BELIEVE 

BZMC Statement of Faith

• There is one G_d, who has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This G_d has revealed Himself in creation and in the History of Israel as transmitted in Scripture. The Son is Yeshua, the Messiah of Israel and redeemer of the world who was sacrificed as our Pesach (Passover) lamb for the atonement of sins and restoration of his people Israel. The Father and Son are one and our bodies are a dwelling place for His Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit).(Genesis 1:1; Exodus 6:7; Amos 9:13-15; I Corinthians 8:6; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 John 4:14, 5:20)

• G_d is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He created humanity in His image to serve as His priest and to be set apart without blemish in His presence and to rule over the earth. Because of Messiah’s sacrifice and the redemption cost of His blood, he redeemed for G_d, a kingdom which is comprised of all tribes and all nations, to be ruled by G_d. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15; Ephesians 1:4-6; I Peter. 2:9-10; Romans 8:16-17; Revelation 5:9-10)

• Through the exercise of free will, human beings disobeyed G_d, tarnished His set apart image, and abandoned their privileged vocation. As a result, G_d’s consummating purpose for creation met with initial frustration, and all relationships within creation became subject to violence and disorder. (Genesis 4:8; 6:5-7; Romans 8:20-22)

• G_d chose Israel, the Jewish people, and entered into an everlasting covenant with them so they might be the firstfruits of a renewed humanity who would be a blessing to all the nations and bring restoration to the world through Yeshua. In gracious love, G_d gave to Israel His holy Torah as a covenantal way of life, and the holy Land of Israel as an inheritance and pledge of the blessing of the world to come.(Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 17:7-8; Jeremiah 31:30-36, Acts 3:21; Romans 11:28-29)

• In the fullness of time, the Son of the Most High One became a human being – Yeshua the Messiah who was born of a Jewish virgin and was a true and perfect Israelite, a fitting representative of the kingdom of Heaven. He lived as a holy tzaddik, fulfilling without blemish the mitzvot of the Torah. He brings to perfection the human expression of His set apart image.  (Isaiah 7:14; John 1:14; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 1:1-4; 4:15)

• Yeshua died as an atonement for the sins of the entire world, Jew and Gentile.  He was raised bodily from the dead, as the firstfruits of the resurrection promised to Israel as its glorification.  He ascended to heaven and was there enthroned at G_d’s right hand as Israel’s Messiah, with authority extending to the ends of creation.  (Isaiah 53:4-6; Psalms 110:1; Matthew 28:18; Mark 14:61-62; I Corinthians 15:3-8; Philippians 2:9-11)

• G_d poured out His Spirit on the community of Yeshua’s followers, so that they might be joined intimately to the Messiah as His Body and become the preliminary representation of the New Covenant fullness promised to Israel.  To this early Jewish community, G_d joined from among the nations, who heard the news of G_d’s work in Yeshua and responded to the good news with faith. (Isaiah 66:20-21; Acts 2:1-21; 10:44-48; 15:8-9; Ephesians 1:13; 2:11-22)

• Messiah’s community is a single community expressed in diverse forms within the Jewish community and among the nations.  All are called to a dedicated life of worship, neighborly service, and public testimony to Yeshua.  Unity and love throughout the entire community confirm Yeshua’s role as the One sent by the Father, and G_d’s purpose in Messiah for Israel and the Nations. (John 17:20-21;  Acts 21:20; Galatians 2:7-8)

• Spiritual life is grounded in godly family units within the relational framework of congregations, whereby persons are to be encouraged, trained, and disciplined. Families in Messianic congregations should be strengthened and established in their biblical calling to covenant life. (Matthew 18:15-18; Galatians. 6:1-2; Romans 9:1-5; I Corinthians 7:17-20)

• Grafted in, Jew and Gentile, One in Messiah Yeshua
  The Torah is G_d’s gift to Israel.  It serves as the constitution of the Jewish people and thus also of the Messianic community, which comprises Israel’s firstfruits and those grafted in. The Torah provides our essential instructions for healthy behavior and practical life teaching for all peoples. The Torah is to be applied anew in every generation, and in this age as is fitting to the New Covenant order.  (Matthew 5:17-20; II Timothy 3:16-17; I Corinthians 7:17-20)

• Forgiveness of sins, spiritual renewal, union with Messiah, the empowering and sanctifying presence of the indwelling Ruach Ha Kodesh, the confident hope of eternal life, and a glorious resurrection are now available to all, Jews and Gentiles, who put their faith in Yeshua, the Risen Lord.  In obedience to His word they are joined to Him and His Body through immersion and sustained in that union through Messiah’s remembrance meal. Yeshua is the Mediator between G_d and all creation, and no one can come to the Father except through Him. (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:46-48; John 14:6; Romans 6:22, 23; I Corinthians 11:23-27)