Shoresh David "STATEMENT OF FAITH"
• Unity in our Statement of Faith • Grace Towards Others in the Application of Our Core
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is God’s written revelation to man. All sixty-six books comprised of Genesis thru Revelation are equally inspired by the Holy Spirit and constitute the complete Word of God.
We believe that the Bible is the inerrant, unchangeable, infallible, prophetic, authoritative Word of God, for all people ~ for all time. The Bible is our highest authority in all matters of faith, life, and practice. Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:1-3, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 30:5-6, Isaiah 40:8, Jeremiah 31:30-31, Matthew 5:17-19, Matthew 24:35, John 17:17, I Thessalonians 2:13, I Timothy 3:14-17, Hebrews 4:12, I Peter 1:23-25, II Peter 1:20-21
God
We believe that there is only one true, eternally-living God ~ the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God is One, existing in three co-equal and co-eternal persons; He is triune: the Father (ha-Av), the Son (ha-Ben: Yeshua), and the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh), each equally deserving worship and obedience.
We believe that God is Perfect in all His attributes: holy, infinite, unchanging, just, loving, all-powerful. God is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and knows all things from eternity past to eternity future. All things were created by God and He is therefore deserving of all our worship, praise
God the Father
We believe that as the only absolute and omnipotent Ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, wisdom, and redemption.
We believe that God, the Father, continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events in His sovereignty, while allowing free will for all mankind.
We believe that God, the Father, saves men from condemnation. He adopts as His own, all people who come to Him through His Son, Yeshua the Messiah. John 1:1-3, John 1:14, John 15:26, I Corinthians 2:12, II Corinthians 13:13, I Peter 1:1-2, I John 5:1-7
Messiah Yeshua (Jesus)
We believe that Yeshua is God, who came to earth in the flesh; fully God (Deity) and fully man.
We believe that Yeshua is King of kings and Lord of lords; He is the promised Messiah of Israel.
We believe that Yeshua is the only begotten Son of God, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of Miriam, a Jewish virgin, and is in the lineage of King David.
We believe that Yeshua willingly became the final atonement for the sins of the world by the shedding of His blood.
We believe that Yeshua died by crucifixion, was physically resurrected in three days, and ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand
We believe that Salvation (Yeshua) is the goal of the Torah and spoken of by the Prophets to be the Redeemer of the world.
We believe that Yeshua will return
We believe that Yeshua intercedes only on behalf of all those who believe in Him and call upon His name.
We believe that Yeshua is the final Judge of all mankind. Those who believe in Yeshua as Lord and Savior will be resurrected to eternal life with God.
We believe that those who fail to place their trust in Yeshua, as Lord and Savior, will be in a place of torment, forever separated from God.
Leviticus 17:11, Psalm 2:7-12, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:5-6, Daniel 9:24-26, Zechariah 12:10, Matthew 1:18-25, John 1:12, Colossians 1:15-20, Revelation 17:14
Ruach haKodesh (The Holy Spirit)
We believe that the Ruach
We believe that the Ruach
We believe that the Ruach
We believe that the Ruach
We believe that the Ruach
We believe that the Ruach
Matthew 4:1, Luke 12:12, John 4:24, John 6:63, John 14:26, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4, Romans 5:5, Romans 8:26, I Corinthians 2:10, I Corinthians 6:19, I Corinthians 12:7, II Corinthians 3:17-18, I John 5:6, Titus 3:5, Galatians 5:16, Galatians 5:22-23
Salvation (Eternal Life)
We believe that Man is created in the image of God.
We believe that as a result of Adam’s sin of disobedience, sin and death entered the world separating all men from God.
We believe that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and all are in need of redemption.
We believe that the only way for
We believe that God’s free gift of salvation is wholly by grace, only through faith, based on Yeshua’s atoning work, and not on the
We believe that God’s salvation leads us to repentance and good works, through the power of God’s Spirit.
Genesis 1:26-27, Isaiah 43:10-13, Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 59:2, Isaiah 64:5, Joel 2:32 (Joel 3:5), Psalm 103:8-12, Matthew 26:28, John 1:12, John 1:29, John 3:36, John 5:24, John 11:25-26, John 14:6, Acts 2:21, Acts 4:12, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8-12, Romans 6:1-2, Romans 10:9-10 & 13, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 2:8-10
“By-Laws” of SHORESH DAVID MESSIANIC CONGREGATION, INC., and its Associated Congregations and Ministries
1. These By-Laws, authorized by “Article III (h)” of the Articles of Incorporation (“Articles) of Shoresh David Messianic Congregation, Inc. (a Florida non-profit “Corporation”), and its’ associated Congregations and Ministries (“Ministry”), are established here to develop and regulate for the Ministry:
1.1 A definite and distinct ecclesiastical government;
1.2 A formal code of purpose, doctrine and discipline;
1.3 Regularly scheduled religious services;
1.4 Messianic classes and programs for instruction and education
2. Government of the Ministry:
2.1 The Board of Directors shall be the only voting members of the Corporation, as established by “Article IV” of the “Articles of Incorporation”, and shall conduct all business of the Corporation under the final authority of the President of the Corporation. Accordingly, no act of the Board of Directors shall be considered a Corporate act without the approval of the President of the Corporation.
2.2 The Senior Rabbi of Shoresh David Messianic Congregation, Inc. shall serve as the President of the Corporation.
2.3 From “Article IX” – The President of the Corporation shall be Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, and shall manage the daily affairs of the Corporation. The President will be elected by the voting members of the Corporation, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote. He may not be removed without his consent, except for immoral conduct or unrepentant heresy, as determined by the Judiciary Committee of the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues, of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America.
2.4 From “Article X” – The By-Laws of the Corporation may be made, altered, or rescinded by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, through regular or special meetings.
2.5 From “Article XI” – These Articles may be amended at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or at a special meeting called for that purpose, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board.
3. Vision Statement, Statement of Faith, and Doctrine & Disciplines Governing the Ministry and its’ Authority
3.1 Beliefs on Doctrine
3.1.1 The Vision Statement (Appendix A), Statement of Faith (Appendix B), and Doctrine & Disciplines do not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself, from Genesis thru Revelation, is the inspired and infallible Word of God concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind. It is the sole and final source of authority over all that we believe. We do believe, however, that this Vision Statement, Statement of Faith, and Doctrine & Disciplines accurately represent the teachings of the Bible, and therefore are binding upon all Leaders and Members of the Corporation and Ministries.
3.1.2 Written and oral teachings, and all literature distributed or used in the Ministry, in print or electronic form, shall be in complete greement with this Vision Statement, Statement of Faith, and Doctrine & Disciplines.
3.1.3 In all issues or conflicts regarding interpretation of the Vision Statement, Statement of Faith, and Doctrine & Disciplines, the Senior Rabbi and Board of Directors, on behalf of the Corporation and its’ Ministries, shall render final authority.
3.2 Beliefs on Cultural Issues
3.2.1 Marriage & Sexuality
3.2.1.1 We believe the term “marriage” has only one legitimate meaning, and that is, “marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, covenantal union, as stated in Scripture.” (Gen. 2:22-24, Lev. 18:22, Rom 1:26-27)
3.2.1.2 Marriage ceremonies performed in any facility owned, leased, or rented by the Ministry, or performed by any of its’ Ministers, will only be those marriage ceremonies sanctioned by God, joining one man with one woman as their gender was determined at birth.
3.2.1.3 We believe that God instructs us that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage (as it is defined above in 3.2.1.1.). We believe that any type of sexual activity, identity, or expression that lies outside this definition of marriage, including those that are becoming more accepted in the culture and the courts, are contradictory to, God’s natural design and purpose for sexual activity (Gen. 2:24, Rom. 1:26-27, 1 Cor 6:9, 1 Thess. 4:3).
3.2.1.4 Whenever there is a conflict between the Ministry’s position and any new legal standard for marriage, Section 3.2.1. (Marriage & Sexuality) of these By-Laws will govern (Gen. 2.24, Eph. 5:21-32, 1 Cor 7:1-9).
3.2.2. Family Relationships
3.2.2.1 We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society.
3.2.2.2 We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and Ministry.
3.2.2.3 The husband is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:33)
3.2.2.4 The wife is to submit herself to the Biblical leadership of her husband, as the Ministry submits to the headship of Messiah.
3.2.2.5 Children are a wonderful gift and heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values, through consistent lifestyle-example, and appropriate and loving training and discipline. (Deut. 6:6-7, Ps. 127:3-5, Prov. 22:15, Eph. 6:1-4, Col. 3:20-21)
3.2.3 Sanctity of Human Life
3.2.3.1 We believe that all human life is sacred, and created by God in His Image.
3.2.3.2 We believe that human life begins at conception, and that an unborn child is a living human being.
3.2.3.3 We believe that abortion and euthanasia constitute the unjustified taking of a human life.
3.2.3.4 Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death.
3.2.3.5 We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ex. 20:13, Ps. 139:13-16).
3.2.4 Protection of Children
3.2.4.1 We believe children must be absolutely protected by the Ministry from any form of abuse or molestation. The Ministry has zero tolerance for any person who abuses or molests a child, whether paid staff, volunteer, parent or family member, congregant or visitor. (Matt. 18:6. 19:14, Mark 10:14)
3.2.5 Divorce
3.2.5.1. We believe that God does not approve of divorce except on the grounds of adultery (Mal. 2:14-17, Matt. 19:3-9, Rom. 7:1-3)
3.2.6. Love
3.2.6.1 We believe we are called to demonstrate love for others. Not only toward fellow Believers, but also those who are not Believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful behavior, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such actions. (Lev. 19:18, Matt. 5:44-48, Luke 6:31, John 13:34-35, Rom. 12:9-10, 17-21, Phil. 2:2-4, 2 Tim. 2:24-26, Titus 3:2, 1 Peter 3:8-9, 1 John 3:17-18).