Statement of Faith Of Coalition of Torah Observant Congregations

That we might have unity among us, and that we all speak the same thing as regards the foundation of our faith, and that with integrity we present our witness of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah as those who walk in His light, (I Corinthians 1:10 & Acts 2:42) let it be hereby established that we believe....

1. All Scripture (Tanach - Torah, Prophets, Writings) which is completed in the Ketuvei HaShalichim (the Apostolic Writings, commonly known as the New Testament) is given by the Breath/Spirit of Elohim [G-d], and is to be used for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness. (II Timothy 3:15-17, I Thessalonians 2:13, II Peter 1:21)

2. Hear, O Israel: YHVH [the L-RD, the Most High] is our Elohim. He is One. He alone is ADONAI (Deuteronomy 6:4 & Isaiah 43:10-11). He is the Creator of heaven and earth, of all living beings, and of everything both visible and invisible (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:15-17). Although He is limitless in power, authority, time, matter, and space, He has chosen, in His infinite wisdom, to reveal His nature to humanity in perceivable and comprehendible manners. Scripture records G-d revealing Himself in the following manners: as fire (covenant with Avraham between the two halves of the cow; Genesis 15:17), as the form of a man not born of a woman, (when He approached Avraham with the two angels; Genesis 18), as a burning bush (spoke to Moshe; Exodus 3:2), as the fourth Man in the furnace, (Daniel 3:25), as the promised Messiah being a Man made of flesh and born of a woman (Isaiah 7:14, Galatians 4:4). Although there are numerous examples of G-d revealing Himself to humanity in various ways and forms, of those ways and forms, He has chosen to refer to Himself in the following primary contexts: as the Father (HaAv), as the Son (HaBen) Y'shua, and as the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit/Breath). What makes these primary contexts important is not only the fact that G-d used these forms to reveal Himself to humanity, but in doing so, He refers to Himself in these primary contexts as the one and only true and living G-d.

3. Adonai and His Word are eternal. That is: He, His Word and His Will has always been, and will always be, the same. (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8 & Matthew 5:18; 24:35)

4. The Shabbat [Sabbath], the seventh day of the week, is the created holy day of Adonai, which He gave to mankind and covenanted with His people as a sign forever. (Exodus 31:16, Genesis 2:2-3, Isaiah 58:13-14 & Matthew 12:8)

5. Yeshua of Natzeret (Jesus) is the Messiah of Israel, the Savior of the world, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is Adonai who appeared among mankind in the flesh, and now is glorified with all power in Heaven and in Earth, at the right hand of Abba. (John 1:12-14, Acts 7:55-56 & Hebrews 10:12)

6. Messiah Yeshua is the ultimate and final sacrifice required for the removal of sins. He was born of a virgin, was sinless and performed miracles. He died by execution stake (stagion) on a tree (xulon) an atoning death and rose from the dead three days afterward. Everyone who believes the above, repents of their sins and trusts that Yeshua is the Messiah, are forgiven their sins and come into a renewed covenant with Adonai through Him. Therefore they become inheritors of all the promises Adonai made with Abraham and Israel. (John 1:29, Isaiah 7:14;9:6-7, Matthew 1, Hebrews 4:15; 2:4, Leviticus 17:11, Isaiah 53, Psalms 22, Romans 5:6-11, Ephesians 2:8, Matthew 27:50-28:20, Romans 10:9-12 & I Corinthians 5-7)

7. The Ketuvei HaShalichim [the Apostolic Writings, commonly known as the New Testament] in Messiah Yeshua brings with it a new creation of the human spirit. The Torah [Law/Teachings/Instructions] of Adonai is planted inside so the Ruach HaKodesh may indwell. An external immersion in water (mikveh) is performed to declare that this has taken place. (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:26-27; 39:29, Matthew 3:16; 28:18-20 & Acts 2:38)

8. The various enablements or gifts of the Ruach HaKodesh are given with authority to all those who ask Adonai and obey His commandments. The Promise of Abba, an extra enduement of power and boldness for witnessing, is an immersion (spiritual mikveh) by the Ruach HaKodesh. Each follower should seek to be filled with the various enablements of the Ruach, who gives them as He wishes. (Joel 2:27-29, Isaiah 28:11-12, Luke 11:13, Acts 1:4-5; 2:4; 5:32; 10:44-48, I Corinthians 12:1-13 & Ephesians 1:13)

9. The people of Adonai are a holy Miqra Qahal [Called Out/Ekklesia] congregation, which is not of this world, in order to gather and celebrate Him at His appointed holy Feasts, to shine as lights of truth in the darkness and to be a royal priesthood which praises His Name. (Leviticus 23, Matthew 16:18)

10. The goals of the people of Adonai are: * a.) To be followers of Yeshua the Messiah, until we mature into the example He left us and to know Him. (Ephesians 4:13 & Matthew 7:20-27)

* b.) To be holy and separate from the world as our Abba is holy. Therefore, we are to learn and act on those things which makes us holy in His sight. (Leviticus 11:44-45 & Ephesians 5:27)

* c.) To be righteous (right decision making) and Godly (forgiving in this world). (Titus 2:12)

* d.) To be clean, first in our conscious inner man, and also in our outward walk accordingly as we grow in the Ruach [Spirit] and understanding of the Word. (Psalm 51:10 & 1 Thessalonians 4:7)

* e.) To be full of love for one another, thus proving we are Yeshua's disciples; and caring for a lost world, to take the message of the Good News of Yeshua to the Jew first and also to the Gentile. (John 13:34-35, Romans 1:16 & 1 John 4:7-8)

11. The promise of a continually faithful trust in Yeshua, while walking according to the will of Adonai, is resurrection from the dead, eternal life and ruling with Yeshua forever in the place where His Kingdom will rule. He will yet rule in Jerusalem/Zion, and finally in the New Jerusalem in the New Creation forever. (Job 19:25-27, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 & Revelation 19-22)

12. Yeshua will judge all mankind of every act and word ever committed. He will decide the sentence for punishment, and all those not meeting His standards will be sent away from His presence, into outer darkness and eternal punishment for the sin. (Daniel 12:2, Matthew 25:31-46 & Revelation 20)

13. The final plan for the Israel of G-d is to bring the remnant of the faithful Jewish people, and the remnant of those believers who were formerly Gentiles, but recovered from the world by faith, back together and united into one holy people under one Shepherd, namely Yeshua, the Messiah, This will complete the tearing down of the wall of partition, which is a necessary part of the restoration of all things spoken by the prophets. (Isaiah 56:8, Hosea 1-2, John 10:16, Romans 9:26 & Acts 3:21)

14. Jews according to the flesh (descendants of Abraham through Isaac, whether through the bloodline of the mother or the father) who place their faith in Israel's Messiah Yeshua have not disowned or separated themselves from their race and Judaic heritage, but remain sons and daughters of Israel. Thus should celebrate their heritage and traditions. Gentiles who place their faith in Israel's Messiah Yeshua are also spiritually sons and daughters of Israel and thus also share in this rich and meaningful heritage. (Romans 2:28-29, Acts 21:17-26, Galatians 3:28-29 & Deuteronomy 28)

15. The m'chitza (wall of partition) which in times past separated Jews and Gentiles has been broken down; the enmity between them eradicated by the Messiah Yeshua (Ephesians 2:12-14)

16. The Renewed Covenant body of Adonai is composed of both Jews and Gentiles who have accepted Israel's Messiah Yeshua as the promised Redeemer and that now they are to worship together in the House of Elohim. (John 10:16, I Corinthians 12:13, & Hebrews 10:25)