Statement of Faith of the
Messianic Jewish Alliance of America

WE BELIEVE:

I. THE BIBLE, consisting of both the ancient Hebrew TaNaKh (an acronym for Torah [Law or, more accurately, Divine Instruction], Nevi'im [Prophets], K'tuvim [Writings]) and the later writings of the Shliachim (Apostles) — variously known as the “B'rit Hadasha,” “New Covenant,” or “New Testament” — is the only infallible and authoritative word of G-d. We recognize its divine inspiration and authority, 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). Furthermore, we believe that to divide the Sacred Text into two “books” or “testaments” is error, and that the writings of the Shliachim should rightfully be included as an integral part of the K'tuvim. We object to the use of the terms “Old” and “New” Testament or Covenant, in that the word “old” suggests that which is obsolete or of less importance than it originally was, and the word “new” suggests that which supplants or has replaced something “old.” We hold that the Creator has one, and only one, standard of righteousness, the Torah, by which the conduct of all humankind will be judged.

II. G-D. We believe that the Shema, "Hear O Israel, the Lord our G-d, the Lord is one [echad]" (Deut. 6:4), teaches that G-d is Echad, and is so declared to be a united one, a composite unity, eternally existent in plural oneness [Gen. 1:1 (Elohim: G-d); Gen. 1:26 "Let us make man in our image"; Gen. 2:24 Adam & Eve were created to be as one flesh (basar echad)], that He is a personal G-d who created us ( Gen. 1 & 2), and that He exists forever in three persons: Father (Abba), Son (Ha Ben), and Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh), as mentioned in Romans 8:14-17 (Father, Spirit, and Messiah/Son) and Matt. 28:18-20 (immersing in the Name [singular, one Name] of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

A. G-D THE FATHER (Abba) – John 6:27b; I Cor 1:3; Gal. 1:1; Rev. 3:5, 21; Jer. 3:4, 19; 31:9; Mal. 1:6; Matt. 6:9, 32; Luke 10:21-22; John 1:14; 4:23; 5:17-26; 6:28-46; Rom. 8:14-15.

B. G-D THE SON (HaBen)

1. God does have a Son [Ps. 2; Prov. 30:4-6 (cf. Heb. 1); Luke 12:35-37; John 1:29-34, 49; 3:14-18].

2. The Son, named Yeshua (incorrectly transliterated as “Jesus”), meaning salvation, came to this world born of a virgin [Isa. 7:14 (cf. Luke 1:30-35)].

3. The Son is G-d (Deity), and is worshipped as G-d, having existed eternally [Ps. 110:1 (cf. Heb. 1:13); Isa. 9:6-7; Matt. 28:18-20; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-19; Rev. 3:21 (Heb. 1 – worshipped by angels); Rev. 4:8, 5:5-14].

4. This One is the promised Mashiach (Messiah) of Israel [ Is. 9:6-7; 11:1; Dan. 9 (esp. verses 20-26); Isa. 53; John 1:17, 40-41, 45, 49; Mark 8:29].

5. He is the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star (Num. 24:17; Rev. 22:16).

6. He is our Passover, the Lamb of G-d ( I Cor. 5:7; Rev. 5; John 1:29).

C. G-D THE HOLY SPIRIT (Ruach HaKodesh)

1. Introduced in Gen. 1:2b.

2. In the TaNaKh, the Spirit of G-d came upon individuals during the times of our forefathers, like Moses, David (see II Sam. 23:1-3), and the Prophets, for the specific purposes.

3. In the Apostolic Scriptures, Messiah Yeshua, promised His disciples that “the Comforter” would come to them after He was gone, described as the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17, 26), who was with them and would be in them. Yeshua further declared that the Spirit of Truth, would guide us into all truth and would glorify Him – the Messiah – not Himself (John 16:13-15). He empowers us (Acts 1:8). He seals us [Eph. 1:13; 4:30 (see NIV and Jewish New Testament versions)]. If we have not the Spirit, we are not His (Rom. 8:9). He leads us and teaches us (Rom. 8:14-17). His indwelling enables us to live a G-dly life. Acts 2:38 says, "Repent, be immersed, and receive the Holy Spirit."

A. Created in the image of G-d ( Gen. 1:26-27), but:

B. Through disobedience, man fell from his first state and became separated from G-d (Gen. 2:17; 3:22-24). Therefore, according to the Scriptures, all men are born with a sinful nature (Ps. 14:1-3; 49:7; 53:13; Isa. 64:6; Rom. 3:9-12, 23; 5:12).

C. Man's only hope for redemption (salvation) is through the atonement made by the Messiah (Lev. 17:11; Isa. 53; Dan. 9:24-26; I Cor. 15:22; Heb. 9:11-14, 28; John 1:12, 3:36), resulting in regeneration by the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5), which is the new birth (John 3:3-8). For by grace we are saved through faith, it is a gift of G-d (Eph. 2:8-9).

IV. RESURRECTION AND JUDGMENT

We believe in the resurrection of both the redeemed and the lost: the former to everlasting life and the latter to eternal separation from G-d, a state of everlasting punishment (Job 14:14; 19:25-27; Dan. 12:2-3; John 3:36; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 10-15; 21:7-8).

V. THE MESSIAH – The Redeemer

The Scriptures promise two "comings" of the Messiah:

A. First coming as Messiah ben Yosef

1. Promised in Dan. 9:24-26.

2. Its purpose was to make an atonement for sin (Dan. 9:24-26; Isa. 53; Rom. 3:21-31; Heb. 9-10; John 3:16-17).

B. Second coming as Messiah be David

1. Promised coming in the air to receive the believers to Himself (I Thess. 4:13-18; John 14:1-6; I Cor. 15:51-57).

2. Messiah's return to the earth.

a. The Redeemer shall come to Zion (Isa. 59:20-21; Zech. 14:4).

b. Israel's spiritual redemption (Zech. 12:8-13:1; Rom. 11:25-27; Heb. 9:28; Jer. 31:31-40; the Renewed Covenant with Israel).

c. Israel's national restoration is to recover the remnant of His people Israel from the four corners of the earth, and restore the Davidic Kingdom (Isa. 11 – to re-establish the throne and kingdom of David, which will last forever) [Isa. 9:6-7 (cf. Luke 1:30-33); Jer. 23:3-8].

VI. ISRAEL IN PROPHECY

We believe in G-d’s end-time plan for the nation of Israel and for the world. A central part of Messianic Belief is the belief in the physical and spiritual restoration of Israel, as taught in the Scriptures. The greatest miracle of our day has been the re-establishment or rebirth of the State of Israel according to prophecy (Ezek. 34:11-31; 36-39; Hos. 3; Amos 9:11-15; Zech. 12-14; Isa. 11; 43; 54; 60-62; 66; Rom. 11:1-34) (see also Scriptures under V. THE MESSIAH).

VII. MESSIANIC BELIEF

A. We recognize that all Jewish people (physical descendants of Avraham (Abraham) through Yitz'chak (Isaac) and Ya'akov (Jacob), whether through the mother's or the father's blood-line) who place their faith in Israel’s Messiah Yeshua continue to be Jewish according to the Scriptures (Rom. 2:28-29). Gentiles who place their faith in Yeshua are “grafted into” the Jewish olive tree of faith (Rom. 11:17-25), becoming adopted sons and daughters of Avraham (Gal. 3:28-29) and citizens of the Commonwealth of Israel, partaking equally with the natural-born children of Avraham, Yitz'chak, and Ya'akov in the Torah, the Covenants, and the Land of Israel.

B. We observe and celebrate the Jewish Holy Days given by G-d to Israel, with their fulfillment in and through Messiah Yeshua. We believe that true “Biblical Judaism,” the faith of first century Messianic Believers which we seek to practice, acknowledges the continuity of faith in the one true G-d, revealed throughout the Scriptures, and ultimately manifested in G-d’s Son, Yeshua the Messiah. We believe that salvation has always been “by faith,” and that works of law, or righteous acts, have never saved anyone (Gen. 15:6; Rom. 2-6; Eph. 2:8-9; Heb. 11:6, 39).

C. We acknowledge that the “Body of Messiah” is composed of both Jews and Non-Jews who have received Yeshua the Messiah as the Promised Redeemer. The “middle wall of partition” has been broken down and now we worship the G-d of Israel together (I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 2:13-14), united as one Holy and Called-Out People in Messiah Yeshua.