Backgrounder

We affirm that God is faithful, unchanging, and keeps His covenants and promises to individuals and nations. (Numbers 23:19, Lamentations 3:22-23, Deuteronomy 7:8-9, Romans 4:21, Romans 11:29, 2 Timothy 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Hebrews 13:8, Revelation 1:8)

We affirm that these covenants include the restoration of creation; the formation and preservation of the Jewish people; the promise of a land for the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; and blessings for all nations through Jesus the Messiah. (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:18-21, Isaiah 49:5-6, Luke 2:29-32)

We affirm that Jesus, the promised Messiah, is Jewish and lived in the land of Israel – a necessary, important, and critical part of the gospel narrative. (Matthew 1:1-2, Romans 1:3, 9:4-5)

We affirm that God loves Jews, Arabs, those who live in the Middle East, and all humanity, and that He sent His Son, Jesus the Messiah, to redeem and reconcile them to Himself and to one another. (Jeremiah 31:1-3, Isaiah 19:20-25, Jeremiah 49:38-39, Joel 2:32, John 17:22-23, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

We affirm that Jesus, Messiah of Israel, Son of David, and Lord of all nations, died for sins, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day, so that through Him, forgiveness and cleansing from sins, personal renewal, and everlasting life is given as a gift from God to all who believe in Him, whether Jew or Gentile. (Psalm 2:1-12, 16:5-11, Isaiah 28:16, 52:13-53:12, Hosea 6:1-3, John 3:14-17, 7:37-38, 8:34-36, 10:27-30, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:16-17)

We affirm the importance of the Great Commission, to “make disciples of all nations” – so Jews, Arabs, those who live in the Middle East, and all humanity may receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life by trusting in Jesus as Messiah and Lord. (Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 1:16, 10:9-10, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 24:45-49, John 1:9-13, John 14:6, John 3:16, Acts 1:8)

We affirm that Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus retain their unique identities in the Messiah, even as they form the spiritual unity Jesus prayed for and created through His death and resurrection, reflecting the full shalom of God. (John 17:20-23, Ephesians 2:11-22, Revelation 5:9-10, Revelation 7:9)

We affirm that the preservation of the Jewish people despite centuries of persecution and violence, and the return of millions of Jewish people to the Land of Israel, demonstrate that God is capable of keeping His promises and fulfilling His covenants. (Jeremiah 31:31-37, Jeremiah 33:19-26, Romans 11:25-29)

We affirm that all efforts to bring the message of Jesus to Israel and the nations should be characterized by respect for ethnicity and culture, communicated with unconditional love, honesty, and clarity. (Matthew 4:23-25, Matthew 9:35-38, Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-17)

We affirm and fully support the growing Messianic movement in Israel and around the world, whereby Jewish followers of Jesus cherish and express their Jewish identity in Jesus the Messiah. (Romans 11:1-2, Romans 11:5)

We affirm that Jesus said, “blessed are the peacemakers” – thus, the Church should faithfully pray for and humbly work towards peace, security, justice, and reconciliation between Israel and her Arab neighbors, and encourage a culture of love, respect, and unity among all followers of Jesus the Messiah in the Holy Land. (Psalm 133:1, Psalm 122:6, Micah 6:8, Matthew 5:9, John 13:34-35, John 17:20-23)

We affirm that God will keep His promises to Israel, that one day “all Israel will be saved” by turning to Jesus, and the Messiah Jesus will return to establish His kingdom for Israel and all the nations of the world with blessings for all. (Isaiah 2:1-4, Isaiah 11:6-12, Romans11:11-15, 25-29, Matthew 23:37-39)