Saturday, April 27, 2024

What We Believe


The Holy Feast Days

 

All of the feast days mentioned in Leviticus 23: 1-44 are holy convocations appointed by God for His people to observe.  These appointments were memorial celebrations of God’s power to deliver and bless His people.  They were observed in the New Testament by Christ and were passed down unto his holy church.  As our perfect example, Christ saw the significance in observing these feasts; therefore, he authorized his apostles to teach all nations to observe all those things that he commanded (John 7: 2, 8; 10:22-23; Luke 22:15; Acts 2: 1. 20:16; Matthew 28:16-20).  To name a few, the Sabbath and the Passover are to be observed by all the people of God.

 

Sabbath

 

After creating the heavens and the earth within 6 days, God rested the seventh day from all of his works.  He, then, blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart from the previous 6 days of creation (Genesis 2: 1-3), and established the seventh day as the Sabbath, throughout the Bible.  God’s people were commanded to remember the Sabbath day for the purpose of keeping it holy (Exodus 20: 8-11), for God made the Sabbath holy; therefore, man was merely required to keep it holy.  The correctly observing the Sabbath day was so important that its proper observance was placed in the hands of Yisra’el, God’s true people (Exodus 31:12-17).  As an eternal institution, the Sabbath was identified as an everlasting celebration that will continue to be celebrated in the new heavens and the new earth (Isaiah 66:22-23; Exodus 31:16).  Christ taught His people that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath (Mark 2:27); therefore, all men are required to observe it (Isaiah 56: 2- 6).

Historically, the early Christians kept the Sabbath, that is, until Emperor Constantine, of Roman, enacted the first civil law mandating Sunday worship and forcing Sabbath keepers to worship underground. 

 

On the venerable day of the sun (Sunday, the first day of the week) let the magistrate and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed.  In the country, however, persons engaged in agricultural work may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits; because it often happens that another day is not so suitable for grain growing or for vine planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost. – Schoff’s History of the Christian Church, vol. III, chap. 75.

 

Prior to this time, all the followers of Christians (Christians and true Jews) observed the Sabbath day. 

 

The Passover

 

The Passover (Feast of Unleavened Bread) like all of the other holy convocations was first given to the Jews (Yisra’el) – Leviticus 23: 1-44).  This is evident in that the Bible refers to the Passover as the Jew’s feast (John 5: 1).  Since Communion was. Instituted and celebrated in connection with the Passover, it too was a Jewish observance (I Corinthians 11:, yet the tenets of Christianity tends to accept the Communion while neglecting the Passover.   .     

 

Restoration

 

Restoration of the original biblical principles of the Bible is a foundational doctrine made evident from both the Old and the New Testament (Isa 58:12; 2Cor 5:18-20).  The need for restoration is based upon an overflow of diverse Christian doctrines and denominations that continue to teach a variety of subjects that are in violation of biblical teachings.  The Apostles’ doctrine was a staple of the early church that must be proven and restored via revelational research.  Since God changes not (Malachi 3: 7), it is necessary that the original doctrines taught by Christ and given unto his apostles are restored and maintained in order that future generations might receive and benefit from all the promises of God (Jeremiah 6:16; John 12:49-50).  With this in mind, restoration has to be a fundamental belief for the true Church of God.  The true Gospel (the apostles doctrine) was taught to the apostles by Christ (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 2:42), who received it from God (John 7:16) via the Law of Moses (Luke 24:44; John 7:23) commanded that these things must be proclaimed unto the rest of the world prior to his return and the end of the world (Matthew 5:17-19; 28:16-20; 24:14).  To Bible teaches the following concerning the original salvation name:

 

The Original Salvation Name

 

The original salvation name used by the early church was a Hebrew word.  Even the English translation of the Bible verifies that the Son confessed his name in the Hebrew tongue (Acts 26:14-15).  Via translation, believers have been conditioned to think that any name (sound) will do as long as the words means the same; however, the Bible insists that the original Hebrew name {sound) used by the early church, is above every name (Philippians 2: 9); furthermore, it concluded that only one name (sound) was given under heaven whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).  If we truly accept the Bible’s authority, then, translation cannot cause any other name (sound) to be equivalent to the original name (sound) that is above every other name (sound) under heaven, for a name cannot be above all other and have an equivalent.  

Since the original salvation name was instituted and used well over two thousand years ago, and the translation Jesus is much younger, it is not possibly that it was used by the early apostles for the purpose of baptizing, healing, the working of miracles and salvation (deliverance) from sin.  While the Bible does not require believers to learn the entire Hebrew language in order to be saved, it reveals that God is so determined the turn His people unto a pure language so that they will all be able to serve Him with one consent (Zephaniah 3: 8- 9), that He will destroy those nations that refuse to do so, in the last days.  The declarations above are by no means a condemnation of translation; after all, translation cannot make a translated name (sound) equivalent to the original name (sound) where the Bible (the primary source) has already determined that there is no equivalent name (sound).

 

The Original Name of God’s People

 

The early church leaders identified themselves by the original Hebrew name which God gave unto His people.  The name Yisra’el (Israel) had been given unto them by God himself (2 Kings 17:34).  This name was first given to Jacob (Genesis 32:28), who by the authority of God, enjoined it unto the people of God (Isaiah 45:. 3- 4; 44: 5; 2 Chronicles 7:14).  Because this original Hebrew surname was intended to remain forever (Isaiah 66:22-23), it abides continually while invalidating other names and terms use to identify the people of God (Christians, Jews, Nazarenes, Presbyterians and/or Hebrews).   Ephesians 2:11-14 like 2 Chronicles 7:14 show that the covenants of promise were given to Yisra’el only., and are extended to those who adopt this name and live accordingly.  Isaiah 43: 7;

 

The Original Name of God’s House

 

God gave his word unto Jacob (Psalms 147:19; 78: 1- 5), for this reason Jacob was responsible for establishing the original Hebrew name of God’s house, on earth, as well as giving the name of God’s people (Genesis 32:28; Genesis 28:10-19).  Beyth-‘el (the name of the house of God and the Gate of heaven) was revealed unto Jacob as the house containing God’s name.  Because Beyth-‘el is often described, throughout the Bible, as the place where God’s name was recorded, there was no need to constantly repeat this name (Exodus 20:24; Deuteronomy 16: 6; I Kings 9: 3, 7; 2 King 21: 7; 23:27; I Chronicles 22:10; 2 Chronicles 7:14-16;, Jeremiah 7:11.           

 

The Law

 

The Bible confirms that Christ did not come to destroy the Law of Moses (Matthew 5:17-20), for until heaven and earth would pass, neither one jot nor one tittle would pass from the Law.  Christ’s death on the cross did not bring the Mosaic Law to an end, for Christ came to fulfill the law (do it).  Rather than end the Law. Christ supported the Law of Moses, for out of it, his coming was foretold (Matthew 24:44-45; Deuteronomy 18:15-18).  Because the original message of the Bible was written from a Hebraic perspective, its meaning cannot be clearly and accurately understood or appreciated by today’s religious leaders.    

As the great psalmist David stated, the Law of Lord is perfect converting the soul (Psalms 19:7).  Not only does it convert the soul but the body and spirit are affected as well, for they are interconnected.  It is God’s desire that body, soul and spirit are preserved blameless until the appearing of Christ (1Thessalonians 5:23).  While the law is God’s will for the behavior of his people, on earth, neither the law alone nor faith alone is sufficient to the complete saving of the individual (James 1:26).  Complete salvation has never been attained by simply keeping the law alone or by having faith alone, for faith without works is dead (James 1:14-26). If faith alone or works alone was sufficient, the devil would be saved, for the devil believes (James 2:19).  As judge, God distinguishes righteousness from the unrighteousness (Romans 3:26).  While God has always demanded that the just live by faith (Hebrews 2: 4), simply believing that Christ was the Son of God is not sufficient, for by works is our faith made perfect (James 1:22-25; 2:18-26).  The law of God is not only composed of works; it is composed of faith as well, for he that cometh unto God must believe that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seeks him (Hebrews 11: 6)  deals not only with earthly morals but spiritual ones as well. Because thou shalt not commit adultery is not limited only to a physical spouse it applies to our heavenly father as well (Exodus 20:14, Leviticus 20:10; Jeremiah 3: 9). The law then is our guideline on how to obey God no matter what situation comes up. We are not saved by the law alone but it is a necessary requirement to show our love to Christ and for him to choose us worthy of salvation (Matt 19:16-17; Luke 10:25-28; 1John 2:3-4; 5:2-3; Rev 14:12; 22:14).   

 

 The Divine Order (structure) of the Church

 

The Apostle Paul clearly shows the structure of the church in Ephesians 4:11-13 and 1 Corinthians 12:28.  He confirmed that these offices are required for the perfecting of the saints. for the work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ.  Although these offices are not found, in the Old Testament by these names, they were described by other names. Moses’ prayer unto God to continue to provide a chief leader over there congregation to lead and guide them so that they would not be as sheep having no shepherd (Numbers 27:15-17), allowed the whole congregation to recognize to whom they should be obedient (Numbers 27:20).  As Shepherd and Bishop over our souls (Hebrews 13:20; I Peter 2:20; 5: 4), Christ saw the need to preserve the office of the Chief Shepherd and appointed apostles to feed the sheep (Acts 20:28l Ephesians 4:11-13; I Corinthians 12:28).  The church was built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets that was already laid (Ephesians 2:20; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Matthew 16:13-18; 20:17, 27; Mark 10:41-44; 2 Corinthians 12:11; Acts 20:28).           

 

 God is one

 

Although the Bible declares that God is one in some places (Deuteronomy 6: 4; Ephesians 4: 6; James 2:19) and more than one in others (I John 5: 6- 8), it has always certified that the person of God is one, for God assumes numerous forms (Philippians 2: 6; Mark 16:12; Hebrews 7: 1- 12:29; Deuteronomy 4:24;  9: 3); therefore, the Son is described as the express image of God’s person (Hebrews 1: 1-3), and the Spirit is the mind of God (Romans 8:27).  The doctrine of the Trinity erroneously identifies God as three persons, but no verse of scripture identifies God as more than one person.  The Trinitarian doctrine describes the oneness of God is a way contrary to the way the oneness of God has ever been described in the Bible.       

 

 Christ as the Son of God

 

The Bible describes Christ as the Son of God (Matthew 26:63; Mark 1: 1; 15:39; John 1:34; 10:36; 20:31; I John 5:20).  The Old Testament confirms, by way of prophecy that God would assume bodily form (Isaiah 9: 6-7; Daniel 9:24-27). This revelation was given unto the Apostle Peter, who taught it to the early church (Matthew 16:13-20; John 1:49; 11:27).  Moses pre-identified the coming of a prophet, who like unto him, would receive the commands of God and teach them unto His people (Deuteronomy 18:15-10).

 

Baptism in the original salvation name

 

Biblical baptism is so important that salvation is tied to it (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:37-38); the bible is extremely clear that there is only one name (sound) that cause salvation. In other words the father only gave his Son one name (sound) that is above any other sound (Acts 4:12; Phil 2:9-10; Eph 1:20-21) by which we are to be saved. The Apostle Peter and other apostles interpretation of Matthew 28:19 was that in order to be saved believers had to be baptized into the original name for Jesus.