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The Holy Spirit recorded for us in the fifteenth chapter of the Book
of Acts one of the most important events recorded in all of Scripture.
That event is often overlooked by the majority of Christians who lack
understanding of the dynamics of the New Testament as well as the
attending history and culture of the first century. What you will see in
this article, and the ones which follow, is that God
gives us a "pattern" for Gentile engrafting into Israel, the
people of God. Let me say it another way. The New
Testament reveals to us a specific manner by which Gentiles could become
part of the Israel of God. Thus we will explore the inclusion of Gentiles
in the Yeshua Movement recorded for us in the New Testament. This of
course was the Messianic Movement within Judaism which we find enumerated
for us by James as well as Paul in the writings of the New Testament.
Dear students and "truth
seekers" this "pattern of inclusion of the non-Jew into Jewish
worship" was followed well into the fourth and early 5th century
before Roman paganism stamped it out. I must remind you
that these instructions and commands from the Jerusalem synagogue/church,
concerning how Gentiles were to be added and engrafted into believing
Israel, all transpired AFTER THE CROSS which has dramatic importance for
us as "Christians" today. The sad part about the whole matter is
that few Christians today know the history of their faith and how the
Jerusalem Apostles established rigid conditions for Gentiles to become
part of believing Israel, the people of God. Today, lacking such
information and knowledge, we as mainline Christianity accept what is done
by our denominations as being the "standard," yet is it? And if
not, don't you want to know before your die when it is too late to do
anything about it? With this in mind, I have prepared a detailed
examination that will not only challenge you and your religious belief
system, but hopefully stimulate your repentance in areas of belief and
conduct. May God bless your efforts in studying His Word to show yourself
approved. Let us begin.
Answer for yourself: Was the Book of Acts written following the cross and therefore the truths found within the book must therefore apply to the Christian and the Christian Church today? Yes.
Answer for yourself: When we read that Yeshua commanded his disciples and Apostles to go into all the world and "teach them (Gentiles) to observe those things I have commanded you," can we say for certain that one of "those things" which was to be taught and obeyed by Gentiles was the truths contained within the decisions and teachings that came out of the first "church council" in 50 C.E. which laid the foundation for what was "necessary" for Gentiles to be "saved" (Acts 15:28) and also be "included in the Yeshua (Jesus) Messianic Movement and Yeshua's church"? Most assuredly we can and must!
Answer for yourself: As you read the following article, I ask you to be honest in asking yourself that if Gentiles like you and me are to be "taught to obey those things Yeshua commanded," then why is it that you have been in church your whole life and never were acquainted with nor taught to obey the things that you will discover in these articles? You must answer that for yourself.
Answer for yourself: Is it of the remotest possibility that you, after finishing these articles, will come to the inescapable conclusion that you have not been taught the truths concerning many of the foundations of what your faith in God should consist of as commanded by the Jerusalem Church which was not only held in 50 C.E. but which set the very foundations for taking the Gospel and the message of God to the Gentiles like you and me? Most assuredly!
So often many mistakenly believe that the "cross of Christ" altered "this or that" whereby they mistakenly lean on their own understanding or other's erroneous teachings in arriving at conclusions that often set the course of their beliefs, conduct and their behavior which CANNOT be supported by comparison with many Scriptures that "contradict" such conclusions. Therefore, our beliefs, faith, behavior and conduct cannot be RIGHT if contradicted by Scripture and accurate historical analysis and thus we cannot be sure that we are accepted by God if our lives and beliefs do not line up with these facts. Unknowingly, much of the traditional Christian's reasoning violates many Scriptures and such historical analysis and often such reasoning, when conceived in actions and well intentioned deeds, are defined by the Bible as sin and we don't seem to notice it. The root of such is false teaching or the lack of in-depth teaching by the vast majority of Christianity today which seems to focus on "milk" instead of "meat."
Let us begin our study with foundational truths from the Book of
Hebrews chapter 5:
Hebr 5:12 (KJV) For <1063> when for <1223> the time <5550> ye ought <3784> (5723) to be <1511> (5750) teachers <1320>, ye have <2192> (5719) need <5532> that one teach <1321> (5721) you <5209> again <3825> which <5101> [be] the first <746> principles <4747> of the oracles <3051> of God <2316>; and <2532> are become such as <1096> (5754) have <2192> (5723) need <5532> of milk <1051>, and <2532> not <3756> of strong <4731> meat <5160>. 13 For <1063> every one <3956> that useth <3348> (5723) milk <1051> [is] unskillful <552> in the word <3056> of righteousness <1343>: for <1063> he is <2076> (5748) a babe <3516>. {is skillful: Gr. hath no experience} 14 But <1161> strong <4731> meat <5160> belongeth to them that are <2076> (5748) of full age <5046>, [even] those who by reason <1223> of use <1838> have <2192> (5723) their senses <145> exercised <1128> (5772) to <4314> discern <1253> both <5037> good <2570> and <2532> evil <2556>. {of full age: or, perfect} {use: or, an habit, or, perfection}
Let us examine the Greek
word for "teachers":
Lexicon Greek 1320
1320 didaskalos {did-as'-kal-os} from 1321; TDNT - 2:148,161; n m AV - Master (Yeshua) 40, teacher 10, master 7, doctor 1; 58
Answer for yourself: Did the author of Hebrews tell us that only hired preachers are to teach the things of God to others? No.
Answer for yourself: Did the author of Hebrews tell us that we (all) are to teach the "duties" of man toward God to others? Yes. That means we all have to accept our individual personal responsibility to become mature in handling the Word of God; it is not just the responsibility of Pastors and Teachers but all of God's children.
Answer for yourself: Could it be possible that we as adult Christians could be mistaken about much of the Bible and many interpretations of various passages because of the lack of personal in-depth Bible study and by default have failed to teach others correctly because we were taught in error concerning many of the fundamental duties required of us toward God and to our fellowman? It sure is!
Answer for yourself: Did you notice that according to the definition of the Greek word, as found in Christian Lexicons and dictionaries, that the word used by the Holy Spirit for "teachers" relate that we are to "TEACH THE JEWISH RELIGION?" I hope so for this is very important and overlooked my the vast majority of Christians and pastors today. It is in coming to this understanding that we can recover our Jewish Roots of the Christian faith and recover the true "Pattern of Worship" once given by God to Israel to share with all mankind (Gentiles).
Answer for yourself: Did you notice that according to the definition of the Greek word used by the Holy Spirit that those in the religious assemblies of Christians were taught the JEWISH RELIGION? I hope so. This seems almost impossible to believe in light of our personal Christians experiences but yet not only do we find this in the Greek word used in our New Testament but historical analysis as well verifies that non-Jewish believers in God practiced "the Jewish faith"; that is until men like Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Constantine went to great lengths to change all of that.
Answer for yourself: In your Christian Church, be it Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, etc., are you being taught the Jewish Religion as James and the Apostles like Paul intended as seen from the original language in which we find the manuscripts of the New Testament? I would say no and you should as well.
Answer for yourself: If not, why not since this was the Apostle Paul's intention (that is if he is the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews)?
Answer for yourself: As a Christian, have you been taught the JEWISH RELIGION (understood as Messianic Judaism) in your churches or have you been taught a REPLACEMENT RELIGION that considers most everything "Jewish" as being outdated, replaced, or cursed? More than likely the latter.
Let us now examine the Greek word for "oracles":
Lexicon Greek 3051
3051 logion {log'-ee-on} from 3052; TDNT - 4:137,505; n n AV - oracle 4; 4
Answer for yourself: Did you notice that according to the Greek word used by the Holy Spirit in this New Testament Scripture that these believers in Yeshua (Jesus) in the Book of Hebrews were needing to be TAUGHT AGAIN the contents of the Mosaic law because they had not grasped the necessities within the Mosaic Law required for them to begin teaching others? I hope so.
The title “To the Hebrews” designates Jews in distinction from Gentiles. This title was not originally a part of the letter. It may have been added in the second century, when the letters of the New Testament were beginning to be assembled into a collection. It has been suggested that the title “To The Hebrews” was written on the outside of the script rolls to identify the document as the letter we know as the Letter to the Hebrews. Since there is no greeting at the outset of the letter which identifies the original recipients, who they were can only be inferred from the internal evidence within the letter itself. The entire letter indicates the original recipients were a group of Jewish Christians who had endured persecution and who were therefore considering giving up their Messianic beliefs in Yeshua. For them the Messiah had not come and history verifies that according to the Hebrew Scriptures.
Answer for yourself: But what should we see as regarding the non-Jew in this Epistle? We should take strong notice that after the death of Jesus the Laws of Moses were still being taught and the writer of the Epistle of Hebrews did not intend a replacement religion but rather the opposite.
Answer for yourself: Does you Pastor agree with Paul that Christian churches should teach the Mosaic Law (remember this all occurred after the cross and crucifixion and resurrection of Yeshua)?
Acts 15:19-21 19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them (the non-Jews), which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. (KJV)
Answer for yourself: Were you aware previously that believers in Yeshua in the first century, both Jew and Gentile (remember this is written 30 years AFTER THE CROSS) were being taught the contents of the Mosaic Law not only in the synagogues of Palestine but Asia, Minor as well?
Most likely not. It was in the Jewish synagogues in Asia, Minor, and not only in Palestine, that non-Jews were setting under the instruction of the Rabbis and being instructed in their responsibilities regarding their Covenant with God and the Laws and Commandments that framed it. And let us not forget that such instruction came out of the Laws of Moses which we saw above in Hebrews 5. We need realize that it is in this teaching of the Laws of Moses after the time of Jesus' death according to the New Testament that non-Jews found their instruction concerning this "Pattern of Worship" intended for them as found in God's Sabbaths and Holy Days let alone in other forms of worship like prayer, "proper giving", etc.
This is startling and should arouse you from your spiritual slumber as we proceed to discover more truths for too long overlooked by the Gentile Church.
Answer for yourself: If the churches founded by Paul were being taught the Mosaic Law, then why aren't you?
Answer for yourself: Do we pattern ourselves as Christians today after the "Pattern of Worship" taught by James and the other Apostles of the first century? If we can see that these non-Jews kept the Biblical Holy Days and Sabbaths of God then why do we stand for substitutes today? Why do we quote "they continued in the Apostle's doctrine" when we don't?
Please share these papers with your Pastors and see how they will try to refute what the words given by God really say in the original languages in your Bible. It is so simple, for the most part most who will deny what I show you will do so only because they lack the necessary language skill in Greek and Hebrew, for if they had these skills they would have discovered what I and hundreds of other diligent Pastors and Teachers in the Body of Christ have discovered that altered the courses of our lives.
Let us examine the
Greek word for "milk":
Lexicon Greek 1051
1051 gala {gal'-ah} of uncertain affinity; TDNT - 1:645,111; n n AV - milk 5; 5
1) milk
Answer for yourself: Do you see where we as believers are admonished by Paul to not be focused on or dwell on "less difficult Christian truths?" I hope so.
Let us examine the Greek word for "strong":
Lexicon Greek 4731
4731 stereos {ster-eh-os'} from 2476; TDNT - 7:609,1077; adj AV - strong 2, sure 1, stedfast 1; 4
Answer for yourself: Do you see that
by no longer dwelling on "less difficult Christian truths" and
beginning to focus on the deeper truths contained in the Laws of Moses and
the Laws of Noah
contained within them [for instance that Gentiles are commanded to
study and follow the Mosaic Law such as rejecting all forms of idolatry
surrounding the "godman", celebrating and observing the Biblical
Festivals and Sabbaths of the Lord and not pagan "Christianized"
holidays which we have done, keeping the Sabbath instead of Sunday,
righteously giving the Tithe to areas where God said it should be given
and applied and not where your church often directs it, and voluntarily
eating "kosher" which is a Biblical truth "hidden" in
the English wording and translation of your Bibles] will cause our lives
to be strong, steadfast, and we will not be tossed "to-and-fro"
by every conflicting wind of doctrine, even Christian doctrine, much of
which is in error because of the failure of the Pastors and Teachers to
study deeply the truths in the Bible? I hope so.
Let us now examine
the Greek word for "useth":
Lexicon Greek 3348
3348 metecho {met-ekh'-o} from 3326 and 2192; TDNT - 2:830,286; v AV - be partaker 5, take part 1, use 1, pertain 1; 8 1) to be or become partaker
Let us now examine the Greek
word for "have":
Lexicon Greek 2192
2192 echo {ekh'-o} including an alternate form scheo {skheh'-o}, used in certain tenses only), a primary verb; TDNT - 2:816,286; v
AV - have 613, be 22, need + 5532 12, misc 63, vr have 2; 712
Answer for yourself: Is the author of the Book of Hebrews telling us that if we hold to, cling to, possess in our minds, or find ourselves focusing on the elementary truths of our faith, to the neglect of the deeper truths of God's Word, that we will be unskillful in our understanding of the Word of God? He sure is as we see below.
Let us examine the Greek word for "unskillful":
Lexicon Greek 552
552 apeiros {ap'-i-ros} from 1 (as a negative particle) and 3984;; adj AV - unskillful 1; 1
1) inexperienced in, without experience of
Answer for yourself: Is the author of
the Book of Hebrews telling us that if we hold to, cling to, possess in
our minds, or find ourselves focusing on the elementary truths of our
faith, to the neglect of the deeper truths of God's Word, that we will be
unskillful in our understanding of the Word of God and will
not learn to experience the deeper things of God? He
sure is.
This is a
monumental statement because I dare say that we have failed, due to
lack of study to understand the real message in many Scriptures and
passages (both Old and New Testaments), thus we have failed to grasp the
truths that the first century church both knew and experienced and
commanded be taken into all the world to the Gentiles in the Great
Commission. All we have to do is look around and
compare our experience to what we read in the Book of Acts and we can
easily see that "something" is missing.
Let us now examine
the Greek word for "word," as in Word of God:
Lexicon Greek 3056
3056 logos {log'-os} from 3004; TDNT - 4:69,505; n m
AV - word 218, saying 50, account 8, speech 8, Word (Christ) 7, thing 5, not tr 2, misc 32; 330
Answer for yourself: Is the author of the Book of Hebrews telling us that if we hold to, cling to, possess in our minds, or find ourselves focusing on the elementary truths of our faith, to the neglect of the deeper truths of God's Word, that we will be unskillful in our understanding of the Word of God and will not learn to experience the deeper things of God concerning the "sayings of God, the moral precepts of God, the doctrines and teachings of God? He sure is!
Answer for yourself: Does God desires His children to be "unskillful and ignorant" in His words that lead to our righteousness? No. Let us investigate.
Please, dear saints,
pay close attention to the Greek word for "righteousness":
Lexicon Greek 1343
1343 dikaiosune {dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay} from 1342; TDNT - 2:192,168; n f AV - righteousness 92; 92
Answer for yourself: Does one's correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting, which are a direct result of what he believes, have a bearing upon him be acceptable to God? It sure does.
Answer for yourself: Can you see the importance of believing correctly, for if the truths we affix our actions upon are faulty or incorrect, then our conduct and behavior is less than pleasing to God?
Answer for yourself: Is the author of the Book of Hebrews telling us that if we hold to, cling to, possess in our minds, or find ourselves focusing on the elementary truths of our faith, to the neglect of the deeper truths of God's Word (and in the context of Hebrews this meant failing to understand the Mosaic Laws which provide the foundations for one's beliefs and appropriate actions), that we will be unskillful in our understanding of the Word of God and fail to achieve that position of acceptableness before God? He sure is.
Answer for yourself: Are you aware that when Paul said "all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction" that NONE of the New Testament had been written yet and could only refer to the Old Testament (the Law, Prophets, and Writings)?
Answer for yourself: Are you aware
that it would take almost 400 years for the New Testament to be put
together?
Please don't
quit reading the article at this point, for let me remind you that I
didn't choose these words or orchestrate Biblical history but the Holy
Spirit did, and although we might not have heard of these concepts and
doctrines preached from the pulpits of our churches, it does not change
the fact that we will be judged by the Word of God and not by our
denominational doctrines and what we have earnestly believed to be
correct. We must learn today the truth as taken from analysis of the
original words of the passages and Scriptures, Biblical history, Biblical
culture, archeology, etc.
Answer for yourself: Is
the author of the Book of Hebrews telling us that if we hold to, cling to,
possess in our minds, or find ourselves focusing on the elementary truths
of our faith, to the neglect of the deeper truths of God's Word, that
we will
be unskillful in our understanding of the Word of God and fail to
understand and obey the doctrines concerning the way in which we MAY
attain a state of approval before God? He sure is.
Answer for yourself: Do you see that
besides the sacrifice of Messiah that
we play a role in making ourselves acceptable to God as indicated by the
Greek word for "righteousness"?
Answer for yourself: Is the author of the Book of Hebrews telling us that if we hold to, cling to, possess in our minds, or find ourselves focusing on the elementary truths of our faith, to the neglect of the deeper truths of God's Word, that we will be unskillful in our understanding of the Word of God and fail to obtain the CORRECT way of thinking and feeling that ultimately leads to our CORRECT behavior, obedience, and conduct; thus assuring our position of approval before God? He sure is.
Now please pay close attention to this next word!
Let us examine the
Greek root word for "righteousness" which occurs so often in the
New Testament:
Lexicon Greek 1342
1342 dikaios {dik'-ah-yos} from 1349; TDNT - 2:182,168; adj AV - righteous 41, just 33, right 5, meet 2; 81
Answer for yourself: Were you aware before you read this article that being "righteous" contains man's responsibility for observing divine laws and keeping the commands of God?
Answer for yourself: Do you see again the concept of "being approved or acceptable of God" tied to keeping the commands of God and His divine laws?
Answer for yourself: Is the author of
the Book of Hebrews telling us that if we hold to, cling to, possess in
our minds, or find ourselves focusing on the elementary truths of our
faith, to the neglect of the deeper truths of God's Word, that
we will be unskillful in our understanding of the Word of God and will
fail to observe Divine laws and Commandments intended to make us
acceptable to God?
Answer for yourself: Is the author of
the Book of Hebrews telling us that if we hold to, cling to, possess in
our minds, or find ourselves focusing on the elementary truths of our
faith, to the neglect of the deeper truths of God's Word,
that we will be unskillful in our
understanding of the Word of God, believing that these Divine Laws and
Commandments have passed away, thereby assuring that we will fail to
observe these Divine laws and Commandments, thereby hampering making
ourselves acceptable to God? Most assuredly.
Answer for yourself: Is the author of
the Book of Hebrews telling us that if we hold to, cling to, possess in
our minds, or find ourselves focusing on the elementary truths of our
faith, to the neglect of the deeper truths of God's Word, that we will be
unskillful in our understanding of the Word of God and fail
to realize that the commandments of God have NOT passed away, and much
more, fail to obey them? He sure is.
Answer for yourself: Is the author of
the Book of Hebrews telling us that if we hold to, cling to, possess in
our minds, or find ourselves focusing on the elementary truths of our
faith, to the neglect of the deeper truths of God's Word, that we will be
unskillful in our understanding of the Word of God and
fail to
think, feel, and thus act in a manner pleasing to God, thus not assuring
our "acceptance" before God? As hard as it
may be for you to accept this concept, the original words of the Greek
manuscripts from which we take a poor English translation say otherwise.
Let us examine the
Greek word for "babe":
Lexicon Greek 3516
3516 nepios {nay'-pee-os} from an obsolete particle ne- (implying negation) and 2031; TDNT - 4:912,631; adj
AV - child 7, babe 6, childish 1; 14
Answer for yourself: In other words,
if we fail to study for ourselves, is there any way we can be assured that
we are being taught Biblical truths by those we subject ourselves unto?
No! The sad
thing is that we spend our whole lives "hoping" our life-styles
are pleasing to God, where if we would have studied, learned, and repented
where necessary, we could have had confident assurance that we are both
acceptable to God and a good witness of Him to others.
Answer for yourself: Has the failure
on our part to study the Bible, the original languages of the Bible,
Biblical history and culture "in-depth" robbed us of vital
information so necessary to our proper love and obedience to God? Most
definitely.
Answer for yourself: Is the first
church council of Jerusalem, which was headed up by the Apostle James in
50 C.E. LOADED with hidden truths which, when known, should alter the
course of the Christian's life? Most definitely! Let us continue our
investigation as we dig out these truths for our lives.
As you can see, this momentous church council occurred in 50 C.E. in
Jerusalem and speaks to the Christian today. Sadly, very few Christians
have known the extent of what is taught in Acts 15, nor heard their Pastor
or Teacher teach on the subject. The participants at this first church
council are the zakenim (elders) and sh'likiim (apostles) which formed the
foundation for this new Messianic movement within Biblical Judaism.
Let
us never forget that Yeshua's church is built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, and not the Baptists or the Catholics,
yet the majority of Christians today know very little about "apostolic
doctrine," and it was this "apostolic doctrine" which the
church of Jesus Christ "steadfastly continued in!"
This means that the "Apostle's
Doctrine" is Jewish Doctrine! It is time we reinterpret "Jewish"
not as "cursed" but "Biblical"!!!
Instead we know only our "denominational and non-denominational" doctrines, which more often than not, conflicts and opposes "Apostolic Doctrine" which Yeshua and the Apostles both believed, taught, and commanded taken to the Gentiles throughout the world in fulfillment of the Great Commission.
You may have never noticed, but the Great Commission of Matt. 28 DOES NOT SAY to take Yeshua or his "identity" to the world, or some later "hammered-out Christology" conceived over the next 3 centuries by Rome or their disguised "Sun Worship" be taken into all the world but rather it commands that the Commandments, the Torah and the Law of Moses is to taken unto the Gentiles throughout the whole world for it is within these Laws of Moses we find our Laws of Noah repeated and the ways by which we can make ourselves "acceptable to God" as had the Jews. This is so, so important to realize!
"Not so" you say, well lets investigate and I promise you that you will be amazed by what you will now learn.
Let us continue in the second article to lay the foundations that are necessary for us to correctly understand how Gentiles were to come to God and be accepted into Yeshua's church ("fitting" into Yeshua's church is called "engrafted" by Paul in Romans 9-11). Shalom
Bennoah1@airmail.net