What we believe
Welcome to Kehilat HaMashiach, a virtual worship community serving both Jewish and Gentile believers from Spokane Valley and beyond. We are devoted to proclaiming Messiah Yeshua and exploring the rich, biblical heritage of faith rooted in the Scriptures. We encourage you to seek deeper understanding through the Ruach HaKodesh as you explore what guides our worship and life.
Our foundation in G-d and Scripture
We believe in One G-d as declared in The Shema (Deut. 6:4), Who is "Echad", a compound unity eternally existing in three persons: G-d the Father, G-d the Son, and G-d the Ruach (Holy Spirit) (Isa. 48:16-17; Gen. 1:1; Ex. 3:6; Eph. 4:4-6). We affirm the full deity of Messiah Yeshua (Isa. 9:6; John 1:1, 14), His virgin birth (Isa. 7:14), His sinless life, His atoning death (Isa. 53; Ps. 22), His bodily resurrection, His ascension, and His promised return in power and glory. We uphold the entire Bible—both the Tenach and the Brit Chadasha—as the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of G-d (Ps. 119:89; Prov. 3:5-6; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Torah remains G-d's perpetual covenant with Israel, revealing His holy nature and eternal standard of truth. Though humanity is separated from G-d through sin (Isa. 59:2; Eccl. 7:20; Ps. 53:3; Isa. 64:5-6), reconciliation is freely provided through repentance and faith in Yeshua.
The roots of our faith and shared heritage
In the first century, the earliest followers who inquired into and walked with Yeshua were primarily Jewish. Practices such as the Passover (Pesach) Seder flourished in that era, where both believers and non-believers explored its rich significance and recognized how Yeshua illuminated its sacred meaning. First-century biblical customs were shared and lived out within the community of faith (1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 2:15). Today, many Gentile believers have become separated from the original Jewish foundations of their faith. While Gentile believers are not expected to change their identity or adopt Jewish cultural customs, rediscovering this biblical heritage enriches the understanding of Messiah's life and teachings.
Understanding Torah and walking in truth
Common misunderstandings can arise when approaching the Torah. Some Gentile believers mistakenly assume they must adopt traditional Jewish dress or covenantal markers such as eighth-day circumcision, which contradicts New Covenant instruction. Conversely, others mistakenly view Torah study as falling under Paul's warning against "coming under the law" (Gal. 5:18). Careful Scripture study clarifies that Gentile followers are not under the Mosaic Covenant, as the Brit Chadasha guides which principles apply, while Jewish believers remain covenantally responsible to G-d as guided by the New Covenant. While not everyone is called to the Messianic movement, all believers are invited to seek the guidance of the Ruach HaKodesh and grow continually in love and faith in Messiah.