Keep the Lord’s Supper - As Yeshua fans, we do this in obedience to Yeshua. Are you baptized but still neglecting to obey all his commdments? It is not too late to start.

Equality Statement

Speaking of those who are students of the messiah, Yeshua taught us that "All of you are brethren" (1) and on one occasion said the following:

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. (2)

It is important for us to recognize that under Yeshua we cannot hold different positions of so-called greatness, as if our age or gender mean anything under Yeshua. In the world men have more authority to rule than women, and children do not have all the same rights as those who are legally adults.

Under Yeshua there is a different spiritual order. Sometimes the terminology is used that we are "one" in Christ, with no male nor female, among other differences. This is a true statement, that Yeshua taught us to disregard such differences in matters of the faith, and instead "he that is greatest among you shall be your servant." (3)

Gender. We recognize that people cannot choose their gender. We recognize that being a wonderful individual is not limited to being a particular gender. To make anyone feel inferior due to their gender, is wrong. To make anyone feel bad due any aspect outside their control, is wrong. This includes any bad associations that are made about an individual purely upon his or her gender.

Age. We recognize that biological aging is outside of one's control. We recognize that aging does not make an individual less valuable. To hold anyone in less regard based purely upon their age, is wrong.

Invisible Illness. We recognize that many, many people are born into this world with health problems. Although different theories exist, there is no proof that they are in any way to blame for having these health problems. We recognize the pain and hardship of having an invisible illness and that most people do not understand the pain and sorrow that comes with it. To make anyone feel inferior or unwanted because they cannot do what you expect they should be able to, is wrong.

Slavery. We recognize that the church has played a big role in slavery having been an accepted practice. We condemn slavery and we condemn the actions of the church that were used to endorse slavery. We understand that some people then, and still some today, sincerely believe that those with black skin were somehow destined in God's plan to be slaves. We acknowledge their belief and do not condemn them for having it. But we do condemn anyone who, based on such a belief, actually takes any action to support slavery.

Marriage. We recognize that marriage is a natural and universal practice. Even some animals find a partner that they stay with for life. We find therefore that as free individuals it is a basic human right for any two or more individuals to affirm that they are married. To do so is a matter of free expression, and no governing agency has any power to deny them this right. To self-identify as being married when done freely (not forced), no matter the kind of marriage, should be legal everywhere.

It is very important to note that we as believers are not saying God approves of every marriage declaration. There have always been restrictions in God's law. Just because two or more individuals choose to self-identify as married does not mean anyone else should be forced to acknowledge how anyone else self-identifies. It also does not mean that these individuals can necessarily do all things that married people might ordinarily do. There are and should be certain legal restrictions in some cases, and if you think about it for a minute you know that is obvious.

Attraction and Self-Identity. We recognize that people cannot necessarily help who, even to which gender, they are attracted to. To say that they can choose when they cannot, confuses and dehumanizes people to make it seem that they are "bad" and choosing bad things that they shouldn't be choosing when that may not be the case at all. Every person independent of their attractions should be accepted as potentially innocent and good. As long as people do not force their attractions to the harm of another individual (such as a rapist does), they do no wrong in merely having attractions which are not in their power to change. We recognize that this is an area that many people still disagree about, and we also want to acknowledge those people who believe that attraction, at least when it comes to gender, is within one's control. We do not condemn these beliefs, but we condemn any ACTIONS that cause any innocent person to feel dehumanized, hurt, or alienated based upon someone's presumptous thinking.

Gender Mix-up. We recognize that even a person's very gender can feel different from that which exists externally on their body. We sympathize with the hardship this may present. The evidence shows that this can have a basis in biology, and again we condemn any ACTIONS that cause any innocent person to feel dehumanized, hurt, or alienated based upon someone's presumptous thinking.

Sexual behaviors. We furthermore recognize that sexual behaviors are a natural part of life, and a basic right of free individuals. We deem that the legal authorities should restrict sexual behaviors only insofar as they cause clear harm to others, while believers are subject to additional self-imposed restrictions. As believers we recognize that some behaviors are completely unacceptable in God's eyes, and this includes sexual behaviors and even some marriage declarations. For instance, God finds it completely unacceptable in some cases when a man divorces his wife, and furthermore when a man marries a divorced wife. (4) It was not until Yeshua said this that this type of marriage was clearly revealed as sinful. Up until that point, the scripture had neglected to mention it. Some may have understood this truth ahead of time, but they lacked anything solid with which they could justify taking action, like cutting off fellowship with these people.

We are in a similar situation today. Yeshua never went into detail on each case when it comes to marriage and what is acceptable and what is not, or whether standards have changed since biblical times. These are controversial questions that many will have feelings about, and hold personal beliefs about, but ultimately seem unsettled in scripture, like our example above which was unanswered until Yeshua came and revealed the answer. We can only speculate why God seemingly has not wanted to reveal all these details yet (just as it would be speculation to suppose that rightness or wrongness might not depend on the situation for some of these). Therefore, it is our suggestion that we should not be presumptous about these things yet, and be completely open to things being acceptable behaviors or unacceptable, depending on what may one day be revealed. However, everyone should also be careful about doing anything God would find unacceptable.

(1) Matthew 23:8

(2) Matthew 12:50

(3) Matthew 23:11

(4) Matthew 5:32