ABOUT US

The following statements represent the fundamental beliefs of Operation Restoration Ministries. These beliefs, based upon Holy Scripture, do not constitute the entire body of our beliefs but do represent our fundamental or foundational beliefs.

1. The Godhead

God the Father is an eternally existing Spirit, a perfect, personal Being of supreme love, intelligence, knowledge, justice, power and authority. It was through the Word that He created all things that exist. The Father is the Source of life, the Sustainer of the universe through His power. There is one Master, Yeshua Messiah/Jesus Christ, who has eternally existed. He came to earth to do the will of the Father. He is the Messiah, the Christ and the divine Son of the living God, who was born of human flesh to the virgin Mary.  The Holy Spirit is the power of God and the Spirit of life eternal. The Holy Spirit convicts one of sin, teaches, guides, comforts and intercedes.

Scriptural support: Ephesians 4:6; 1 Corinthians 8:6; John 1:1-4; Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 3:15; 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 2:10; 2 Corinthians 6:18.

2. The Angelic Realm and Satan

The angelic realm, consisting of various types of spirit beings, was created by God. A former “covering cherub,” Lucifer, rebelled against God’s authority and became Satan the devil. As Lucifer, he influenced one-third of the angels to follow him. Those who followed him are now evil spirits known as demons. Satan the devil is the adversary of both God and mankind. He and his demons influence mankind to reject God and His Law. These evil spirits have been allowed temporary dominion over the earth and have deceived the majority of human beings. The angels who remained faithful to God serve as ministering spirits to those responding to God’s calling.

Scriptural support: Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 8:12; 2 Timothy 2:26; John 12:31; 16:11; Revelation 12:4, 9; 20:1-3, 7, 10; Leviticus 16:21-22; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:14; Ephesians 2:2; Hebrews 1:14.

3. Humanity

Human beings, both male and female, were created in the image of God with the potential to partake of God’s divine nature as children in His eternal family. Humans are mortal beings relying on the breath of life and are subject to corruption and decay. Eternal life is a gift of God, given only to those who accept His calling and the terms and conditions expressed in the Scriptures. God gave Adam and Eve the choice of eternal life through obedience to Him or death through sin. Adam and Eve succumbed to sin by disobeying God. As a result, death entered the world. All humans have sinned and are therefore subject to death. In God’s plan it is appointed for man to “die once.”

Scriptural support: Genesis 1:26; 2 Peter 1:4; Hebrews 9:27; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 3:23; 5:12; 6:23; 8:16-17.

4. The Purpose of Human Life

God’s purpose for human beings is to add them as children to His eternal family. While it is clear that eternal life is a gift from God, He expects His children to respond to His calling, develop righteous character by overcoming sin, and grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. When Christ returns to this earth, these faithful humans will be born again as eternal beings into the family of God and will reign on earth as kings and priests with Christ.

Scriptural support: John 1:12; Romans 6:15-16; 8:14-17, 30; Acts 2:39; 1 Corinthians 15:50-53; 2 Peter 3:18; Revelation 1:6; 3:5; 5:10.

5. The Word of God

Scripture, both the Old and the New Testaments of the Holy Bible, is the Word of God and contains God’s complete revelation of His will and plan for humanity. Directly inspired by God in thought and word, it is perfect and infallible as originally written. Scripture is the supreme and final authority for faith and life. It is the source for doctrine and the foundation for all truth.

Scriptural support: 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; John 10:35; 17:17.

6. Sin and God’s Law

Sin is the transgression of the Law of God, which is spiritual, perfect, holy, just and good. God’s Law is based upon the two great principles of love toward God and love toward neighbor. The Ten Commandments expound these foundational principles of God’s law of love. Breaking any part of God’s Law brings upon a person the penalty of death. Those who love God and seek eternal life will strive to keep God’s commandments. Obedience to God’s law produces blessings, happiness and peace of mind. Disobedience to God’s law (sin) produces misery and strife and ultimately eternal death.

Scriptural support: 1 John 3:4; 5:3; Matthew 5:17-19; 19:17-19; 22:37-40; James 2:10-11; Romans 2:5-9; 6:23; 7:12-14; 13:8-10.

7. The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so humans may have eternal life. In God’s perfect righteousness, the penalty for our sins must be paid in full. After living a human life without sin, even though tempted in all points as we are, Yeshua Messiah/Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died as the perfect sacrifice for all the sins of humanity. As God in the flesh and the Creator of all humanity, His death makes it possible for each person and humanity as a whole to be forgiven of their sins, released from the death penalty that comes upon all because of sin and reconciled to God the Father. This plan of salvation for mankind existed from the foundation of the world.

Scriptural support: John 1:18; 3:16; Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 1:16-17, 22; Hebrews 4:15; 9:15; 10:12; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Revelation 5:9; 13:8.

8. Three Days and Three Nights

Jesus Christ was raised from the dead by the Father after His body lay for three days and three nights in the grave. The length of time that He was in the grave was the only sign He gave to prove He was the Messiah. The resurrection of Jesus Christ made immortality possible for mortal human beings. After His resurrection, Christ ascended into heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest, elder Brother and Advocate with the Father.

Scriptural support: 1 Peter 1:17-21; 3:22; Matthew 12:39-40; 1 Corinthians 15:53; 2 Timothy 1:10; John 20:17; Hebrews 2:10-15; 8:1; 12:2; 1 John 2:1.

9. Repentance

Repentance is a gift from God—a gift that is necessary for salvation and a proper relationship with God. All who wish to be pardoned from the death penalty that comes through sin must genuinely repent of their sins, fully surrender their lives to God and obey His commandments. They must by faith accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, their Lord and Master, their High Priest and their soon coming King. These individuals are justified, forgiven of their sins as an act of divine grace, being baptized and receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit. At baptism they become part of the spiritual Body of Christ, the true Church of God.

Scriptural support: Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:29-32; 2 Corinthians 7:10; John 3:16; Ephesians 1:7; 2:7-10; Romans 3:21-26; 5:5; 6:6; 8:4, 9-10, 14; 13:10; Jeremiah 33:8; John 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Philippians 2:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:25.

10. Water Baptism

Water baptism by immersion after repentance pictures the forgiveness of sin, the burial of the old man and the beginning of a new life in Christ. At the time of their baptism, repentant believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and become part of the spiritual Body of Jesus Christ. By yielding to and being led by the Holy Spirit, those who have repented and been baptized experience a true change in life, attitude and way of thinking. They no longer desire to sin but instead desire to serve God in obedience to the perfect example of Jesus.

Scriptural support: John 3:23; Acts 2:38; 8:14-17; 19:5-6; Ephesians 4:22-24; 1 Corinthians 12:13.

11. The Seventh-Day Sabbath

The seventh day of the week is the Sabbath of YeHoVAH our God, and on this day humans are commanded to rest from their labors and worship Him. Established and blessed by God at creation, the seventh day of the week begins at sunset on Friday and continues until sunset on Saturday. The Sabbath is an identifying sign and a perpetual covenant between God and His people. True Christians follow the example of Jesus Christ, the apostles and the New Testament Church in observing the seventh-day Sabbath. Sunday worship began in the early days of the church as Gentiles came in to the faith; nowhere in Scripture was the Sabbath canceled. While it is not "wrong" to worship on Sunday, it does not replace the Sabbath as a Holy day.

Scriptural support: Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11; 31:13-17; Leviticus 23:3; Isaiah 58:13; Hebrews 4:4-10; Mark 1:21; 2:27-28; 6:2; Acts 13:42-44; 17:2; 18:4; Luke 4:31; 1 John 2:4-6.

12. The Passover

The Passover is to be observed in the evening, at the beginning of the 14th of Nisan (Abib) in accordance with the Hebrew calendar as preserved by the Jews. Christians follow Jesus Christ’s instruction and example by observing the Passover annually as a memorial of His death.

Scriptural support: Exodus 12; Matthew 26:18-30; John 13:1-15; Luke 22:1-20; John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7.

13. The Festivals of God

The seven annual festivals are special times of assembly. Given to ancient Israel by God through Moses and kept by Christ, the apostles and the New Testament Church, they are commanded to be observed today. These festivals reveal God’s plan of salvation for mankind. They will continue to be observed during the Millennium.

Scriptural support: Colossians 2:16-17; 1 Peter 1:19-20; 1 Corinthians 5:8; 15:22-26; 16:8; James 1:18; Exodus 23:14-17; Leviticus 23; Luke 2:41-42; 22:14-15; John 7:2, 8, 10, 14; Acts 2:1; 18:21; 20:16; Zechariah 14:16-19.

14. Biblical Food Laws

Meat identified as “unclean” in the Bible is not intended to be consumed by humans. Lists of “clean” and “unclean” meats are found in God’s instructions concerning what should and should not be eaten.

Scriptural support: Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14.

15. Tithing

Tithing is commanded by God. Through tithing, one honors God with his material goods and assists in preaching the gospel, providing for the physical needs of the Church and caring for needy members. 

Scriptural support: Proverbs 3:9-10; Genesis 14:17-20; Numbers 18:21; Malachi 3:8; 1 Corinthians 9:7-14; Deuteronomy 14:22-29.

16. God's Divine Name

As one Hebrew professor put it, until Moses's cassette recorder is dug up on Mt Sinai, we cannot know for sure how God pronounces His name.  However, based on 1000 year-old manuscripts, and basic knowledge of Hebrew pronunciation based on Hebrew language rules, we are fairly certain that the Divine Name is pronounced, "Yeh -ho-VAH' " with accent on the last syllable.  YeHoVAH is a compound of 3 Hebrew words meaning, "He who was, He who is, He who will be."  We do  not debate with or condemn anyone who believes in an alternative pronunciation such as Yahweh; however, we provide this information in order that the reader will know that we have reached this conclusion.  We also refer to Jesus Christ, God's Son, by his given name Yeshua, which means "salvation." We also refer to him at times as Yeshua HaMasshiach (Yeshua the Messiah) instead of Jesus Christ.  We do not condemn anyone who uses "Jesus."

Scriptural support: Exodus 3:13-16

17. Promises to Abraham

God’s fulfillment of His promises to Abraham, a man called the father of the faithful, represents God’s enduring faithfulness and provides important keys to understanding biblical prophecy. As promised, God multiplied Abraham’s descendants so that Abraham literally became the father of many nations. God materially prospered his descendants: Isaac, Jacob (also called Israel) and Jacob’s 12 sons who were the progenitors of the 12 tribes of ancient Israel. Descendants of these peoples continue as prominent nations today (particularly the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh) because they have inherited the physical blessings of Abraham. In addition to the physical blessings promised Abraham, another promise was made by God to this patriarch—a promise of salvation through his Seed (Yeshua/Jesus Christ), which all people, regardless of their physical lineage, may receive. All who respond to God’s calling belong to Christ and are considered Abraham’s seed. Understanding these promises made to Abraham provides a more accurate understanding of the world today and the messages of the prophets.

Scriptural support: Genesis 12:1-3; 32:28; Psalm 111:1-10; Romans 4:12, 16; 9:7-8; Galatians 3:16, 28-29.

18. The Return of Jesus Christ to Earth

At the end of this present evil age, Jesus Christ will visibly return to earth to establish the Kingdom of God and reign forever and ever, beginning with a 1,000-year period commonly called the Millennium. He will sit upon the throne of David, ruling all nations as King of Kings and serving as High Priest to all who recognize Him as their Lord and Master. As prophesied, He will at this time restore all things and establish the Kingdom of God forever.

Scriptural support: Daniel 2:44; 7:14, 18, 27; Matthew 24:30, 44; Revelation 1:7; 11:15; 19:16; 20:4-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16; John 14:3; Isaiah 9:7; 40:10-11; Hebrews 7:24; Jeremiah 23:5; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 1:11; 3:21; 15:16.

19. The Resurrections

Being resurrected from the grave is the only hope of eternal life for deceased human beings. The Scriptures reveal that there will be two distinct future resurrection periods for those who have died. At the return of Jesus Christ, a first resurrection to eternal life will take place for all of God’s faithful servants who have died throughout the ages. These individuals will rise from their graves and, along with living humans who have the Holy Spirit residing within them, will be changed into immortal beings. After the 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ on the earth, there will be a second resurrection to physical life for the majority of all people who have ever lived - the incorrigible to a brief period of consciousness, in which they will receive the righteous judgment of God—their destruction in the lake of fire. This resurrection is reserved for those who have rejected God’s offer of salvation, reaping eternal death, also called the second death, from which there is no further resurrection.

Scriptural support: 1 Corinthians 15:19, 45-53; Acts 23:6; John 5:21-29; Romans 6:23; 8:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Revelation 20:4-5, 11-15; John 3:16; Matthew 25:46.

20. The Relationship Between Grace, Faith, & Baptism

It is clear from the entire Bible that faith brings salvation, while obedience to God's Instructions (Torah, Law) brings blessings.

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No one was ever saved BY the Law, but if we love God, we will obey Him BECAUSE we have been saved.

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A wise old preacher once put it this way: GRACE is the FOUNDATION of our salvation.

If God were not gracious, we would all die in our sins. 

FAITH is the MEANS of our salvation. 

We are reconciled to God through faith in His Son.

BAPTISM is the TIME of our salvation. 

It is at the time of baptism into Yeshua/Jesus that the penitient believer receives forgiveness of sin, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the promise of salvation into eternal life.

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Scriptural support: Deut 28:2; Josh 8:34; Proverbs 10:6;  John 14:15; Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38 Acts 8: Acts 8:32-39; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:1-11; 6:23; 8:10-11; Gal 3:26-27;  Eph 2:4-10; Titus 2:11-15; 3:4-8; Col 2:12-13; 1 Peter 3:18-22.