7 Things that “Faith Interrupted” says isn’t in the Bible, but it really is…

Normally I don’t post rebuttals to people’s opinions. Proverbs 18:2 states “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” However, I think that people need to realize that we are told not to lean on our own beliefs (our own understanding) but rather that we are to lean upon Christ and the understanding that flowed down from Heaven.A friend of mine shared an article about seven things Christians believe are in the Bible, but are not. She cited that her aunt is a graduate of a seminary and her uncle an ordained minister. However, being a graduate of a seminary doesn’t mean that your beliefs are right and neither does being an ordained minister. Tonight I am going to prove that these seven things are in the Bible. Why is this important I hear you say? Because as Christians we can’t allow, Satan have any amount of space in our lives. We give him one ounce and he takes the entire cake.

**my list runs 1-7; while the article does a countdown**

                Let’s look at the list:

1.       The Rapture.

The Article: “It comes from a particular theology that was created around 100 years ago – an admittedly interesting concoction, composed of random pieces from Daniel, Revelation, and Paul’s letter to the Christian community in Thessalonica – and has been snatched up by plenty of theologians who act as though this was handed down by God before the creation itself. A brilliant assessment of this harmful, dangerous, and totally non-biblical theology can be found in Barbara Rossing’s The Rapture Exposed.  

 

The Truth: In the original text of 1 Thessalonians 4:17 we find that the Greek word is harpadzo. It means to be “caught up.” Before you all flip and say well the word Rapture isn’t in the Bible, let me correct you and say that you are failing to realize that the true meaning of harpadzo is “rapture.” Proof is found in the fact that Jerome, in the 4^th century composing his translation used the word rapturo. It is from that point that the word has come to be a favorite to describe the event in which Christ comes to call up His church.

 2.       God hates_____________________ (Fill in the blank)

The Article: Sorry, Westboro Baptist.  I’m not talking about Levitical codes or even judgment and damnation.  Show me the verse that has those words.

The Truth:  There are 6 things that God hates, look at the verses of Proverbs 6:16-19. While the things that we would think of Westboro Baptist as hating may not be listed, it doesn’t mean that God approves of them either.

 3.        Everything Happens for a Reason

The Article:  This is often coupled with other horrific theological statements said during times of tragedy – e.g. “God must have needed another angel/flower-in-the-garden/whatever” – that simply have no biblical basis. There is, you might say, a trajectory of God and God’s people, heading towards a final future of God’s commonwealth on earth – but the idea of things happening for a reason is often much more simplistic and harmful, and is often said because we don’t know what else to say. Luckily, it’s not in the Bible we’re fond of quoting at people.

The Truth: Ecclesiastes 1:1-8 even says “for everything there is a season.” Anyone who says this isn’t in the Bible has evidently NEVER read the Bible.

 4.        God is in Control

The Article: Nope.  If anything, story after biblical story shows a God whose mind is changed (Genesis 18:16-33; Exodus 32:1-14; the story of Jonah).  There are also stories that go off the deep end (i.e. the entire account of the Judges), where God is seemingly nowhere in sight.
This is a difficult concept, I know.  If God isn’t all-powerful the way we’ve been taught, then what can we believe in?  This is where we have to remind ourselves that our very concept of power is routinely subverted in the biblical story – most alarmingly in the story of Jesus, and his seemingly weak, powerless, and outright shameful death on the Roman version of the electric chair, the cross.

The Truth: Oh, Where to Start?!? Let’s look at Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Oh, Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” What about Isaiah 45:6-7 “That people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things.” All these and many more talk about the God of Control. Does God change His mind? Of course, but it’s only because of the pouring out of the hearts of those who LOVE Him.  Dutch Sheets said in his book Intercessory Prayer “the concept of intercession can be summarized as mediating, going between, pleading of another, representing one party to another for but not limited to legal situations.” So yes, God’s mind can be changed, doesn’t mean He isn’t in control.

 5.        We must accept Jesus into our hearts as our personal Lord and Savior.

The Article: Nowhere does Jesus ask for this particular act to be done (much less say that it’s necessary for salvation) – he says a lot about inviting people to follow him, but doesn’t seem concerned about the act of “accepting” him into one’s heart.

The Truth: The truth of the matter is that the Bible does teach Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior.  Our sins are OURS and we commit them; they are personal sins. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We can also look at John 3:16b “For WHOSOEVER believes in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life.” Accepting Jesus as your personal savior, the one who SAVED YOUR PERSON through HIS death and resurrection is Biblical.

 6.        Jesus died for our sins

The Article: Whoa, don’t freak out.  Walk with me for a second. At least, this particular idea doesn’t come from the mouth of Jesus himself.  It’s nowhere in the Gospel accounts of his life (Mark, Luke, Matthew, or John). The closest we get are in the words of Paul (which, it’s important to remember, do not encompass all that Jesus the Christ was/is/will be).  In his letter to the Christian community in Rome (3:25) and his first letter to the one in Corinth (15:4), Paul wrestles with this idea (especially in the latter, where the words “Christ died for our sins” is right there, although it’s followed with “in accordance with the scriptures,” which begs the question – which scriptures?  The Hebrew Scriptures?  The Gospel stories?).

The Truth: Simply look at the Gospels to see that Jesus did die for the sins of the world, even in his old age, John wrote in one of his letters 1 John 2:2 “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” Once the disciples and those who were with Christ realized why he had died, they began to minister the gospel of Christ’s death. But even Christ himself said in John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

 7.       God helps those who help themselves

The Article: No.  Stop saying this.  The quote is William Shakespeare’s to claim.  But, even more than that, the biblical witness points to the opposite of this particular phrase.  Again and again, God calls people who can’t seem to pull themselves up by their bootstraps – Mary, David, and Moses, to name a few.

 

The Truth: While this exact saying ins’t in the Bible, it doesn’t mean that it’s ideal isn’t placed in Scripture. I will concede on this one, but I do have something to say about helping oneself. In terms of salvation, we are all utterly helpless. We are all infected by sin (Romans 3:23), and condemned as a result of that sin (Romans 6:23). Nothing we can do on our own can remedy this situation (Isaiah 64:6). Thankfully, God is the helper of the helpless. While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus paid the penalty that we were incapable of paying (2 Corinthians 5:21). God provided the “help” that we need precisely because we could not help ourselves. Apart from salvation, there is perhaps a way that the concept “God helps those who help themselves” is correct. As an example, if you asked me to help you move a piece of furniture, but then just watched me as I moved the furniture for you, I was not actually helping you. I would be doing the work for you. Many Christians fall into the trap of inactivity. Many Christians ask God for help, but then expect God to do everything Himself.

 Sources Cited:

The Popular Handbook on the Rapture; Tim LaHaye, Thomas Ice and Ed Hindson

Intercessory Prayer; Dutch Sheets

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001.

The Article: http://faithinterrupted.blogspot.com/2013/11/top-seven-things-people-think-are-in.html

Legalism: The cancer of many Churches…

Disclaimer: Please do not think that I am discouraging people from following the Law of Moses, rather that I am teaching against the legalistic view that if you don’t, you can’t be saved.

“You have cancer.” A statement that many people in this country will hear and none of them want to. It’s hard news to hear and so much uncertainty resides in it. Is there a cure or is it by a rule one of  those that “can’t be cured.” Church it’s time to face the fact that we have cancer. You may be asking yourself “what is the cancer that we suffer?” Simply put, the cancer that the church suffers is legalism. The concept of “boxing” God into self-serving theological concept that has no biblical basis or balance” [1]. In the broader sense legalism is the concept that salvation depends on the total obedience to the letter of the law—one such example is the excessive concern for minute details of the law, neglecting the fundamental concerns and preoccupation with human legal traditions. [2] Pastor Max Lucado states “‎A legalist believes the supreme force behind salvation is you.”

To the believer, legalism represents a fatal misunderstanding of the purpose of the law. People who are legalistic in their teaching, show a major misunderstanding—one that ancient Israel was dependent upon for salvation. Romans 9:30-32 what shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 

Paul wrote in Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” When Paul wrote these words, the Judaizers were stating that one has to follow a standard set of rules and regulations to be saved. They were boxing God into a self-serving concept; thereby becoming dependent upon their own good to be saved. At the Council of Jerusalem, it  was said

For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” (Acts 15:28-29)[3]

For Paul adopting these laws may have been the maximum which was required to be adopted into the religious community of the 1^st Century. For Peter, this would have been the minimum. He would have probably hoped that believers would have seen this as an open door  to become followers of the Torah. This is honorable; and as far as I know many people don’t have a problem with this understanding. Granted the one quote people use to justify their actions of legalism is:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20) [3]

Jesus did not come to this earth for the purpose of acting as an opponent of the law. His goal was not to prevent its fulfillment. Rather, He revered it, loved it, obeyed it, and brought it to fruition. He fulfilled the law’s prophetic utterances regarding Himself (Luke 24:44). Christ fulfilled the demands of the Mosaic Law, which called for perfect obedience under threat of a “curse” (Galatians 3:10, 13). In this sense, the law’s divine design will ever have an abiding effect. It will always accomplish the purpose for which it was given. [4]

            To keep the law in its legalistic form means that you must remain dead to Christ. The Farm and Ranch Review reports that a London young woman was wrongly identified “as a drowning victim and declared dead at the inquest.” How does she now react to the decision? The coroner declares: “Once a verdict is recorded it can only be altered by the High Court, and until they quash the  verdict you must remain legally dead.” In the law alone, we will remain dead to the Lord and on judgment day the Lord will find that “the high court” hadn’t switched or altered the verdict; yet through Christ, who is our bondsman and ransom, the verdict is changed and we gain life.

           

I do not write this to discourage people from following the Laws of Moses, but rather to recognize that legalistic following  leads to nothing more than death. The Law was sent to show us how Holy God is and how wretched we are in our human nature. Rabbi Sam Nadler states “Objective reading of the Scriptures makes it plain; the Law reveals our sinfulness and not our righteousness. The Law is like a perfect mirror that can only reveal our flaws, but can do nothing to improve them…As we read the actual Scriptures, as opposed to the rabbinical traditions concerning the Law, we face a holy and yet loving God. Before Him we fall morally short, but we also see the One who has provided the promise of forgiveness and life to all who will trust in His Word.” [5]

Resources:

1)  Olford, Stephen F. and David L. Olford. Anointed Expository Preaching, p 31. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

2)  Manser, Martin H. Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser, 2009.

3)   The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, Ac 15:28–29. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001. All scripture taken from this version, unless otherwise stated.

4)    http://www.gotquestions.org/abolish-fulfill-law.html

5)   Nadler, Sam. The Messianic Answer Book, p 22-23. Charlotte, NC: Word of Messiah Ministries, 2004

Faith: Rachel Understands Judaism Best

Many times, I am introduced in this manner “This is Rachel, she’s Messianic.” My friends and family often wonder how and why I have chosen to identify as Messianic instead of Christian. And many times I don’t have a ready answer, but truthfully, my own Christian faith makes much more sense in terms of Judaism.

However, my chosen path has never been easy—my family is devoutly Christian—evangelical Christian. I can’t tell you the times early on that I tried to express my faith in terms of Judaism and I got taken out to dinner by family members eager to tell me “Rachel, don’t you realize that Jesus is the only way to heaven?” While during those early years I wanted to “please” my family, I realized that pleasing God was worth so much more than pleasing the family.  Even while in seminary at Liberty University, I chose to write all my papers from a Messianic Jewish point of view and many times, Professors (men and women with Doctorate degrees) would email me stating I had made them think differently.

But why did I choose my belief system? That is my family’s main concern; and how can they change me. Truth is they can’t change my beliefs. I have chosen to look at faith through the eyes of a Jewish person. I love Jewish people—and prefer to work with them and do business with them. But what I really like about Judaism is that it’s a living faith. Not a faith that starts out all fire hot and cools with time, but rather it’s a faith that continues to warm, become deeper and more a part of your lifestyle.  Christianity for its most part becomes a faith that doesn’t deepen, instead it feels as if you get stuck spinning your tires; while waiting to see what happens next. You are told to go out and convert others, and become judgmental.

For me, I wanted to stop spinning my tires and start living my faith. There is something sacred about wrapping a tallit around my shoulders before I pray; there is something of blessing that comes with hanging a mezuzah upon the doors of my home—something that says “this is a sanctuary where God dwells.”  Rachel the Christian still exists but she recognizes that her heart has had a conversion—and it has become an expression of faith in Hebraic roots instead of in Constantine’s Roman Christian belief.

Biblical Faith vs. Traditions of Man

I have been asked recently, “Why, if you are a Christian, do you write so much or care about Judaism?” As a Christian, my goal is to become obedient to the God that my ancestors worshiped and walked with.  Truth is, the first members of the Christian movement were Jewish and they held to Jewish principles of the time. Rabbi David Wolpe says “To see Jesus as he was is difficult to isolate from the rift it represented from Jewish history. To see Jesus as he was is a difficult task because of the legacy left toward the Jewish people by Christianity.”[1]

Within Judaism, Christianity historically represents pain and persecution, efforts of understanding sabotaged by hatred, rejection, belittlement and horror. Think about it, from the Spanish Inquisition all the way to modern day Palestine Christians have done very little to help the people of Israel except to try to help them change.

Historically Speaking:

Notable converts from Judaism who themselves attempted to convert other Jews are more visible in historical sources beginning around the 13th century, when Jewish convert Pablo Christiani attempted to convert other Jews. This activity, however, typically lacked any independent Jewish-Christian congregations, and was often imposed through force by organized Christian churches.[2] In Eastern Europe, Joseph Rabinowitz established a Hebrew Christian mission and congregation called “Israelites of the New Covenant” in Kishinev, Ukraine in 1884. Rabinowitz was supported from overseas by the Christian Hebraist Franz Delitzsch, translator of the first modern Hebrew translation of the New Testament. Rabinowitz created a sample order of worship for Sabbath morning service based on a mixture of Jewish and Christian elements. Mark John Levy pressed the Church of England to allow members to embrace Jewish customs. In the 1890s, immigrant Jewish converts to Christianity worshiped at the Methodist “Hope of Israel” mission on New York’s Lower East Side while retaining some Jewish rites and customs. Missions to the Jews saw a period of growth between the 1920s and the 1960s. In the 1940s and 50s, missionaries in Israel, including the Southern Baptists, adopted the term meshichyim (משיחיים “Messianics”) to counter negative connotations of the word notsrim (נוצרים “Christians”, from “Nazarenes”); the term was used to designate all Jews who had converted to Protestant evangelical Christianity. In the 1970s, a growing number of young Jews who had converted to Christianity were committed to maintaining a culturally Jewish lifestyle, in the mode advocated by Rabinowitz in the 19th century. Going against the thinking of the older members of the Hebrew Christian movement, they believed that different methods of evangelism of Jews were needed.

Theology and Doctrine:

In general, essential doctrines of Messianic Judaism include views on God (that he is omnipotent, omnipresent, eternal, outside creation, infinitely significant and benevolent—viewpoints on the Trinity vary), Jesus (who is believed to be the Jewish Messiah, though views on his divinity vary), written Torah (with a few exceptions, Messianic Jews believe that Jesus taught and reaffirmed the Torah and that it remains fully in force), Israel (the Children of Israel are central to God’s plan; replacement theology is opposed), the Bible (Tanakh and the New Testament are usually considered the divinely inspired Scripture, though Messianic Judaism is more open to criticism of the New Testament canon than is Christianity), eschatology (sometimes similar to many evangelical Christian views), and oral law observance varies, but most deem these traditions subservient to the written Torah). Certain additional doctrines, including those on sin and atonement and on faith and works, are more open to differences in interpretation.

How then shall we Worship?

Worship services are generally held on Friday evenings (Erev Shabbat) or Saturday mornings. According to the Southern Baptist Messianic Fellowship (SBMF), services are held on Saturday to “open the doors to Jewish people who also wish to keep the Sabbath”. The liturgy used is similar to that of a Jewish siddur with some important differences including the omission of “salvation by works” as the Messianic belief is Salvation through Jesus.

Beliefs of the SBMF, Objectives and Ethical Statements[3]

SBMF Beliefs:                                                                     

We believe that the Torah, the prophets and the Holy Writings were given by God through ancient Jewish holy men who wrote as God directed them. We believe that this collection of inspired writings, the Tanach (Old Testament), is true and inerrant.

We believe that the New Covenant is the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Tanach, especially of Jeremiah 31:31 (verse 30 in some editions) in which God promised to give to Israel a New Covenant. We believe that the Tanach and the New Covenant comprise the Divinely given, inerrant Word of God, which is God’s complete and final revelation.

We believe that Yeshua, Who was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth, is the Divine Son of God, the Son of David of the Tribe of Judah, the true Messiah prophesied in the Torah, the Prophets and the Holy Writings (Genesis 49: 10; Deuteronomy 18: 15 – 18; Isaiah 53; Jeremiah 23:5- 6; Micah 5:2 [1]; Psalm 2; Psalm 22; Proverbs 30:4; and many more!)

We believe that all people of the world are invited to be a part of Israel’s New Covenant by trusting in Israel’s Messiah, (Isaiah 42:6-7; 49:6; 60:3).

We believe that forgiveness of sin comes only through a blood atonement as stated in the Torah (Leviticus 17: 11) and that the only atonement God accepts today is the atonement made by Messiah Yeshua (Psalm 2: 12; Isaiah 53: 10-11; John 14:6; Acts 4: 12).

We believe that Messiah Yeshua was resurrected from the grave to be the eternal Priest of the New Covenant (Psalm 16: 10).

We believe that Messiah Yeshua is coming back to earth to rule the earth in a Kingdom of Righteousness. We believe that He came the first time as the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 to make atonement for sin, And that He is returning to set up God’s Kingdom on earth (Isaiah 2; Isaiah 11; Daniel 7; Matthew 19: 27-28).

 

The SBMF is Committed to Certain Objectives:          

1. The worship of Yeshua Hamashiakh (Jesus Christ) as Lord and Saviour.
2. The evangelism of the world’s Jewish population in the belief that Yeshua IS THE Jewish Messiah as well as the Son of God and Saviour.
3. To encourage Jewish believers that their ethnic and historical heritage need NOT be lost upon their commitment to Yeshua.
4. To encourage planting of Messianic Jewish congregations and fellowships as worship homes for Jewish believers and their families.
5. To encourage the Church to partner with us in evangelizing the Jewish people.
6. To follow the Baptist Faith and Message.

We are ready to meet the people in churches to discuss and bring the message of the need for this biblically mandated ministry (Romans 1:16).

 

Ethical Statement Relating to Jews and Gentiles:        

Since we believe that Yeshua is the true Jewish Messiah Who takes away the sin of the world, and that we are Scripturally obligated to present this “good news” to everyone, we resolve that:

1. We will try to present the message of redemption through the atonement of Messiah Yeshua with love and compassion to Jews and Gentiles throughout the world.
2. We strongly condemn anti-Semitism and all derogatory statements or actions against any ethnic, racial, or religious groups.
3. We will abstain from the use of trickery or deception in presenting the message of salvation through Messiah Yeshua. Also. it is not our intent to forcibly present this message during our attendance at traditional Jewish places of worship. Religious gatherings, or at public or private events which are organized by the traditional Jewish community.
4. Since it is commonly accepted in the Jewish community at large that “it is not what you believe that makes you a Jew. but who you are.” those of us who are Jewish and believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is the true Messiah of Israel will continue to identify ourselves as Jews.
5. Those of us who are Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua and follow the cultural ways of our ancestors will not claim to represent Traditional Judaism.

The Beliefs of the MJAA

THE MJAA Believes: That the BIBLE, consisting of the Tenach (Old Covenant/Testament) and the later writings commonly known as the B’rit Hadasha (New Testament/Covenant), is the only infallible and authoritative word of God. We recognize its divine inspiration, and accept its teachings as our final authority in all matters of faith and practice (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverbs 3:1-6; Psalm 119:89, 105; Isaiah 48:12-16; Romans 8:14-17; II Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17).

What we believe…

We believe that the Shema, “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4), teaches that God is Echad, as so declared: a united one, a composite unity, eternally existent in plural oneness [Genesis 1:1 (Elohim: God); Genesis 1:26 “Let Us make man in Our image”; Genesis 2:24 Adam & Eve were created to be as one flesh (basar echad)], that He is a personal God who created us (Genesis 1 & 2), and that He exists forever in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as mentioned in Romans 8:14-17 (Father, Spirit, and Messiah – Son) and Matthew 28:18-20 (immersing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

He is Our Heavenly Father as shown in: John 6:27b; I Corinthians 1:3; Galatians 1:1; Revelations 3:5, 21; Jeremiah 3:4, 19; 31:9; Malachi 1:6; Matthew 6:9, 32; Luke 10:21-22; John 1:14; 4:23; 5:17-26; 6:28-46; Romans 8:14-15.

God does have a Son who was and is and will return (Psalm 2; Proverbs 30:4-6 (cf. Hebrews 1); Luke 12:35-37; John 1:29-34, 49; 3:14-18). The Son, called Yeshua (Jesus), meaning salvation, came to this world born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14 (cf. Luke 1:30-35)). The Son is God (Deity), and is worshipped as God, having existed eternally (Psalm 110:1 (cf. Hebrews 1:13); Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 28:18-20; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-19; Revelations 3:21 (Hebrews 1 – worshipped by angels); Revelations 4:8, 5:5-14). This One is the promised Mashiach (Messiah) of Israel (Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1; Daniel 9 (especially verses 20-26); Isaiah 53; John 1:17, 40-41, 45, 49; Mark 8:29). He is the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star (Numbers 24:17; Revelations 22:16). He is our Passover, the Lamb of God (I Corinthians 5:7; Revelations. 5; John 1:29).

Introduced in Genesis 1:2b: “And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” In the Tenach, the Spirit of God came upon individuals during the times of our forefathers, like Moses, David (see II Samuel 23:1-3), and the Prophets, for the specific purposes.

In the New Covenant, the Messiah Yeshua, promised His disciples that “the Comforter” would come to them after He was gone, described as the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17, 26), who was with them and would be in them. Yeshua further declared that the Spirit of Truth, would guide us into all truth and would glorify Him – the Messiah – not Himself (John 16:13-15). He empowers us (Acts 1:8). The Spirit of God seals us (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30 (see NIV and Jewish New Testament versions)). If we have not the Spirit, we are not His (Romans 8:9). He leads us and teaches us (Romans 8:14-17). His indwelling enables us to live a godly life. Acts 2:38 says, “Repent, be immersed, and receive the Holy Spirit.”

Men and women are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), however because of disobedience, mankind fell from the first state and became separated from God (Genesis 2:17; 3:22-24). Therefore, according to the Scriptures, all humans are born with a sinful nature (Psalm 14:1-3; 49:7; 53:13; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:9-12, 23; 5:12).

Our only hope for redemption (salvation) is through the atonement made by the Messiah (Leviticus 17:11; Isaiah 53; Daniel 9:24-26; I Corinthians 15:22; Hebrews 9:11-14, 28; John 1:12, 3:36), resulting in regeneration by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5), which is the new birth (John 3:3-8). For by grace we are saved through faith, it is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

We believe in the resurrection of both the redeemed and the lost: the former to everlasting life and the latter to eternal separation from God, a state of everlasting punishment (Job 14:14; 19:25-27; Daniel 12:2-3; John 3:36; 11:25-26; Revelations 20:5-6, 10-15; 21:7-8).

The Scriptures promised two “comings” of the Messiah.

First coming:

Promised in Daniel 9:24-26. The initial coming’s purpose was to make atonement (covering) for sin (Daniel 9:24-26; Isaiah 53; Romans 3:21-31; Hebrews 9-10; John 3:16-17)—as the Suffering Messiah. The Redeemer shall come to Zion (Isaiah 59:20-21; Zechariah 14:4).

Second coming:

The Messiah Yeshua will return to the earth as King (Revelations 19:11-16). Upon His return, a many wonderful thing will happen: He will bring with Him an army of the Heavenly hosts, and those who went on before us (Revelations 19:14) and those who are still on earth will meet in the air to receive the believers to Himself (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 14:1-6; I Corinthians 15:51-57).

 

If we look at the beliefs of a clearly Messianic Jewish group (lead by Messianic Jews), and that of a made up (Southern Baptist Messianic Group) group lead predominately by Gentiles, we note that our beliefs are pretty close to the same—the question is though why have we moved from our Jewish roots of faith to embrace a false tradition set up by man? Everything we need to know about true Christianity is found or should be found in the Bible and not in man’s traditions.

I urge you to look at your faith; Are you following God faithfully or are you following man and man’s traditions?

---

[1] Young, Dr. Brad H. Jesus The Jewish Theologian. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1995.

[2] Flannery, Edward H. The Anguish of the Jews. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1985 (1999).

 [3] Southern Baptist Messianic Fellowship. 2008. http://sbmessianic.net/about.shtml (accessed October 29, 2013).

Never put off a Mitzvah (A command from God)

Imagine that you are in the military. You are given a command, do you put it off or do it immediately? Given that the command could be a matter of life and death, you will probably do what you are ordered immediately. Should things be different when it comes to the commands of God?

The concept of Mitzvah to the Jewish people is that God has given us a set of commands that we are to follow. Unfortunately Christians many times think that because of grace, God has somehow excused us from following these commands; or we will say “God has only given us the 10 commandments to follow and they sum up the other 603.” As a follower of Jesus (Yeshua) it is hard for me to understand why we don’t do what God has asked us. Jesus, himself Jewish, did not disobey the commandments, nor did he teach anyone else to break them either. So why do we as Christians feel that it’s okay to forget God’s Law? For Christians the answer is grace. But Jesus himself says “If you love me, you will obey my commands.” (John 14:15) Many times we forget that when someone asks us to do something; the best way that we can show we love them is to obey them.

As we read through the Bible and we see the various Mitzvah that God has given us, why do we put it off? Maybe it’s because our lives get busy and we think “I’ll do this or that later.” Then later never comes—let’s look at it this way “Dough put on the back burner will ultimately ferment or sour; because of the slow rate, it will become unfit for use. And the same is true of our obligations. We say: “I’ll get to this really soon, but I have to back-burner it for now.” And “soon,” the opportunity sours. Our sweet dreams turn into bitter reality. Just as the matzah dough eventually rises, whether we want it to or not, and is spoiled, so too opportunities slip by, like it or not, and are lost.”^[1] If we have a chance to do a mitzvah, we should grab it, for that opportunity may not present itself again.

Never put off a Mitzvah when it comes your way; the blessing of doing the Mitzvah will also pass you by.

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^[1] Michael Katz and Gershon Schwartz, Searching for Meaning in Midrash: Lessons for Everyday Living (Philadelphia, PA: The Jewish Publication Society, 2002), 99.

How Dare We…continue to live in the SIN of SILENCE!

I am writing this message, not only to my readers, but also to myself. I am tired of living a life of silence about my faith in Jesus! Did you know our silence is a sin? We, as Christians are commanded to “GO!” and make from the nations disciples who will in turn tell others of Jesus and make disciples of them? So if we don’t go, tell and make disciples, then we are in complete disobedience to the “great commission.” 

 

For us to remain silent is to remain in sin, to literally disobey God’s word and command! In 2 Corinthians 5:20, we, believers are called Ambassadors for Christ. So what exactly is an ambassador? According to Evangelism is…it is 1) a diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as representative in residence by one government or sovereign to another; 2) A diplomatic official heading his or her country’s permanent mission to certain international organizations such as the United Nations; 3)an authorized messenger or representative.

 

We are AMBASSADORS for CHRIST. We have experienced new life offered by forgiveness of our sins. We must NOT keep it to ourselves. To tell others of our salvation and forgiveness is our obligation and permanent mission. As ambassadors for Christ, we are the representative in residence from the Kingdom of Light to the Kingdom of Darkness. How dare we keep quiet!

Do Christians Need Shabbat?

           This question came to me recently. However, before I could or can give the reasons for Shabbat (Sabbath Observance) I have to give you the correct definition about what Shabbat actually is.

           So what is Shabbat? With God it pertains to creation. It’s the seventh day, the day that God looked at His creation, and then rested. Shabbat is literally a time to “Cease or desist” whatever you are doing. It is a time that is Holy and set-apart to give us 24 uninterrupted hours to focus on the Lord. It’s the time to cease our busy-ness and examine the eternal aspects of our lives.  (Rubin 1998) Since it was created for us, the least we can do is to treat it special. As my friend Robin once said “I need this moment of “Ahhh”; this moment where I am able to separate myself from the world and worship; especially after a busy week.”

 

So special is the Shabbat that the Lord commanded Israel in the wilderness to collect twice as much manna on the 6^th day, because on the 7^th day there would be none to collect. (Exodus 16:22-30; 20:8-11) So the question has come up “When is Shabbat?” Since the biblical day starts in the evening, Shabbat starts on Friday evening, just after sunset, and ends the next day at Sunset. This conclusion is reached by Genesis 1:5b, “so there was evening, and there was morning.”

 

For whom is the Sabbath for? Well many will say the 7^th day Sabbath is just for the Jews; however, if we look honestly at the Bible we’ll see that Shabbat is for the Jews and the aliens living among the Jews. Isaiah 56:6-7a states

 

“^‎And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, ‎to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, ‎and to be his servants, ‎everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, ‎and make them joyful in my house of prayer”

 

            “The Sabbath is for all mankind-given before the Ten Commandments were issued, guarded by Israel for centuries and guaranteed in eternity to all who trust the Lord.” (Rubin 1998)

 

At this point, I know that many of you are scratching your heads saying “Rachel, sure whatever, but that is Old Testament, we are under a new dispensation…well again, you must take a look honestly at the proof that the Bible provides and not what you want the Bible to say.

 

If you can show me in the Bible where Jesus changed the Shabbat, then I’d love to see it. In all the New Testament, there isn’t one reference to people violating the Shabbat. Jesus loved the Shabbat, as did Paul. Even on his missionary journeys, Paul went to synagogue, not to evangelize, but to worship. The new testament when speaking of Paul states “As his custom was” when referencing when exactly Paul went to worship.

 

Sunday, as the “New Christian Sabbath” comes from the fact that the Catholic church changed it. “We observe Sunday, instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church, in the Council of Laodicea, transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.” (Rev. P. Geieman, Converts Catechism of Catholic Doctrine, p. 50, London, 1934). Others think that Sunday became the new Sabbath, because “Jesus rose from the dead on the 3^rd day.” Since the “day of First Fruits (Yom HaBikkurim) began immediately after sunset on Saturday, and Paul calls Messiah “The first fruits of the resurrection.” (1 Cor. 15:20), thus according to tradition, Yom HaBikkurim is most likely the time of Jesus’ resurrection. However, the FACT remains that the New Testament tells us when the visitors to the tomb , but silent on the exact time He rose from the dead.

 

Sunday, the name that many of us has started to associate with the worship of God, comes from the early church’s attempt to mix “sun-worship with SON-worship.” Matter of fact, the idea of calling Sunday “the Lord’s day” was the idea of Sylvester, Bishop of Rome, who claiming “Apostalic Authority” decided to make the change. (Historia Ecclestastica, M. Ludovicum Lucium, Cent. 4, Cap. 10, pp739-740. Edition Basilea, 1642).

 

While this is my own views, based and written with the help of Barry and Steffi Rubin, I must note that while it will please God anytime you worship Him—I do wonder if it pleases Him that so many of His people believe that the Sabbath has changed from the 7^th day of the week to the first day of the week. In my opinion, it probably doesn’t make Him too pleased that Christians believe they can just go out and change what God ordains.

 

“Jesus lived as if Sabbath-keeping were important, going to synagogue regularly, first with his father, then on his own. One must wonder why Jesus, who was the agent of Creation and surely as one with the Father, participated in the development of the Law, would suddenly change the Sabbath.” I can’t make your mind up for you; however, I can state that I doubt very seriously that Jesus changed the Shabbat. It has become my hope that you will be more open to observe the true Shabbat, and receive the special blessings God has for you, when you observe the 4^th commandment.

 

Bibliography

 

Rubin, Barry and Steffi. The Sabbath: Entering God’s Rest. Clarksville, MD: Lederer Books, 1998.

 

 

*This article was written from a belief that before the church can be extraordinary, it must return to its core values and beliefs.*

Coming Soon!

I am just now getting started with this blog! The address comes from the book of 1 Thessalonians 3:2 where Paul, tells the church at Thessalonica that they are God’s Co-Workers in helping spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is my hope that everyone visiting this site will find peace and understanding with the Word of God and will enough this site as they are able.
There will be teachings straight from God’s word as it pertains to life of the believer as well as what God can do for you. Each week that I write, I am hoping that you are inspired to get to know Jesus–and will fall more and more in love with Him!