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We affirm that
in order to interpret the inspired Scriptures correctly, we must use the Old
Testament as a basis for our faith. We must therefore interpret the New
Testament through the teachings of the Old, recognizing complete harmony in the
Word, thereby achieving sound doctrine, John 10:35. In the New Testament we
find that repeated reference is made to the law, the Psalms, and the prophets:
in other words, the Word of Almighty Yahweh, Matt. 4:4; John 5:39; Luke
24:44-46; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Isaiah 8:16, 20; Acts 17:11. The Old Testament
Scriptures saw partial fulfillment in the accounts that are recorded in the
New, while they will find complete fulfillment in the years that will follow
the Second Coming of our Savior.
2 We affirm that
there is one Almighty Heavenly Father who is above all, and to whom we owe our
reverence and worship, Deut. 6:4, 13; Matt. 4:10; 1 Cor. 8:4-6.
3 We affirm that
the Messiah has come in human form as the man recognized as the Savior in the
New Testament Scriptures, that He pre-existed with the Father, John 16:28-30;
Psalm 2; Micah 5:2; John 17:5; Phil. 2:5-8; that He was born of a virgin, Matt.
1:18, 23; Luke 1:26-38; that He lived a sinless life, 1 Peter 2:22; that
through His death upon the tree of Calvary we may have atonement for our sins,
Isaiah 53; Hebrews 9; and that He rose again the third day, Matt. 12:40; 1 Cor.
15:1-8; to give us a hope of a resurrection also, Romans 5:6-12; 1 John 5:9-13.
4 We affirm that
it is necessary and most important to our salvation that we accept the
revealed, personal Name of our Heavenly Father YAHWEH and the Name of His Son,
our Savior YAHSHUA the MESSIAH. We affirm also that the most accurate
transliteration of these Names from the Hebrew into the English is by the
spellings employed above, Exodus 3:14-15; Psalm 68:4; Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 42:8;
Isaiah 52:6; Acts 4:12.
5
We affirm that
the Holy Spirit is the mighty power from the Heavenly Father and the Messiah
dwelling within us so that we may have the ability and strength to bring our
lives into a state of perfection pleasing to our Heavenly Father, John
14:15-27. We find the trinitarian doctrine to be foreign to the inspired
Scriptures. The Holy Spirit is imparted to the obedient believers by the laying
on of hands of the elders of the Assemblies of Yahweh after baptism, Acts
19:1-6; Acts 8:14-24; 1 Timothy 4:14; Acts 2:38; Acts 5:32.
6 We affirm that
as obedient children it is necessary to keep all the commandments, statutes,
and judgments (except the ritual and animal sacrifice laws) which the Heavenly
Father gave to Israel to make them a separate people, Lev. 20:7-8; Deut. 6:6-9,
25; Deut. 7:6-11; Matt. 5:17-20; Romans 7:12. It is now possible through the
Holy Spirit to keep these commandments by faith for our salvation, Eph. 2:8-10;
James 2:17-20. We now keep a spiritual sacrifice rather than animal sacrifices,
meal, and drink offerings, Hebrews 13:15-16; 1 Peter 2:5; Romans 12:1; Phil.
4:18.
7 We affirm that
sin is the transgression of the law of Yahweh, Lev. 4:2, 13, 27; 1 John 3:4.
8
We affirm that
in order to be free from sin, a person must accept the shed blood of Yahshua
the Messiah as his atonement and live in submission to the will of our Heavenly
Father by keeping His laws, Micah 6:6-8; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 2:2; Hebrews
10:26-31; Eph. 1:6-7. Yahweh has extended grace (unmerited kindness or mercy)
to all who keep His law, Rom. 3:24. Grace is not license to do as you please,
Jude 4.
9 We affirm that
water baptism is a necessary act following repentance, Acts 2:38; Matt.
3:13-17; that this baptism is immersion in water, backward, one time, into the
Name of Yahshua the Messiah; Rom. 6:3-6; John 5:43; John 14:26; that this
baptism symbolically indicates an inner cleansing, Romans 6:7-23; 1 Cor.
10:1-10. We also affirm that baptism, except in rare instances, is a necessary
step in receiving the Holy Spirit, 1 Pet. 3:21.
10 We affirm
that obedience to the commandments of Almighty Yahweh includes observing and
keeping holy His commanded observances of Leviticus 23 and Numbers 28-29.
11 We affirm
that the weekly seventh-day Sabbath (commonly called Saturday) is upheld in
both Old and New Testament Scriptures, Exodus 20:8-11; Mark 2:27- 28; Luke
4:16; Hebrews 4:4, 9. The Sabbath is a sign between Yahweh and His people, Ex.
31:12-17.
12 We affirm
that the scriptural months are determined by the visible new moons, Deut. 16:1.
The first day of each month is delineated by the appearance of the crescent. We
find that the Scriptures indicate further that the law will go forth from Zion
in the Millennium, Isaiah 2:3; the holy days will then be set from Jerusalem,
Isaiah 66:23. The scriptural day begins and ends with sunset, Lev. 23:32; Mark
1:32.
13 We affirm that
the Passover Memorial Supper in this New Testament era is the annual observance
of our Savior's death. The Passover Memorial is to be observed on the evening
of the 14th day of the scriptural month of Abib, soon after sundown, at the
commencement of the day, Exodus 12:3-14; Numbers 28:16; 1 Cor. 5:7-8; 1 Cor.
11:23.
14 The Passover
observance utilizes the emblems that are to be partaken in this New Testament
era. The unleavened bread (matzoth) is the symbol of the broken body of our
Savior, 1 Cor. 10:16; Exodus 23:18. The symbol of our Savior's shed blood is
understood to be the fruit of the vine (Heb. tirosh, 'asis-grape juice), Matt.
26:27-29; Isaiah 65:8-9; Deut. 32:14. We find the Passover day to necessitate
the use of unleavened bread, but it is not a Sabbath of rest, Deut. 16:3-4. It
is the preparation for the feast, the day before the annual Sabbath, Mark
15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:31, 42; Exodus 12:18; Exodus 34:25. Foot washing
precedes the taking of the emblems, John 13.
15 We affirm
that the Feast of Unleavened Bread is observed from the 15th to the 21st
(inclusive) of the month of Abib; during this period we eat unleavened bread
with our meals, Lev. 23:6, while symbolically cleansing ourselves of everything
that corrupts, meaning false doctrine (teaching) which leads to sin, 1 Cor.
5:6-8; Matt. 16:12; Mark 8:14-15; Luke 12:1. The first and last days of this
observance are to be kept as holy Sabbaths and convocations for theworship and
praise of our Heavenly Father, Exodus 12:15-20; Numbers 28:17-25; Acts 20:6-7.
16 We affirm
that the Feast of Shavuoth (Pentecost) is to be observed seven weeks after
Passover, beginning our count with the day following the weekly Sabbath falling
on Passover or during the week of Unleavened Bread, Joshua 5:10-12, NEB.
Shavuoth (Feast of Weeks) is always observed on the first day of the week, Lev.
23:9-21; Acts 2. We find that it was the day of the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit upon the New Testament assembly and was also the time when Israel
ratified the covenant law with Yahweh given to Israel at Mt. Sinai.
17 We affirm
that we shall observe the Feast of Trumpets in anticipation of our Savior's
return from heaven for His bride, the assembly, Lev. 23:24-25; Numbers 10:1-10;
Numbers 29:1; 1 Thess. 4:16.
18 We affirm
that the fast of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is to be observed as a memorial of our
Savior's atonement for us on the tree of Calvary. This day is to be observed as
a strict Sabbath and fast day, Lev. 23:27-32; Acts 27:9.
19 We affirm
that the Feast of Tabernacles is to be observed in this New Testament era as a
preview of the Kingdom of Yahweh and the Millennium, Lev. 23:34-39; John
7:1-39; Zech. 14:16-21. The Feast of Tabernacles is a feast of seven days, the
first day being a holy convocation, while the eighth day, called the Last Great
Day, is to be observed as a holy convocation also, John 7:37.
20
We affirm
that our Savior Yahshua the Messiah will establish the Kingdom of Yahweh, the
Kingdom of the Heavens, on this earth, Ps. 115:16; Prov. 11:31; Matt. 5:5; Rev.
5:10. This Millennial Kingdom will prevail for 1,000 years and will be set up
by Yahshua the Messiah at His Second Coming. At that time righteousness will be
established as the order of the day, and this earth will be rebuilt into an
Edenic paradise which man lost originally through sin, Isaiah 11:1-10; Matt.
6:10. After the Millennium, a new heaven and earth will be brought forth,
Isaiah 66:22; Rev. 21:1.
21 We affirm
that the Scriptures teach eternal punishment for the wicked, that this
punishment is complete destruction in the lake of fire (Gehenna), and we
disavow an eternal torment in an ever-burning hell, 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Mall
4:1-3; Psalm 37:20-22; Isaiah 33:12; Matt. 25:46; Jude 7. We affirm that the
Bible teaches the existence of a literal devil (Satan), Genesis 3:1-15, Isaiah
14:12-20, Zech. 3:1-2, Matt. 4:1-11, 1 Peter 5:8, Rev. 12:9. Satan will be
destroyed at the end of the Millennium, Ezek. 28:18-19, Romans 16:20, Rev.
20:7-10.
22 We affirm
that adherence to the law of clean meats in Lev. 11 and Deut. 14 remains in
effect and binding in our era, and that it is important to our physical health,
2 Cor. 6:16-18.
23 We affirm
that the Scriptures teach anointing with oil in the Name of Yahweh and in the
Name of Yahshua the Messiah for healing of illness. This anointing service
should be done by at least two elders if possible, James 5:13-20; Ex. 15:26.
24 We affirm
that in order to preach this true doctrine of salvation around the world, every
member of the body of the Messiah is obligated by scriptural law to tithe (10
percent of his increase) to the Assemblies of Yahweh, Prov. 3:9. These tithes
are to be paid to the headquarters treasury so that no duplication of the
ministry shall occur, Mall 3:8-12; Lev. 27:30-33; Matt. 23:23. The Assemblies
of Yahweh teaches also the second (feast day) tithe, Deut. 14:22-26, and the
third (third year poor fund) tithe, Deut. 14:27-29, Deut. 26:12-17.
| Government in the Assemblies of Yahweh |
We affirm that the doctrine of the Scriptures relative
to assembly government in the Assemblies of Yahweh is one of law, order, and
rule from the top down. The Messiah is the Head of the Assemblies of Yahweh.
Almighty Yahweh is not the author of confusion; consequently, everything must
be done decently and in order, 1 Corinthians 14:33, 40.
The government in the Assemblies of Yahweh shall be
constructed as closely as possible to that which was designed by Almighty
Yahweh for Old Testament Israel and continued by the New Testament Apostles. We
find the references to this government in Exodus 18, Numbers 11, and Ephesians
4:11. The Holy Scripture reveals that the specific prophetic and apostolic
offices have been filled, although these functions remain in the offices of
evangelist, pastor, and teacher, along with bishop and deacon, 1 Timothy 3;
Titus 1:5-9; Numbers 11:25. Also, the Scriptures recognize the title minister
relative to the office of Yahweh's chosen elders, Romans 15:16; Hebrews 10:11;
Romans 12:7.
Since it is Almighty Yahweh and Yahshua the Messiah
through the Holy Spirit giving leadership positions in the Assemblies of Yahweh
(to forestall internal politics), the term of each office shall be for life, 1
Corinthians 12:11, 18, 28. Should any elder not remain faithful, or not
continue to qualify according to scriptural requirements and the established
standards, he can be removed for cause.
Ministers of the Assemblies of Yahweh shall meet all
scriptural qualifications, 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9. It will be the policy
of the Assemblies of Yahweh to select able men who are indeed elders in the
body of the Messiah, full of the Holy Spirit of Yahweh, to serve in any
official capacity. In accordance with the established standards, these men will
then be required to attend Obadiah School of the Bible at headquarters. The
Scriptures exclude women from preaching, 1 Timothy 2:11-14; 1 Corinthians
14:34.
Doctrinal matters for all assemblies shall remain
within the confines of the bishop and the ordained ministers. Should a member
have any difficulties with doctrine, he is required to write a summary of his
belief and present it to the Standing Committee for Doctrinal Review. Doctrinal
decisions must be made by the preaching eldership according to Acts 15, and not
in the general congregation. All members of the Assemblies of Yahweh shall
conform to 1 Corinthians 1:10 and Ephesians 4:1-7, by being in doctrinal unity.
The Assemblies of Yahweh must be maintained as a unified body, following the
example of 2 Thessalonians 3:6-16.
The preaching of sound doctrine must be maintained;
therefore, only ministers who are ordained, credentialed, or men in training by
the Assemblies of Yahweh will be permitted to preach or to occupy the pulpit
for this purpose. The senior ranking minister worshiping in any congregation of
the Assemblies of Yahweh shall preach the main message at that particular time.
Regular Sabbath services shall have an optional sermonette and a main sermon,
since the Scriptures do not recognize a Sabbath school.
The government of the local assemblies shall conform to
the pattern of the Scriptures. Every member shall first be considered as
forming a part of the united Body of believers around the world although
worshiping locally in various areas. If an assembly has grown to adequate
numbers, it should have a pastor, teaching elder, and deacon as its local
governing body. Under the authority of headquarters, the pastor shall be in
charge of the activities of the local congregation. To assist him in delivering
sermonettes and in visiting shall be a teaching elder. The deacon of the
congregation shall be in charge of the temporal needs of the poor of the
congregation. The deacons of each local assembly shall be under the authority
of the central government as well. The suggestions of the members of the local
congregations will be considered before ordination of deacons (Acts 6). The
activities of each individual assembly (including overseeing the elders), will
be scrutinized by the bishop and the ministerial advisory body as the need
arises. The decision of the ordained ministers shall be final when they
arbitrate matters of dispute between members.
Since the Assemblies of Yahweh shall be drawn together
into a unified effort on a worldwide scale, the members of the Assemblies of
Yahweh shall send their tithes and offerings directly to headquarters. From the
general fund, disbursement will be made to maintain the local assemblies. Thus,
the tax-exempt status may benefit all assemblies everywhere. This will also
forestall intimidation or duress by withholding funds on the local level. All
Assemblies of Yahweh property entrusted to the use of various congregations or
individuals shall remain the property of the central organization.
| Spiritual Life in the Assemblies of Yahweh
|
In the inspired Scriptures we find a
definite picture of the spiritual life which is to be lived by each member of
the Assemblies of Yahweh. We affirm that the Scriptures teach a life of total
obedience to Almighty Yahweh and to His perfect laws. We affirm that the
members of the Assemblies of Yahweh should be bright and shining examples to
the outside world of the True Worship which we find in the Scriptures. It
should be our aim to live as closely as possible to our Heavenly Father Yahweh
each day. It should be our goal to live a simple life, abstaining from
activities with which this worldly society around us amuses itself. As
ambassadors of a heavenly Kingdom to come, it should be our desire to exclude
ourselves from all involvement in the political activities of the nations in
which we reside. This abstention includes voting in elections, Deut. 17: 14-15;
1 John 2:15; 2 Cor. 5:20; Matt. 5:14-16; 2 Tim. 2:4; Lev. 26; Deut. 28.
We affirm that the Scriptures command modesty in dress
for both brethren and sisters, 1 Tim. 2:8-10. We find that the Scriptures teach
a doctrine of headship in regard to our positions of authority in the assembly
and in the home, 1 Cor. 11:1-16; 1 Tim. 2:2-15; 1 Peter 3:1-7. Relative to this
teaching of headship, we find that a woman is obligated to have her head
covered for worship and while witnessing. Men's heads shall be uncovered.
The Scriptures teach a doctrine of purity of the body,
meaning that we will not take into our bodies any addicting, harmful, or
illegal drugs which may cause the body to lose its sanctified nature, possibly
causing the Holy Spirit to depart from us, 2 Cor. 6:14-18. It should be our
objective to live as healthfully as we can, in order that we may present a
witness of strength to the world and consequently be a more effective witness
for Yahweh.
We affirm that the Scriptures teach a doctrine of
nonviolence toward our fellow men. We are commanded to live at peace with all
men and to follow the "golden rule" set forth in Matt. 7:12; Lev. 19:17-18;
Matt. 22:39. The example that our Savior Yahshua the Messiah set for us, in
which He left His vengeance in the hands of Almighty Yahweh, the Heavenly
Father, should be followed by all the brethren of the Assemblies of Yahweh. Our
attitude toward all men should be that love will win our enemies, 1 Peter
2:21-23; 1 Cor. 6:1-11; Matt. 5:33-48.
In accordance with this attitude which exhibits peace
toward all men, we insist that all members of the Assemblies of Yahweh refrain
from military duty of any kind. In lieu of military service, we recommend that
they accept a position in conservation work or in an institution whose
objective is humanitarian, in accordance with the government laws regulating
alternate service. The ministers of the Assemblies of Yahweh are charged with
responsibility in teaching and assisting the brotherhood to further this
scriptural principle, Exodus 20:13; Deut. 5:17; Matt. 5:38-48; Luke 6:27-35;
Matt. 26:52; John 18:36; Romans 12:9-21.
It should be the goal of each member of the Assemblies
of Yahweh to establish a home in which a spirit of love prevails. Each husband
and wife in the Messiah should strive to build a life that will last into
eternity. The enlightened members of the Assemblies of Yahweh will never find
solutions to their marital problems in the divorce courts. The parents will
dutifully teach their children the correct way that leads to eternal life, Eph.
5:20-33; Eph. 6:1-9; 1 Cor. 7:1-17. Our everyday lives are the best witness we
can present, both to those in the Assemblies of Yahweh and to those outside in
the world, that no reproach shall be brought upon the Name of the Messiah.
In the Assemblies of Yahweh the spirit of love should
be evident among the brethren. This spirit of love should be an outgoing
concern which manifests itself spontaneously for each member of the body of the
Messiah. Any differences between brethren shall be settled according to Matthew
18. The accused has the right to face his accuser. No brother shall take
recourse in the worldly courts of law in a disagreement against his brother in
the Messiah, 1 Cor. 6.
The Assemblies of Yahweh teaches that salvation is
freely extended to every member of the human race. We affirm that the
Scriptures teach that every person is welcome in the family of Yahweh
regardless of race. The Assemblies of Yahweh is to be the house of prayer for
all people, Isaiah 56:7. In the apostolic assembly, Gentiles (ethnic people)
were accepted, Acts 8:27-39; Acts 10-11; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11. The love of
Yahweh through the sacrifice of Yahshua the Messiah is bestowed upon whomsoever
will come, Rev. 3:20. He has made of one (Adam) every nation of men who dwell
on the whole face of the earth, Acts 17:26. Every member of the Assemblies of
Yahweh shall bear the fruits that give evidence of this conviction.
Each member of the Assemblies of Yahweh should find
opportunities to witness the truth of the inspired Scriptures which they hold
dear and to seek out others and bring them to the fold. Every member of the
Assemblies of Yahweh should: work hard to further this organization and to
prepare it as the body of the Messiah that will meet the Savior in the air when
He returns. Each member of the body of the Messiah should endeavor to fulfill
the Scriptures in every way so that he will be a fine example of the True
Worshiper to those in the outside world, so that others will wish to join the
body of the Messiah, 1 Peter 3:15.
| Qualifications for Membership in the Assemblies of
Yahweh |
The qualifications for membership in the Assemblies of
Yahweh shall be as follows:
Each member in good standing shall have been baptized
into the Name of Yahshua the Messiah. Each member shall be living a life of
total submission to our Heavenly Father Yahweh and to His royal law, a life
which indicates repentance and conversion. Each member shall be in agreement
with this statement of doctrine and recognize it as a summary of the sound
doctrines proclaimed by the inspired Scriptures.
© 2004
Assemblies of Yahweh
