Lamp of Messiah Hebraic Ministries
Foundational Principles & Halachic Decisions
Foundational Principles
1. We believe and teach that all Scripture, which includes The TaNaKh (the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings), and the Ketuvim Notzrim (Nazarene Writings, also called the New Testament) are given by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Breath/Spirit 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 Yisrael, Adonai (YHWH, The L-rd) our Elohim (G-d), Adonai is Echad (One) (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 comprehensible ways. Scripture records Adonai revealing Himself in the following ways: as fire (covenant with Abraham between the two halves of the cow; Genesis 15:17), as the form of a man not born of a woman, (when He approached Abraham 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 Adonai revealing Himself to humanity in various ways and forms, of those, He has chosen to refer to and reveal Himself in the following primary manifestations or aspects in this age: Abba (the Father), Messiah Y’shua (Christ Jesus, the Son, the Messiah, Salvation), and The Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Breath/Spirit of Elohim) What makes these aspects important is not only the fact that Adonai used these forms to reveal Himself to humanity, but in doing so He refers to Himself in these primary manifestations or aspects as the one and only true and living Elohim.
3. We believe and teach that Y’shua haMoshiach (pronounced Ye-shoo-ah) of Nazareth is the Messiah of Yisrael, the Savior of the world and the King of kings. He is Elohim 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. Y'shua haMoshiach was the final Yom Kippur sacrifice required for the sins of the nation of Yisrael. He was crucified on a cross and rose from the dead three full days and full nights afterward. Everyone who repents of their sins and trusts in Him 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 Yisrael. (John 1:12-14, Isaiah 53, Romans 10:9-11, 1 Corinthians 5:7).
4. We believe and teach that the new life through Y'shua haMoshiach brings with it a new creation of the human spirit. An external immersion in water (mikveh) declares that this has taken place, and ordains us into His service as His royal priesthood. The people of Elohim, whom He calls Yisrael, are a holy congregation, and are called to gather and celebrate Him at His Moedim (Appointed Feasts), and be a Royal Priesthood and a Holy Nation. Elohim has established ONE Torah, ONE people, and ONE nation.
5. We believe and teach that Y'shua haMoshiach 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/stake/tree”. When Scripture tells us He fulfilled the Torah, it means in Hebrew thought that 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. He followed the Oral Traditions, and taught His talmidim (disciples, students) to follow them also, as long as they did not violate, add to, or take away from the Written Torah as given to Moshe.
6. We believe and teach that the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, and is the created Holy Day of Elohim, which He gave to mankind and covenanted with His people Yisrael as a sign forever. The Sabbath begins at sundown on the sixth day and continues until sundown on the Sabbath (Leviticus 23:1-8, Exodus 31:16, Genesis 2:2-3, Isaiah 58:13-14, Matthew 12:8).
7. We believe and teach that the Torah may refer to the Five Books of Moshe, the entire TaNaKh (Old Testament), or the whole Scriptures, (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 Jewish or Christian commentary on the Scriptures as the Word of Elohim; we know that the writings of Oral Tradition, such as the Talmud, the Mishnah, Gemara, and the Midrash Rabbah contain important, further insight into the character of Elohim and His dealings with His people, and should be studied and applied to our lives as long as such application does not violate, add to, or take away from the Written Torah. The Torah is for all Elohim's people who are part of the Whole-House of Yisrael. There is One Torah for one people, the children of Elohim joined together in Messiah Y’shua. We do not and are not able to 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.
8. We believe and teach that the Scriptural kosher instructions concerning food as found in Torah are for all Yisrael, which includes Judah, Ephraim, and their companions. These kosher food instructions are not optional, but are part of Torah obedience unto Adonai. We also know that these teachings from Torah regarding eating kosher are reinforced, not negated in the Ketuvim Notzrim (the Nazarene Writings, also called the New Testament). 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).
9. We believe and teach that Y'shua haMoshiach will return to earth in physical form, appearing in the clouds as the Conquering King (Zechariah 14:4, Revelation 20:7, others). Y'shua haMoshiach will judge all mankind of all acts and words ever committed. The promise of a continual, faithful trust in Y'shua haMoshiach, while walking according to the Torah of Elohim, is eternal life with Y'shua haMoshiach 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).
10. We believe and teach that Yisrael is comprised of all twelve tribes of the physical descendants of the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Yisrael 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 haMoshiach. Believers in Him have made a citizenship choice to become a part of the Commonwealth of Yisrael. The final plan for Elohim is to bring all believers, the remnant of all twelve tribes of Yisrael, and those believers who are not physical Yisraelites, together to be united into one holy people under one Shepherd, namely Y'shua haMoshiach, 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 Adonai" consisting of all believers in Y'shua haMoshiach, 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).
Halachic Decisions
1. We believe that although Elohim's Holy Name, "YHWH" may be pronounced, there is too much uncertainty as to the correct pronunciation and there is too much division in His talmidim (disciples, students) over its use. Scripture (Exodus 34:15, Romans 8:15), Messiah Y’shua (Matthew 6:9, Luke 11:2,), and respected, historical practices show that acceptable substitutions (called circumlocutions) such as Abba, Adonai, Elohim, HaShem, Most High, etc. should be used by Messianic/Nazarene Yisraelites for the following reasons: 1) to avoid mispronouncing His Holy Name, 2) to insure His Name is always be treated with reverence, awe, fear, and respect if and when pronounced or written, 3) to make sure we do not bring dishonor, disrespect, or reproach to Adonai our Elohim and His set-apart, Holy Name. We also recognize that the Greek terminology and translated Titles and Names such as G-d, L-rd, Jesus, Holy Spirit, etc are simply translations, NOT pagan terms as some are falsely teaching. Lamp of Messiah Hebraic Ministries & Beth Messiah Fellowship prefer to use Hebrew terminology and teach others to do so, but do not attempt to discourage or condemn the use of other terminology.
2. We believe and teach that the Name of Messiah is Y’shua (pronounced Ye-shoo-ah) and that there is no other Name under heaven and earth whereby we might be redeemed (saved). Messiah’s Name means both "salvation" and "The L-rd who is salvation" in Hebrew. Just as with Adonai's Name, Messiah's Name should also be treated with awe, fear, and respect, and we must make sure we do not bring dishonor, disrespect, or reproach to His Name. He should be referred to as Y’shua HaMoshiach or Y’shua the Messiah rather than "Y’shua" alone. We also teach that the name Jesus is not a pagan name, nor does it mean “hail Zeus” as some falsely teach. It is merely a translation of His Hebrew Name, Y’shua. Lamp of Messiah Hebraic Ministries and Beth Messiah Fellowship encourage the use of Messiah’s Hebrew Name.
3. We believe and teach that all believers should leave the “pollutions of idols” (the pagan religious practices of the world) when they become followers of Y'shua haMoshiach. This includes the acceptance of the weekly, seventh day Shabbat and the Feasts of Adonai as outlined in Leviticus 23, and they need to cease celebrating all “pagan holy days and practices” not given to us in the Torah (the instructions, the Law) of Elohim. (Exodus 12:49; Deuteronomy 5:7; 6:14; 11:28; Jeremiah 10:1-5).
4. We believe and teach that all believers are to abstain from fornication, for that intimate relationship is to be between married couples (a man and woman) only. Those who become followers of Y'shua haMoshiach and are not married are living in sin and are committing fornication, and must either solemnize their relationship in marriage immediately, or must move apart from one another. (1 Corinthians 7:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).
5. We believe and teach the Laws of Niddah (Laws of Family Purity) are commanded by Adonai and that they are still to be observed by all Torah Obedient believers today. During times of ritual uncleanness, men and women are to follow the instructions in Torah pertaining to all the Laws of Niddah to the best of their abilities and to use every precaution to avoid causing others to become ritually unclean. (Leviticus 15:1-33; 20:18) (Leviticus 15:1-33; 20:18).
6. We believe and teach that the New Moon Sighting/Aviv Calendar determine the Rosh Chodesh, the New Year, and the Moedim as shown in Scripture, and it is the preferred method and calendar to be used by Nazarene/Messianic Yisrael. The head of the New Year is determined by observing the first crescent sliver of the new moon in the Land of Yisrael after the barley is determined to be 'Aviv' (green ears ripe) in the Land of Yisrael. (Exodus 31:16, Genesis 2:2-3, Isaiah 58:13-14, Matthew 12:8).
However, because Yisrael is disbursed throughout the world it is sometimes impossible to know the times from the land. The current calendar used by the Jewish people has been developed over time since the destruction of the second Temple and the dispersion of Yisrael, and while it has obvious errors, it can be a secondary calendar choice for Nazarene Yisraelites if needed because contact with observers in Yisrael is impossible. However, the New Moon Sighting/Aviv Calendar should be the 1st choice. We do not condone or support the un-Scriptural method called the “Lunar Sabbath Doctrine” or the “Solar/Lunar Calendar” used by some individuals and groups.
7. We believe and teach that Elohim has determined a specific order for leadership and authority in His Holy Word, and we have no authority, 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 know the Scriptures state in the Ketuvim Notzrim that there is an equality of men and women in Messiah Y’shua regarding salvation. However, women may never be placed in positions of authority over men, and they can not be ordained as congregational or ministry leaders. Women can hold some congregational positions in prayer and helps ministries, and in some teaching positions such as with women or children.
8. We believe and teach that the covenant sign of circumcision is part of the covenant for today and all males should be circumcised on the eighth day. Those who have been joined to Yisrael through Messiah and were not circumcised as a child need to also be circumcised willingly and joyfully as a sign before Elohim. Those who were circumcised outside of Covenant Yisrael may participate in the Jewish ritual HaTafat Dam if they feel led to do so (symbolic circumcision that shows the renewing of the Abraham Covenant sign, similar to renewing marriage vows. This is not a requirement, but a personal choice). Elohim 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).
9. We believe and teach that according to Scripture, men and boys age 13 and over should wear a kippah or some type of head covering, and that married women should also wear head coverings (scarves, snoods, or other types of head coverings). This is to show that the men are under the covering and authority of Adonai and the married women are under proper authority of their husbands. We are a royal priesthood according to Scripture and the Kohanim (Priests) and the Levi’im (Levites) were required to wear head coverings as shown in Torah. Single women, girls, and boys under 13 (prior to their bar mitzvah) need not cover their heads unless they feel led to do so. We require that all men and boys age 13 & over, and all women and girls wear head coverings in all our Shabbat and Moedim services.
10. We believe and teach that it is not in violation of Torah to own, wear, or display symbols such as the Magan David (Star of David), the menorah, the cross, or the messianic seal; as long as they are not worshiped or used as “magical” talisman. The Magan David, the menorah, the messianic seal, and the cross serve as witnessing tools to the world; and they can open doors and conversations that allow us to be a light to the world, proclaiming the good news of salvation in Messiah Y’shua and the truth of Torah for all; which is what we are supposed to be doing according to Y'shua haMoshiach and the Torah until His kingdom is restored.
Revised and adopted 2-1-10
