Proclaiming the Word from Genesis to Revelation
Since we left Christianity in 2007, we've heard some interesting things about who people think we are. Some say that we have “converted to Judaism OR joined Messianic Judaism OR gone off the rails and joined the Hebrew Roots Movement!” Those in Christianity think that we have become legalistic.” This tract is an effort to clarify who we are not & who we are…
WHO WE ARE NOT & WHO WE ARE!
Have We Converted To Judaism?
We certainly love the true Israel, 1 but we have not converted to Judaism. We do believe that Yahshua2 was supernaturally born to an Israeli couple. HIS stepfather was a descendant of the tribe of Judah. Yahshua came to fulfill over 4000 years of prophesy pertaining to HIS supernatural birth, HIS Ministry and HIS Atoning sacrifice offered first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,3 and then to all among the nations who, through belief become the people of YAHWEH.4 HE lived in perfect obedience to what is written in The Torah / Writings / Prophets. In doing so, HE not only proved that HE was/is The True Messiah, but HE exposed non-scriptural traditions and the opinions, or “dogma” of man that lead people into lawlessness! We understand that believing gentiles and believing Israelis become one in Messiah, as prophesied and proclaimed by Isaiah, Ezekiel and Paul.5
Have We Joined Messianic Judaism?
Some have mistakenly identified us with Messianic Judaism, which is a movement that emerged in the US in the 1960s and 1970s from the earlier Hebrew Christian movement. Messianic Judaism is being propelled through the organization Jews for Jesus founded by Martin “Moshe” Rosen, an American Baptist minister to evangelize Israelis for Jesus. We however, are not trying to evangelize Jews or gentiles to become Christians. We desire that both Jew and non-Jew would embrace the True Messiah who was foretold by the prophets and then described by the four accounts of His life and ministry in the New Testament. Though there seems to be a growing number of Israelis believing in Christianity's version of Messiah, it is our hope that all would come to a knowledge of the Truth!6
Have We Joined The Hebrew Roots Movement?
In contrast to Messianic Judaism, the Hebrew Roots Movement (HRM) has distanced itself from Sunday Sabbath keeping and the traditional holidays of Catholicism and Christianity, like Christmas and Easter. Instead, HRM observes the 7th Day Sabbath, the Feasts of YHWH and the dietary requirements as found in the first five books of the bible, known as the Torah.7 HRM embraces salvation by belief in Messiah and that one who is born of the Spirit will walk in obedience to the Torah. HRM strongly identifies with the land, the people and the traditions of Israel and places great emphasis on learning the Hebrew language and studying the Hebrew Bible. Some in the HRM have adopted Jewish cultural practices, like the wearing of prayer shawls and observances of traditional Jewish rituals. Many in the HRM see themselves as descendants of the lost tribes of Israel and consider themselves to be spiritual Israelites.
Though we have not emulated nor patterned ourselves after the Hebrew Roots Movement, it appears that we have some common beliefs. For example, we believe in the work of HIS Spirit to lead us into all truth.8 We see the relevance of the Torah for all believers today.9 We observe the 7th Day Sabbath and the Feasts of YHWH, as well as the dietary requirements. We too are very concerned about the idolatrous observances of traditional Christianity, and their disdain for Yahweh's Sabbath and HIS observances. With very little effort one can easily research and confirm that it was the Roman Catholic Church who changed the 7th day Sabbath of Yahweh to Sunday, a day devoted sun worship. However, we differ from HRM in that we do not believe that the people currently occupying the land and referred to as Israelis or Jews, are there lawfully, according to the Torah. (Deut. 28) Though learning the Hebrew perspective and language might help with understanding certain aspects of the scriptures, we do not emphasize studying the Hebrew Bible or reciting prayers and blessings in Hebrew. Neither do we encourage the study of extra-biblical sources like the Jewish Mishnah or their Talmud. Nor do we engage in traditional Israeli practices, clothing, yarmulkes, non-scriptural observances or rituals. All in all, though we have in common some scriptural beliefs and practices, we also have differences and do not consider ourselves to be a part of the Hebrew Roots Movement.
That brings us to what our Christian friends and family members have said about us. That we are caught up in some sort of “legalism.”
Have we become legalistic?
First off let’s discuss the word “legalism.” The word is NOT found in the Scriptures, but is defined in Webster's dictionary as “a strict adherence to the law.” The term legalism is often used by Christians to describe a believer who desires to be more obedient to the scriptures, especially the Commandments of Yahweh. Ascribing this term to one who is committed to what is written is also associating scriptural obedience to bondage of some kind! This is because traditional Christianity teaches that “JESUS fulfilled the Law, rendering it of no relevance for believers today!” Those who believe this have been misled to think that Messiah came to “free us from the law” and also to “start a new religion of grace where the Commandments are irrelevant.” That, by the way, is the definition of “lawlessness!” So, what do the scriptures say? Lets take a look...
Did Messiah Come To Free Believers From His Father's Law?
Moses was told that Messiah would confirm and speak The Words of Yahweh;
Deut. 18:18-19 “I shall raise up for them a Prophet like you out of the midst of their brothers. And I shall put My Words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be, the man who does not listen to My Words which He speaks in My Name, I require it of him.”
Yahshua confirmed that He spoke and lived His Father's instructions. (Torah);
John 7:16 “Yahshua answered them and said, My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me.” (Yahshua did not proclaim anything different from HIS Father's Torah)
John 10:30 “I and My Father are one.” (There are one set of Commandments. Not two)
Yahshua continues His Father's mission through His Spirit IN His followers;
Joh 14:15-17 “If you love Me, you shall guard My commands. “And I shall ask the Father, and He shall give you another Helper, to stay with you forever – the Spirit of the Truth, whom the world is unable to receive, because it does not see Him or know Him. But you know Him, for He stays with you and shall be in you.”10
Did Messiah Come To Start A New Religion Without The Commandments?
It is clear that The Father and The Son are in unity. The Son's mission was/is to complete His part of what The Father began and then pass that same mission on through those in whom His Spirit dwells. He did not come to start a new religion devoid of His Commandments. This error is the result of a misunderstanding of the true meaning of “Grace.”
According to the Strong’s Concordance of Hebrew and Greek, the word “grace” is defined in Hebrew as “favor, kindness to.” In the Greek it is defined as “favor, kindness, but especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.” This “divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life” is the work of the Spirit of Yahweh upon the heart and mind of the believer to walk in obedience to Yahweh!11
So, in summary...We were once a part of traditional Christianity and began to measure the practices of Christianity according to the scriptures. As we did so we realized that the two (traditional Christianity / the Scriptures) do not line up. We brought this to the attention of those in leadership within the movement that we were a part of at that time. They were not receptive and severed our relationship. Since then (2007), we have committed ourselves to take the Scriptures literally and to obey HIS WORD by the power of His Spirit in demonstration of our love for HIM. Because of this, some have attempted to categorize us as becoming Jewish or joining some kind of Messianic or Hebraic Movement or thinking that we have become legalistic. We sincerely hope that this tract has helped you understand who we really are...and who we really are not!
We hope also that you would consider joining us in this journey! If you are searching for Truth According To The Scriptures, you are more than welcome to come!
We gather every Sabbath, (the 7th day) at 3:30PM for worship in song and study of HIS Word. Pray about it, won't you? The dress is casual. The format is an informal discussion of the Scriptures.
We Meet In Ontario At: 4160N 225E, Howe IN 46746.
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
For more information call:
260-365-8086
Or visit our website at:
1. Galatians 6:16 The true people of Israel are actual descendants of Israel who have come to a belief in Yahshua.
2. Messiah was born of Israeli descent. He would have been given an Israeli name. We believe His Name is “Yahshua”
3. Matthew 15:24 First to the lost of Israel – Matthew 28:19 Then to make disciples of all nations!
4. Yahweh, stated 6800+ times in the original manuscripts is The Father's Name.
5. Isaiah 19: 24-25, Ezekiel 37: 19 – 20, Ephesians 2:13 - 15 – Believing Israeli and believing Gentile together!
6. Deuteronomy 13, 1Timothy 2:4
7. Exodus 20:8 – Sabbath, Leviticus 23:1-44 – Sabbath & Feasts, Leviticus 11 – YHWH's dietary requirements.
8. Ezekiel 36:27 & John 3:5 & 16:13 – SPIRIT rebirth essential!
9. Matthew 5:17 – 18 Obviously, heaven and earth are still here and all are NOT done yet.
10. Hebrews 10:29 – Refers to The Spirit as “the Spirit of grace” in the KJV
11. Jeremiah 31:33 – 34, Ezekiel 36:25 – 27, Matthew 26:28, Philippians 3:3