What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of Congregation of Yahshua | Pittsburgh, PA based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.

That all nine gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 are to be in operation in the church today and are subject to the proper order as brought out in the Scriptures. We also believe that the ministry gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are still in existence today and are for the perfecting of the saints. We also believe in the offices of elders and deacons. Those who fill these offices must fulfill the requirements of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and are to be ordained by the apostolic ministry.

We believe that the Name of our Heavenly Father is that Name, which is found in the original Hebrew Scriptures, written as יהוה in Hebrew, spelled as Yahweh in English, and being commonly pronounced as yä·’way. (Isaiah 42:8, Amos 5:8)

We believe that the Savior came in His Father’s name, and that His name is identified with the Father's Name. His Name is יְהוֺשׁוּעַ , written as Yahoshua in English and pronounced ya·hô·shoo’·ah. We call upon the shortened form of this Name, Y’shua, pronounced Yahshua. (Matthew 1:21, Philemon 1:3). The Name of the Savior has been transliterated to Jesus. Please read this article about the transliteration of the Savior’s Name.

That the Ten Commandments including the entire Torah comprises the eternal law of Yahweh and His standard of righteousness for all ages (Genesis to Deuteronomy).

That the original Scriptures are the inspired Word of Yahweh and our guide for doctrine, correction and instruction in righteousness. In addition, we accept any translation of the Scriptures which accurately translates the existing Biblical Hebrew and Greek manuscripts (2 Timothy 3:16 – 17).

That salvation is not now, and never has been, by any laws or works. Man cannot be saved by any effort of his own. We believe that no works or deeds of the law, no effort however commendable, no good works whether they be many or few, sacrificial or not — can in any way justify the sinner.
Salvation is only by the grace of Yahweh. Nothing we can do or can have done can in any way merit our salvation. It is a free gift. We can only be justified in Yahweh’s sight by individually repenting of our sins and accepting Yahshua’s death as the atonement for our sins. Yahshua’s righteousness is then put to our credit (imputed) and we are reckoned righteous in Yahweh’s sight (Ephesians 2: 8-10).

That Yahshua Messiah is the only (uniquely) begotten Son of Yahweh that having no earthly father He was born of a virgin, being conceived by the Holy Spirit, and that the only atonement we have for our sins is through His shed blood on Calvary. We believe in His virgin birth and His death, burial, resurrection (John 3:16, Matthew 1:23, 1 Corinthians 15:3 – 4).

That the purpose of the law was not to save, but to reveal sin. Grace is designed to save from sin. No conflict exists between law and grace. Each has its specific functions, and neither trespasses on the functions of the other (Romans 5:20-21 - 6:1-2).

In the Biblical plan of salvation for the remission of sins, which follows the following steps:

1. Repentance from our rebellious nature against Yahweh and from our specific sins as the Holy Spirit reveals them to us. (Luke 13:3, Act 3:19)
2. Belief in Yahshua Messiah that His death on Calvary made atonement for our sins and that Yahweh raised Him from the dead. (Acts 16:31, John 3:16)
3. Justification, which is the forgiveness of all past sins which is a work of God in response to your belief in His Son, resulting in the regeneration (new birth) of the soul (1 Corinthians 6:11, Titus 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17)
4. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit as a gift from God for the continued work of sanctification of the believer (Luke 11:13, Acts 2:38)
5. Confession with our mouth and with our daily lives that Yahshua is the personal Master of our lives. (Romans 10:9)
6. Baptism by complete immersion in water in the name of Yahshua for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:36 – 38)
7. Daily Repentance from the continued revealed sins in our lives Matthew 6:9 – 13, 1 John 1:9)

That while good works are not the means of salvation, good works are inevitable results of salvation. These good works are possible only for the child of Yahweh whose life is inwrought by the Spirit of Yahweh. It is only through the working of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life that an individual can live up to Yahweh’s standard of righteousness (Ephesians 2:8-10).

In the deity of Yahshua Messiah, that He is and has always been divine, eternally existing with the Father, and that He is not only fully deity, but fully man. We further believe Yahshua Messiah, the Son of Yahweh, is Elohim and is worthy of our worship and adoration (Hebrews 1:8 – 9, John 10:30, John 1:1).

In the Seventh Day Sabbath as the day of rest for our physical, mental, and spiritual refreshing.
(Exodus 20:8-11)

That at the moment of conversion, our spirit man is reborn (from above) by the Word of Yahweh (1 Peter 1:23). We further believe that the life we receive through this new birth is eternal (John 5:24).

In a clean, holy life free from worldliness, unclean habits, and fleshy lusts. The sanctified life is something man cannot do in and of himself. Therefore, if man is ever to live a holy life, it must be by the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 4:3, Ephesians 4:31, 5:25-27, John 17:17, Colossians 3:8, Titus 3:1 – 7,1 Peter 2:1).

That the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a separate experience from initial salvation (justification) and is for every believer who receives Him by faith according to Acts 1:4-8 and Acts 2:4.

That following the dietary laws of Yahweh are part of living the sanctified life are also the best for our physical health (Leviticus 11:44 – 47).

In a modest standard of dress for men and woman according to 1 Timothy 2:9-10 and Exodus 28:42 – 43.

That a tithe of at least 10% of our increase belongs to Yahweh as commanded in Leviticus 27:30 – 34. In addition, we believe in the liberal giving of our time, resources, talents, and finances according to Luke 6:38.

In the resurrection of the dead. The righteous enjoy eternal life as the gift of Yahweh and will be raised immortal in Messiah. The unrighteous will be cast into the lake of fire as judgment for their sins and this judgment is eternal (Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 15).

In the laying on of hands for healing (Mark 16:18, James 5:14 - 15) and for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6). We further believe in the laying on of hands by the apostles and/or eldership for the impartation of the gifts and for the confirmation of the call to the ministry.

That the Feasts of Yahweh namely the Sabbath day, the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag Ha Matzot), the Feast of Weeks/Pentecost (Shavuot), the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), and Eight Day/Last Great Day (Shemini Atzeret) are still to be kept today at their appointed times (Leviticus 23).

In the regular observance of the Memorial Supper of Yahshua. In addition to that, we believe in partaking of the cup of blessing and unleavened loaf in communion with the body at other times as the Holy Spirit directs. We believe that this is in recognition of the New Covenant instituted by Yahshua (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Head coverings for women as part of the order of Biblical headship shown in 1 Corinthians 11:2 - 16. Please this Bible study of head coverings for women.
We conclude that the Holy Spirit will continue to lead us into more truth and deeper understanding of the truths that we presently hold.

All believers in Yahshua were given the great commission to go out and make disciples. Our church believes that this is our main purpose which is to spread the gospel of Yahshua Messiah.
(Matthew 28:18 - 20)