The Gospel of Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) contains many integral parts that form a whole. In many ways, the doctrine of plural marriage is a minor doctrine of the faith but in others it actually illuminates and explains some of the deeper mysteries of Yahweh's universe. You are encouraged to go deeper and explain the main Plural Holy Echad Marriage website further.
We here confine ourselves to laying out, in as plain and condensed a fashion as possible, the eternal Plan of Salvation. If you would like to know more about each of these principles, please refer back to the Topical Guide of our main website and explore the various topics at your leisure. In the meantime, please carefully check out all the scripture references given below and become acquainted with the whole purpose of Yahweh for your life.
1. What is Salvation?
Salvation is deliverance from the penalty, pollution, and power of sin (Rom.6:14,23; Ti.3:4-6). It is eternally more important than being saved from fire, deep water, illness or loneliness.
2. What is sin?
Sin is any thought, word, or deed that either violates or falls short of complete conformity to Yahweh's holy laws or Torah (Rom.3:23; Jas.4:7; 1 Jn.3:4). In short, Yah'shua (Jesus) and His apostles taught that sin is anything that doesn't reflect selfless love for Yahweh and others (Mt.22:34-40).
3. What has Elohim (God) done to Provide for Salvation?
He became a member of the human race in the person of Yah'shua (Jesus), lived sinlessly as our substitute to fulfil Yahweh's righteous demands (2 Cor.5:21), suffered and died on the cross to bear the penalty of our sins (Mt.20:28; Rom.4:23-25; 1 Cor.15:3-4), and rose from the grave to break the power of death and defeat Satan (Ac.2:24; Heb.2:14-15). In other words, He accepted full responsibility to pay the price for the consequence of sins.
4. For whom did Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) die?
Yah'shua (Jesus) died for all people (Jn.3:16; 2 Cor.5:14-15), for all have fallen short of their original purpose to know Yahweh our Father (Jn.17:3), to glorify Him (1 Cor.10:31), and to enjoy Him forever (Rev.7:15-17; 21:1-4). The Messiah (Christ) died for those who are sinners by nature (Ps.51:5), disobedient by choice (Rom.3:23), spiritually dead (Eph.2:1,5), unable to please Yahweh (Rom.8:8), and under His wrath (Jn.3:36; Rom.1:18).
5. What is Repentance?
It is a term used by John the Baptist, Yah'shua (Jesus), Paul, and Peter (Mt.3:1-2; 4:17; Ac.2:38; 20:21). Repentance is that change of attitude about one's self, one's sin, and God, which involved the whole personality - mind, emotions, and will. In varying degrees, it always accompanies true faith. It is usually accompanied by sorrow for sin and is one evidence that genuine repentance has occurred (2 Cor.7:9-10). True repentance always leads to voluntary obedience to the commandments of Yahweh (Jn.14:15; 15:10; Mt.5:19; 1 Jn.2:3-5) and is a fruit of genuine faith and salvation.
6. Who will be saved?
Salvation is offered to everyone and is freely given to all who believe on Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) (Mt.11:28; Jn.1:12; 3:15-13,36; 6:40,47; 11:25-26; 20:31; Ac.16:31; Rom.10:9-10). Yah'shua (Jesus) said, "The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (Jn.6:37).
7. How do we receive Salvation?
By faith alone. Neither zealous commitment to good works (Eph.2:8-10) not careful observance of religious rituals (Gal.3:1-9) play a part in obtaining salvation. Salvation is not found in our efforts for Yahweh but in trusting what Yah'shua (Jesus) has done for us. All Yahweh requires is that we call out to Him in true faith and ask Him to save us (Rom.10:13). On that basis He gives salvation. Everything else follows.
8. What is Saving Faith?
It is personal trust in the Lord Yah'shua (Jesus). It is believing that Yahweh, on the basis of the Messiah's (Christ's) substitutionary death and resurrection, forgives and accepts all who trust in Him and rely on Him alone for salvation (Rom.3:21-26; 4:1-25; 5:1-2; Eph.2:8-10). It is not what we do but what we believe that counts. If what we believe is right, doing right will follow. Good works are the fruit and the evidence (Eph.2:10; 1 Jn.3:7-10), not the ground or the cause.
9. What is true Obedience?
Obedience is the response of a saved soul and is motivated by love for Yahweh and for man causing him to obey the commandments. True faith is never passive but goes hand-in-hand with obedience. Faith in Yah'shua (Jesus) and obedience to the commandments of Yahweh are the twin evidences of the saved in the end-time assembly/church (Rev.12:17; 14:12; 22:14).
10. What Commandments should we obey?
All of them. Yah'shua warned against picking and choosing what commandments we want to obey and said that what may appear to be inconsequential commandments matter and may have grave consequences for those who ignore them (Mt.5:17-20). Because there are several hundred commandments which are given to us as measuring sticks of our salvation, they have been given to us on three progressive levels of understanding and implementation: (a) The Two Great Commandments, (b) the Ten Commandments (Decalogue), and (c) the remainder of the Mitzvot.
11. What are the Two Great Commandments?
They are a summary of the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) and were taught by Yah'shua (Jesus): "'You shall love Yahweh your Elohim (God) with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great command- ment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets"" (Mt.22:37-40; Dt.6:5; Lev.19:18). They are like the two wrists of our hands.
12. What is the Decalogue (Ten Commandments)?
It is an expansion and explanation of the Two Great Commandments. They tell us what loving Yahweh and our neighbour actually consists of in practice (Rom.13:8-10; Gal.5:14): (1) Worshipping only Yahweh, the one true God; (2) Fleeing from idolatry; (3) Honouring the Name of Yahweh; (4) Observing the seventh-day Sabbath of rest (not Saturday or Sunday); (5) Honouring your parents; (6) Not murdering; (7) Not committing adultery; (8) Not stealing; (9) Not giving false testimony; (10) Not desiring another person's property (Ex.20:1-17). They are like the 10 fingers on our two hands.
13. What are the Mitzvot?
These are all the other commandments which are expansions, amplifications, additions or clarifications of the Decalogue and are scattered throughout the Bible. They include such things as Yahweh's dietary code (e.g. Dt.14; Lev.11), marriage practices and regulations (including plural marriage), dress codes, how to observe the Seven Annual Feasts (Lev.23), how to conduct congregational life, interpersonal relationships (e.g. Lev.19:13-18), and so forth. There are several hundred altogether. Some of these were changed by Yah'shua (Jesus) in order to bring them up to the original standards Yahweh intended. The ceremonial law and its priesthood have been superseded but the ethical and moral laws are immutable.
14. How can I possibly know and obey all the Commandments?
By careful study and application over time (Ac.17:11). That is why Yahweh has given them on three different levels to match a believer's spiritual maturity: (a) Elementary (The Two Great Commandments), (b) Intermediary (The Decalogue) and (c) Advanced (The Mitzvot). Each is the foundation of the next. But since they are all interconnected, they will naturally fall into place with right faith.
15. What do I need to do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
After believing in Yah'shua (Jesus) as the Messiah (Christ), accepting Him as your Lord (Commander) and Saviour (Redeemer), you should be baptised by complete immersion (Mt.28:19) and join a local Bible-believing and commandment-keeping assembly/church. Learn and implement the elementary principles of the Gospel. Thereafter go on to completion (Heb.6:1-3), becoming perfect like your Father Yahweh in Heaven (Mt.5:48) until you have finished the race which is your life on earth (Heb.12:1-2; 2 Tim.4:7-8; 1 Cor.9:24-26).
16. How can I distinguish between a true and a false church or assembly?
Firstly, look at their fruits (Mt.7:16,20). Are they filled with the fruits of righteousness (Phil.1:11; Gal.5:22-23)? Are the members pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy, without partiality and without hypocrisy (Jas.3:17-18)? Secondly, are they teaching and obeying all the commandments of Yahweh (Mt.19:17)? Are they full of wisdom and understanding (Prov.4:5a)? Are they repentant (Ac.17:30-31)? Are they full of love for one another (1 Jn.3:11)? Are they happy (Ps.146:5)? Is it built on the foundation of apostles and prophets (Eph.2:20) and are they blessed with the spiritual gifts (1 Cor.12:28)? Is its foundation Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) or an institution or some charismatic person (1 Cor.3:11)? Are the ministers and members living humbly and simply (Jas.4:6)? Is there equality of wealth (Ac.2:44; 4:32)? Do husbands love their wives as Christ loved the Church/Assembly, and do wives submit to their husbands in righteousness (Col.3:18-19; Eph.5: 22-28)? Are the people free of adultery, fornication, homosexuality and other vices (Gal.5:19-21)? Search your Bible and you will know what to expect of a true congregation of Yahweh's people.
