Grafted-In Ministries
What We Believe
1. We believe that the Bible, both the Tanakh (Old Testament) and Ketuvei HaShalichim [the Apostolic Writings, commonly known as the New Testament or the B'rit Chadashah] is the only inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. (II Timothy 3:16-17) 1
2. We believe in one Elohim, as He has revealed Himself in the Scriptures. "Hear, O Israel, Yehovah our Elohim, Yehovah is One." Deuteronomy 6:4 2 (We believe that the intended meaning of this word "one" as found in Hebrew אֶחָֽד (echad). He alone is Yehovah (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 comprehendible manners. He refers to Himself as the one and only true and living Elohim.
3.We believe Yehoshua was born as the Word of Elohim made flesh and obeyed the Torah perfectly. (Jn. 1:14, Heb. 4:15) Yehoshua was born of a virgin. (Mat. 1:18) Yehoshua is the Son of Elohim and the perfect representation of Elohim on the earth. (Col.1:14-15) The fullness of Elohim dwells in Yehoshua. (Col.2:9-10) Yehoshua is the Prophet like Moshe (Moses) spoken of in Deuteronomy 18:15-19, Acts 3:22-26 and the Lamb of Elohim who takes away the sin of the world. (Jn. 1:29, 1 Cor. 5:7) Yehoshua died for our sins, was buried, and raised from the dead according to the Scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3-4) Yehoshua ascended to the right hand of the Father. (Acts 1:9-11, Eph. 1:20-21) Yehoshua is the Mediator of the New Covenant. (Mat. 26:28, I Tim. 2:5)
4. We believe that the Spirit of Elohim comforts, teaches, leads, indwells and empowers all whom Elohim regenerates.Through belief in Yehoshua, the Indwelling Set-apart Spirit gives the believer the "want to" and the "power to" be obedient. This is the "Good News" we are commanded to tell all people. (Eze. 36:25-27, Jer. 31:31-34, Rom. 7:18-8:4, Mark 16:15-16)
5. We believe that all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of Elohim. (Romans 3:23) 4
6. We believe that Yehoshua's death and resurrection accomplished the atonement for all who would place their faith in Him. Whoever trusts in Elohim, in His work alone, is made a new creation in Messiah, indwelt by the Spirit of Elohim, and is transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His own Son. (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5, 6)
7. We believe salvation is by faith through the grace of Elohim alone, and not by human efforts. One may not earn, merit, or keep this eternal salvation by his own efforts. A new creation is the work of Elohim alone. (Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 8:29-39) We believe in the spiritual unity and equality of all believers in Messiah Yehoshua. (Ephesians 2:11-22)
8. We believe in the spiritual unity and equality of all believers in Messiah Yehoshua. (Ephesians 2:11-12) We believe that those who accept the atoning work of Yehoshua become members of the universal people of Elohim, Part of the Body of Messiah. This one spiritual fellowship includes both Jew and Gentile, who by their acceptance then become members of the commonwealth of Israel as adopted sons and daughters of the Promise (Romans 8:16-17; Ephesians 2:11-14: 5:30-32; I Corinthians 12:12-13). Both Jews and Gentiles in Messiah are equal members of the Body if Yehoshua, but that this body of adopted sons and daughters does not replace physical Israel in Elohim's plans and purposes (Romans 3:1-2; 29-31).
9. We believe in the continuity of Elohim's covenants with the physical people of Israel according to (Jeremiah 31:35-36). Part of the fulfillment of these covenants is the physical return of the people of Israel to their Promised Land (Deuteronomy chapter 30). We believe that those Jews, according to the flesh, who place their faith in Israel's Messiah have not disowned, or separated themselves from their Jewish race and heritage, but remain sons and daughters of Israel (I Corinthians 7:17-20) according to the flesh, and part of the Body of Messiah according to the Spirit. We believe that Jews who accept Yehoshua as their Messiah do not step outside of Biblical Judaism. Jews do not convert to another religion when they accept Yehoshua's Atonement.
10. We believe that all non-Jewish people who trust in Yehoshua are grafted into Israel, granting them the privilege of following the Torah (Elohim's Teachings), having had it written it upon their hearts as participants of the New Covenant. (Romans 11:11-24; Jeremiah 31:33) Gentiles who place their faith in Israel's Messiah Yehoshua are also spiritually sons and daughters of Israel and thus also share in this rich and meaningful heritage. (Romans 2:28-29, Acts 21:17-26, Galatians 3:28-29 & Deuteronomy 28)
11. We believe that the Torah (first five books of the Bible) is a revelation of the righteousness of Elohim and the description (along with the rest of the Scripture) of the lifestyle of the redeemed community. (Matthew 5:17-19; II Timothy 3:16-17) We believe that fulfillment of the Law by Yehoshua does not negate the Law (Matthew 5:18) but that the keeping of Biblical Law (a great distinction exists between Biblical and Rabbinical Law) is valid as Elohim gave the practices of Torah for moral instruction as well as for cultural-national practice which pointed forward to Messiah's work. We believe that the Torah is valid as a reflection of Elohim's righteous standards and as a means of preserving Israel as a distinct nation. Therefore, the keeping and practice of the Torah by believers in the Body of Messiah is a natural expression of their heritage. We stress, however, that the keeping of the Law does not justify man to Elohim or help earn salvation. Righteousness with Elohim is solely by grace through faith in Yehoshua's Atonement (Deuteronomy 6:20-25). We consider the Torah to be the gift of Elohim to all His children (Jew and non-Jew alike), being Elohim's eternal and unchanging revelation and instructions in righteousness.
12. We believe that the Apostolic Writings, [commonly known as the New Testament or the B'rit Chadashah] does not replace or supersede the Tanakh but that the Tanakh and the B'rit Chadashah are one book completing Elohim's revealed Word to man by fulfillment of the Promise (Galatians 3:19).
13. We believe in the literal, physical return of Messiah to rule and reign upon the throne of David in Jerusalem. We hold to the pre-millennial view of His return. (Zechariah 14; Revelation 19-20)
14.We believe that the nation of Israel is chosen by Elohim to be a channel of blessing to all the nations of the earth. The return of the Jewish people to the land is in fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. The day will come when Israel as a nation will accept the Messiah Yehoshua. Then Yehoshua will come again to establish His worldwide rule from Jerusalem. Then the Word of the Lord will go forth from Zion and all nations will gaze on Him with joy (Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 1:1-4 ; chapter 11; Zechariah 12:10 ; 13:1; Romans chapter 11).
15. We recognize that Jewish people (physical descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob, whether through the mother's or the father's blood-line) who place their faith in Israel's Messiah, Yehoshua, continue to be Jewish according to the Scriptures Rom. 2:28-29). Gentiles who place their faith in Yehoshua, are "grafted into" the Jewish olive tree of faith (Rom. 11:17-25) becoming spiritual sons and daughters of Abraham (Gal. 3:28-29).
16. We observe and celebrate the Biblical Holy Days given by Elohim to Israel, with their fulfillment in and through the Messiah Yehoshua. We believe that true "Biblical Judaism," the faith of first century believers, which we seek to practice, acknowledges the continuity of faith in the one true Elohim, revealed throughout the Scriptures, and ultimately manifested in Elohim's Son, Yehoshua the Messiah. We believe that salvation has always been "by faith," and that works of law, or righteous acts, have never saved anyone (Gen.15:6 ; Rom. 2-6 ; Eph. 2:8-9 ; Heb. 11:6, 39).
17. We acknowledge that the New Covenant body of believers is composed of both Jews and Gentiles who have received Yehoshua the Messiah as the Promised Redeemer. The "middle wall of partition" has been broken down and now we worship the Elohim of Israel together (I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 2:13-14).
18. We believe in the resurrection of both the wicked and the righteous. Those who have trusted in Yehoshua will be resurrected unto life and those who died without having believed in Yehoshua will experience the eternal wrath of Elohim. (Romans 1:18ff; I Corinthians 15; Revelation 20-21)
Verse References
2 Hear, O Yisra’el: יהוה our Elohim, יהוה is one! (The Scriptures)
3 For in him, bodily, lives the fullness of all that Elohim is (JNT)