If your life is not in jeopardy
for what you believe, you’re probably on the wrong side!
If you don’t believe Genesis 1-11,
how can you possibly believe John 3:16?
“Indeed, all who want to live a godly
life united with the Messiah Yeshua will be persecuted.” (2Tim 3:12)
It is what you actually believe that determines how you walk out your faith,
“but avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, quarrels and fights
about the Torah; because they are worthless and futile.” (Titus 3:9)
Please Note: Absolutely nothing on this website should be taken as anti-Church or anti-Rabbinic. I am not anti-anything or anti-anyone. I am only pro-Torah and pro-Truth (see “Philosophy”), but sometimes the Truth upsets our long-held beliefs. I know it certainly upset mine! For example, see “Why Isn’t My Theology Consistent Throughout the Website?”
Developing a
Systematic Messianic Theology
“The purpose of careful theological formulations is not to put barriers in the way of people who are seeking salvation, but to define clearly the truths upon which genuine [Biblical] faith rests, so that people will not be misled by false doctrines.” [Bowman]
“It must be clearly and unequivocally stated that theology cannot save you. Only faith in Messiah Yeshua can save you. Theology can only give you sound doctrine.” [RLS]
Unless otherwise specified, throughout the Theology section of my website I use the term “Torah” in the wider sense of including the entire body of inspired Scripture: both the Tanakh and the Apostolic Writings. I personally do not consder any other so-called “sacred writings” either inspired by God or authoritative for the Believer’s walk of faith. Thus, I do not consider the Mishnah (the “Oral Torah”) as part of Torah. You should make up your own mind.
[Explanations of rabbinic citations are HERE]
United Messianic Jewish Alliance
Beliefs & Convictions
The beliefs of the UMJA are founded on five basic pillars:
I. The God of Avraham, Yitz’chak, and Ya'akov (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) is the one and only God.
II. We believe in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. We believe that this Word was manifested in the form of Messiah. We believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is the promised and prophesied Messiah who came to redeem mankind and who will rule as King over Israel in the future coming Kingdom of God. And we believe it is his Good News that we are to proclaim.
III. We believe in the inerrancy of scripture as found in Bereshit (Genesis) through Revelation, and that it holds authority in our lives.
IV. We believe that the Torah of Adonai has not been abolished, and the observance of it is still the valid expression of a Godly faith … not as a means of salvation, but as the God-given path of sanctification. The Torah given to Moshe (Moses) is the same Torah that Messiah Yeshua has taught us to observe. We are taught not only to observe it, but to also make disciples in the name of Yeshua The Messiah and to teach them to live Torah pursuant lives (Matt. 5:16-19).
** We believe that the Torah was meant for Yisra'el and all those of the nations who join its commonwealth (Ephesians 2) and take hold of its covenants (Zechariah 8:23). Any of those from the nations joining themselves to Yisra'el’s commonwealth will be welcomed with open arms and will be treated as an equal citizen with equal responsibilities and privileges (B'midbar/Numbers 15:15-16).
We understand our faith walk as being Messiah centered and “Torah Pursuant.” As mentioned in our fourth pillar, it doesn’t matter if you are Jewish or from the nations, we do not believe that one must keep the Torah, or be observant of it, to be saved. On this note, we don’t believe it is obligatory. We understand that you cannot force holiness on anyone and that it must be a 100% choice on an individual’s part. So, although we lead by example in the best way possible, and we exhort our brothers and sisters unto a life of holiness, we don’t force it upon someone, and we exercise patience, love, and grace as we leave room and time for Adonai to work in a person’s life.
With that being said, we also believe that if one is to walk a life of holiness, as described by God’s standards, the Torah is what describes that walk. That is what we mean by “pursuing a Messianic Torah centered life” or by being “Torah Pursuant.” We believe that the Torah describes the lifestyle of the redeemed, and thus we hold it up as that description. We may all be on a different part of the path when it comes to walking with HaShem, but our goal is to exhort believers to walk in a manner that eventually will pattern itself after The Goal.
Furthermore, as seen in Romans 10:4, it is evident that The Goal is Yeshua HaMashiach (The Messiah). And, we know what Yeshua’s life looked like. It was continually pursuant of His Father’s Torah. And, because of this, we know that he was the perfect example of grace, mercy, lovingkindness, truth, and love, which we are to walk after. Thus, our heart and direction is to lift up Yeshua and call all God’s people to learn to be better talmidim of our Master, and our Rabbi.
V. Love and unity. We will strive to let love and unity overcome when there is difference in doctrine and practice.
What makes the UMJA unique?
We are a Messianic Jewish Organization that supports a Torah pursuant life for those believers in Yeshua who have either a Jewish or a Gentile origin. The UMJA also upholds the Biblical standard of patriarchal leadership within its organization and within its chartered congregations. This means that first and foremost we encourage men within the commonwealth of Israel to take their rightful roles in Biblical leadership. When it comes to our eldership, our leadership, our Rabbis, and Pastors, we will insist that this be comprised of the male heads and priests of our believing households.
We believe this will be re-establishing the good and perfect will of Adonai; as Yeshua the Messiah established only men to be one of the twelve Emissaries and leaders within the Messianic community. In addition, Adonai chose only men to write each book of the TeNaKh and the Apostolic scriptures, and only chose men to be Cohenim (Priests) whom were to teach Israel His Torah.
Only in times when the men of Israel would not take on their God-given responsibilities have exceptions been made. But, it is made clear in scripture that this has always been to the shame of the men. Any female leadership in Israel (only example being the Judge Devorah) was the exception, but not the rule. This was allowed because there were no men who would accept their leadership roles in Israel. Rabbi Hillel once stated, "In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.” Even though we may not be popular with some for taking this stance, our alliance will not allow a woman to become a Rabbi, Ro'eh (Pastor), Zaken (Elder), or a Congregational Leader.
** It should be noted that the UMJA doesn’t consider dance leaders, worship leaders, or Shammashim (Deacons) to be under the above restriction. In these cases the UMJA will leave it to each congregation's leadership to decide these matters.
In addition, the UMJA exists to be a benefit and a blessing to the congregations that have joined our alliance. We don’t want any costs associated with the UMJA to hinder any part of your congregational ministry. Therefore, we believe we should keep the costs of our yearly charter or association fees as low as possible. Any yearly fees go to simply pay the basic operational costs of the UMJA. This makes the UMJA unique because as compared to most Messianic Jewish organizations ... we are one of the most affordable.
Please note: The UMJA doesn't support the following doctrines:
• Any form of replacement theology
• Two House / Ephraimite theology
• Sacred Name doctrine
• Aviv barley reckoning of the Moedim
• Lunar sabbath doctrine
Source: http://www.umja.net/beliefs.html last accessed Thursday, 28 April 2016.
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