The
Almighty Father
We affirm and confirm that the Heavenly Father’s Name is Yahweh, Psalm 68:4; Isaiah 42:8; Jeremiah 16:21. Yahweh is His Name forever, and is the verb of existence, Exodus 3:14-15; Isaiah 63:12. He is the Supreme Ruler over everything. Worship is to be directed toward Him and He is to be venerated above all, Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 6:4, 13; 2 Kings 17:36; Psalm 99:9; Matthew 4:10. We are commanded to use and revere Yahweh’s Name, Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 28:58; Psalm 105:1; Isaiah 52:6; Matthew 6:9; John 17:26.
The
Holy Spirit
We
affirm and confirm that the Holy Spirit is an invisible force proceeding from
the Heavenly Father. It is in essence the mind and power of Yahweh, which
is also bestowed upon the Son, Luke 24:49; John 15:26. The Holy
Spirit is placed within those who are baptized into the saving Name
of Yahshua the Messiah through the laying on hands of the
presbytery, Acts 2:38; 5:32; 8:17; 19:6; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy
1:6.Through this power a person receives Yahweh’s strength to over come
sin and live a repentant life. The Holy Spirit is the acting agent by which
Yahweh and His Son accomplish their will.
The Creator's Name
No title should ever be substituted where the Name “YHWH” appears in the
Scriptures, Deut. 4:2. The third of the Ten Commandments command us
not to “take” or lift up the Name of YHWH "in vain", Ex.
20:7. This can be done in various ways, and one way would be by simply
ignoring the Name of the Creator in the Scriptures and substituting a
title. Scriptural, linguistical, and historical Hebrew sources testify
that the Name is pronounced Yahweh.(*a) The pronunciation “Yahweh” has
the meaning of “self-existent or eternal” Strongs Dictionary #3068.. Prov.
30:4; Ps. 68:4; 83:18; Isa. 42:8; 52:6; Mal. 2:2; Ex. 3:15; Jer. 10:25;
Ps. 113:3; Ex. 15:2,3; Ps. 105:1; Ps. 96:10; Mal. 4:5; I Kings 18:36,37; Ps.
135:13; Acts 2:21; Joel 2:32; II Chron. 7:14; Eph. 3:14,15.
(*a) Jewish Encyclopedia, Vol. 12, p. 119; Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol. 7, p.
679.
(b) Jewish Encyclopedia, p. 87, under title Jehovah says, "A
mispronunciation (introduced by Christian theologians but almost entirely
disregarded by the Jews)... This pronunciation is grammatically
impossible..."
The
Mashiach (Hebrew), Messiah
All
have sinned and have come short of the righteousness of Yahweh, Rom. 3:23,
Ps. 14:2,3. Sin is the transgression of the Torah [Law], Lev. 5:17; I
Jn. 3:4. The wages of sin is death, Rom. 6:23; Eze. 18:4; Gen. 2:17. To
be forgiven of sin requires the shedding of blood, Lev. 17:11; Heb. 9:22.
In Old Testament times this was done by the sacrificing, or slaughtering, of a
particular animal, Lev. 4:27-31; 16:15,16,34.
The
Old Testament prophesies of a coming Mashiach(Anointed one) who would be cut
off and cause the sacrifices and oblations to cease, Dan. 9:26,27.
Many other prophesies foretell events that were fulfilled in the life and death
of Yahshua, son of Mary and Son of Yahweh. Literal animal sacrifices are
no longer necessary for us today being that Yahshua is the
anti-typical lamb that takes away the sins of all repenting mankind. Isa.
52:13-15-Isa.53:1-12; Micah 5:2 and Mt. 2:1-6; Isa. 7:14 and Lk. 1:26-38; Jer.
31:15 and Mt. 2:16-18; Ex. 12:46 and Jn. 19:31-36; Ps. 22:18 and Matt. 27:35; I
Cor. 5:7.
The
Name of the Mashiach
All
authoritative reference sources admit that the original Name of the Brit
Chadashah Savior and Son of Yahweh is the same as the O.T. man, Hoshea, son of
Nun. Hoshea’s name was changed by the prophet Mosheh by adding the Hebrew
letter "Yod" to the beginning of it, thereby making it
Yahoshua, (Num. 13:16). This name was also given to the Mashiach of
Ysrael in Matt. 1:21 and Luke 1:31, Yahoshua or its abbreviated form,
Yahshua (Neh.8:17), mean, “Yahweh's salvation”. Many scriptures
proclaim the importance of the Name of Yahoshua or Yahshua. Prov. 30:4;
Matt.1:21; Lk. 2:21; Jn. 5:43; 14:13,14; Acts 2:38; 4:7,10,12; 10:43; 19:5;
26:14,15; Phil. 2:9-11; Rev. 3:8. Prayers and petitions to the Heavenly
Father have added power when presented in the Name of Yahoshua Mashiach, Jn.14:13,14;
15:16; 1Jn. 5:13-15.
To
change the pronunciation of a name in Hebrew is to change the meaning of the
name, as all names have meaning in Hebrew.
*The
Anchor Bible Vol.26 p.2 says, “Jesus. The word is the Greek
rendering of a well-known Hebrew name. It was Yahoshu first, then by
inner Hebrew phonetic change it became Yoshua, and by a still later northern
dialectal shift, Yeshua.”
The
Hebrew Masoretic text actually vowel points the son of Nun as Yehoshua (Num.
13:16) and Yeshua (Neh. 8:7). But the vowels were not in the
original manuscripts but were added about 600AD by Masoretic scribes. The
short form of the Fathers Name is pronounced as Yah not Yeh, Ps. 68:4;
Ex.15:2 (These two verses in Hebrew read as “Yah” for Name of the Creator,
see also KVJ of Ps. 68:4.) Thus the correct spelling and
pronunciation for the Name of the Son of Yahweh is “Yahoshua or Yahshua”.
If someone has a sincere conviction on a slightly different pronunciation we do
not make any separation on this matter so long as they have tolerance for our
sincere conviction.
The
Word
The
seven day week that all nations of the world observe, has its origin in what
is recorded in the first two chapters of the Bible. It is
written that YHWH created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.
Thus the legitimacy of the Bible is verified, Gen. 1:1-2:4. The
foundation and basis of the Assembly of Yahweh is
that expressed in Isa. 8:20, "To
the Torah and Teaudah...", [to the law and the testimony].
To this standard all beliefs, creeds, and practices must be measured. Deut. 4:2; Isa. 28:9,10;
II Tim. 3:16; Ps. 19:7,8; 119:11,89,105,142,151; II Pet. 1:21; Ex. 20:1-17. The Creator communicates with mankind
through His Word, thus His created beings should study
the Scriptures daily to know their Heavenly Father's will. II Tim.
2:15; Acts 17:11; Ps. 40:8; Num. 28:1-4; Ps. 1:1-3.
Foundation
in the Old Testament
We
in Assemblies of Yahweh Ministries affirm and confirm that the Hebrew
Scriptures (Old Testament or Old Covenant) is the basis for the Greek
Scriptures (New Testament or Renewed Covenant). From many references made by
Yahshua and His apostles to the Old Testament Laws, Psalms, and Prophets, the
authority of the Old Testament is easily seen, Luke 24:44; Acts 24:14.
Foundation in the New Testament
We affirm that both the Old and New Testaments are inspired, and that they are
to be used for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in
righteousness, Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16.
Obedience to Law
Assemblies of Yahweh Ministries affirms and confirms that the Bible commands
the observance of all Yahweh’s laws, statutes, and judgments in both Old and
New Testaments (except the sacrifices mentioned in Hebrews 9 and ritual
circumcision), Deuteronomy 6:6-9; 7:6-11; Matthew 4:4; 5:17-20; Revelation
12:17; 14:12; 22:14. Through obeying His commandments we demonstrate our
love for Yahweh, John 14:15, 21; 15:12. Faith does not annul His
law, Romans 3:31; James 2:14-17.
Water Immersion
Yahoshua
Mashiach and the early Apostles declared that immersion in water in the Name of
Yahoshua the Mashiach to be the ceremony by which we are sealed into covenant
with our Creator. Acts 2:38,41; 19:1-5; Jn. 3:23; Acts 8:36-39; Rom.
6:1-5; Mk. 16:16; Lev. 17:15,16; Col.2:11,12; Acts 10:48; Matt. 3:13-16;
Eph.4:4,5. Water immersion is to be administered to those
individuals who have decided to obey the laws of Yahweh, accepted Yahoshua as
the Mashiach, repented of all known sins, and as far as lies within their power
have made right any wrongs they have committed against Yahweh and their
fellowman. Matt. 28:19,20; Acts 2:37,38; Rom. 6:1-11; Luke 19:1-10; Ps.
40:8; Luke 3:12-14; Phil. 4:13.
The
Sabbath
The
weekly Sabbath (commanded rest day) is the seventh day of the week, it was set
apart as holy unto Yahweh at the beginning of earth's history, Gen. 2:1-3.
It is to be observed from the end of the sixth day of the week at dusk to the
end of the seventh day of the week at dusk, Lev. 23:32; Gen. 1:5;
Neh.13:19. Upon the sixth day of the week preparations are to be made so that
there will be no need to buy, sell, or to do any major food preparations upon
the Sabbath day, Neh. 13:15-22; Ex. 16:4,5,22-24. The sanctity of the
Sabbath was proclaimed in the fourth of the Ten Commandments, Yahweh commanded,
“in it thou shall not do any work” Ex. 20:8-11. The Sabbath is a sign
and perpetual covenant between Yahweh and His people, Ex. 31:12-1 7. Yahweh
Himself proclaimed death to be the punishment for anyone who knowingly and
willingly breaks the Sabbath day, thus showing that it is a specific day of the
week, Ex. 35:1-3; Num. 15:32-36.
The
day we commonly call Saturday is the Sabbath day, this fact is proven by most
dictionaries and encyclopedia's and also by practice of the Jews. Rom.
3:1,2.
Common
worldly labors are to be put away upon the Sabbath day. Works such as attending
regular school classes and writing school exams are forbidden by Yahweh upon
the holy Shabbat. Isa. 58:12-14; 66:22,23; Lk. 4:16; Mt. 24:20; Mk.
2:27; Mt. 12:8; Ex. 34:21; Eze. 20:12,13,20; Isa.56:1-7; Jere. 17:21-25,27;
Lev. 23:2,3; Heb. 10:24,25.
The
principle of the fourth commandment is to rest at Yahweh's appointed times,
hence the annual Sabbaths mentioned in the Torah are extensions of the fourth
commandment. Seven annual Sabbath days are celebrated throughout the year,
namely, the first and seventh day of Unleavened Bread(Matzohs) - Lev.
23:6-8, Feast of Weeks(Shavuot) - Lev. 23:15,16,21, Day of Trumpets(Yom
Teruah) - Lev. 23:23-25, Day of Atonement(Yom Kippur) - Lev.
23:26-32, first and eighth day of Tabernacles(Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret)
- Lev. 23:33-36.
Passover
We affirm and confirm that the Passover memorial begins at dusk at the start of
the fourteenth of Abib, Exodus 12:6; Leviticus 23:5; Numbers 28:16;
Deuteronomy 16:1. The Passover represents two significant events—the death
of the firstborn of Egypt and the passing of the death angel, and the
impalement of our Savior on the torture stake, Exodus 12; John 18-19. The
Passover is a memorial, not a High Sabbath. Work may be done on this day, Matthew
27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:14. Yahshua partook of the Passover
at twilight on the fourteenth day of Abib with His Apostles, Matthew
26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25, thus fulfilling the law. We no longer sacrifice a
lamb at Passover, but partake of the prescribed emblems, which represent
Yahshua’s body (unleavened bread, matzoth) and blood (unfermented grape juice,
the pure blood of the grape, Deut. 32:14), Luke 22:12-23; 1 Corinthians
11:23-26.
Feast of Unleavened Bread
We believe that the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the 15th day of the
month of Abib and extends through the 21st day of that same month, Exodus
12:15-18; Leviticus 23:6; Numbers 28:17. The first and last days of the
seven-day observance are observed as High Days, Exodus 12:16; Leviticus
23:7-8; Numbers 28:18, 25. During this time we are to worship Yahweh and
examine ourselves, removing any pride, sin, falsity or false doctrine from our
lives, Exodus 5:1; 1 Corinthians 5:8. We are to remove all leaven products
from our property and eat unleavened bread with our meals for all seven days of
the Feast, Exodus 12:15, 18; Leviticus 23:6.
Feast of Weeks
Assemblies of Yahweh Ministries affirms that the Feast of Weeks (Heb.
Shavuoth) or Pentecost is the third of the seven annual observances. This Feast
is to be calculated from within the Feast of Unleavened Bread. We are to start
the count from the day after the weekly Sabbath that falls within the Feast of
Unleavened Bread, and count seven complete weeks, Leviticus 23:15-16. On
this day the New Testament Assembly received the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit, Acts 2.
Feast of Trumpets
We affirm and confirm that the Feast of Trumpets is a High Sabbath, a memorial
of blowing trumpets, that falls on the first day of the seventh biblical month, Leviticus
23:23-25, Numbers 29:1-6.
Day of Atonement
We affirm and confirm that the Day of Atonement comes on the 10th day of the
seventh biblical month. On this day no manner of work is to be done; it is a
strict Sabbath to Yahweh. On this High Sabbath we are to afflict ourselves by
abstaining from food and drink, Leviticus 16; 23:26-32; Numbers 29:7-11.
Feast of Tabernacles
We affirm that the Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of In-gathering starts on
the 15th day of the seventh biblical month and advances through the 21st day of
the biblical month. The Feast of Tabernacles is a seven-day Feast, which has a
High Day on the 15th day of Tishri, Exodus 23:16; 34:22; Leviticus
23:33-36, 39-43; Numbers 29:12-34; Deuteronomy 16:13-15. Yahshua set the
example for all mankind by observing the Feast in the New Testament. Further,
we are told that all people in the Millennium will observe the Feast of
Tabernacles, Zechariah 14:16-19; John 7:2, 37.
Last Great Day
Assemblies of Yahweh Ministries affirms and confirms that the Last Great Day
immediately follows the Feast of Tabernacles and comes on the 22nd day of the
seventh biblical month as a High Sabbath. On this day no manner of work is to
be done. This special day commemorates the closing of the yearly feast
cycle, Leviticus 23:36; Numbers 29:35-38.
New Moon
Assemblies of Yahweh Ministries affirms that the first visible crescent marks
the new month. The start of the year is determined by the new moon. Exodus
12:1. The new moon is a day to gather and observe the crescent, 1
Chronicles 23:31; 2 Chronicles 2:4; 8:13; 31:3; Isaiah 66:23; Ezekiel 45:17;
46:3.
Sin
Assemblies of Yahweh Ministries affirms and confirms that sin is the
transgression of Yahweh’s Law, 1 John 3:4. Without Law sin does not
exist, Romans 3:20; 7:7-12, and the penalty of sin is death, Romans 6:23;
Hebrews 9:27. We realize that all have sinned and come short of the glory
of Yahweh, Romans 3:23.
Marriage
Assemblies of Yahweh Ministries affirms and confirms that marriage is a
lifelong union between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew
19:5) and that remarriage is allowed only upon the death of a
spouse, Matthew 19; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:11. Since marriage
was established only between one man and one woman, we reject homosexual or
polygamous marriages and/or unions.
Speaking in the Congregation
Assemblies of Yahweh Ministries affirms and confirms that only men are
permitted to speak before the assembly, and that Paul admonishes women to
remain silent during formal worship services, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1
Timothy 2:11-12.
Clean Food Laws
Assemblies of Yahweh Ministries affirms and confirms that Yahweh’s dietary food
laws were not annulled in the New Testament, but remain for His New Covenant
believers, Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14; Isaiah 65:4; 66:17; Acts 10:14; 2
Corinthians 6:17.
The Adversary
Assemblies of Yahweh Ministries affirms and confirms that Satan is a spirit
being who was cast out of heaven because of his pride, Isaiah 14:12-20;
Ezekiel 28:13-19; Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:7-9. Satan will eventually be
destroyed, Ezekiel 28:16; Romans 16:20 (“bruise” = crush in pieces);
Hebrews 2:14. Through the help of Yahweh we can overcome the wiles of the
Adversary, James 4:7.
Lake of Fire (Gehenna)
Assemblies of Yahweh Ministries affirms and confirms that the Bible does not
support an ever-burning hellfire, but that the wicked who are placed in the
lake of fire (Gehenna) will be destroyed quickly and completely, and will not
burn forever, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Malachi 4:1-3; Psalm 37:20-22; Jude
7 “Hell” is the Hebrew Sheol in the Old Testament, which means, “grave or
pit”; the New Testament counterpart is the Greek Hades, which also means,
“grave.”
State
of the Dead
Many
places in Scripture mention death as a sleep, Job 14:12; Ps. 13:3; Ps.
146:4; Eccl. 9:5,6; Jer. 51:39,57; Dan. 12:2; Jn. 11:13,14; Acts. 2:29,34;
13:36; I Cor. 11:30; I Thes. 4:14; Mt. 27:52; I Cor. 15:20; Isa. 26:19. At
the return of Yahoshua, He will awaken the righteous dead out of their
unconscious "sleep" in the graves, to eternal life. I Thes.
4:16,17; Jn. 5:28,29; I Cor. 15:51-54.
Salvation and Immortality
Assemblies of Yahweh Ministries affirms and confirms that the dead are
unconscious in their graves until they are resurrected, Job 14:12-14;
Daniel 12:2; John 5:29; 1 Corinthians 15:51-56; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17;
Hebrews 11:13, 39. We humans do not have immortal souls, Ezekiel
18:4, 20; Matthew 10:28, but receive immortality as a reward at the
resurrection, John 17:2-3; 2 Timothy 1:10.
Temperance
Things
such as cigarettes, excessive alcohol consumption, narcotics and unclean meats
are harmful desires that destroy the soul and should be put away before water
immersion. I Tim. 6:9; I Cor. 3:16,17; I Cor. 10:31; I Cor. 6:19,20; Ex.
20:13; Lev. 11:1-47; Lev. 3:17; Eph. 5:1-5; III John 1:2; II Pet. 1:6;
Prov.20:1; 23:29-35; Acts 15:19,20.
Love
Assemblies of Yahweh Ministries affirms and confirms that love is a critical
aspect of the true believer’s life. Yahweh requires that we all demonstrate
love for Him and our fellow man. The two greatest commandments are: loving
Yahweh with all our hearts, and loving our neighbors as ourselves, Leviticus
19:18; Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Matthew 19:19; 22:34-40; James 2:8. Love is
showing an unselfish and outgoing desire for Yahweh and our fellow man. Without
love we have no hope of eternal life, 1 Corinthians 13.
Assembly
Order
Yahweh
gives different spiritual gifts and offices to the various members, for the up
building of the faith and harmonious operation of His Assembly, I Cor.
12:4-31; Eph. 4:8-13; Ps. 68:18; I Tim. 3:1-16; I Cor. 14:1-40; I Tim.
2:11-15. Yahweh has ordained that the Assembly be sustained by tithes and
offerings, Mal. 3:6-12; Num. 18:20-24, 26-28; Gen.14:18-20; Deut.
14:22-29; 16:16,17; Matt. 23:23; I Cor. 9:7-14; Lev. 27:30-33; Neh. 13:10-14;
II Tim. 2:3,4.
Discrimination
We reject all forms of discrimination as it relates to natural-born gender,
nationality, or ethnicity. The Bible confirms that those immersed into
Yahshua’s Name are spiritual heirs of Abraham, Galatians 3:27-29. The
Apostle Paul also verifies that we are grafted into the same Hebraic promise
given to Israel of the Old Testament, Romans 9 and 11. As such, it is
wrong to place artificial barriers because of natural-born gender or ethnicity,
but this does not include transgender or homosexual offenders.
Body of Messiah
Assemblies of Yahweh Ministries affirms and confirms that the Body of Messiah
governs all of Yahweh’s people and assemblies. In the Body of Messiah Yahweh
blesses certain people with different gifts to further the work, Romans
12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:4-9; 12; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians
4:3-8.
