One G-d
Shema Israel, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad! (Deuteronomy 6:4)
There is only One to whom the title of Elohim [G-d] belongs: the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:6). He is the Creator (Genesis 1:1) and the Sustainer (Colossians 1:17) of all things. Aside from Him, there is no G-d (Deuteronomy 32:39, 2 Samuel 7:22, 1 Kings 8:23, Isaiah 44:6).
The Word of G-d
The whole of the Holy Scriptures (including the Hebrew Scriptures [the Torah, the Neviim, the Ketuvim] and the Apostolic Scriptures, Genesis through Revelation, 66 books) in their original languages and original forms are the infallible and divinely inspired Word of G-d. His Word is the ultimate authority regarding Godliness and holiness, faith, and the exercise of that faith. The Word is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness so that the people of G-d may be complete and equipped for every good deed (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The labels "Old Testament" and "New Testament" confuse Scripture's unity and authority, so I generally do not use those terms.
The Messiah
The G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has revealed Himself through the person of Yeshua called the Messiah. Yeshua is the Word of G-d (John 1:1) made flesh (John 1:14). He was crucified (John 19:18) and rose again on the third day (Luke 24:46). He has ascended to heaven (Luke 24:51), where He in his role as the Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) makes intercession for us (Hebrews 7:24) until His return (Hebrews 9:28). During His life, He was without sin (Hebrews 4:14), was perfectly obedient to G-d's Law (known as the Torah), and taught His disciples to follow His example (Matthew 28:20). Yeshua's flesh is flesh, and He was tempted (Hebrews 4:15); however, the fullness of Deity dwells in Him in bodily form (Colossians 2:9). Yeshua is G-d made flesh (John 1:14).
The Torah
The Torah [G-d's teaching and instruction], sometimes referred to as "The Law" or "The Law of Moses", found in the first five books of Scripture (Genesis through Deuteronomy), is the foundation on which we should build our understanding of Scripture. The Torah establishes the standard of behavior for all of G-d's people, both Jew and Gentile (Numbers 15:16).
The Torah is the standard to which the Messiah lived as proof of his sinless Messiahship (2 Corinthians 5:21). Just as the Messiah did not abolish or annul the Torah (Matthew 5:17, 19), we should not abolish or annul the Torah. Just as the early believers were zealous for the Torah and established it (Acts 21:20, Romans 3:31), so we, too, should also be zealous for it and establish it as well.
I do not support either the "One Law"/"One Torah"/"Universal Torah" (i.e., every commandment applies to every person) position or the "Divine Invitation" position (i.e., Gentiles are "invited" to participate in the laws of the kingdom).
The Elect/Salvation
There is one universal body of believers [kahal in Hebrew, ekklesia in Greek], which consists of both the physical descendants of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) as well as Gentile believers who have been grafted into (Romans 11:17-24) the commonwealth of Israel (Ephesians 2:11-12). Entry into this body of believers is and has always been solely and exclusively by G-d's grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8, Acts 4:12, Genesis 15:6) for both Jews and Gentiles.
Works/Deeds
Deeds/good works/mitzvot are the result and expected consequence of salvation (Ephesians 2:10), not the cause or source of salvation (2 Timothy 1:9). One day all humanity will stand before the Judgment Seat of Messiah, and each will be judged by our deeds (2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:12). These works are evidence of our salvation and our relationship with G-d (Titus 1:16, 1 John 1:6), not the cause or source of that relationship.
Men and Women and the Structure of Authority
Men and women are equal in the eyes of G-d (Galatians 3:28). The two sexes were created in different manners (Genesis 2:7, 2:21-22) and with different capacities (1 Peter 3:7) for different purposes (Genesis 2:18). The structure of authority given in Scripture is that the man is to be the head [symbolizing the source of life] of his wife (Ephesians 5:23), just as Messiah is the head of the ekklesia. In a manner like Messiah, the man should give himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25). The wife, in turn, should respect her husband (Ephesians 5:33) and be subject [i.e., in the proper relationship] to him (Ephesians 5:22). Women should not teach or exercise authority over a man (1 Timothy 2:12) in spiritual matters, although older women should instruct younger women (Titus 2:3-5).
The Name of G-d
The name of G-d—as delivered to Moshe at the burning bush (Exodus 3:15)—is holy. There is no need to speak this name in a certain way to enter into a relationship with Him, communicate with Him, or obtain/maintain salvation (Exodus 6:2-3). This particular name, as with other names or titles of G-d, should be treated with respect and not used in a casual or profane manner (Exodus 20:7). I attempt to sanctify G-d's names and titles, including the hyphenation of the title "G-d" to avoid its desecration.
Speaking in Tongues
"Speaking in tongues" (as revealed in Scripture) is a gift of the Holy Spirit defined as speaking a natural language under the inspiration and power of the Spirit, which one is not ordinarily able to speak. I affirm glossa [tongues], as opposed to glossolalia which is "fabricated and nonmeaningful speech, especially such speech associated with a trance state or certain schizophrenic syndromes. From New Latin: Greek glossa, tongue + Greek lalein, to babble." 1
Glossa is not required as proof of salvation because not all speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:23).
