NTOCF BASIC FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES

Please note that our Basic Foundational Principles are not all inclusive of what the Network of Torah Obedient Congregations and Fellowships or its member congregations believe or practice, but is intended to give you a basic foundation of understanding and principles. Some member congregations may hold to slight variations to these listed, or may have additional beliefs or doctrines beyond those listed. But none of their beliefs or doctrines will conflict with the basic foundational principles.

1. All Scripture, which includes The Torah, the Prophets, the Writings, and the Ketuvim Notzrim (Nazarene Writings, commonly known as the New Testament) is given by the Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit/Breath of Elohim), 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, YHWH (The L-rd) our Elohim (G-d), YHWH is One Elohim (Echad). (Deuteronomy 6:4 & Isaiah 43:10-11). The nature of Elohim is a compound unity expressed in the manifestations or aspects of Abba (the Father), Messiah Y’shua (Christ Jesus, the Son, the Messiah, Salvation) and Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit/Breath of Elohim) as revealed in this age. (Matthew 28:19 & Isaiah 48:16-17)

3. Elohim's Holy Name, "YHWH" can and should be pronounced to the best of our ability and knowledge; and used in our liturgy and daily prayers, but treated with awe, fear, and respect. His Name must never be used irreverently. We must not bring dishonor, disrespect, or reproach to YHWH our Elohim and His Name. The sages tell us we should greet one another in the streets with His Name, but we must always be careful not to overuse His Name or make it common on our lips. Acceptable substitutes in our daily conversations to help us keep His Glorious and Holy Name from becoming common are Abba, Avinu, Adonai, Elohim, Most High, etc. We also recognize that the English transliterated Titles and Names such as G-d, L-rd, Jesus, Holy Spirit, etc are NOT inherently pagan terms as some falsely teach, but are simply poor translations. However, the NTOCF strongly encourages the use of the Hebrew names and terminology in Torah in our services, gatherings, and homes.  

4. The Name of Messiah is Y’shua. There is no other Name under heaven and earth whereby we might be redeemed (saved). Messiah’s Name means both "salvation" and "Yah who is salvation" in Hebrew. As a proper honor, He should be referred to as "Messiah Y’shua", Y’shua HaMoshiach, or "Y’shua the Messiah" rather than "Y’shua" alone. Using the "name" of a person means using the authority that is behind the "name"; and therefore it is important to know by what authority something is done as well as knowing how to pronounce His Name. Just as with the Father's Name, Messiah Y'shua's Name should also be treated with awe, fear, and respect

5. Y’shua of Nazareth is the Messiah of Israel, the Savior of the world, and the King of kings. He is YHWH who walked among mankind in the flesh, and is now glorified with all power in Heaven and in Earth, at the right hand of Abba. Messiah Y’shua is the ultimate and final sacrifice required for the removal of sins. He was crucified on a cross and rose from the dead three full days and nights afterward. Everyone who repents of their sins and trusts that Y’shua is the Messiah are forgiven their sins and come into a new life with Elohim through Him, and therefore become inheritors of all the promises Elohim made with Abraham and Israel. (John 1:12-14, Isaiah 53, Romans 10:9-11, 1 Corinthians 5:7). 

6. The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, and is the created Holy Day of YHWH, which He gave to mankind and covenanted with His people Israel as a sign forever. We do not support the Lunar Sabbath Doctrine. (Exodus 31:16, Genesis 2:2-3, Isaiah 58:13-14, Matthew 12:8).

7. The Scriptural kosher instructions concerning food as found in Torah are for all Israel, which includes Yehudah, Ephraim, and their companions. These kosher food instructions are not optional, but are part of Torah obedience unto YHWH. We also believe that these teachings from Torah regarding eating kosher are reinforced, not negated, in the Ketuvim Notzrim. We also believe that the rabbinic kosher instructions sometimes add to Scripture, and are to be inspected and followed only in light of the Torah commandments. (Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14:1-21).

8. The Laws of Family Purity (Laws of Niddah) are commanded by Elohim, and that they are still to be observed by believers today. During their times of ritual uncleanness, men and women are to refrain from entering places set-apart for worship to Elohim, and should follow the other instructions contained in Torah pertaining to niddah as well. (Leviticus 15:1-33; 20:20-18).

9. Israel is comprised of all twelve tribes of the physical descendants of the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Israel also includes those who are not physical descendants of the Patriarchs, yet serve the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and claim the promise of Abraham's seed through faith in Y’shua the Messiah. Believers in Messiah Y’shua make a citizenship choice to become a part of the Commonwealth of Israel. The prophecies in Hosea, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, all the Minor Prophets, Hebrews, etc are literally being fulfilled in our day as those once called "Lo-Ammi" (not a people) are once again being called "His people". As Messiah Y’shua told us in Matthew, the "lost sheep of Israel" are being called to Elohim's Torah, and are soon to be reunited with Yehudah as the "WHOLE HOUSE OF ISRAEL" in the land of Israel. The final plan for Elohim is to bring the remnant of all twelve tribes of Israel, and those believers who were formerly Non-Israelites, together to be united into one holy people under one Shepherd, namely Y’shua the Messiah, thus completing the tearing down of the wall of partition. There is not "One-house, there are not "Two-houses", and there are not two covenants. There is only the "Whole-House of YHWH" consisting of all believers in Messiah Y’shua, joined together under His leadership, abiding in Him and His Torah. (Exodus 12:49, Ezekiel 37, Romans 10:12, Romans 11:17-24, Galatians 3:28, 29; John 10:16, I Corinthians 12:13, Hebrews 10:25 Hosea 1-2, John 17, Romans 9:26, Ephesians 2, & Acts 3:21).  

10. We do not tolerate any anti-Torah, anti-Messiah, or anti-Semetic/Jewish teachings, doctrine or suggestions. We do not lessen or question the writers of the Ketuvim Notzrim, and we believe that YHWH, through the Ruach HaKodesh, inspired the writers of the Ketuvim Notzrim and they are a valid, inspired part of the Tanakh.

11. The covenant sign of circumcision is part of the covenant for Israel for today, and all males should be circumcised on the eighth day. Those who have been joined to Israel through Messiah and were not circumcised as a child should also be circumcised no matter what their age as a sign before Elohim. YHWH in His Scriptures tells us that we must be circumcised in both the heart and the flesh, and that no one who is uncircumcised both of the heart and of the flesh shall be allowed to eat the Passover or shall be allowed to enter into His kingdom. (Genesis 17:10-14; 12:43-49; Joshua 5:1-9; Ezekiel 44:6-9)

12. The New Covenant in Messiah Y'shua brings with it a new creation of the human spirit. The Torah (Instruction/Law/Teaching) of YHWH is being planted inside us by the Ruach HaKodesh. An external immersion in water (mikveh) declares that this has taken place, and ordains us into His service as His royal priesthood. (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:26-27; 39:29, Matthew 3:16; 28:18-20 & Acts 2:38).

 
13. The people of YHWH are a holy Miqra (Called Out/Ekklesia/Congregation) which is not of the world, in order to gather and celebrate Him at His Moedim (Appointed Feasts), and be a Royal Priesthood and a Holy Nation. YHWH has established ONE Torah, ONE people, and ONE nation.

14. Elohim has determined a specific order for leadership and authority, and we have no right or need to violate His criteria and instructions for leaders. We stand firm on this issue of women in ministry in our congregations as taught in the Scriptures. We recognize the Scriptures state that in the Ketuvim Notzrim there is an equality of men and women in Messiah Y’shua (salvation). And while women can hold some leadership in congregational positions such as prayer ministry, some teaching positions, etc, these positions should never place them in positions of authority over men.

  
15. The preferred calendar is the New Moon Sighting and Aviv Calendar for determining Rosh Chodesh, the New Year, and the Moedim as shown in Scripture. The head of the New Year is determined by observing the first crescent sliver of the new moon in the Land of Israel (if possible, or in our local location if unable to be determined from the Land) after the barley is determined to be 'Aviv' (ripe, geeen ears) in the Land of Israel. This is a more difficult method than the rabbinical method, but it is the method described in Scripture. The New Month is to be determined by the first crescent in the Land of Israel.

 
16. The various gifts of the Ruach HaKodesh are given to all those who ask YHWH and obey His commandments. The Promise of Abba, an enduement of power and boldness for living the Torah lifestyle as witnesses for YHWH, is an immersion (spiritual mikveh) by the Ruach HaKodesh; and each believer should seek to be filled with the various gifts of the Ruach of YHWH, Who gives them as He wishes. (Isaiah 28:11-12, Luke 11:13, Acts 1:4-5; 2:4; 5: 32, 1 Corinthians 12: 1-13, Eph. 1:13).

17. Messiah Y’shua kept the Torah of Moshe perfectly, and is our example of how to live a Torah Obedient life. He did not “do away” with the Torah, nor was it “nailed to the cross”. When Scripture tells us He fulfilled the Torah, in Hebrew thought that means He interpreted it correctly. We are to emulate His life which was one of complete Torah obedience. We can do this only after we are “born again” in Messiah. Messiah also followed, and taught His talmidim to follow, the Oral Traditions so long as they did not violate, add to, or take away from the Written Torah of Elohim as given to Moshe at Sinai. 

   
18. The Torah may refer to the Five Books of Moshe, the entire Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures), or the whole Bible, (Genesis through Revelation) depending on usage. The Torah in our usage never refers to the Talmud. While we do not consider the Talmud or any other commentary on the Scriptures as the Word of Elohim, we believe that the writings of Oral Tradition, such as the Talmud, the Mishnah, and the Midrash Rabbah contain further insight into the character of Elohim and His dealings with His people. The Torah is for all Elohim's people who are part of the whole-house of Israel. There is one Torah for one people, the children of Elohim joined together in Messiah Y'shua. We do not practice in the Diaspora those parts of Torah which require residence in the land, a theocratic civil government and/or a consecrated Tabernacle or Temple.

19. We know that Messiah Y’shua will return to earth in physical form, appearing in the clouds as the Conquering King (Zechariah 14:4, Revelation 20:7, others). Messiah Y’shua will judge all mankind of all acts and words ever committed. The promise of a continual, faithful trust in Messiah Y’shua, while walking according to the Torah of Elohim, is eternal life with Messiah Y’shua in His Kingdom and in New Jerusalem/Zion forever. (Revelation 19-22). All those not meeting Elohim’s standard will be sent away from His presence, into outer darkness and eternal punishment of the sin. (Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 20).

20. We do not support or tolerate the teaching of Kabbalah (the pagan practice of Jewish mysticism adopted from Babylon) in the NTOCF or its member or charter congregations. We also do not support or tolerate our credentialed Ro'ehs and Ministers to teach or practice Kabbalah.