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== General Information ==
== General Information ==
This section of the website is for [[:Category:Teachings|teachings]] on the BibleTo go to the main site, [https://www.tchapman500.com/ click here].
The Statement of Faith below contains most of the important doctrinesOther doctrines are indexed through one of the following links.


== The Three Most Essential Teachings ==
* [[:Category:Teachings|Teachings]]
=== Deity and Life of Jesus ===
* [[:Category:False Teachings|False Teachings]]
The lord [[Jesus|Yeshua (Jesus)]] the Messiah (Christ) is both the son of God and is God.  He came in the flesh and dwelt among mankind as a man.  Being born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%201%3A18&version=NIV Matthew 1:18]], he lived a [[Sin|sinless]] life, and died as a sinner in our place so that we could have eternal life [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A14-15&version=NIV John 3:14-15]].  He spent three days and three nights in the grave [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012%3A40&version=NIV Matthew 12:40]], and then God raised him to life on the third day.  Forty days later, he ascended to Heaven [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+1%3A1-3&version=NIV Acts 1:1-3]] to sit at the right hand of the Father.
* [[:Category:Heresies|Heresies]]


Anyone who denies that Jesus is the son of God [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204%3A15&version=AKJV 1 John 4:15]], or denies that he came in the flesh [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A2-3&version=AKJV 1 John 4:2-3]], or denies that he is the messiah [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%202%3A22&version=AKJV 1 John 2:22]] is not from God.  Such people are false teachers.
== What I Believe ==
I believe that [[Jesus|Yeshua]] (Jesus) is the son of God, the Anointed One (that is, the Messiah/Christ), and is God in the flesh.  I believe that he was born of a virgin, that he lived a [[Sin|sinless]] life, [[Death|died]] for us, and was raised from the dead after being in the grave for three days '''and three nights''' in accordance with [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012%3A40&version=NKJV Matthew 20:40], then became the first any only person to go to [[Heaven]].


=== Salvation by Faith ===
I believe that [[Salvation|salvation]] comes through faith in Yeshua (Jesus) and [[Repentance|repentance]].  I believe that faith produces obedience not only to Yeshua, but also to the one who sent JesusAnd that this obedience is the proof of faith above even performing miracles in the name of Yeshua.  Repentance is turning from (forsaking) sin and turning to obedience to God, which is not a work, but is a condition of the heartEvil works result in condemnation and good works are incapable of saving '''because''' of this condemnationIt is God who forgives one of bad works, but he only forgives those who turn from their evil works.
Neither [[Prayer|prayer]], nor [[Repentance|repentance]], nor [[Baptism|baptism]], nor keeping [[Torah|God's commands]] is capable of saving us from condemnation on [[Judgement Day]] (though all are important to the faith in some way), for in breaking God's commands, one is condemnedGod does not listen to the prayers of the sinner [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%201%3A15&version=NIV Isaiah 1:15]].  Repentance is remorse over the fact that you have sinned and is therefore not able to saveBaptism is the symbol of us dying to sin and being raised in Christ Jesus our Lord [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2%3A12&version=AKJV Colossians 2:12]]And God's Law demands that those who transgress it are punished.  Only by believing in Jesus can one have their sins atoned for and be saved.


=== Obedience from Faith ===
I teach that something is only a doctrine if it is explicitly defined as such in the [[Bible]].  Whatever is claimed to be a doctrine that is not explicitly defined as such in the Bible is a false doctrine and merely a human teachingLikewise, I teach that sin is defined only by [[Torah|God's law]].  Whatever God has forbidden in his law is forever a sin, and whatever is not forbidden in God's law is forever permissible, even if that something is contrary to God's design.  Likewise, I teach only the days defined as holy in God's law are holy, and making any other day holy is setting up a [[Golden Calf]]. Consequently, I believe that the [[Deuteronomy 13 Test]] is the first test to discern false teachers, even over testing if someone acknowledges that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Anointed One or the son of God.  Also, I believe that keeping God's law is the '''only''' definition of loving God.
True, biblical faith results in obedience to the one you believe in [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1%3A5&version=AKJV Romans 1:5], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+16%3A26&version=AKJV Romans 16:26]].  And obedience is the proof of your faith [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A14-26&version=AKJV James 2:14-26]].  Those who believe in [[Jesus]] obey his commands and put [[The Teachings of Jesus|his teachings]] into practiceThose who believe in God keep [[Torah|his Law]].  Believing in Jesus means believing in the one who sent him [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+12%3A44&version=AKJV John 12:44]].  Likewise, believing in God means believing in the one whom he sent.  Those who claim to believe in Jesus but reject God's Law also rejects Jesus by what they do [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus%201%3A16&version=AKJV Titus 1:16]], for Jesus is the Word of God [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A1-14&version=AKJV 1 John 1:1-14]]Those who claim that obedience is by definition salvation by works are [[:Category:Heresies|heretics]]!


== Statement of Faith ==
I believe that the [[Deuteronomy 13 Test]] and the [[Deuteronomy 18 Test]] are the first tests for distinguishing between true and false teachersDeuteronomy 18 warns against those who speak in the name of other (false) gods while Deuteronomy 13 warns against those who lead people to serve other gods either by blatantly advocating for idolatry, or through deceiving people into not obeying God's Law.  Deuteronomy 13 also defines loving God as keeping his Law and idolatry as rejecting his LawIf anyone fails either of these tests, then that person (by definition) is teaching idolatry and it is therefore irrelevant if they get any other doctrine correct, including any core doctrines.
The Bible is the final authority in all matters including history and science.  But this authority stands or falls with the authority of [[Torah|God's Law]].  If the Law of God is no longer applicable or no longer has any authority in our lives, then the rest of Scripture is also void of authority except as just another historical document like any other.  The one who says, "God's Law no longer applies" might as well say, "the Bible is of no value to us"But if God's Law is still applicable and still has authority, then the Bible is so much more than just another historical documentFurthermore, the authority of the Bible is fully-dependent on Genesis being the truthful historical account of the origin and history of the Earth, and everything in, on, and around it!


All things (including the Bible) must be tested as per God's commands in [[Deuteronomy 13 Test|Deuteronomy 13]] and [[Deuteronomy 18 Test|Deuteronomy 18]], so that we may know the Truth.  Forbidding anything from being tested, including the contents of the Bible, shows that the one who forbids the test is either afraid of, or is hiding, the truthIt is better to test something and come to the wrong conclusion than it is to blindly believe the truthFor one cannot know what the truth is without testing what he or she believes is the truth.  The Bible is validated by its unmatched historical and scientific accuracy, it's unmatched internal consistency, and it's perfect prophetic record.
I believe that [[Genesis]] is the foundation of the [[The Gospel Message|Gospel]] and the rest of the [[Bible]], and that the whole Bible and Gospel message relies on Genesis being a straight-forward, truthful historical account of the beginning of creation.  I believe that the Bible contains the written records of God's words and actions.  I believe that the Bible is a material document while the word of God is itself immaterialI believe that calling the Bible "the word of God" is an acceptable but inaccurate oversimplification (but not to be taken literally), and that specifying that it is the "written word of God" is much betterI also believe that the whole Bible, starting in Genesis, is the final authority in all matters, and that the New Testament must be interpreted in light of the Old Testament.


Jesus is the living Word of God and therefore cannot do away with or otherwise nullify God's Law, which is the written Word of God.  Rather, Jesus is the authority on how the written Word is to be interpretedJesus' interpretation of God's commandments is the original intent of the commandments in question.  Likewise, the writings of the prophets (who spoke exactly what God commanded them to speak [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+18%3A18&version=NIV Deuteronomy 18:18]]) are authoritative in the correct application and interpretation of God's commandments.  All prophecies recorded in Scripture (except where Scripture states a specific prophesy to be false) come directly from God and are validated according to the [[Deuteronomy 13 Test|Deuteronomy 13]] and [[Deuteronomy 18 Test|Deuteronomy 18]] tests.  Jesus, likewise, is validated by those same tests, and also through the fulfillment of all of the prophecies made concerning him on his first coming.
I believe in the [[Resurrection|resurrection]] of the [[Righteousness|righteous]] and of the wickedI believe that the resurrection of the righteous unto eternal life on a New Earth will come first, and the resurrection of the wicked will happen later (on [[Judgement Day]]) to answer for every wicked deed that they have done, and to perish in the [[Lake of Fire]].  I believe that human beings '''are''' souls [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202%3A7&version=AKJV Genesis 2:7]], rather than having souls.


[[Torah|God's Law]], and '''only''' God's Law, defines what is right and wrong, what is sinful and what is notIf anyone claims that something is sinful, they must prove that it is contrary to God's LawOtherwise, they are guilty of adding to God's commandments [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+12%3A32&version=NIV Deuteronomy 12:32]].  Likewise, if anyone claims that something is not sinful, they must prove that it is '''not''' contrary to God's LawOtherwise, they are guilty of subtracting from God's commandments [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+12%3A32&version=NIV Deuteronomy 12:32]].  If anything is claimed to be sinful or not sinful, but the claim is backed-up only by passages outside of God's Law, the person making the claim proves that he or she misunderstands the passage in question.
I believe that human beings are made in both the [[Image and Likeness of God|image of God]] and likeness of God.  And that the word "image" always refers to visual representation while the word "likeness" refers to all other shared traitsTherefore, being made in the image of God refers to the human body being made to look like God while being made in the likeness of God means being made to have other traits in common with God, such as emotion, reason, and a drive for justiceI also believe that both the image of God and likeness of God are very good.


Salvation comes through faith in Jesus, not by the merits of one's own works.  By our works we are condemned, but by our faith we are saved.  That said, the one who rebels against God's commandments (God's Law) is condemned and cannot be saved unless they [[Repentance|repent]] of their rebellion.  For there is no atonement for deliberate sins.  All manner of unintentional sins will be forgiven for the one who believes in Jesus.  But the one who knows of, or learns of their sin, yet deliberately continues in those sins will not be forgiven [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A26&version=NIV Hebrews 10:26]], even if they claim to believe in Jesus.  Those who refuse to keep God's Law live in idolatryThose who keep God's Law serve God.
=== Core Doctrines ===
A core doctrine is any doctrine that is both explicitly defined as a doctrine in the [[Bible]] '''and''' is explicitly stated in the Bible as being a requirement for salvationAnyone who denies these doctrines is not a Christian.


There are two forms of salvation. The first is salvation from our sins and from our sinful nature. The second is salvation from death in the lack of fireSalvation from our sins means forgiveness of sins, which is the destruction of the record of our past sins. It also means being set free from sin, so that we are no longer slaves to sin. Salvation from our sinful nature means we no longer want to live contrary to God's commandments, but instead naturally keep his commandments.  The first form of salvation comes immediately to those who believe in Jesus. The second form of salvation will be realized on [[Judgement Day]], when all will be raised from the dead to give an account for everything they have done.  The righteous will be granted eternal life and will be spared from the lake of fire.  But the wicked will be cast into the lake of fire and die the second death [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2020%3A14&version=NIV Revelation 20:14]].  The second form of salvation is reserved for those who persist in their faith until death.
* Yeshua (Jesus) is the son of God [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204%3A15&version=AKJV 1 John 4:15]].
* Yeshua (Jesus) has come in the flesh [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A2-3&version=AKJV 1 John 4:2-3]].
* Yeshua (Jesus) is the Anointed One (aka: Messiah/Christ) [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%202%3A22&version=AKJV 1 John 2:22]].
* Yeshua (Jesus) died and was raised from the dead [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2010%3A9-10&version=NKJV Romans 10:9-10]].
* Salvation is through faith in Yeshua (Jesus) [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203%3A16&version=NKJV John 3:16]] and Yeshua alone [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014%3A6&version=NKJV John 14:6]].
* Obeying God's law is the definition of loving and following God while the rejection of God's law is the definition of idolatry (following false gods) [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2013%3A1-5&version=NKJV Deuteronomy 13:1-5]].


Salvation and righteousness are related, but separate issuesWhile both come by faith in Jesus, righteousness is defined as obedience to God's Law [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+2%3A13&version=NIV Romans 2:13]].  And only the righteous will be saved on Judgement Day, as already mentioned several times.  Righteousness by faith comes from (a) the fact that through faith in Jesus, no sin counts against us, and (b) our faith driving us to naturally obey God's commandments.  Natural obedience to God's commandments is the very definition of loving God with all our heart.  This includes natural obedience in the One whom he sent.  We do not obey '''to be''' saved, we obey '''because''' we're saved.
== What I Reject ==
I reject the teaching that one must believe in the [[Trinity]], or must believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is God in order to be a "true Christian".  I also reject the claim that we must accept the virgin birth of Jesus or anything else to be a "true Christian" that the Bible does not explicitly require.  I also reject the claim that the Trinity is doctrine or that "it's not mentioned in Scripture but it's concepts are clearly taught"I reject the practice of using the Trinity as a litmus test.  Furthermore, teaching that one must believe in the Trinity to be saved is presenting a different [[The Gospel Message|gospel]] than salvation by faith in Yeshua, thereby bringing the curse in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%201%3A8-9&version=NKJV Galatians 1:8-9] upon those who teach it.


A person who ceases to believe in Jesus no longer has forgiveness for any of their future sins and thus forfeits their salvation.  Likewise for the person who stops desiring to live according to God's Will and instead starts living according to the sinful desires of the fleshSuch people were once saved, but now are not, but may still be saved again.  The teaching that those who leave the faith were never saved in the first place makes God out to be a liarIt is impossible for one to lose their salvation by committing sin by accident.
I reject the teaching that Yeshua (Jesus) did away with God's law, as he clearly stated in places like [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205%3A17-20&version=NKJV Matthew 5:17-20] that he did not abolish the law, and said that there would be consequences for those who taught such things.  [[Deuteronomy 13 Test|Deuteronomy 13:1-5]] also makes it clear that Yeshua cannot be the Messiah if he abolished God's law.  Likewise, I reject the claim that Paul taught against God's law.  I also reject the division of the law into "moral law", "ceremonial law", and "civil law"Likewise, I reject the distinction of the "Mosaic law"/"law of Moses" from the "law of God".  The whole law is from God while Moses was merely the vessel that God used to deliver his law to usLikewise, I reject the teaching that the law of God is restricted only to the [[The Ten Commandments|Ten Commandments]]


== Teachings ==
I reject the doctrine of [[Penal Substitutionary Atonement]] as a perversion of the [[Gospel]], a perversion of God's love and motives for providing a path to salvation, and a perversion of justice.  Likewise, I also reject [[Total Depravity]] and [[Infant Damnation]].  I also reject [[Dispensationalism]], [[The Rapture]], and [[Calvinism]].  I also reject infant baptism along with any form of baptism that does not involve submerging the whole body in water, or baptism that is not done in the name of Jesus alone ([[False Scriptures|Matthew 28:19]] was changed from "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations in my name").
A complete list of biblical [[:Category:Teachings|teachings]] is available through the link providedThere is also a list of [[:Category:False Teachings|false teachings]] that are refuted by ScriptureSee also [[False Scriptures]] for passages that have been added to and/or modified from the original, [[Twisted Scriptures]] for passages that are twisted to support unbiblical teachings or traditions, and [[Mistranslated Scriptures]] for passages that are commonly mistranslated and what the correct translation(s) would be.
 
As stated above, only the days God declared as holy in his law are holy.  Therefore, I reject all extrabiblical holidays that are used to honor God, including Sunday [[Sabbath]], Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Palm Sunday, Halloween, and Valentine's Day.  All of which are idolatrous and therefore dishonor God regardless of the heart of the observer, and (with the exception of Palm Sunday) are of pagan origin with all of their practices being paganism dressed in Christian clothing.  Extrabiblical holidays for purposes not related to honoring God (or a false god), such as birthdays, are okay.
 
God's name is '''not''' "Yehovah" or "Jehovah".  That name originated by putting the vowel points of the Hebrew word "adonai" (literally means "lord") onto the tetragrammaton.  The scribes deliberately put the wrong vowel points on the name of God to remind the reader to never say God's name, lest they "accidentally mispronounce" it, thereby "profaning the name of God".  Of course, this means if the reader does pronounce the name according to the vowel points, then he/she is doing exactly that.  The correct name of God is '''probably''' Yahweh.  The name "Yehovah"/"Jehovah" is rejected as a profaning of God's holy name.  Furthermore, any name for God that cannot be spelled with "YHWH" in that order with exactly two or three vowels between those letters is rejected as the name of another (false) god.  Using "adonai" (a title) as a substitute for God's real name is unacceptable.  Nevertheless, Yahweh is correctly referred to as "the Lord".
 
The name of Jesus in Hebrew is "Yeshua", which is a contracted form of the word "Yehoshua".  "Yehoshua" is Hebrew for "God saves" or "God is salvation".  Therefore, using "Yehoshua" to refer to the Messiah is acceptable, but "Yeshua" is preferable when using his Hebrew name.  I reject all other "Hebrew names" used to refer to our Lord as the name of another (false) god.  I also reject any claim that you must refer to the Lord only by his Hebrew name.
 
I reject the doctrine that the [[Bible]] is '''literally''' the Word of God.  The Word of God is immaterial and is alive ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%204%3A12&version=NKJV Hebrews 4:12]).  The Bible however, is a material document that contains records of what God has spoken (see above).  I also reject as Trojans the doctrines that the Bible is [[Biblical Inerrancy|without error or contradiction]], and the doctrine that every word in the Bible is exactly what God has dictated.  The rejection of these teachings in no way diminishes the importance of Scripture, but the acceptance of these teachings is destructive to the faithEssentially, I reject most forms of fundamentalism as being destructive to the faith, as it interferes with one's God-given ability evaluate the evidence.
 
I reject as [[:Category:Heresy|Heresy]] the doctrine of the [[Afterlife]], the doctrine of [[Eternal Conscience Torment]], and the doctrine that the righteous go to [[Heaven]] when they dieI also reject the doctrine of [[Soul Sleep]], as the Bible clearly states that souls die [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2018%3A4&version=NKJV Ezekiel 18:4]].  I also reject completely the doctrine that human beings have a dualistic nature of body plus soul (it's body plus breath equals soul [[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202%3A7&version=AKJV Genesis 2:7]]), and the doctrine that "soul" and "spirit" are interchangeable or that they have a supernatural nature to them.  As a side note, I reject the teaching that all spirits necessarily have a supernatural or formless nature to them, as the word for "spirit" simply means "wind" and can describe anything that is not seen, but has effects that are seen.
 
I reject the doctrine that the [[Image and Likeness of God|image of God]] was lost or marred by [[The Fall|the Fall]], or the doctrine that "image" and "likeness" in this context are synonymous.  I also reject the doctrine that modesty is in any way about covering up the human body.  Rather, as defined in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%202%3A9-10&version=NKJV 1 Timothy 2:9-10], is about putting on humility, self-control, and Good works; taking off attention-seeking pride and the flaunting of wealth.

Latest revision as of 04:01, 6 May 2025

General Information

The Statement of Faith below contains most of the important doctrines. Other doctrines are indexed through one of the following links.

What I Believe

I believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is the son of God, the Anointed One (that is, the Messiah/Christ), and is God in the flesh. I believe that he was born of a virgin, that he lived a sinless life, died for us, and was raised from the dead after being in the grave for three days and three nights in accordance with Matthew 20:40, then became the first any only person to go to Heaven.

I believe that salvation comes through faith in Yeshua (Jesus) and repentance. I believe that faith produces obedience not only to Yeshua, but also to the one who sent Jesus. And that this obedience is the proof of faith above even performing miracles in the name of Yeshua. Repentance is turning from (forsaking) sin and turning to obedience to God, which is not a work, but is a condition of the heart. Evil works result in condemnation and good works are incapable of saving because of this condemnation. It is God who forgives one of bad works, but he only forgives those who turn from their evil works.

I teach that something is only a doctrine if it is explicitly defined as such in the Bible. Whatever is claimed to be a doctrine that is not explicitly defined as such in the Bible is a false doctrine and merely a human teaching. Likewise, I teach that sin is defined only by God's law. Whatever God has forbidden in his law is forever a sin, and whatever is not forbidden in God's law is forever permissible, even if that something is contrary to God's design. Likewise, I teach only the days defined as holy in God's law are holy, and making any other day holy is setting up a Golden Calf. Consequently, I believe that the Deuteronomy 13 Test is the first test to discern false teachers, even over testing if someone acknowledges that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Anointed One or the son of God. Also, I believe that keeping God's law is the only definition of loving God.

I believe that the Deuteronomy 13 Test and the Deuteronomy 18 Test are the first tests for distinguishing between true and false teachers. Deuteronomy 18 warns against those who speak in the name of other (false) gods while Deuteronomy 13 warns against those who lead people to serve other gods either by blatantly advocating for idolatry, or through deceiving people into not obeying God's Law. Deuteronomy 13 also defines loving God as keeping his Law and idolatry as rejecting his Law. If anyone fails either of these tests, then that person (by definition) is teaching idolatry and it is therefore irrelevant if they get any other doctrine correct, including any core doctrines.

I believe that Genesis is the foundation of the Gospel and the rest of the Bible, and that the whole Bible and Gospel message relies on Genesis being a straight-forward, truthful historical account of the beginning of creation. I believe that the Bible contains the written records of God's words and actions. I believe that the Bible is a material document while the word of God is itself immaterial. I believe that calling the Bible "the word of God" is an acceptable but inaccurate oversimplification (but not to be taken literally), and that specifying that it is the "written word of God" is much better. I also believe that the whole Bible, starting in Genesis, is the final authority in all matters, and that the New Testament must be interpreted in light of the Old Testament.

I believe in the resurrection of the righteous and of the wicked. I believe that the resurrection of the righteous unto eternal life on a New Earth will come first, and the resurrection of the wicked will happen later (on Judgement Day) to answer for every wicked deed that they have done, and to perish in the Lake of Fire. I believe that human beings are souls [Genesis 2:7], rather than having souls.

I believe that human beings are made in both the image of God and likeness of God. And that the word "image" always refers to visual representation while the word "likeness" refers to all other shared traits. Therefore, being made in the image of God refers to the human body being made to look like God while being made in the likeness of God means being made to have other traits in common with God, such as emotion, reason, and a drive for justice. I also believe that both the image of God and likeness of God are very good.

Core Doctrines

A core doctrine is any doctrine that is both explicitly defined as a doctrine in the Bible and is explicitly stated in the Bible as being a requirement for salvation. Anyone who denies these doctrines is not a Christian.

  • Yeshua (Jesus) is the son of God [1 John 4:15].
  • Yeshua (Jesus) has come in the flesh [1 John 4:2-3].
  • Yeshua (Jesus) is the Anointed One (aka: Messiah/Christ) [1 John 2:22].
  • Yeshua (Jesus) died and was raised from the dead [Romans 10:9-10].
  • Salvation is through faith in Yeshua (Jesus) [John 3:16] and Yeshua alone [John 14:6].
  • Obeying God's law is the definition of loving and following God while the rejection of God's law is the definition of idolatry (following false gods) [Deuteronomy 13:1-5].

What I Reject

I reject the teaching that one must believe in the Trinity, or must believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is God in order to be a "true Christian". I also reject the claim that we must accept the virgin birth of Jesus or anything else to be a "true Christian" that the Bible does not explicitly require. I also reject the claim that the Trinity is doctrine or that "it's not mentioned in Scripture but it's concepts are clearly taught". I reject the practice of using the Trinity as a litmus test. Furthermore, teaching that one must believe in the Trinity to be saved is presenting a different gospel than salvation by faith in Yeshua, thereby bringing the curse in Galatians 1:8-9 upon those who teach it.

I reject the teaching that Yeshua (Jesus) did away with God's law, as he clearly stated in places like Matthew 5:17-20 that he did not abolish the law, and said that there would be consequences for those who taught such things. Deuteronomy 13:1-5 also makes it clear that Yeshua cannot be the Messiah if he abolished God's law. Likewise, I reject the claim that Paul taught against God's law. I also reject the division of the law into "moral law", "ceremonial law", and "civil law". Likewise, I reject the distinction of the "Mosaic law"/"law of Moses" from the "law of God". The whole law is from God while Moses was merely the vessel that God used to deliver his law to us. Likewise, I reject the teaching that the law of God is restricted only to the Ten Commandments

I reject the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement as a perversion of the Gospel, a perversion of God's love and motives for providing a path to salvation, and a perversion of justice. Likewise, I also reject Total Depravity and Infant Damnation. I also reject Dispensationalism, The Rapture, and Calvinism. I also reject infant baptism along with any form of baptism that does not involve submerging the whole body in water, or baptism that is not done in the name of Jesus alone (Matthew 28:19 was changed from "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations in my name").

As stated above, only the days God declared as holy in his law are holy. Therefore, I reject all extrabiblical holidays that are used to honor God, including Sunday Sabbath, Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Palm Sunday, Halloween, and Valentine's Day. All of which are idolatrous and therefore dishonor God regardless of the heart of the observer, and (with the exception of Palm Sunday) are of pagan origin with all of their practices being paganism dressed in Christian clothing. Extrabiblical holidays for purposes not related to honoring God (or a false god), such as birthdays, are okay.

God's name is not "Yehovah" or "Jehovah". That name originated by putting the vowel points of the Hebrew word "adonai" (literally means "lord") onto the tetragrammaton. The scribes deliberately put the wrong vowel points on the name of God to remind the reader to never say God's name, lest they "accidentally mispronounce" it, thereby "profaning the name of God". Of course, this means if the reader does pronounce the name according to the vowel points, then he/she is doing exactly that. The correct name of God is probably Yahweh. The name "Yehovah"/"Jehovah" is rejected as a profaning of God's holy name. Furthermore, any name for God that cannot be spelled with "YHWH" in that order with exactly two or three vowels between those letters is rejected as the name of another (false) god. Using "adonai" (a title) as a substitute for God's real name is unacceptable. Nevertheless, Yahweh is correctly referred to as "the Lord".

The name of Jesus in Hebrew is "Yeshua", which is a contracted form of the word "Yehoshua". "Yehoshua" is Hebrew for "God saves" or "God is salvation". Therefore, using "Yehoshua" to refer to the Messiah is acceptable, but "Yeshua" is preferable when using his Hebrew name. I reject all other "Hebrew names" used to refer to our Lord as the name of another (false) god. I also reject any claim that you must refer to the Lord only by his Hebrew name.

I reject the doctrine that the Bible is literally the Word of God. The Word of God is immaterial and is alive (Hebrews 4:12). The Bible however, is a material document that contains records of what God has spoken (see above). I also reject as Trojans the doctrines that the Bible is without error or contradiction, and the doctrine that every word in the Bible is exactly what God has dictated. The rejection of these teachings in no way diminishes the importance of Scripture, but the acceptance of these teachings is destructive to the faith. Essentially, I reject most forms of fundamentalism as being destructive to the faith, as it interferes with one's God-given ability evaluate the evidence.

I reject as Heresy the doctrine of the Afterlife, the doctrine of Eternal Conscience Torment, and the doctrine that the righteous go to Heaven when they die. I also reject the doctrine of Soul Sleep, as the Bible clearly states that souls die [Ezekiel 18:4]. I also reject completely the doctrine that human beings have a dualistic nature of body plus soul (it's body plus breath equals soul [Genesis 2:7]), and the doctrine that "soul" and "spirit" are interchangeable or that they have a supernatural nature to them. As a side note, I reject the teaching that all spirits necessarily have a supernatural or formless nature to them, as the word for "spirit" simply means "wind" and can describe anything that is not seen, but has effects that are seen.

I reject the doctrine that the image of God was lost or marred by the Fall, or the doctrine that "image" and "likeness" in this context are synonymous. I also reject the doctrine that modesty is in any way about covering up the human body. Rather, as defined in 1 Timothy 2:9-10, is about putting on humility, self-control, and Good works; taking off attention-seeking pride and the flaunting of wealth.