While it is the hope that everyone part of Sojourn Fellowship Church will share the same beliefs and understanding of scripture, it is to be expected that we will have some differences. There is one foundational belief that we must all share, however, if we hope to have any fellowship at all; Jesus is the Son of YHWH.
He is the Christ, our messiah, our savior, and our high priest. Only by faith in him, his sacrifice, and resurrection can we be atoned, and our hope secured in an eternal life with our Father YHWH. All other beliefs and understandings are built on this foundation and, if we hold this to be true, we can come together in worship.
Matthew 3:17; 1 John 4:10; Luke 3:22; Romans 1:4; John 3:16-21; 1 Peter 2:21-25; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Corinthians 5:7; John 1:29; Ephesians 2:4-10; Colossians 2:8-10; Romans 5; 2 Corinthians 6:14-15; 2 John 1:6-11; James 4:1-4
The gathering of believers is for the purpose of worshipping YHWH, helping each other, spreading the Word of God, and providing for those who need it. It is not about listening to one man's thoughts in a room full of people that hardly know each other. The services of Sojourn Fellowship Church will be focused on fellowship, engaging in spiritual matters, open conversation, and providing resources for whoever needs it.
Food will be provided every service, and sermons will be of a dynamic nature, open to discussion and respectful debate. This comes with the understanding that all who participate do so in good faith and with a heart that genuinely yearns to grow and honor YHWH.
1 Corinthians 14:26; 1 Cor. 11:17-34; Hebrews 10:24-25; Hebrews 13:16; 1 Peter 4:7-11; Acts 2:42-47; Proverbs 22:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11; Galatians 6:1-10
There is only one true God through whom all things have been made. By His unfailing love and mercy, He sent to us His son, Jesus, as the ultimate sacrifice that we may be found blameless and spend eternity in His presence . In all that we do, we do in service of Him.
Deuteronomy 4:35-39; Psalm 86:10; John 1:3; James 2:19; Isaiah 45:5-6; Genesis 2:4; Proverbs 3:19; Isaiah 42:5; John 17:3; John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-11; Hebrews 5:5; Colossians 1:16; Matthew 6:24; Luke 4:8
Jesus, son of YHWH, born of a virgin, is the Christ our messiah. Though tempted, He never sinned and overcame death. Through His perfect life, death, and resurrection, He has become the sacrificial lamb in which our salvation lies. No one comes to YHWH the Father except through Jesus, and salvation rests in faith in Him alone. We await the return of our savior, Jesus, who lives and is seated at the right hand of YHWH.
Isaiah 7:14; John 3:16; Luke 1:26-38; 1 Peter 2: 21-22; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 5:7; John 1:29; Ephesians 2:4-10; Colossians 2:8-15; Romans 5; 1 John 2:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; James 5:7-8; Revelation 22; Hebrews 12:2
The disobedience of YHWH, sin, has been committed by all of mankind. The cost of this debt is death and it must be paid for in blood. Jesus, being the only one able to resist sin in His time on earth, shed His own innocent blood to pay for the debts of all who would believe in Him. Sin cannot be paid for through any effort of our own; only the blood of Christ can redeem us. Salvation comes only through the acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice and the belief that he is the Messiah, the only Son of YHWH.
1 Kings 8:46; Romans 3:21-26; Genesis 2:16-17; Leviticus 4; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:22; Colossians 2:8-15; Romans 5; Ephesians 2:4-10; Acts 16:31; John 3:16-17; Galatians 2:16; John 5:24; John 14:6-7
YHWH made the earth in six days then rested on the seventh, declaring it as holy. We are commanded to regard this sabbath day and likewise rest from all usual labor. YHWH established this as a statute forever. YHWH promises that those who keep it will be refreshed for the work ahead. Jesus kept the sabbath, teaching that it was made for us, not the other way around, thus we are permitted to do good, spiritual work should the need arise. Since the sabbath is a day of holy convocation, the primary church services will be held on Saturdays.
Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11; Exodus 31:16-17; Exodus 23:12; Isaiah 58:13-14; Mark 2:23-28; Matthew 12:10-13; Leviticus 23:3
Much like the sabbath, YHWH has given us His own holidays, the feasts, as a statute to keep forever. Holidays and celebrations are often invigorating and joyous occasions; how much more wonderful is it to celebrate the days that were given to us by YHWH Himself? In all our ways we are commanded to be like Christ. Jesus kept these feast days, so we do as well. The holy days we keep:
Passover
The Feast of Unleavened Bread
The Feast of the Firstfruits
The Feast of Weeks
The Feast of Trumpets
The Day of Atonement
The Feast of Tabernacles
Leviticus 23; Exodus 12:14; Numbers 9:14; Numbers 15:15-16; 1 John 2:6; Ephesians 5:1-2; John 15:12-17; 1 Peter 2:21; Luke 22:7-12; John 7:1-24
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14).
Revelation 19:11-13 tells us that the rider on the white horse is called "The Word of God." Other verses as well show that "Word of God" is another title bestowed on Jesus our savior.
Jesus is the Word of God.
John 1:1-14; Revelation 19:11-13; Luke 11:28; Ephesians 6:17; 1 Peter 1:22-23; Hebrews 4:12
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The 66-book bible we have today is a type of codex or volume. It is a collection of scriptures inspired by YHWH. The codex being used during Jesus' time on earth is believed to have been the Septuagint which consists of the Tanakh (i.e. the Old Testament) and the Apocrypha. Many other codices of varying scriptures were created by church leaders throughout the centuries; however, it is up to the Holy Spirit to reveal to us which are truth in YHWH.
We do ourselves a disservice by not testing the merit of any book beyond today's 66-book canon; we are commanded to test the spirits of those around us. While we cannot confidently attest to every deuterocanonical scroll, there are many that provide rich additional context to the Bible such as the Maccabees.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 John 4:1-6; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 1 John 2:26-27; John 14:26-27
We do not teach anything nor recognize any tradition that cannot be supported by scripture. Traditionalism without respect to YHWH's words is how the Pharisees conducted themselves; many churches today are following in their footsteps, introducing doctrine that is not righteous.
We do not cling to any denomination but instead focus on scriptural observance. We do not hold sacred name theology; a name is a name however it is translated, what matters is the heart. We do not hold to any specific English Bible translation tribalism. The scriptures in the Bible were written in a few different languages, but none in English. Whichever translation anyone chooses to use is perfectly fine so long as the teachings found within have not been obfuscated.
Mark 7:1-13; Colossians 2:8; Romans 15:4; Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Works, the keeping of the law, is how we serve YHWH. Though we are saved by faith in Christ alone, works are the testament to said faith. Those who believe have died to sin and live in righteousness; in faith, we cannot go on sinning as we desire to serve YHWH. In doing works, we store treasure in presence of our God.
Matthew 22:36-38; 1 John 5:3; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4-10; Colossians 2:8-15; Romans 5; 1 John 2:23; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:4-10; Romans 6; 1 Corinthians 3:8-15; Mathew 16:27; Revelation 22:12
Throughout scripture, marriage is clearly painted as a sacred union between man and woman under YHWH. Sojourn Fellowship Church will not lend its time nor resources to conduct any marriage ceremony that falls outside of this model. Same-sex weddings, as well as secular weddings, shall not be performed nor otherwise facilitated under Sojourn Fellowship Church.
1 Corinthians 7:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5:22-23; Romans 1:21-28; Matthew 19:3-8; 1 Corinthians 7:39
As one is saved by a spiritual baptism in Christ Jesus, we understand baptism by water to be a public declaration of one's dedication to YHWH. Since water baptism is a work, we do not require nor expect this of anyone, however, it is encouraged if one has never taken this step before.
Similarly, as faith in Jesus and the decision to serve YHWH is a personal matter that cannot be made by others, we do not celebrate, conduct, nor recognize the dedication of children by their parents or guardians. One's genuine faith cannot be decided by another.
John 3:18; Revelation 3:20; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:20-22; Acts 19:2-6
We understand that the purpose of a convocation is to worship YHWH and to lift each other up. Being concerned with how one dresses, or is able to dress, is distracting and trivial. Whether one comes in pajamas or in a nice suit, it is not the point of the matter; our hearts need to be genuine in our desire to serve YHWH. The only expectation we hold is that everyone within Sojourn Fellowship Church dresses within reason and not to intentionally provoke. Be spiritually modest.
James 2:1-4; 1 Timothy 2:9-10; Deuteronomy 22:5
The consumption of alcohol is supported all throughout scripture. Its use is permitted, but its abuse is not. We are to be sober-minded and filled with the spirit, not wine. Alcohol may be present during Sojourn Fellowship Church's more significant services, but this comes with the understanding that all who partake will be responsible with their consumption; drunken conduct will not be tolerated.
Isaiah 62:8-9; Deuteronomy 14:22-26; 1 Corinthians 11:27-29; Proverbs 31:4-6; Ephesians 5:18; Isaiah 5:11; Proverbs 23:29-35; Matthew 26:27-29
With the understanding that the church survives by the mercy of our God YHWH and by the generosity of our brothers and sisters, we expect that donations are not imparted begrudgingly, but done so with a cheerful, loving heart. We will not impose nor expect arbitrary amounts to be given. Each person should give as much or as little as they feel urged to by YHWH.
Acts 20:35; Matthew 10:42; 1 John 3:17; Proverbs 22:9; Psalm 112:5; Luke 21:1-4; Matthew 23:23-24; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; James 2:15-16