About Us
Beit HaSha’ar Messianic Fellowship is a Jewish concentric congregation for both Jew and Gentile just off of Highway 280, in Phenix City, AL. We are a Torah pursuant congregation centered around Yeshua (Jesus) HaMashiach, The Messiah of Yisra'el's God. Our particular branch of Judaism was established over 2000 years by our Rabbi Yeshua and his talmidim (disciples), and continues to grow to this day. Our faith and practice is sincerely based on the Torah of the God of Yisra'el and His Messiah Yeshua. One of the greatest mitzvahs (commands) that we seek to keep as our Messiah Yeshua did was the great mitzvah to love God with all of our heart, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Rabbeinu Yeshua taught us that it was by this that we would be known as His talmidim. Our goal is to live a life of Torah, like our master did, but to also strive to love like He did. We hope that you will feel the love of HaMashiach when you visit!
If you are Jewish and are curious about the Messiah of Yisra'el and would like to learn more, please contact us. The most Jewish thing you could possibly do is believe in the Mashiach of Yisra'el. Both He and all His original talmidim are Jewish. In fact, the Apostolic Writings (New Testament) were written all by Jews. It is this first century Messianic faith that we seek to teach and restore. There is no need to continue to look for HaMashiach for He already came to Tziyon during the season of history that the sages of old first expected Him to. The Hebrew prophets described what He would do, as seen in Yesha'yahu (Isaiah) chapter 53.
And, if you are Gentile, this is also the place for you! We believe it is the plan of the God of Yisra'el to bring together both Jew and Gentile into one people to serve and worship Him. We are incomplete without you! We believe the commonwealth of Yisra'el consists of Jewish people and any of those from the Nations whom like Ruth have been grafted into Yisra'el (Romans 11, Ephesians 2). God's teaching (Torah) is equally for any Jew or Gentile who decides that they want to stop living according to the ways of the world to begin living according to the ways of Yisra'el's God (B’Midbar/Numbers 15:15-16). Many Christians ask the question, "What would Jesus do?" If they seek to be true disciples of The Master, they will seek to learn how He really lived His life and do likewise. And, like any good Rabbi, Yeshua the Messiah lived and taught a life centered on the precepts of the Torah. He also expected His disciples to do the same (Matthew 5:16-19).
"All scripture is God-breathed and is valuable for teaching the truth, convicting of sin, correcting faults and training in right living, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." – 2 Timothy 3:16
Does something seem incomplete in your faith and practice? Come and join us for our next Shabbat service!
If you are Jewish and are curious about the Messiah of Yisra'el and would like to learn more, please contact us. The most Jewish thing you could possibly do is believe in the Mashiach of Yisra'el. Both He and all His original talmidim are Jewish. In fact, the Apostolic Writings (New Testament) were written all by Jews. It is this first century Messianic faith that we seek to teach and restore. There is no need to continue to look for HaMashiach for He already came to Tziyon during the season of history that the sages of old first expected Him to. The Hebrew prophets described what He would do, as seen in Yesha'yahu (Isaiah) chapter 53.
And, if you are Gentile, this is also the place for you! We believe it is the plan of the God of Yisra'el to bring together both Jew and Gentile into one people to serve and worship Him. We are incomplete without you! We believe the commonwealth of Yisra'el consists of Jewish people and any of those from the Nations whom like Ruth have been grafted into Yisra'el (Romans 11, Ephesians 2). God's teaching (Torah) is equally for any Jew or Gentile who decides that they want to stop living according to the ways of the world to begin living according to the ways of Yisra'el's God (B’Midbar/Numbers 15:15-16). Many Christians ask the question, "What would Jesus do?" If they seek to be true disciples of The Master, they will seek to learn how He really lived His life and do likewise. And, like any good Rabbi, Yeshua the Messiah lived and taught a life centered on the precepts of the Torah. He also expected His disciples to do the same (Matthew 5:16-19).
"All scripture is God-breathed and is valuable for teaching the truth, convicting of sin, correcting faults and training in right living, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." – 2 Timothy 3:16
Does something seem incomplete in your faith and practice? Come and join us for our next Shabbat service!
Our Mission
The vision and mission of Beit HaSha’ar Messianic Fellowship is first and foremost to provide a meeting place for like-minded believers to come together to worship The God of Yisra'el and to share fellowship with one another. We will provide a synagogue, ministry, and community where our Jewish brothers and sisters can come and practice a life of Torah and Judaism centered on the Messiah of Yisra'el; Yeshua. Thus, it will be our goal to foster a Hebraic culture that provides a combination of both traditional and contemporary Jewish practice and expression.
*We do invite and encourage our brothers and sisters from other denominations (gentiles) to join us in these practices and expressions. But, those who come from a Christian Church background shouldn't expect that we will act or look like their former church and should realize that we are a Jewish synagogue and space, practicing a form of Judaism...specifically, the Judaism of The Lion of Judah.
On that note, the Emissary Sha'ul (Paul) has not only said "to the Jew first", but he also said, "and also to the Gentile" (Romans 2:9-10). Therefore, although we have a primary focus on proclaiming the B'sorot Tovot (Good News) and to provide a place of worship to the Jew first, our mission is also focused on making disciples of all those who take hold from the nations for Yeshua the Messiah, as our Master commanded us in Mattityahu (Matthew) 28:19-20. Therefore, being a teaching ministry for both Jews and those from the Nations, is also one of our most important missions. Part of our witness to both Jew and Gentile is to build a healthy community of believers who love each other and love the Torah and mitzvot (instruction & commands) of our great and awesome God. Our goal is to love the God of Yisra'el, and our fellow man. But, to do this we must establish the Torah, the instructions, of Adonai (The Lord) in our community as a standard for living; for His Torah describes what His love looks like. Therefore, it will be our goal to teach others about a Messianic Torah based life in honor of our God and King. As we move forward it will be our mission to be a light unto the World by creating a healthy community in which Beit HaSha’ar may show their love for one another as they care for one another, to the glory of our Father in Heaven. It will be our goal to bring both Jew and Gentile together into one body of people (Yochanan/John 10:16), following one Torah/Instruction (B’Midbar/Numbers 15:15-16, Mattityahu 5:16-19), having one Messiah (1 Corinthians 8:6), and serving one God (Devarim/Deuteronomy 6:4). In this way, our light will shine, to the glory of our Father in Heaven, The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords!
To sum up our mission; it is to love God and our fellow man in deed and not word only. We are commanded by Yeshua our Messiah to let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in Heaven. These deeds are given in the Torah of Moshe (Moses) and reveal clearly our Heavenly Father's will for mankind. The Word is even very near; it is in our mouths and hearts that we may do it! (Devarim 30:10-14) In these last days we cannot afford to be complacent. We must not forsake coming together to fellowship, worship, and serve our great King! If you believe in the mission of Beit HaSha’ar do not let us be separated! Let us come together and be found doing the work of The Kingdom at the coming of our Lord and Savior, Yeshua (Jesus) The Messiah.
"And let us consider one another, to incitement of love and of good works, not forsaking the assembling together of ourselves, as is the custom of some, but exhorting, and by so much more as you see the Day drawing near." - Ivrim (Hebrews) 10:24-25
*We do invite and encourage our brothers and sisters from other denominations (gentiles) to join us in these practices and expressions. But, those who come from a Christian Church background shouldn't expect that we will act or look like their former church and should realize that we are a Jewish synagogue and space, practicing a form of Judaism...specifically, the Judaism of The Lion of Judah.
On that note, the Emissary Sha'ul (Paul) has not only said "to the Jew first", but he also said, "and also to the Gentile" (Romans 2:9-10). Therefore, although we have a primary focus on proclaiming the B'sorot Tovot (Good News) and to provide a place of worship to the Jew first, our mission is also focused on making disciples of all those who take hold from the nations for Yeshua the Messiah, as our Master commanded us in Mattityahu (Matthew) 28:19-20. Therefore, being a teaching ministry for both Jews and those from the Nations, is also one of our most important missions. Part of our witness to both Jew and Gentile is to build a healthy community of believers who love each other and love the Torah and mitzvot (instruction & commands) of our great and awesome God. Our goal is to love the God of Yisra'el, and our fellow man. But, to do this we must establish the Torah, the instructions, of Adonai (The Lord) in our community as a standard for living; for His Torah describes what His love looks like. Therefore, it will be our goal to teach others about a Messianic Torah based life in honor of our God and King. As we move forward it will be our mission to be a light unto the World by creating a healthy community in which Beit HaSha’ar may show their love for one another as they care for one another, to the glory of our Father in Heaven. It will be our goal to bring both Jew and Gentile together into one body of people (Yochanan/John 10:16), following one Torah/Instruction (B’Midbar/Numbers 15:15-16, Mattityahu 5:16-19), having one Messiah (1 Corinthians 8:6), and serving one God (Devarim/Deuteronomy 6:4). In this way, our light will shine, to the glory of our Father in Heaven, The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords!
To sum up our mission; it is to love God and our fellow man in deed and not word only. We are commanded by Yeshua our Messiah to let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in Heaven. These deeds are given in the Torah of Moshe (Moses) and reveal clearly our Heavenly Father's will for mankind. The Word is even very near; it is in our mouths and hearts that we may do it! (Devarim 30:10-14) In these last days we cannot afford to be complacent. We must not forsake coming together to fellowship, worship, and serve our great King! If you believe in the mission of Beit HaSha’ar do not let us be separated! Let us come together and be found doing the work of The Kingdom at the coming of our Lord and Savior, Yeshua (Jesus) The Messiah.
"And let us consider one another, to incitement of love and of good works, not forsaking the assembling together of ourselves, as is the custom of some, but exhorting, and by so much more as you see the Day drawing near." - Ivrim (Hebrews) 10:24-25
Statement of Faith
- We believe the Bible, both the TaNaKh and the K'tuvei Sh'lichim (Torah, Prophets, Writings, and Apostolic Writings), to be the inspired authoritative Word of God.
- We believe in One God, whom manifested Himself in three ways as, the Father, the Messiah (the Son), and the Holy Spirit. He is One and has always been one. We declare the watchword of all Yisra'el - The Sh'ma ("Hear O Yisra'el, YHVH our God, YHVH is one" Deuteronomy 6:4) teaches that God is one (Echad). God is the creator and ruler of all things. He alone has made, does make, and will make all things. He alone is our God. He was, He is and He will be. He is the first and the last, the Aleph (Alpha) and the Tav (Omega), and besides Him there is no other. (Isaiah 43:11)
- We believe that Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus The Messiah) is The Anointed One all of the scriptures point to, and also the primary builder of The Kingdom of Heaven. We believe in His virgin birth, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to heaven, and in His personal return in power and glory to judge the living and the dead. (John 1:1 & 14)
- We believe man was created in the image of God. Although, through disobedience man fell from his first state and became separated from God. Men are sinners both by nature and choice. All men since Adam's fall are born with this "fallen" sinful nature (Psalm 51:5) and as such are creatures under the wrath of God. This fallen state consists of two pieces: the first piece is called original pollution and the second piece is called original guilt. Original pollution refers to the sinful state and condition into which every human is born. This sinful state of everyone also gives everyone a sinful nature that makes it utterly impossible for us to follow God faithfully and to do what is good and right in His eyes. Therefore original guilt is what makes condemns us all. Original guilt is what makes every human ever born fully deserving of God's wrath and our death.
- We believe for the redemption of "fallen" sinful men regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. Repenting of personal sin and turning to God's ways, a personal faith in the Lord Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah), and the fruit of the Spirit manifesting itself in a holy life are evidences of this regeneration. God's redemption has always been accomplished by a personal faith and trust in Him. Works of The Law (Torah), or any righteous acts has not and will not redeem anyone from sin and its consequences.
- We believe in the present ministry of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) by Whose indwelling the believer is enabled to live a holy life unto God.
- We believe all the words of the biblical Prophets are true.
- We believe it is only proper to pray to The God Of Yisra'el. One may not pray to anyone or anything else.
- We believe in the resurrection of both the redeemed and the lost; they that are redeemed unto the resurrection of life, and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
- We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Yeshua HaMashiach.
- We believe in spiritual gifts given through the Ruach HaKodesh to the individual believer such as prophecy, healing, word of knowledge, and the gift of tongues, etc.
- We believe the Torah (The Law) is holy, just, and good as the apostle Sha'ul (Paul) has stated (Romans 7:12). The Torah is profitable for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16), not as a means of justification, but as a path of sanctification. The Torah we have today is the same Torah given to Moshe (Moses) by the mouth of El Shaddai at Mount Sinai. The Torah will not be changed nor another given by God.
- We believe God rewards those who keep His commandments and punishes those who transgress them (Devarim 5:9-10, Mishlei/Proverbs 28:9, 1 John 3:22).
- We believe God has given His people the Mo’edim (sacred calendar of feasts/festivals). This calendar is a "shadow of things to come", and teaches spiritual truths about our Lord Yeshua the Messiah and God's Plan for mankind. These holy days are the "testimonies of God" (Devarim 6:17) and are a great benefit to building the faith of the believer. They speak of God's faithfulness and deliverance; therefore we observe and celebrate them with great joy.
- We believe the Sabbath was given to mankind at creation for our good and that it is a delight to observe. The Sabbath as a spiritual discipline brings both refreshment and rejuvenation to body and soul. We believe the Sabbath is every seventh day of the week from sundown Friday night to sundown Saturday night. The Sabbath commandment is the only one of the Ten Commandments God cautions us to remember. Yeshua the Messiah testified that the Sabbath was created for man, and intended as a blessing, but man turned it into a burden.
- We believe it is the calling of all believers to share the "Good News" of the coming Kingdom and to live a life transformed by the Spirit of God following our Lord's example of love toward God, and all mankind. We are to be agents of God's redemptive work in this "fallen" world.
Concerning Doctrines
Finally, there are a few harmful doctrines that have made their way into certain sects of the Messianic Movement that we do not accept and believe are false doctrines not to be promoted with people in our community, whether they are at the synagogue, in our homes, or elsewhere. They are as follows:
* Any theology that teaches that any book from B’Reisheit (Genesis) to Revelation is not valid as Holy Scripture, including the Emissary Sha'ul's (Paul's) writings.
* Any teaching that communicates that we should receive an extra-Biblical book or books as scripture or as authoritative over the body of Messiah in addition to the traditional books of scripture already received by the body of Messiah as found between B’Reisheit to Revelation. For example, extra Biblical texts or books would include the book of Morman, the works of Ellen G. White, and the Koran, etc. or any other such literary work. This would even include misusing otherwise helpful Jewish literary works such as the Talmud and Mishnah by attempting to elevate them to the level of the Torah and the Word of Adonai.
* Any theology that teaches Torah has been done away with (Mattityahu 5:16-19).
* Any theology that teaches that Torah is not for those of the nations whom have put their trust in Yeshua The Messiah and whom have thereby become part of the commonwealth of Yisra'el (B’Midbar 15:15-16, Ephesians 2, Romans 3:31).
* Any replacement theology that teaches that any group of people has replaced the Jewish people.
* "Two House Doctrine" Also known as "Ephraimite Theology"
* "Sacred Name" theology
* "Kariate" theology
* "Lunar Sabbath" Theology
* "Dayspring/Sunrise Sabbath Heresy" Theology
* Teaching that communicates that women should be Torah teachers, Rabbis, or Elders over the men within the congregation. It is also our practice (in accordance with the UMJA) that only the men hold a leadership position. Based upon Rabbi Sha’ul’s injunction in 1 Timothy 2:11-15, the leadership of Beit HaSha’ar believes that it is inappropriate for a woman to be in teaching authority over men. Note: We would not consider a woman teaching Messianic Jewish dance or Children's ministry within the congregation to be a violation of this.
* In addition, while it seems ridiculous to even have to mention...we have seen some people taking on a "Flat Earth" doctrine that they try to make a theological forte, and thus it must be mentioned - No, we don't accept that the Earth is flat, but that it is in fact scripturally and factually a sphere. Our congregation is not recommended for those who feel like the flat earth doctrine needs to be taught.
* Any theology that teaches that any book from B’Reisheit (Genesis) to Revelation is not valid as Holy Scripture, including the Emissary Sha'ul's (Paul's) writings.
* Any teaching that communicates that we should receive an extra-Biblical book or books as scripture or as authoritative over the body of Messiah in addition to the traditional books of scripture already received by the body of Messiah as found between B’Reisheit to Revelation. For example, extra Biblical texts or books would include the book of Morman, the works of Ellen G. White, and the Koran, etc. or any other such literary work. This would even include misusing otherwise helpful Jewish literary works such as the Talmud and Mishnah by attempting to elevate them to the level of the Torah and the Word of Adonai.
* Any theology that teaches Torah has been done away with (Mattityahu 5:16-19).
* Any theology that teaches that Torah is not for those of the nations whom have put their trust in Yeshua The Messiah and whom have thereby become part of the commonwealth of Yisra'el (B’Midbar 15:15-16, Ephesians 2, Romans 3:31).
* Any replacement theology that teaches that any group of people has replaced the Jewish people.
* "Two House Doctrine" Also known as "Ephraimite Theology"
* "Sacred Name" theology
* "Kariate" theology
* "Lunar Sabbath" Theology
* "Dayspring/Sunrise Sabbath Heresy" Theology
* Teaching that communicates that women should be Torah teachers, Rabbis, or Elders over the men within the congregation. It is also our practice (in accordance with the UMJA) that only the men hold a leadership position. Based upon Rabbi Sha’ul’s injunction in 1 Timothy 2:11-15, the leadership of Beit HaSha’ar believes that it is inappropriate for a woman to be in teaching authority over men. Note: We would not consider a woman teaching Messianic Jewish dance or Children's ministry within the congregation to be a violation of this.
* In addition, while it seems ridiculous to even have to mention...we have seen some people taking on a "Flat Earth" doctrine that they try to make a theological forte, and thus it must be mentioned - No, we don't accept that the Earth is flat, but that it is in fact scripturally and factually a sphere. Our congregation is not recommended for those who feel like the flat earth doctrine needs to be taught.