Statement of Faith
Watch my Statement of Faith Video: https://youtu.be/upbJokvgjn4?si=YxzCPGRPX21wnAA_
Watch my Statement of Faith Challenge Video: https://youtu.be/oDbygp5tgHs?si=GqQ3QsAx26oJhRWi
Good Berean Purpose
Our purpose is to continue to study to show ourselves approved and to rightly handle the Word of God, to test everything, to listen to opposing views, and to use strong hermeneutical principles (which will be defined below) in order to understand and interpret God’s Word. We hold to the conviction that the Holy Spirit is the best teacher and that as we learn, we may change convictions on certain secondary truths - knowing we all have blind spots - our goal is to remain humble before the Lord and to thoroughly seek out what His Word says so we can walk in obedience to it. We don’t want to live in theological echo chambers - and we don’t want to only adhere to what our preferred theological camp believes. We desire to remain open, honest, and transparent with convictions as we move forward. We hope to inspire others to operate the same way.
Interpreting Scripture
Law of First Mention
The original Text of the Bible has been preserved in Hebrew for the Old Testament and in Greek for the New Testament. Because the Hebrew Scriptures came first, they provide the foundation for interpreting all of Scripture from beginning to end.
When a Hebrew word appears in the Text for the very first time, that initial usage carries special weight. It establishes the meaning that the Holy Spirit intended for that word, which then echoes throughout the rest of Scripture.
Law of Definitions
To rightly understand a verse or passage, every word matters. Each word’s definition should be carefully studied to grasp the full meaning of what is being said.
To uncover the original intent of the Text, a concordance is essential. Free and reliable tools such as Blue Letter Bible (BLB) make Bible study both accessible and practical.
Law of Context
Approach Scripture with humility. Lay aside religious assumptions, traditions, and preconceived ideas. Come with fresh eyes, seeking to understand what the Word actually says—not what we wish it said, nor what we may have been told it says.
Every verse must be read in light of its surrounding context. The verses before and after are essential for grasping the intended meaning.
Genesis 2:2–3; 1 John 3:4; 2 Timothy 2:15; Isaiah 28:9–10
The Scriptures
The entire Bible—from Genesis to Revelation—is the inspired, infallible Word of God. Scripture is unified and is to be read through the covenantal lens of the Torah, which lays the foundation for the Prophets, the Writings, and the Apostolic Scriptures.
2 Timothy 3:16–17; Psalm 119:160; Luke 24:27
The Word of God and Free Distribution
We believe the Word of God is a divine gift, not a commodity to be sold for profit. Scripture declares that God’s truth is to be given freely, without price, so that all people may hear and receive it. As Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give.” The prophets condemn those who exploit God’s Word for gain, and the apostles modeled a ministry that did not peddle the Scriptures. Therefore, we affirm that all Bible translations should be made freely available to every person, in every tongue, without restriction or financial barrier.
Matthew 10:8; Isaiah 55:1; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Corinthians 9:18; Revelation 22:17
Bible Translation
We affirm the New King James Version (NKJV) as our primary mainstream translation of Scripture for study, teaching, and preaching. The NKJV faithfully preserves the majesty and accuracy of the traditional text, while presenting it in modern English. Unlike most other widely available translations, the NKJV uniquely includes the full range of textual variants in its footnotes—showing the readings of the Majority Text, the Critical Text, LXX, and the Textus Receptus. This transparency allows believers to see the underlying manuscript differences for themselves, equipping the church to handle the Word of God with both confidence and discernment. We disapprove of the copyright issue the NKJV holds to and consider the WEB translation to be a reliable public domain translation. We also affirm the LXX (Septuagint) is a faithful text to read and understand the Old Testament.
Psalm 12:6; Isaiah 40:8; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Matthew 24:35
God
There is one true God, Creator of heaven and earth, who reveals Himself in 3 persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, the Word made flesh, who lived without sin, died for our sins, rose on the third day, and will return to reign as King. The Spirit of God indwells and empowers believers to walk in His ways.
Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; John 1:1,14; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 3:16
Salvation and Covenant Identity
Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone, not by works of the law. As redeemed people, we obey God’s instructions as the expression of covenant loyalty. In Messiah, Jew and Gentile who believe are grafted into the commonwealth of Israel; we are one people—the true Israel of God. Those outside of Messiah, regardless of physical descent, are cut off from God’s covenant people.
Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 3:31; Ephesians 2:12–13,19; Galatians 3:29; Romans 11:17–22; Romans 9:6–8; Galatians 6:16
Soteriological Clarifications
We reject both Calvinism and Arminianism, seeing them as incomplete systems of man that misrepresent God’s character and covenant purposes. Instead, we affirm that God desires all men to be saved, that salvation is by grace through faith, and that believers are grafted into Israel’s promises, called to persevere in covenant loyalty.
1 Timothy 2:3–4; 2 Peter 3:9; Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 11:17–24
Perseverance and Apostasy
Salvation is the gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ, bringing forgiveness, new birth, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Scripture warns, however, that genuine believers must continue in faith and obedience, abiding in Christ until the end. Apostasy—deliberate turning away from Christ—is possible and leads to judgment. Assurance belongs not to those who merely began the race, but to those who endure faithfully to the end.
John 15:4–6; Matthew 24:13; Hebrews 6:4–6; Hebrews 10:26–29; 2 Peter 2:20–22; Colossians 1:22–23
Atonement (Christus Victor)
We hold to a Christus Victor understanding of the atonement. Jesus’ death was substitutionary but also a victorious defeat of Satan, sin, and death. At the cross, Jesus disarmed principalities and powers, and through His resurrection, He triumphed over the grave.
Colossians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 15:54–57; Hebrews 9:12,26–28
Baptism
We believe in immersion (baptism) in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as the outward expression of faith, identifying with His death, burial, and resurrection.
Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3–4
Communion
We believe that whenever we eat and drink, we should prayerfully remember Jesus’ sacrifice and proclaim His death until He comes. This can be done privately or corporately.
Luke 22:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Marriage & Family
We believe God created marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman. Families are called to discipleship, raising children in all the instructions of the Lord found in the Scriptures. This includes home discipleship and homeschooling as God’s ideal. While children are young, mothers should strive to remain home as nurturers where possible.
Genesis 2:24; Titus 2:4–5; Proverbs 22:6
Sanctity of Life
We affirm the sanctity of life from conception to natural death. We reject abortion, euthanasia, abortifacient birth control, and sterilization. Children are a heritage and blessing from the LORD.
Psalm 127:3–5; Exodus 20:13; Jeremiah 1:5
Stewardship
We believe all we have belongs to God. We strive for debt-free living, working with our hands, and living off the land where possible.
Romans 13:8; Proverbs 22:7; Revelation 18:23; Genesis 1:29
Discipleship
We believe discipleship is the lifelong call of every believer, expressed through covenant faithfulness, prayer, study, obedience, fellowship, and teaching the next generation. Discipleship is rooted in both knowledge and practice—walking as Messiah walked and helping others do the same.
Matthew 28:19–20; 1 John 2:6; 2 Timothy 2:2
Torah and Obedience
The Torah is not abolished but remains binding today for all who belong to Messiah. It is God’s covenant instruction for our good, teaching us how to love God and neighbor. Yahusha/Jesus (our Messiah) perfectly lived out the Torah and calls His disciples to walk as He walked. We seek to follow all of God’s Torah to the best of our ability, including dietary laws, the Sabbath, and the appointed times. There are parts of the law that are not for us today. Yahusha fulfilled the sacrificial system in the sense that He is the greater sacrifice. Because we are not under the theocratic system and exiled, we don’t follow the judicial or civil laws as well.
Matthew 5:17–19; Deuteronomy 30:11–14; 1 John 2:6; Romans 7:12; Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 10:10–14
The Sabbath and the Appointed Times
We keep the seventh-day Sabbath from sunrise to sunrise as a perpetual covenant sign, delighting in rest, worship, Scripture, prayer, and fellowship not only as something beautiful God has established for us to obey - but also as a memorial for how everything was originally created and will one day be re-established in the new heavens and new earth. We also acknowledge the moedim (appointed times) as God’s feasts, significant today as memorials pointing to Messiah’s work in His first and second comings.
Matthew 24:20; Isaiah 66:22–23; Exodus 20:8–11
Identity Clarifications
- We are not Hebrew Roots: We affirm Messiah’s deity and Paul’s authority, rejecting distortions that deny either. (John 1:1,14; 2 Peter 3:15–16)
- We are not Messianic Judaism: We reject rabbinic traditions and affirm that Jew and Gentile are one people in Messiah. (Mark 7:6–9; Ephesians 2:14–16)
- We are not Seventh-day Adventists: Though we keep the Sabbath, we affirm all Torah, including dietary laws, as for today. (Leviticus 11; Colossians 2:8)
Eschatology
We affirm the framework of Daniel’s 70th week prophecy, seeing history in its covenantal unfolding. We reject the idea of a pre-tribulation rapture. Instead, Scripture teaches a Second Exodus, where God brings His people into the wilderness for protection and provision during part of the tribulation. We believe that the rapture will be in a pre-wrath position, meaning believers will endure till the end but be spared from the day of the Lord when God pours out His wrath.
Daniel 9:27; Revelation 12:6,14; Ezekiel 40–46
End Times & Prophecy
We believe we are living in the last days, approaching a great apostasy involving one-world government, religion, and economy. The mark of the beast: even true believers can be deceived into taking it - and that if they do, the will forfeit salvation as this is the ultimate rejection of trusting and abiding in Jesus.
Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4; Revelation 13:16–17; Genesis 1:6–8
The New Heavens and the New Earth
We believe that God has promised a renewed creation in which righteousness dwells, where sin, death, and sorrow will be no more. In the new heavens and new earth, the dwelling place of God will be with His people forever. He will wipe away every tear, and His redeemed will enjoy His presence in unbroken fellowship and eternal joy.
We believe that Jesus the Messiah will reign as King, and His people will serve Him in love and gladness. The curse will be removed, and creation itself will be restored to its original beauty and glory. The nations will walk in His light, and His servants will see His face.
Revelation 21:1–5; Isaiah 65:17–25; 2 Peter 3:13; Romans 8:18–25; Revelation 22:1–5