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| Constitution of Kehilat Yisrael Adopted January 2005 Preamble - page 4 |
We Believe the Biblical pattern is for multiple Elders to be established in every local congregation.
There should be a sufficient number of Elders to effectively meet the spiritual needs of the congregation
and to efficiently conduct the ministry of the Migra. We believe the duties of the Elders include, but are
not limited to, the following activities defined in Scripture:
* Their primary duty is to give themselves fully to study, prayer, and the ministry of G-d's Word.
* They are to lead G-d's people by their example in Word, conduct, love, spirit, faith and purity.
* They are to benevolently rule over the local congregation of Believers and, when necessary, they are
to rebuke and exhort with all authority.
* They are not to be dictatorial in their leadership, but are to be the congregation as a loving parent is
to their family.
* They are to pray for the sick and visit those in their time of need.
* They are to oversee the entire ministry, willingly and eagerly, knowing that when Yeshua, the Chief
Shepherd, appears they shall receive a "crown of glory that does not fade away."
We believe that all Elders must meet and maintain rigid spiritual qualifications, and that G-d will hold
them strictly accountable for both their actions and their attitudes as leaders over His Migra.
Elders are called and specifically gifted by G-d (Eph 4:1-13) for a lifetime of service to Him and to His
people (Rom. 11:29).
They are to be appointed for the congregation by the other Elders (Titus 1:5) not elected by the
congregation. After careful examination of the candidate, extensive prayer, and thorough deliberation
by the Elders (I Tim 5:22), having determined the candidate's call, willingness, and ability to enter a
lifetime of service, the Elders may appoint and ordain the candidate.
Section 12 - Concerning Activities of the Migra
We believe that the four essential continual activities of the community of faith are to be (a) devotion to
the teaching of the scriptures (b) constant fellowship at and away from the meeting place (c) frequent
communal meals, participation in the L-rd's supper, and G-d's Moedim, and (d) pray without ceasing
(Acts 2:42), and that personal evangelism and spiritual and numerical growth of the assembly will be
the inescapable result of these activities.
A. Ordinances
We believe in three ordinances which are to be faithfully and frequently observed by the Migra until
Yeshua's bodily return: immersion of Believers (mikuah), the taking of the L-rd's supper and the
washing of feet.
B. Stewardship
We believe that the rule for giving by Messianic Believers is twofold; 1.) that the work of the ministry be
adequately supported; and 2.) that the needy be provided for. We believe that giving is therefore to be
done: cheerfully, in proportion to G-d's prospering, and presented to the Elders regularly when the
congregation meets for corporate worship.
Every believer should be a faithful steward of all his/her resources (time, talent, Spiritual gifts, finances,
and other material possessions) for the furtherance of the Gospel at home and abroad.
Since the primary responsibility of the Elders is to give themselves fully to study, prayer, and the
ministry of G-d's plan for them to earn their living from that activity (1 Cor. 9:14; 1 Tim 5:17-18) to the
fullest extent the congregation is able to provide.
C. The Migra and Civil Government
We believe that G-d has ordained all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home; 2)
the Migra; 3) and the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all are answerable to G-d
and governed by His Word. G-d has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and
balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon
the other. The home, the Migra, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblical
spheres of responsibility under G-d.
We therefore believe that the Body of Mashiach owes allegiance to the civil government in all areas
except those which infringe upon our allegiance to our Savior and only sovereign L-rd Adonai Ha
Melech Yeshua Hamashiach and to our obedience to His clear commands, precepts, and principles.
D. Discipline in the Local Congregation
We believe that the Bible requires the Elders of the local congregation to lovingly discipline the children
of G-d for the purpose of their instruction and restoration to full fellowship. We also believe that the
Scriptures clearly teach that the Elders are to stand firm against all forms of false doctrine and to firmly
rebuke those who would lead the elect astray.
E. Missions and the Migra
We believe that G-d has given the Migra a Great Commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so
that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who
trust in Adonai Yeshua Ha Mashiach. As ambassadors of Mashiach, we must use all available means
to go both to this nation and to the foreign nations with the Gospel of the Kingdom of Yeshua
HaMashiach.
F. Denominationalism Within the Migra
We believe that there is only one true and universal Body of Yeshua HaMashiach. We believe that
within the Body of Mashiach there is room for differences of opinion concerning nonessential doctrines
and polity, and that Believers of similar preferences in the nonessential areas should fellowship
together. However, we are firmly convinced that any form of strife, jealousy, or spirit of unhealthy
competition, or any form of divisiveness either within or between any congregation is an abomination
before the L-rd.
Section 13 - Miscellaneous Other Doctrines
A. Creation
We believe that the creation account as described in the first two chapters of the book of genesis is to
be accepted as factual, historical, and perspicuous; that all things in the universe were spoken into
existence from nothing by G-d in the six days of special creation; and that this knowledge is
foundational in the understanding of every fact and phenomena in the created universe.
B. Human Sexuality
We believe that G-d has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of a
marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism,
bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, or pornography are sinful perversions of G-d's gift of
sex.
C. The Sanctity of Life
We believe that human life begins at the moment of conception and that the unborn child is a living
human being. That all human life is sacred. Therefore we do not support abortion.
We believe that capital punishment is clearly taught in the Scriptures, so that evil may be put away from
among G-d's people (Deut. 13:15; 17:7, 12; 19:19; 21:21; 22:19-24; 24:7).
There should be a sufficient number of Elders to effectively meet the spiritual needs of the congregation
and to efficiently conduct the ministry of the Migra. We believe the duties of the Elders include, but are
not limited to, the following activities defined in Scripture:
* Their primary duty is to give themselves fully to study, prayer, and the ministry of G-d's Word.
* They are to lead G-d's people by their example in Word, conduct, love, spirit, faith and purity.
* They are to benevolently rule over the local congregation of Believers and, when necessary, they are
to rebuke and exhort with all authority.
* They are not to be dictatorial in their leadership, but are to be the congregation as a loving parent is
to their family.
* They are to pray for the sick and visit those in their time of need.
* They are to oversee the entire ministry, willingly and eagerly, knowing that when Yeshua, the Chief
Shepherd, appears they shall receive a "crown of glory that does not fade away."
We believe that all Elders must meet and maintain rigid spiritual qualifications, and that G-d will hold
them strictly accountable for both their actions and their attitudes as leaders over His Migra.
Elders are called and specifically gifted by G-d (Eph 4:1-13) for a lifetime of service to Him and to His
people (Rom. 11:29).
They are to be appointed for the congregation by the other Elders (Titus 1:5) not elected by the
congregation. After careful examination of the candidate, extensive prayer, and thorough deliberation
by the Elders (I Tim 5:22), having determined the candidate's call, willingness, and ability to enter a
lifetime of service, the Elders may appoint and ordain the candidate.
Section 12 - Concerning Activities of the Migra
We believe that the four essential continual activities of the community of faith are to be (a) devotion to
the teaching of the scriptures (b) constant fellowship at and away from the meeting place (c) frequent
communal meals, participation in the L-rd's supper, and G-d's Moedim, and (d) pray without ceasing
(Acts 2:42), and that personal evangelism and spiritual and numerical growth of the assembly will be
the inescapable result of these activities.
A. Ordinances
We believe in three ordinances which are to be faithfully and frequently observed by the Migra until
Yeshua's bodily return: immersion of Believers (mikuah), the taking of the L-rd's supper and the
washing of feet.
B. Stewardship
We believe that the rule for giving by Messianic Believers is twofold; 1.) that the work of the ministry be
adequately supported; and 2.) that the needy be provided for. We believe that giving is therefore to be
done: cheerfully, in proportion to G-d's prospering, and presented to the Elders regularly when the
congregation meets for corporate worship.
Every believer should be a faithful steward of all his/her resources (time, talent, Spiritual gifts, finances,
and other material possessions) for the furtherance of the Gospel at home and abroad.
Since the primary responsibility of the Elders is to give themselves fully to study, prayer, and the
ministry of G-d's plan for them to earn their living from that activity (1 Cor. 9:14; 1 Tim 5:17-18) to the
fullest extent the congregation is able to provide.
C. The Migra and Civil Government
We believe that G-d has ordained all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home; 2)
the Migra; 3) and the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all are answerable to G-d
and governed by His Word. G-d has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and
balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon
the other. The home, the Migra, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblical
spheres of responsibility under G-d.
We therefore believe that the Body of Mashiach owes allegiance to the civil government in all areas
except those which infringe upon our allegiance to our Savior and only sovereign L-rd Adonai Ha
Melech Yeshua Hamashiach and to our obedience to His clear commands, precepts, and principles.
D. Discipline in the Local Congregation
We believe that the Bible requires the Elders of the local congregation to lovingly discipline the children
of G-d for the purpose of their instruction and restoration to full fellowship. We also believe that the
Scriptures clearly teach that the Elders are to stand firm against all forms of false doctrine and to firmly
rebuke those who would lead the elect astray.
E. Missions and the Migra
We believe that G-d has given the Migra a Great Commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so
that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who
trust in Adonai Yeshua Ha Mashiach. As ambassadors of Mashiach, we must use all available means
to go both to this nation and to the foreign nations with the Gospel of the Kingdom of Yeshua
HaMashiach.
F. Denominationalism Within the Migra
We believe that there is only one true and universal Body of Yeshua HaMashiach. We believe that
within the Body of Mashiach there is room for differences of opinion concerning nonessential doctrines
and polity, and that Believers of similar preferences in the nonessential areas should fellowship
together. However, we are firmly convinced that any form of strife, jealousy, or spirit of unhealthy
competition, or any form of divisiveness either within or between any congregation is an abomination
before the L-rd.
Section 13 - Miscellaneous Other Doctrines
A. Creation
We believe that the creation account as described in the first two chapters of the book of genesis is to
be accepted as factual, historical, and perspicuous; that all things in the universe were spoken into
existence from nothing by G-d in the six days of special creation; and that this knowledge is
foundational in the understanding of every fact and phenomena in the created universe.
B. Human Sexuality
We believe that G-d has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of a
marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism,
bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, or pornography are sinful perversions of G-d's gift of
sex.
C. The Sanctity of Life
We believe that human life begins at the moment of conception and that the unborn child is a living
human being. That all human life is sacred. Therefore we do not support abortion.
We believe that capital punishment is clearly taught in the Scriptures, so that evil may be put away from
among G-d's people (Deut. 13:15; 17:7, 12; 19:19; 21:21; 22:19-24; 24:7).
Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc.
Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007
Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007