16:22).
The Bible says that Yeshua
HaMashiach became obedient to the Law so that the Goyim[6]
would glorify G-d. “Now I say that Messiah has been made a minister of the
circumcision for the truth of G-d, that he might confirm the promises given to
the fathers, and that the Goyim might glorify G-d for his mercy. As it is
written, ‘Therefore will I give praise to you among the Goyim, And sing to your name’” (Rom.
15:8-9).
The Bible says that because He has bought us out of
bondage to sin, we live to glorify Him: “… for you were bought with a price. Therefore
glorify G-d in your body and in your spirit, which are G-d’s”
(1 Cor. 6:20).
Yeshua said that if we love Him we will obey Him
(John 3:36; 14:23,24), and the Epistles confirm that we are to obey Him (Acts 5:29,32; Rom.
2:8; 6:16; 2 Thess. 1:8; 3:14; Heb. 5:9; 1 Pet. 1:2; 4:17). This glorifies G-d
(Rom. 15:6).
The Bible says that we have become the Bride of
Mashiach and that we will reign with Him forever (Rev. 19:6-9; 21:1-22:7).
Because G-d
created the family millennia before He created His Miqra, we believe that our responsibility
toward our family comes second only to our responsibility toward our G-d.
Yeshua set this model before us in that, as He hung dying on His cross at Calvary, He
committed the care of His mother into the hands of the Beloved Talmid.[7]
G-d’s Law, which our Lord declared is unchangeable, provides for strong family
bonds and responsibilities. Our Lord taught that the man who fails to care for his family is
worse than an infidel.
Concerning relationships within the Family, our Lord
taught that Mashiach is the head of the husband and the husband is to be subject to
Mashiach. He also taught that the husband is the head of the wife and the wife is to be
subject to her husband (Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 13:18; 1 Pet. 3:1-6; Titus 2:5). The Bible
teaches that the husband is to love his wife “just as Mashiach also loved the Miqra and gave
Himself up for her,” and to treat her gently, “as a weaker vessel” (Eph. 5:25-33; Col. 3:19;
1 Pet. 3:7). The Bible also teaches that a husband and wife are to “become one flesh” (Eph.
5:31).
The Bible teaches that children are to be obedient
to their parents and honor them (Col. 3:20; Eph. 6:1-3). Fathers are not to exasperate their
children or provoke them to anger “but [are to] bring them up in the discipline and
instruction of the Lord” (Col. 3:21 Eph. 6:4). Parents are to instruct their children in the
laws of G-d “that they should put their confidence in G-d, and not
forget the works of G-d, but keep His commandments.” Parents are also to teach
their children the praises of the Lord, not just His judgments (Ps. 78:1-8; Deut. 4:10;
6:4-9; 11:18-21).
We therefore commit that in all the teachings and
functions of this congregation, we will keep the family foremost, that our families will be
built on the sure foundation, which is Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach and His Word.
When speaking about the greatest of all mitzvot
(commandments), Yeshua said, “The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.’ There is no other mitzvah greater than these.” (Mark 12:31). Yeshua also said,
“This is my mitzvah, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has
no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you
do whatever I command you. … I command these things to you, that you may love one another.”
(John 15:12-17). We are commanded to fervently love each other (1 Pet. 1:22; 4:8-9; 1 John
3:11,23; 4:7-12; 2 John 1:5).
This kind of love means placing others’ well-being
before our own (Rom. 12:10; Phil. 2:3,4; 1 Thess. 3:11-13; 5:15).
We are to meet one another’s needs (Rom. 12:13;
2 Cor. 9:12-14). We are to obey our spiritual leaders and submit to their authority over us
(Heb. 13:17). We are to be devoted to one another (Rom. 12:10-13). We are to “pursue the
things which make for peace and the building up of one another” (Rom. 14:19-20). We are to
“be of the same mind with one another according to Mashiach Yeshua” (Rom. 15:6) and to
accept one another (Rom. 15:7). We are to admonish one another (Rom. 15:14; Col. 3:16).
We are to give honor to one
another (1 Cor. 12:24-26; 1 Thess. 5:13). We are to “show forbearance to one another in
love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Ruach[8]
in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-6). We are to lay aside all falsehood and speak truth to
each other (Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9). We are to be kind and tenderhearted to each other (Eph.
4:32). We are to forgive each other as G-d in Mashiach forgave us (Eph. 4:32;
Col. 3:12-15).
We are to submit to each other (Eph. 5:18-21). We
are to comfort one another (1 Thess. 4:17-18). We are to encourage one another (1 Thess.
5:11; Heb. 3:13; 10:25). We are to build each other up (1 Thess. 5:11). We are to live in
peace with each other (1 Thess. 5:13). We are to “stimulate one another to love and good
deeds” (Heb. 10:24). We are to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another
(James 5:16). We are to serve each other (1 Pet. 4:10). We are to act humbly toward each
other (1 Pet. 5:5-6). We are to have fellowship with each other (1 John 1:7; Heb. 10:25).
We are not to judge one or to put obstacles
or stumbling blocks in each other’s way (Rom. 14:13). There are to be no divisions
among us (1 Cor. 12:25). We are not to “bite” one another (Gal 5:13-16). We are
not to become boastful, challenge one another, or envy one another (Gal. 5:26). We are
not to repay evil with evil (1 Thess. 5:15). We are not to forsake our own
assembling together (Heb. 10:25). We are not to complain or speak against each other
(James 4:11; 5:9; 1 Pet. 4:8-9).
At His ascension, Mashiach gave His Shliachim[9]
the following Commission: “Going, therefore, make talmidim of all the goyim, immersing them
in the name of Abba,[10] and of HaBen,[11]
and of Ruach HaKodesh,[12] teaching them to observe all
things that I commanded you …” (Matt. 28:19-20, literal). He also told them, “But you will
receive power when Ruach HaKodesh has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in
Yerushalayim,[13] in all Yehudah[14]
and Shomron,[15] and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
(Acts 1:8). We believe that commission, in its primary application, was given directly to
the Shliachim and that they literally fulfilled that commission prior to their deaths before
the end of the first century.
However, we believe that the principles of our
Lord’s instructions are clear, and that those principles apply to the local assembly today.
They require us, as ambassadors for Mashiach, to carry on the ministry of reconciliation
(2 Cor. 5:18-21) by taking every opportunity to present the Gospel (Good News) of Yeshua
HaMashiach and His Kingdom to a lost and dying world.
Grammatically, the imperative (the mitzvah or
command) is to “make talmidim” (students who follow the teaching they are given and strive
to become like their teacher). “Going,” “immersing,” and “teaching” are all participles,
which means that they are how we are to make talmidim. The Lord’s command to His
Miqra is clear: we are make talmidim wherever we can. And we are to make talmidim by going,
immersing, and teaching.
a. We are to
Make Talmidim
A talmid (plural, talmidim) is one who sits
under the teaching of another, and who strives to become like the teacher. As we lead the
lost to Mashiach for salvation, we are to lead them to a local assembly of believers for
their growth and nurturing in the Word of G-d. If we fail in this area, we may
possibly have made a convert, but we have failed to make a talmid.
b. We are to
Make Talmidim by Going
There is no provision for us to wait for the lost to
come to us. We are proactively to seek ways and opportunities to present the Gospel of
G-d’s Grace to the lost. We are to “Go out into the highways and along the hedges,
and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled” (Luke 14:23). The “Lord’s house” is
not the building in which the local assembly meets, but rather it is the family of G-d
that is in mind.
c. We are to
Make Talmidim by Immersing
Those whom we lead to a relationship with Adonai
Yeshua HaMashiach, we are to make talmidim. One of the first steps of becoming talmidim is
obedience to the Lord’s instruction that talmidim are to be made by being immersed. As the
lost are won to Yeshua, it is our responsibility to make talmidim of them by immersing them.
d. We are to
Make Talmidim by Teaching
We are then commanded to be teaching them all those
things that were taught by our Lord and by His Shliachim. We know this instruction as “the
Apostles’ Doctrine” or the “Doctrine of the Shliachim” which has been given “for the
equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Mashiach;
until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of G-d,
to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Mashiach”
(Eph. 4:12-13).
We believe that Israel has been elected by G-d
out of all of the families of man to be His chosen people, to serve as an example to the
world of His love, compassion, providence, and righteous judgment. Moreover, G-d
chose Avraham and his descendants to be the human family from which His own Son, Adonai
Yeshua HaMashiach, the LORD Jesus Christ, would be born after the
flesh, to be Israel’s Messiah and our Redeemer.
We believe that, although many individual Israelites
immediately received the Good News of Mashiach and became His talmidim, corporate Israel
fell from her exalted position among the nations of the world because of her repeated
idolatry and her rejection of Mashiach when He first appeared. Therefore, G-d
eventually turned primarily to the Gentile nations (the Goyim) from which to call forth His
Miqra to serve as His example to the world and to make corporate Israel jealous (Rom.
11:11). This is to awaken her from her spiritual slumber and acknowledge Yeshua of Natzeret
as Adonai Elohim. We believe that great awakening will come under the ministry of G-d’s
144,000 sealed Jewish bondservants following the Translation of the Miqra (Rev. 7).
We believe that G-d has made numerous
unilateral, unconditional covenants with the household of Abraham that have not yet been
fulfilled, and that because of His unchangeable nature He is faithful to fulfill all His
promises. We therefore accept as self-evident that G-d is not yet finished with
His chosen race until they are again living corporately in fellowship with and obedience to
Him.
We believe
that the Miqra, the Body of Mashiach, properly understood, is thoroughly Jewish. Mashiach
and all his Talmidim were Torah-observant Jews who worshipped in the Temple and in the
synagogues throughout Eretz Yisrael[16] and the Diaspora.[17] The Bible, both the Tenakh and the Brit Chadasha, is a
thoroughly Jewish book, written by Jews, about Jews, to a Jewish audience. Yeshua told the
Samaritan woman that salvation is from the Jews (John 4:22), and Sha'ul wrote that “the Good
News of Messiah, … is the power of G-d for salvation for everyone who believes;
for the Yehudi [Jews] first, and also for the Yevanit [Greeks, or Gentiles]” (Romans 1:16).
Further, while there were some non-Jewish believers
in the first century, we believe that the clear historical record is that the Miqra was
predominately, if not almost exclusively, Jewish for the first hundred years of its
existence. It was not until the Bar Kokhba rebellion in approximately 132 that Jewish
Believers in Mashiach separated themselves from the synagogue, and then only because the
chief Rabbi declared that Bar Kokhba, and not Yeshua, was the Mashiach. Until that time
there was never a question of “how does a Jew become a ‘Christian?’” The question was,
rather, “how is it possible for a Gentile believer to become a Messianic Jew?”
We believe, therefore, that the true nature of the
Miqra, the Body of Mashiach (also erroneously called “the church”), is to be the faithful
remnant of Israel, and that for a non-Jew to be a part of that Body he/she must be adopted
into the family of Israel. “Thus says the LORD of Hosts: ‘In those
days, ten men will take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, they will take hold
of the skirt [literally, take hold of the tzitzit (fringes) of the tallis (prayer shawl)] of
him who is a Yehudi, saying, “We will go with you, for we have heard that G-d
is with you.”’” (Zechariah 8:23)
We believe that Gentile Believers in Mashiach are
heirs to salvation and to the wonderful promises of G-d only because
G-d has seen fit to adopt them into Abraham’s family, Israel, who alone are the
rightful heirs of those covenants (Romans 11). Those who are Gentile Believers in Mashiach
therefore own an unpayable debt of gratitude to those who are the sons of Avraham after the
flesh, and we owe it to Israel and to our Lord Yeshua to do all within our power to lovingly
lead them back into faith and obedience, and to resume their rightful place as the “Light to
the Nations.”
Additionally, when Mashiach returns to establish His
earthly kingdom, all nations of the earth will be judged by the way they have treated
corporate Israel (Matt. 25:31-46). Therefore, even more do we have an obligation to treat
Israel righteously, for they are the brethren of our own dear Lord, and it is we who have
been adopted into their family.
This congregation shall “continually devote
[our]selves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to
prayer” (Acts 2:42), both by assembling ourselves together regularly for corporate worship
and study of the Sacred Text, and by meeting together in small family groups for devotion
and fellowship from time to time and in such places as the Lord may direct.
Under the authority of Ephesians 4:11 and Titus 1:5,
we shall also license and commission (ordain) spiritually qualified men who have been
ordained by G-d to serve as Elders of His Miqra. These are men who have been
specifically called by Him into ministry as Apostles (Traveling Elders, or Missionaries),
Prophets (Preaching Elders), Evangelists (Gospelizing Elders), and Pastor/Teachers
(Shepherding Elders). We shall also commission and support spiritually qualified men and
women who have been called by G-d to any mission field, whether at home or in
any foreign nation, to faithfully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Lost. We shall
also educate Believers in Mashiach in any manner consistent with the requirements of Holy
Scripture, and maintain missionary activities in the United States and any foreign country.
We shall also engage in any other ministry that we may decide to pursue in obedience to the
will of G-d.
It shall therefore be the mission of this ministry
to:
a. Faithfully proclaim, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile, that Yeshua of Natzeret
is Melech HaMashiach (Israel’s King Messiah) and the Redeemer of Israel and of the world.
b. Encourage and facilitate Jewish Believers in Messiah to retain their traditional ethnic
distinctives (their “Jewishness”), and to educate non-Jewish Believers in Messiah about
their spiritual heritage in Judaism, encouraging (though not compelling) them to return to
their Hebraic roots, so that both Jew and Gentile may know the spiritual reality of being
one in the Messiah.
c. Provide a Biblical Jewish context for New Covenant faith and life in which Jewish and
non-Jewish Believers in Messiah may worship together, as the Shliachim taught the
Messianic Believers of the first century, and as we believe worship will take place in the
Messianic Kingdom.
d. Teach the Word of G-d in such a way that all Believers,
both Jewish and non-Jewish, might be enlightened, encouraged, and equipped to live
and model a Biblically Torah-observant lifestyle.
e. Fully
support, in whatever way Ruach HaKodesh may lead, the reunification of the two “houses” of
Israel (Israel and Judah, also called by some “Ephraim” and Judah) and the return of that
reunited Israel in fullness to her Covenant Land and to her rightful place as G-d’s
“light to the world,” and the establishment of HaMashiach’s Kingdom on earth.
The following statement is required by law to be
included in the governing document of any organization that seeks to be granted tax-exempt
status on religious grounds.
“In accordance with the
laws of the United States of America, this congregation is organized as a ‘church’ and/or
synagogue exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes within the meaning
of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of
any future United States Revenue Law), including, for such purposes, the establishment and
maintaining of Jewish and/or Christian worship, the building and maintaining of places of
worship and ancillary facilities including, but not limited to, parsonages, schools,
chapels, radio and television stations, rescue missions, print shops, day care centers,
camps, nursing homes, and cemeteries, and any other ministries that the congregation may be
led by G-d to establish, and for the making of distributions to organizations
that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code,
or corresponding section of any future federal tax code and whose purposes are in harmony
with the herein stated purposes of this congregation.
“No part of the net
earnings of this congregation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its
members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the congregation shall be
authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make
payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause(s)
hereof.
“No substantial part of
the activities of the congregation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise
attempting to influence legislation, and the congregation shall not participate in, or
intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign
on behalf of any candidate for public office.
“Notwithstanding any other
provision of this document, the congregation shall not carry on any other activities not
permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, corresponding section of any future federal
tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section
170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax
code.
“Upon the dissolution of
the congregation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the
meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any
future federal tax code, providing such purposes are in harmony with the herein stated
purposes of this congregation. Upon dissolution of the congregation by the
“Translation/Rapture of the Bride of Mashiach,” its assets shall be distributed to the
federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets
not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the
principal office of the congregation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to
such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and
operated exclusively for such purposes.
“In the event that any
future change in the law, or in the judicial or legislative interpretation thereof, requires
that this congregation forego, curtail, or refrain from any of its stated purposes, or from
any other purpose which the Lord may direct, in order to maintain its tax-exempt status,
this congregation shall voluntarily relinquish any claim to tax exemption and this
Constitution shall be amended in such a manner that our responsibilities to Adonai Yeshua
HaMashiach shall not in any way be compromised.”
This congregation is founded upon the conviction
that the Bible, as the literal written Word of G-d, is sufficient for all
matters of faith and practice, and that the answers to all questions of church policy and
procedure are to be found therein. The Bible, therefore, as interpreted by the Elders in
accordance with a systematic methodology as specified below, shall be the true Constitution
of this church. The following Doctrinal Summary is offered as a brief overview of the major
points of doctrine to which this congregation subscribes. The Elders of this congregation,
as guided by the Ruach HaKodesh and in keeping with valid evangelical biblical scholarship,
shall create and maintain a separate document to be known as Doctrinal Guidelines for
Congregation B'nei HaMelech, which is included by reference as a part of this
Constitution.
Section 1 — Concerning the
Bible
We believe that the complete Bible consists
of the 66 books (in the English version) of the Tanakh [Original Covenant] and Brit Chadasha
[New or Renewed Covenant], and that in its original autographs — those originally
hand-written by the Shliachim [Apostles] and Nevi’im [Prophets] — it is the literal written
Word of G-d, absolutely inerrant and infallible in relation to any subject with
which it deals.
We believe in the verbal (all the words of the Bible) and plenary (all
the parts of the Bible) inspiration, dual authorship, and protected transmission of all
Scripture, so that in the Bible is to be found the full and sufficient source of all divine
revelation. Therefore, no other writings, “prophecies,” or other supposed revelations are to
be accepted as divinely inspired or authoritative. All teachings and all knowledge, whatever
the source, are to be understood and interpreted in the light of the sacred Scriptures.
We believe that the Bible is to be properly
interpreted only through the enlightenment of Ruach HaKodesh [the Holy Spirit] and
understood in its literal, natural, historical, grammatical, and intended sense, and is to
be accepted as the full and final authority over the Believer's faith and conduct, including
all matters of congregational polity, policy, and procedure.
Section 2 — Concerning God
“Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai echad … Hear, O Israel,
ADONAI is our G-d, ADONAI
is one.”
We believe that there is only
one living and true G-d, an infinite and intelligent Spirit Who is the source
of all being and meaning; a compound unity Who eternally exists in three Divine Persons:
HaAbba (God the Father), HaBen (or G-d the Son), and Ruach HaKodesh (God the
Holy Spirit), one in essence and attributes, yet three in distinct Person, work, and
purpose; each of Whom possess all the attributes of absolute Deity and is infinite, eternal,
unchangeable, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, personal, and perfect in wisdom, power,
holiness, righteousness, justice, goodness, truth, mercy, and love.
We believe that “the Father is all the fullness of the G-dhead
invisible (John 1:18); the Son is all
the fullness of [the] G-dhead manifested (John 1:14-18); the Spirit is all the
fullness of the G-dhead acting immediately upon the creature (1 Cor. 2:9-10).”
[18]
We believe that Yeshua HaMashiach is the second
Person of the Divine G-dhead, eternally existing as G-d the Son,
Who always has been and always will be fully G-d. We believe that He is just as
much G-d as though He had never become man, and just as much man as though He
had never been G-d. We believe that He created, upholds, and sustains the
entire universe solely through the power of His sovereign will.
We believe that all manifestations of G-d
to man, whether in the Tanakh or in the B'rit Chadasha, are in the Person of G-d
the Son. We are therefore convinced that is was G-d the Son Who walked in the
Garden with Adam and Eve, Who appeared to and made the covenants with the Patriarchs, Who
went ahead of Israel in smoke and fire in the wilderness, Who wrote the Mitzvot in stone
with His own finger atop Mount Sinai, and to Whom the prayers and adoration of His Chosen
People have been unknowingly directed for the past 4000 years.
We believe that without in any way ceasing to be
fully G-d, He became also fully man, taking upon himself all of the human
attributes except the sin nature. We believe that he was conceived of Ruach HaKodesh, born
of the virgin Miriam, lived a perfect and sinless life, and accomplished our redemption
through his death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice,
and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.
We believe in His literal and bodily resurrection and ascension, and that now glorified He
sits at the right hand of G-d the Father where He carries out His ministry as
Kohen HaGadol (the Eternal High Priest) of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate on our
behalf. We believe in His pre-Tribulational and pre-Millennial return for his Bride, the
Miqra (known as the “Rapture” or “Translation” of the Bride), in His literal, bodily return
to reign physically on the earth for a thousand years, and in His ultimate judgment over the
living and the dead.
We believe that Ruach HaKodesh is a divine Person
Who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. Possessing all of the
attributes of Deity, He is fully G-d, and is therefore coequal to and coeternal
with the Father and the Son. We believe that with both the Father and the Son, He was an
active agent in the creation, and that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration and
sanctification, immersing all believers into the Body of Mashiach (the Miqra), equally and
permanently indwelling every believer, and sealing them unto the day of redemption. We
believe that He is the Divine Teacher, Who inspired and superintended the writing of
Scripture, Who illuminates the interpretation of Scripture, and Who guides believers into
all truth, assisting believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures. We believe that
it is the privilege and duty of all true Believers in Mashiach to be filled with and
controlled by Ruach HaKodesh.
Section 5 — Concerning
Angels
We believe that angels are created beings, not deity, and are not to be
worshipped; that they were created by G-d to serve and worship Him; that they
are organized into different ranks and orders; and that there are now both holy and fallen
angels.
We believe that holy angels are “ministering spirits, sent out to render
service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation“ (Heb. 1:14). They
ministered extensively to Yeshua during His earthly life and ministry, and are involved in a
general ministry to believers. Toward unbelievers, angels announce impending judgments, and
will be actively involved in the judgments of the time of Ya`akov’s Trouble (the Great
Tribulation).
We believe that HaSatan is also an angel, a cherub of
the highest rank of all angelic creatures, that he sinned through the pride of self-will,
and thereby became the author of sin and the cause of the fall of man. He is the open and
declared enemy of both G-d and man, and with his fallen angels (demons) is in a
state of present and open warfare against G-d and His saints. Some of the
demons are presently being held captive “in chains” in Sheol. They will all be eternally
punished in the Lake of Fire, which was created specifically for HaSatan and his demons.
Section 6 — Concerning Man
We believe that man was originally created in the
image of G-d, by G-d’s own hand and not by any process of
evolution or natural selection, and was given the authority and ability to exercise dominion
over the created world. Adam chose to disobey G-d, and because of his
disobedience Adam, all of his descendants, and all of his entire dominion fell under
G-d’s curse. Sin, sickness, and death entered the world; man became alienated from
G-d and inherited a sin nature, is totally depraved, possesses no spark of
divine life, and, of himself, is utterly helpless to remedy his lost condition apart from
the grace of G-d.
Section 7 — Concerning Sin
The word “sin” is an archery term that means “to
miss the mark.” Since the “target” is the perfect example set by Yeshua—that is, the very
nature of G-d Himself—then we believe that anything that falls short of that
goal misses the mark and is, by the broadest sense of its definition, “sin.”
We believe that there are two classifications of
sin:
(1) original (imputed) sin, that sin nature which every human inherits from his/her father
Adam, and
(2) personal sin, the individual choices each person makes to either willfully or ignorantly
disobey G-d.
We believe that all men and women are totally
depraved, without personal merit, and completely unable to save themselves.
We believe that the penalty for sin is separation
from fellowship, which takes one or more of three forms:
(1) separation from G-d (spiritual death);
(2) separation from the visible Body of Mashiach through discipline and “excommunication”
(which is to be practiced by the Elders of the local congregation solely for the sake of
maintaining the purity of the Body of Mashiach and for producing the repentance and eventual
restoration of the sinning brother or sister), and
(3) separation from this earth and from the physical body through physical death. We believe
that the physical illness and death of all earthly creatures is the direct result of Adam’s
sin, and that some physical illness and death is the result of personal sin.
We believe that salvation is the free gift of
G-d brought to sinful man by the unconditional grace of G-d and received
solely by personal faith in the completed redemptive work of Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach. We
believe that salvation comes by faith in the Person and completed work of Yeshua, plus
nothing else!
We believe that because of the fact of the
eternal, unconditional, and unilateral promise of G-d, because of the nature
of the Word and promises of G-d, and because of the immutability of the
unchangeable covenants of G-d, all the redeemed, blood-bought, regenerate, and
sanctified children of G-d have entered into an unbreakable relational covenant
with G-d, are completely and permanently indwelt by Ruach HaKodesh, and are
constantly interceded for by Yeshua HaMashiach, our Kohen HaGadol. We believe that they are
therefore secure in Mashiach forever.
We believe that before the foundation of the world,
for His own purpose and for His own glory, G-d foreknew, predestined, called,
justified, and glorified all those who are to be saved; that is, “predestined to become
conformed to the image of His Son” and adopted “as sons through Yeshua HaMashiach to
Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.” The Scriptures refer to these
individuals as His “elect,” all of whom have had their names written in the Lamb’s Book of
Life from before the foundation of the world. Although G-d sovereignly elects
some to salvation and glory, paradoxically the election of the saved in no way demonstrates
that G-d is responsible for the damnation of those who are not elect to
salvation. The Scripture makes it quite clear that it is not G-d’s will than
any should perish. We believe that the Scriptures clearly teach that “whosoever will” may
come to saving faith in Yeshua HaMashiach. We also believe that the Scriptures just as
clearly teach that “the elect” were chosen from before the foundation of the world. We
believe that from man’s limited perspective he perceives that he has a measure of “free
will,” but that from G-d’s perspective G-d is absolutely and
completely sovereign, and is thus in total control of every event that occurs in time,
space, and eternity. Although G-d receives all of the glory and honor for all
those who are saved, He in no way is to blame for any who are lost. We believe that these
facts are in no way paradoxical or contradictory, only that they can only be properly
understood from G-d’s perspective.
We believe that it is the privilege of Believers in
Mashiach to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation and their freedom from “bondage” to
Torah through the testimony of G-d’s Word which, however, clearly forbids the
use of that liberty as an occasion to sin. Though free from “bondage” to legalism, we
believe that every person is yet accountable to the standard of righteousness that G-d
has defined in His Torah. We believe that no man has ever been, or will ever be, saved or
counted as righteous through observance of or obedience to Torah, but only through faith in
Him who is the Giver of Torah, plus nothing else.
We believe that at the moment of salvation, each
person is literally transformed into a “new creation” which the Bible refers to as a “saint”
or “holy person” (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15) — that is, a person who has been “set apart”
(“sanctified”) by G-d to be His precious possession and to serve His specific
purpose.
We believe that sanctification is a “setting apart”
of the believer unto G-d and that it consists of three steps or stages in the
believer’s life: positional sanctification, progressive sanctification, and ultimate
sanctification. We believe that all Believers in Mashiach should live in such a manner as
not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord, and that separation from all religious
apostasy and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations is commanded by G-d.
We believe that the Torah is the standard of righteousness by which each “saint” is to
conduct his/her life.
Continue on to next page
Notes:
(These notes are for explanation only,
and are not considered part of our “official” Constitution.)
[1]
xyXm Mashiach is the
Hebrew word for “anointed.” The English form of this word is “Messiah” and the Greek form of
the same word is “Christus,” or “Christ.” Israel anointed three classes of people: prophets,
priests, and kings. As Messiah serves His people as their Prophet, Priest, and King, He is
HaMashiach, The Anointed One. [ Return ]
[2] arqm Miqra is the Hebrew word
for “convocation” or “sacred assembly,” suggesting to be called out for that convocation or
assembly, hence also “called out.” The Greek word for this assembly is
ekklesia ekklesia, which
is mistranslated in the English New Testament as “church.” Beyond the human
traditions of the Gentile translators, there is absolutely no grammatical support of any
kind for translating ekklesia as “church.” [ Return ]
[3] ynda Adonai is Hebrew for
“Lord” and is used both as a title for one's master and as a title of respect used in place
of the Sacred Name hwhy
YHWH — Yeshua is his given, or proper, name, and means “YHWH is salvation” or “YHWH
saves” — HaMashiach is Hebrew for “the Messiah.” Nobody who ever knew Him in the
flesh ever called Him “Jesus” or “Jesus Christ.” Click here for more
information. [ Return ]
[4] hwcm mitzvah is Hebrew for
“command,” “commandment,” “precept,” or by inference “good work.”
[ Return ]
[5] Unless otherwise specified,
all Scripture references in this Constitution are quoted from the Hebrew Names Version
of the Bible. [Return]
[6]
ywg
goy (plural, goyim) is Hebrew for “nations,” usually used
for anyone who is not an Israelite, therefore “Gentiles.”
[Return]
[7] dymlt talmid (plural, talmidim)
is Hebrew for “scholar” or “disciple” — one who learns — specifically one who learns
at the feet of another and who strives to become like the teacher.
[Return]
[8] xwr ruach is Hebrew for “wind,”
“breath,” “mind,” or “spirit,” and often refers to the Spirit of G-d.
Xdqh xwr Ruach HaKodesh
is Hebrew for “the Holy Spirit.” [Return]
[9] xlXm Shliachim is Hebrew for “those
sent forth” or “emissaries,” and signifies a person who is sent forth as a representative
with the full authority of the one doing the sending. The Greek equivalent is
apostoloß apostolos from which we
get the word “Apostles.” [Return]
[10] abba Abba is Hebrew for “Father.”
[Return]
[11] !bh HaBen is Hebrew for “the Son.”
[Return]
[12] Xdqh xwr Ruach HaKodesh
is Hebrew for “the Holy Spirit.” [Return]
[13] ~lXwry Yerushalayim is Hebrew
for “City of Peace” or “Jerusalem.” [Return]
[14] hdwhy Yehudah is Hebrew for
“Judah.” [Return]
[15] !wrmX Shomron is Hebrew for
“Samaria.” [Return]
[16] larXy #ra Eretz Yisrael is
Hebrew for “the Land of Israel.” [Return]
[17] The Diaspora, or
dispersion, refers to all Israelites (descendants of Avraham, Yitzhak, and Ya'acov) living
outside of Eretz Yisrael. [Return]
[18] Boardman, cited in
Great Doctrines of the Bible, by William Evans. Chicago: Moody Press, 1912, 1949, p. 28.
[Return]

http://familybible.org/About/OurBeliefs/Constitution1.htm
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