THE THIRTEEN PRINCIPLES OF THE JEWISH FAITH - An Approach to Jews

 by Dr. Hank Lindstrom

In the twelfth century Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, also known as Maimonides, and frequently called Rambam (b. 1135; d. 1204), formulated the "Thirteen Principles of Faith."  These are the chief relationship between Judaism and Christianity.  They thus also suggest an approach to the Jewish heart and mind in our seeking or bring them to faith in Messiah Jesus.

The Scripture references (supplied by William Ford) which have been appended to the various Principles of Faith are merely suggestive of many more that each witness to Jewish people may bring forth in his presentation of Jesus of Nazareth as the fulfillment of Israel's hope.

1. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is the Creator and Guide of everything that has been created, and He alone, has made, does make, and will make all things.  (Genesis 1:2; John 1:1-4; 14)

2. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is One, and that there is no unity in any manner like unto His, and that He alone, is our God, who was, is, and will be.  (Trinity in Unity, Isaiah 6:3; Genesis 18:2)

3. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is not a body and that He is free from all the properties of matter, and that He has not any form whatever.  (John 4:24-God is a spirit.)

4. I believe with perfect faith that to the Creator, blessed be His Name, is the first and the last.  (Revelation 1:11)

5. I believe with perfect faith that to the Creator, blessed be His Name, and to Him alone, it is right to pray and that it is not right to pray to any being besides Him.  (Exodus 20:1-3).

6. I believe with perfect faith that all the words of the prophets are true.  (Acts 10:4)

7. I believe with perfect faith that the prophecy of Moses, our teacher, peace be unto him, was true, and that he was the chief of the prophets, both of those who preceded and of those who followed him.  (Luke 24:44; Acts 3:22)

8. I believe in perfect faith that the whole Torah (law) now in our possession is the same that was given to Moses our teacher, peace be unto him.  (John 1:17; Romans 3:2)

9. I believe with perfect faith that the Torah (law) will not be changed, and that there will never be any other Law from the Creator, blessed be His Name.  (Matthew 5:17-18)

10. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, knows every deed of the children of men, and all their thoughts as it is said.  It is He that fashioned the heart of them all, that giveth heed to all their works.  (Hebrew 4:12-13)

11. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, rewards those that keep His commandments, and punishes those that transgress them.  (Hebrews 2:33)

12. I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah; and though he tarry, I will wait daily for his coming.  (Luke 2:25-29)

13. I believe with perfect faith that there will be a revival of the dead at the time when it shall please the Creator, blessed be His Name, and exalted be His Name for ever and ever.  (John 11:24; Acts 24:15)

"For thy Salvation I hope, O Lord!  I hope O Lord, for Thy Salvation!  O Lord, for Thy Salvation I hope!"


How pathetic the heartrending wail in the conclusion to those thirteen Principles.  The word in the Hebrew for salvation is Yeshuah, in the Hebrew the very name of our blessed Jesus, the only Hope of Israel, the promised Messiah-Redeemer!