About Ohav Shalom

Statement of Faith

Torah
Torah

What We Believe

That the Bible, consisting of the Tenach (Old Covenant/Testament) and the later writings commonly known as the B'rit Hadasha (New Testament/Covenant), is the only infallible and authoritative word of God. We recognize its divine inspiration, and accept its teachings as our final authority in all matters of faith and practice(1) .

 

God

We believe that the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4), "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One." teaches that God is Echad. As so declared in the following scriptures as a united one, a composite unity, eternally existent in plural oneness: Elohim (God) in Genesis 1:1; "Let Us make man in Our image" Genesis 1:26; Adam & Eve were created to be as one flesh (basar echad) Genesis 2:24.

We also believe that He is a personal God who created us (Genesis 1 & 2) and that He exists forever in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as mentioned in Romans 8:14-17 and Matthew 28:18-20.

 

God The Father (Abba)

He is Our Heavenly Father(2) .

 

God The Son (HaBen)

God does have a Son who was and is and will return(3) . The Son, called Yeshua (Jesus), meaning salvation, came to this world born of a virgin(4) . The Son is God (Deity), and is worshiped as God, having existed eternally(5) . Yeshua is the promised Mashiach (Messiah) of Israel(6) . He is the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star(7) . He is our Passover, the Lamb of God(8) .

 

God The Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh)

Introduced in Genesis 1:2b: “And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” In the Tenach, the Spirit of God came upon individuals during the times of our forefathers, like Moses, David (see II Samuel 23:1-3), and the Prophets, for the specific purposes. In the New Covenant, the Messiah Yeshua, promised His disciples that "the Comforter" would come to them after He was gone, described as the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17, 26), who was with them and would be in them. Yeshua further declared that the Spirit of Truth, would guide us into all truth and would glorify Him - the Messiah - not Himself (John 16:13-15). He empowers us (Acts 1:8). The Spirit of God seals us [Ephesians 1:13; 4:30 (see NIV and Jewish New Testament versions)].

If we have not the Spirit, we are not His (Romans 8:9). He leads us and teaches us (Romans 8:14-17). His indwelling enables us to live a Godly life. Acts 2:38 (NKJV) says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

 

Humanity and Sin

Men and women are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27); however, because of disobedience, mankind fell from the first state and became separated from God (Genesis 2:17; 3:22-24). Therefore, according to the Scriptures, all humans are born with a sinful nature(9).

Our only hope for redemption (salvation) is through the atonement made by the Messiah(10), resulting in regeneration by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5), which is the new birth (John 3:3-8). For by grace we are saved through faith, it is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

Resurrection and Judgement

We believe in the resurrection of both the redeemed and the lost: the former to everlasting life and the latter to eternal separation from God, a state of everlasting punishment(11) . THE MESSIAH - The Anointed One and Redeemer The Scriptures promised two "comings" of the Messiah. THE MESSIAH - The Anointed One and Redeemer The Scriptures promised two "comings" of the Messiah. First coming - Promised in Daniel 9:24-26. The initial coming’s purpose was to make atonement (covering) for sin(12) as the Suffering Messiah. The Redeemer shall come to Zion (Isaiah 59:20-21; Zechariah 14:4). Second coming - The Messiah Yeshua will return to the earth as KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS (Revelation 19:11-16).

Footnotes

1. Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverbs 3:1-6; Psalm 119:89, 105; Isaiah 48:12-16; Romans 8:14-17; II Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17

2. John 6:27b; I Corinthians 1:3; Galatians 1:1; Revelation 3:5, 21; Jeremiah 3:4, 19; 31:9; Malachi 1:6; Matthew 6:9, 32; Luke 10:21-22; John 1:14; 4:23; 5:17-26; 6:28-46; Romans 8:14-15.

3. Psalm 2; Proverbs 30:4-6 (cf. Hebrews 1); Luke 12:35-37; John 1:29-34, 49; 3:14-18]

4. Isaiah 7:14 (cf. Luke 1:30-35)

5. Psalm 110:1 (cf. Hebrews 1:13); Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 28:18-20; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-19; Revelation 3:21 (Hebrews 1 - worshiped by angels); Revelations 4:8, 5:5-14.

6. Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1; Daniel 9 (especially verses 20-26); Isaiah 53; John 1:17, 40-41, 45, 49; Mark 8:29

7. Numbers 24:17; Revelation 22:16

8. I Corinthians 5:7; Revelation 5; John 1:29

9. Psalm 14:1-3; 49:7; 53:13; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:9-12, 23; 5:12

10. Leviticus 17:11; Isaiah 53; Daniel 9:24-26; I Corinthians 15:22;

11. Job 14:14; 19:25-27; Daniel 12:2-3; John 3:36; 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 10-15; 21:7-8Hebrews 9:11-14, 28; John 1:12, 3:36

12. Daniel 9:24-26; Isaiah 53; Romans 3:21-31; Hebrews 9-10; John 3:16-17

Statement of Purpose

Vine

We believe the Biblical drama intends that the Jewish people will be back in the Land of Israel living in peace. This will happen through a joint project undertaken by both Jews and Gentiles. This physical occurrence parallels a spiritual ingathering of being restored to intimate fellowship with God, through the acceptance of His son, Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).

Our role in this Biblical drama is to inform people of Israel’s purpose in this narrative. This is being accomplished by educating Jews, Gentiles, believers in Yeshua, as well as non-believers. This is done through weekly Shabbat services, celebration of Jewish Holidays, Evangelism, Bible Studies, Media outreach, and through the affiliation with other advocacies for Israel.

We support the Alliance for Israel Advocacy (AIA). AIA promotes 5 pillars of advocacy for Israel. We are members of the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues, which is affiliated with the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America. These organizations sponsor The Joseph Project, Ltd. bringing humanitarian aid into Israel. We also support MAOZ, Inc. which is the largest Messianic ministry in the Jewish homeland.

Documents