Doctrinal Points
of
The Assembly of Yahweh (7th Day)
We Believe:
· That the Bible, as originally given, was true and correct in every scientific and historical detail. Every translation of the Bible is not necessarily one hundred percent correct, however.
· That each and every local congregation is to be autonomous. Our authority is in heaven, not in the office of some man or group of men (1 Cor. 11:3; Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:20-23; Phil. 3:20).
· In monotheism – one Supreme Being – whose personal name is Yahweh; the only Yahweh who exists (Isa. 44:6; Gal. 3:20; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Tim. 2:5).
· In Yahweh's Son, the Jewish Messiah, whose name is Yahshua (Acts 4:12; Rom. 1:4). The true names of the Father and Son appeared in the original Scriptures, but were deleted when the Scriptures were translated into other languages. Why was this done? Apparently this was done
1) To get away from anything Jewish, and
2) To appeal to the Gentiles by using the names of local gods.
· In keeping all the law of Yahweh, including the Decalogue. The Messiah said not one iota (jot or tittle) would ever pass from the law, or become void (Lk. 16:17; Ps. 119:151, 152, 160).
· In observing the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week. The Sabbath is a part of the Decalogue, yes, but it stands separate and apart also, because of its importance. It was given to mankind before any other law regarding worship (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 31:12-17; Mk. 2:27; Heb. 4:9, 10).
· In observing the Memorial Supper, or Passover (incorrectly called the L-rd's Supper). This is to be done in the early part of the fourteenth day of the first month (the month Abib). All baptized believers should partake (1 Cor. 11:23-34; Lk. 22:1, 7, 14, 22; Ex. 12).
· In salvation by grace. This saving grace becomes effective in the plan of salvation which consists of faith, repentance, confession, and baptism (immersion in water) in the name Yahshua for remission of sins (Heb. 11:6; Eph. 2:8; Rom. 10:10; Acts 2:38; 4:12; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).
· That man is a soul – a mortal soul – subject to death. Nor do we at this time have an immortal soul dwelling within us (Gen. 2:7 KJV; Isa. 53:12). We receive immortality as a gift at the resurrection – the first resurrection (Rom. 6:23; 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:53).
· That when a person dies, whether a believer or an unbeliever, he goes to the grave, there to await the resurrection. No one will ascend to heaven until the resurrection of the just. Eventually Yahweh the Father will descend to planet earth and will make his dwelling with man (Ecc. 3:19, 20; Acts 2:24-29; Rev. 21:3).
· That at death man returns to dust, and the spirit returns to Yahweh who gave it. This "spirit" (Heb. = ruach) is wind, breath – the air we breath. Remember Adam? The Creator breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and Adam became a living being (Ecc. 12:7 RSV).
· In a resurrection from the grave, when the Saints will rise to meet the Messiah in the air. This is the first resurrection. The rest of the dead will not rise until 1,000 years later (1 Thes. 4:16; Rev. 20:4, 5, 6).
· In the future reign of the Messiah on this earth, called the millennium. The saints will reign with him (Dan. 7:27; Rev. 5:9-10; 20:4).
· That the wicked will be punished with eternal punishment, but not with eternal torture. Scripture says they will be burned up (destroyed, annihilated) (Mt. 3:10, 12; 10:28; Mal. 4:1-3; 2 Thes. 2:8; James 4:12; Phil. 3:18, 19; 2 Thes. 1:8, 9).
· That Satan is not the King of Hell. Instead he, too, will be cast into the lake of fire (Mt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10; Heb. 2:14).
· That no portion of the law is ever to become void, therefore the festivals of Yahweh are to be observed today; the weekly Sabbath as well as the annual festivals. The Messiah and the early saints observed all these festivals (Lev. Ch. 23; John 5:1; 7:2, 10; Lk. 22:1, 7, 14, 15).
· That we should not observe the religious holidays of the Gentiles, such as Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, White Sunday, Good Friday, Halloween, etc. (Jer. 10:1-10; 7:16-18; Ex. 20:1-6; Gal. 4:9, 10).
· That the true religion is Jewish (not a Gentile religion). The Messiah and his Apostles were every one Jewish, and the early believers were Jewish (John 4:22; Rom. 3:1, 2).
· That none of the covenants pertaining to salvation were made with the Gentiles. All were made with Israel, Yahweh's chosen people. The Gentiles must be adopted into the Commonwealth of Israel. This is done by baptism into Yahshua. To Israel belongs the covenants, the glory, the sonship, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and of their race is the Messiah (Rom. 9:4, 5; 3:1, 2; Eph. 2:11-21).
· That some foods should not be eaten. Leviticus Ch. 11 tells us what our diet should be.
· That Yahweh is bringing the Jewish people (Israel) back to their homeland in order to purify and to bless them. One day they will say, "Blessed is he [Yahshua] who comes in the name of Yahweh" (Jer. 30:1-3; Ezek. 36:8-36; Rom. 11:25-27; Mt. 23:39).
· That it is the duty of believers to pay tithes on all our net income (Lev. 27:30, 32; Mt. 23:23).
· That willful abortion is a serious crime. It is murder (Ex. 20:13; Mt. 19:18). This includes pregnancies resulting from rape and incest.
· That homosexuality is a serious crime – a very grievous sin (Rom. 1:26, 27; 1 Tim. 1:10; 1 Cor. 6:9).
· That marriage is honorable, and children are a blessing from Yahweh (Heb. 13:4; Ps. 127:3, 5).
· That marriage was given as a lifetime institution (Mt. 19:5; Rom. 7:1; 1 Cor. Ch. 7). In today's unstable society, however, this is not always possible.
· That a man should have only one wife, and a woman should have only one husband (1 Cor. 7:2; 1 Tim. 3:2, 12). True, in ancient times Yahweh allowed more than one wife, but in the beginning this was not so (Mt. 19:4, 5).
· That, although a smaaaall amount of alcoholic beverage is acceptable in Yahweh's sight, drunkenness is not. It is debauchery. Drunkenness is classed with such grievous crimes as robbery, sexual perverts, adultery, and idolatry. Do not be deceived; no drunkard will enter the kingdom of Yahweh (1 Cor. 5:11; 6:9-10).
· That the use of illegal drugs is a crime against the Almighty, against society, and against the human body. This is much worse than drunkenness, and just as with drunkenness, drugs eventually become the god (the deity) of those who use it. Eventually, the drug addict willingly gives up honor, position, job, home, family, friends, religion, and even his life for the sake of his god, Drugs.
· That men have the obligation to conduct the worship, as Scriptures direct:
"As in all the assemblies of the saints, the women should keep silence in the assemblies. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. … For it is shameful for a woman to speak in the assembly. … If any one thinks he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of Yahweh" (1 Cor. 14:33-37 RSV; 1 Tim. 2:11, 14).
· That everything done in the worship is to be for the upbuilding of the assembly, therefore, tongues (that is, other languages) should not be spoken unless there is present someone who can and will translate into the common language of the assembly. At the most, only three should speak in another tongue (1 Cor. Ch. 14).
· That it is those who keep Yahweh's commandments who are filled with and have the Holy Spirit of Yahweh (Rom. 8:4-8; Rev. 14:12).
· That we should beware of those who have dreams and visions. These are often presented for the express purpose of leading people into false doctrine; doctrine contrary to Biblical precepts. The same is true of those who claim that Yahweh or Yahshua has spoken to them personally (Jer. 14:14; 23:25-32; 29:8 Ezek. 13:8, 9; Jude 8-16). Only if they totally agree with Scriptures should we accept as true our dreams and visions. We should ask ourselves, "What is the purpose of this dream or vision?" If given to support Scriptures, these need no support; if not, this dream or vision may be given to deceive.
· That we should "Fear Yahweh, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecc. 12:13).