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| Constitution of Kehilat Yisrael Adopted January 2005 Preamble |
Whereas we hold the Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible or so
called Old Covenant) and the B'rit Chadasha (Renewed Covenant) to be the inerrant written Word
of G-d in their original autographs; and
Whereas we believe the Bible as we have now received it to be without any material deviation from
those original autographs in matters of doctrine, faith, and conduct; and whereas we therefore
accept the Bible as our final authority in all things; and whereas the Bible requires that we submit to
the authority of those Whom G-d has appointed to govern us, so long as they do not require us to
be disobedient to G-d's own higher authority; and whereas those whom G-d has appointed to
govern us require that we adopt a formal governing document which contains certain provisions of
man's law, and whereas the Bible requires that we do nothing to offend our brethren of the true and
precious faith; and whereas those brethren likewise expect that we adopt a formal governing
document in accordance with our accepted tenets; Therefore we do hereby declare and establish
this constitution to which we voluntarily submit ourselves.
called Old Covenant) and the B'rit Chadasha (Renewed Covenant) to be the inerrant written Word
of G-d in their original autographs; and
Whereas we believe the Bible as we have now received it to be without any material deviation from
those original autographs in matters of doctrine, faith, and conduct; and whereas we therefore
accept the Bible as our final authority in all things; and whereas the Bible requires that we submit to
the authority of those Whom G-d has appointed to govern us, so long as they do not require us to
be disobedient to G-d's own higher authority; and whereas those whom G-d has appointed to
govern us require that we adopt a formal governing document which contains certain provisions of
man's law, and whereas the Bible requires that we do nothing to offend our brethren of the true and
precious faith; and whereas those brethren likewise expect that we adopt a formal governing
document in accordance with our accepted tenets; Therefore we do hereby declare and establish
this constitution to which we voluntarily submit ourselves.
| Article I Name and Purpose |
This local manifestation of the Body of Mashiach meeting together as an independent
congregation of believers shall be known for legal and government purposes as Kehilat Yisrael
(The Assembly of Israel).
Section 2 - Purpose
This congregation exists solely for the glory of G-d and for the fulfillment of our divinely ordained
responsibilities (a) toward G-d, (b) toward our families, )(c) toward others within the universal Body
of Mashiach (the Migra), which is the Body and Bride of Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach, (d) toward
those who are outside the Body of Mashiach (the lost), and (e) toward G-d's chosen nation of
Israel and her people.
A. Our Responsibility
We view those responsiblilites to be as follows:
1. Our Responsibility toward G-d.
We agree with the Westminister Shorter Catechism that "Man's chief end is to glorify G-d, and to
enjoy Him forever," We accomplish this responsibility toward G-d primarily by loving Him. When
we truly love Him above all else, we will give Him, our unquestioning obedience in all things. Our
love and obedience will then glorify Him.
2,) Our Responsibility toward our family.
Because G-d created the family, we believe our responsibility toward our family comes second
only to our responsibility toward our G-d. G-d's Law, which our L-rd declared is unchangeable,
provides for strong family bonds and responsibilities. Our L-rd taught that the man who fails to
care for his family is worse than an infidel. Concerning relationships within the family, our L-rd
taught that Mashiach is the head of the husband and the husband is to be subject to Mashiach. He
also taught that the husband is the head of the wife and the wife and husband are to be subject to
one another (Eph. 5:21-33; Col. 13:18: 1 Peter 3:1-6). The Bible teaches that the husband is to
love his wife "just as Mashiach also loved the Migra and gave Himself up for her )(Eph 5:25-33;
Col 3:19: 1 Peter 3:7). The Bible also teaches that a husband and wife are to :become one flesh "
(Eph. 5:31).
The Bible teaches that children are to be obedient to their parents and honor them (Col. 3:20; Eph
6:1-3). Father's are not to exasperate their children or provoke them to anger but bring them up in
the discipline and instruction of the L-rd (Col 3:21, Eph. 6:4). Parents are to instruct their children
in the laws of G-d, and teach their children the praises of the L-rd, not just His judgements (Psm.
78:1-8; Deut 4:10; 6:4-9; 11:18-21). We therefore commit that in all the teachings and functions of
this congregation m, we will keep the family foremost, that our families will be built on the sure
foundation, which is Adonai Yeshua Ha Mashiach and His Word.
3.) Our Responsibility toward the body of Mashiach.
When speaking about the greatest of all mitzuot (commandments), Yeshua said, "The second is
like this, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other mitzuah greater than these."
(Mark 12:31), Yeshua also said, "This is my mitzvah, that you love one another, even as I have
loved you. (John 15:12-17). This kind of love means placing other's well being before our own
(Rom. 12:10; Phil. 2:3-4; I Thess. 3:11-13; 5:15).
We are to meet one another's needs (Rom. 12:13; 2 Cor. 9:12-14). We are to obey our spiritual
leaders and submit to their authority over us (Heb. 13:17). We are to pursue the things which
make for peace and the building up of one another (Rom. 14:19-20). We are to accept one
another (Rom. 15:7). We are to admonish one another (Rom 15:14; Col. 3:15). We are to give
honor to one another (I Cor. 12:24-26). We are to show forbearance to one another in love, being
diligent to preserve the unity of the Ruach in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:1-6). We are to lay aside
all falsehood and speak truth to each other (Eph. 4:25; Col 3:9). We are to be kinda nd tender
hearted to each other (Eph. 4:32). We are to forgive each other as G-d in Mashiach forgave us
(Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:2-15). We are to stimulate one another to love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24).
We are to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another (James 5:15). We are to
serve each other (1 Peter 4:10). We are to heave fellowship with each other (1 John 1:7; Heb.
10:35).
4.) Our Responsibility toward the lost.
We believe that as ambassadors for Mashiach, we are to carry on the ministry of reconciliation (2
Cor. 5:18-21) by taking every opportunity to present the Gospel of Yeshua Ha Mashiach and His
Kingdom to a lost and dying world. We are to make talmidim (disciples) by going baptizing, and
teaching.
B. Our Activities
This congregation shall continually devote ourselves to the Apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to
the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42), both by assembling ourselves together regularly
for corporate worship and study of the Scriptures, and by meeting in small groups for devotion and
fellowship from time to time in such places as the L-rd directs.
Under the authority of Eph. 4:1 and Titus 1:5, we shall also license and commission (ordain)
spiritually qualified persons who have been ordained by G-d to serve as Elders of His Migra.
These are persons who have been specifically called by G-d into the five fold ministry as Apostles
(overseers/missionares), Prophets; Evangelists, Pastors and teachers. We shall also
commission and support spiritually qualified persons who have been called by G-d to any mission
field, whether at home or in any foreign nation, to faithfully proclaim the Gospel of Yeshua Ha
Mashiach to the lost. We shall also educate believers in Mashiach in any manner consistent with
the requirements of the Holy Scriptures, and maintain missionary activities in the Untied States
and any foreign country. We shall also engage in any other ministry that we may decide to pursue
in obedience to the will of G-d.
C. Mission Statement
It shall therefore be the mission of this ministry to:
a. Faithfully proclaim, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile, that Yeshua of Natzeret is Melech Ha
Mashiach (Israel's King Messiah) and the Redeemer of Israel and of the world.
b. Encourage and facilitate Jewish believers in Messiah to retain their traditional ethnic distinctive
(their Jewishness), and to educate non-Jewish Believers in Messiah about their spiritual heritage
in Judaism, encouraging (though not compelling) them to return to their Hebraic roots, so that both
Jew and Gentile may know the spiritual reality of being one in the Messiah.
c. Provide a Biblical Jewish context for New Covenant faith and life in which Jewish and
non-Jewish believers in Messiah may worship together, as the Shilachim taught the Messianic
believers of the first century, and as we believe worship will take place in the Messianic Kingdom.
d. Teach the Word of G-d in such a way that all believers, both Jewish and non-Jewish might be
enlightened, encouraged, and equipped to live and model a Biblical Torah - observant lifestyle.
e. Fully support, in whatever way Ruach Ha Kodesh may lead, the reunification of the two
"houses" of Israel (Ephraim and Judah) and the return of that reunited Israel in fullness to her
Covenant land and to her rightful place as G-d's "light to eh world," and the establishment of
HaMashiach's Kingdom on earth.
Section 3. Taxpayer Status
The following statement is required by law to be included in the governing document of any
organization that seeks to be granted tax-exempt status on religious grounds.
"In accordance with the laws of the United States of America, this congregation is organized as a
synagogue exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes within the meaning of
Section 501 (c) (e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any
future United States Revenue Law), including for such purposes, the establishment and
maintaining of places of worship, the establishment and maintain of Jewish/Christian worship, the
building and maintain of ancillary facilities including, but not limited to parsonages, schools,
college/seminaries, radio and television stations, and any other ministries that the congregation
may be led by G-d to establish, and for making of distributions to organizations that qualify as
exempt organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or cooresponding
section of any future Federal tax code and whose purposes are in harmony with the herin stated
purposes of this congregation.
congregation of believers shall be known for legal and government purposes as Kehilat Yisrael
(The Assembly of Israel).
Section 2 - Purpose
This congregation exists solely for the glory of G-d and for the fulfillment of our divinely ordained
responsibilities (a) toward G-d, (b) toward our families, )(c) toward others within the universal Body
of Mashiach (the Migra), which is the Body and Bride of Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach, (d) toward
those who are outside the Body of Mashiach (the lost), and (e) toward G-d's chosen nation of
Israel and her people.
A. Our Responsibility
We view those responsiblilites to be as follows:
1. Our Responsibility toward G-d.
We agree with the Westminister Shorter Catechism that "Man's chief end is to glorify G-d, and to
enjoy Him forever," We accomplish this responsibility toward G-d primarily by loving Him. When
we truly love Him above all else, we will give Him, our unquestioning obedience in all things. Our
love and obedience will then glorify Him.
2,) Our Responsibility toward our family.
Because G-d created the family, we believe our responsibility toward our family comes second
only to our responsibility toward our G-d. G-d's Law, which our L-rd declared is unchangeable,
provides for strong family bonds and responsibilities. Our L-rd taught that the man who fails to
care for his family is worse than an infidel. Concerning relationships within the family, our L-rd
taught that Mashiach is the head of the husband and the husband is to be subject to Mashiach. He
also taught that the husband is the head of the wife and the wife and husband are to be subject to
one another (Eph. 5:21-33; Col. 13:18: 1 Peter 3:1-6). The Bible teaches that the husband is to
love his wife "just as Mashiach also loved the Migra and gave Himself up for her )(Eph 5:25-33;
Col 3:19: 1 Peter 3:7). The Bible also teaches that a husband and wife are to :become one flesh "
(Eph. 5:31).
The Bible teaches that children are to be obedient to their parents and honor them (Col. 3:20; Eph
6:1-3). Father's are not to exasperate their children or provoke them to anger but bring them up in
the discipline and instruction of the L-rd (Col 3:21, Eph. 6:4). Parents are to instruct their children
in the laws of G-d, and teach their children the praises of the L-rd, not just His judgements (Psm.
78:1-8; Deut 4:10; 6:4-9; 11:18-21). We therefore commit that in all the teachings and functions of
this congregation m, we will keep the family foremost, that our families will be built on the sure
foundation, which is Adonai Yeshua Ha Mashiach and His Word.
3.) Our Responsibility toward the body of Mashiach.
When speaking about the greatest of all mitzuot (commandments), Yeshua said, "The second is
like this, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other mitzuah greater than these."
(Mark 12:31), Yeshua also said, "This is my mitzvah, that you love one another, even as I have
loved you. (John 15:12-17). This kind of love means placing other's well being before our own
(Rom. 12:10; Phil. 2:3-4; I Thess. 3:11-13; 5:15).
We are to meet one another's needs (Rom. 12:13; 2 Cor. 9:12-14). We are to obey our spiritual
leaders and submit to their authority over us (Heb. 13:17). We are to pursue the things which
make for peace and the building up of one another (Rom. 14:19-20). We are to accept one
another (Rom. 15:7). We are to admonish one another (Rom 15:14; Col. 3:15). We are to give
honor to one another (I Cor. 12:24-26). We are to show forbearance to one another in love, being
diligent to preserve the unity of the Ruach in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:1-6). We are to lay aside
all falsehood and speak truth to each other (Eph. 4:25; Col 3:9). We are to be kinda nd tender
hearted to each other (Eph. 4:32). We are to forgive each other as G-d in Mashiach forgave us
(Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:2-15). We are to stimulate one another to love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24).
We are to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another (James 5:15). We are to
serve each other (1 Peter 4:10). We are to heave fellowship with each other (1 John 1:7; Heb.
10:35).
4.) Our Responsibility toward the lost.
We believe that as ambassadors for Mashiach, we are to carry on the ministry of reconciliation (2
Cor. 5:18-21) by taking every opportunity to present the Gospel of Yeshua Ha Mashiach and His
Kingdom to a lost and dying world. We are to make talmidim (disciples) by going baptizing, and
teaching.
B. Our Activities
This congregation shall continually devote ourselves to the Apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to
the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42), both by assembling ourselves together regularly
for corporate worship and study of the Scriptures, and by meeting in small groups for devotion and
fellowship from time to time in such places as the L-rd directs.
Under the authority of Eph. 4:1 and Titus 1:5, we shall also license and commission (ordain)
spiritually qualified persons who have been ordained by G-d to serve as Elders of His Migra.
These are persons who have been specifically called by G-d into the five fold ministry as Apostles
(overseers/missionares), Prophets; Evangelists, Pastors and teachers. We shall also
commission and support spiritually qualified persons who have been called by G-d to any mission
field, whether at home or in any foreign nation, to faithfully proclaim the Gospel of Yeshua Ha
Mashiach to the lost. We shall also educate believers in Mashiach in any manner consistent with
the requirements of the Holy Scriptures, and maintain missionary activities in the Untied States
and any foreign country. We shall also engage in any other ministry that we may decide to pursue
in obedience to the will of G-d.
C. Mission Statement
It shall therefore be the mission of this ministry to:
a. Faithfully proclaim, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile, that Yeshua of Natzeret is Melech Ha
Mashiach (Israel's King Messiah) and the Redeemer of Israel and of the world.
b. Encourage and facilitate Jewish believers in Messiah to retain their traditional ethnic distinctive
(their Jewishness), and to educate non-Jewish Believers in Messiah about their spiritual heritage
in Judaism, encouraging (though not compelling) them to return to their Hebraic roots, so that both
Jew and Gentile may know the spiritual reality of being one in the Messiah.
c. Provide a Biblical Jewish context for New Covenant faith and life in which Jewish and
non-Jewish believers in Messiah may worship together, as the Shilachim taught the Messianic
believers of the first century, and as we believe worship will take place in the Messianic Kingdom.
d. Teach the Word of G-d in such a way that all believers, both Jewish and non-Jewish might be
enlightened, encouraged, and equipped to live and model a Biblical Torah - observant lifestyle.
e. Fully support, in whatever way Ruach Ha Kodesh may lead, the reunification of the two
"houses" of Israel (Ephraim and Judah) and the return of that reunited Israel in fullness to her
Covenant land and to her rightful place as G-d's "light to eh world," and the establishment of
HaMashiach's Kingdom on earth.
Section 3. Taxpayer Status
The following statement is required by law to be included in the governing document of any
organization that seeks to be granted tax-exempt status on religious grounds.
"In accordance with the laws of the United States of America, this congregation is organized as a
synagogue exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes within the meaning of
Section 501 (c) (e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any
future United States Revenue Law), including for such purposes, the establishment and
maintaining of places of worship, the establishment and maintain of Jewish/Christian worship, the
building and maintain of ancillary facilities including, but not limited to parsonages, schools,
college/seminaries, radio and television stations, and any other ministries that the congregation
may be led by G-d to establish, and for making of distributions to organizations that qualify as
exempt organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or cooresponding
section of any future Federal tax code and whose purposes are in harmony with the herin stated
purposes of this congregation.
