Beliefs 16–18 address three separate areas of covenant life: marriage, baptism, and health. Believers of the Way United teaches that marriage is a sacred covenant ordained by YHWH at creation between one man and one woman. It is not merely a social arrangement, but a divine institution meant to reflect faithfulness, order, responsibility, and covenant commitment.
We also affirm baptism by immersion as the public response of a repentant believer — a declaration of death to the old life and resurrection to new life through Yeshua the Messiah. Alongside this, we teach that the body is the temple of the Spirit of YHWH and must be honored through wise stewardship. These beliefs are distinct, but each reminds us that faith must touch the visible areas of life: our relationships, our repentance, our bodies, and our daily walk before YHWH.
16. MARRIAGE
The belief that marriage is a sacred covenant ordained by YHWH at creation — between one man and one woman — reflecting the relationship between YHWH and his covenant people. It is not a human invention or a social contract subject to redefinition, but a divine institution established in the Garden, honored throughout the Scriptures, and upheld by Yeshua the Messiah as the eternal standard for human partnership and family.
Old Testament
Genesis 1:27-28 — Genesis 2:18 — Genesis 2:21-24 — Genesis 24:67 — Deuteronomy 24:5 — Proverbs 5:18-19 — Proverbs 12:4 — Proverbs 18:22 — Proverbs 19:14 — Proverbs 31:10-12 — Ruth 1:16-17 — Song of Solomon 2:16 — Song of Solomon 8:6-7 — Malachi 2:14-15 — Malachi 2:16 — Leviticus 18:22 — Leviticus 20:13 — Isaiah 54:5 — Jeremiah 29:6 — Ezekiel 16:8
New Testament
Matthew 5:31-32 — Matthew 19:4-6 — Matthew 19:8-9 — Mark 10:6-9 — Mark 10:11-12 — Luke 16:18 — John 2:1-2 — Romans 7:2-3 — 1 Corinthians 7:2-3 — 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 — 1 Corinthians 7:39 — Ephesians 5:22-23 — Ephesians 5:25-28 — Ephesians 5:31-33 — Colossians 3:18-19 — 1 Timothy 3:2 — Hebrews 13:4 — 1 Peter 3:1-2 — 1 Peter 3:7 — Revelation 19:7-9
17. BAPTISM BY IMMERSION
The belief that baptism is not a sprinkling of infants or a merely symbolic religious ceremony, but a full immersion in water of a repentant, believing adult — a public declaration of death to the old life and resurrection to new life in covenant with YHWH through Yeshua the Messiah. It follows repentance, precedes the reception of the Spirit, and identifies the believer with the death and resurrection of Yeshua.
Old Testament
Genesis 1:2 — Genesis 7:1-7 — Exodus 14:21-22 — Exodus 29:4 — Leviticus 14:8-9 — Leviticus 15:13 — Leviticus 16:4 — Numbers 8:7 — Numbers 19:19 — 2 Kings 5:14 — 2 Kings 5:10 — Psalm 51:2 — Psalm 51:7 — Isaiah 1:16 — Isaiah 44:3 — Ezekiel 36:25-26 — Ezekiel 36:27 — Zechariah 13:1 — Job 9:30-31 — Isaiah 52:15
New Testament
Matthew 3:6 — Matthew 3:13-17 — Matthew 28:19 — Mark 1:4-5 — Mark 1:9-10 — Mark 16:16 — Luke 3:21-22 — John 3:5 — John 3:22-23 — Acts 2:38 — Acts 2:41 — Acts 8:12 — Acts 8:36-39 — Acts 10:47-48 — Acts 16:30-33 — Acts 22:16 — Romans 6:3-5 — Galatians 3:27 — Colossians 2:12 — 1 Peter 3:21
18. HEALTH MESSAGE
The belief that the body is the temple of the Spirit of YHWH and must be honored, nourished, and cared for as an act of worship and stewardship. YHWH’s health principles — found in the dietary laws, the Sabbath rest, temperance, and care for the whole person — are not outdated regulations but timeless wisdom for physical, mental, and spiritual flourishing. True health is holistic — body, mind, and spirit cared for in obedience to the Creator.
Old Testament
Genesis 1:29-30 — Genesis 2:15 — Exodus 15:26 — Leviticus 11:1-3 — Leviticus 11:44-45 — Numbers 6:3 — Deuteronomy 14:3 — Deuteronomy 23:12-14 — 1 Kings 19:5-8 — Proverbs 3:7-8 — Proverbs 20:1 — Proverbs 23:20-21 — Proverbs 23:29-32 — Ecclesiastes 10:17 — Isaiah 58:6-8 — Daniel 1:8 — Daniel 1:11-15 — Daniel 1:17 — Psalm 103:2-5 — Jeremiah 30:17
New Testament
Matthew 4:23 — Matthew 6:22-23 — Matthew 8:16-17 — Luke 4:18 — Luke 13:11-13 — John 10:10 — Acts 10:38 — Romans 12:1-2 — Romans 13:13-14 — 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 — 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 — 1 Corinthians 9:27 — 1 Corinthians 10:31 — 2 Corinthians 7:1 — Galatians 5:19-21 — Ephesians 5:18 — 1 Thessalonians 5:23 — 1 Timothy 4:8 — 3 John 1:2 — Titus 2:11-12
Foundations of the Way is a seven-part teaching series designed to walk readers through the fundamental beliefs of Believers of the Way United. These articles provide a clear introduction before readers explore the full Scripture references and doctrinal statements.