Hebrew Roots Movement - Subtly Sinister

[shann0]

I've been seeing more and more of these people around, trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. They are very subtle at first. It's easy to be drawn in by them, because they seem like they are giving insight into scripture that we don't have here in the western world. But once you get deeper in to this teaching, the real purpose becomes apparent. Bondage to the law.

Christ freed us from the law by His death and shedding His blood. We are now under the law of Grace. Be not deceived!

Like all cults, the Hebrew Roots Movement have their own "version" of the Bible, which of course, is the only version you are allowed to use.

www.nowtheendbegins.com/writers/GG/the-hebrew-roots-cult.htm

The Hebrew Roots Cult Movement
Origins and Beliefs

"And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:29

In 1995, I purchased a Star of David which I have worn ever since, because I believe that the the follower of Jesus Christ has their roots smack dab in the middle of Israel and the Jewish people. You will do well to note that when Jesus started His Church, there were no gentile believers or converts. Every single one of them was a Jew. As a result, I have a deep and abiding love for the Jewish people, and for the only piece of ground on this earth that God has ever called holy, and that is the literal, physical nation of Israel. This should be the mindset of every true follower of Jesus.

I shall build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it

Jesus came to this earth as the promised Messiah to the Jews. and in accordance with the Hebrew prophets, He was rejected and put to death. Speaking of the coming Messiah, the prophet Isaiah said this:

"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:1-3


By HIS stripes we are healed...


So when He was rejected, as He must needs be, He turned to the gentiles...and the gentiles received His word with gladness. Thus was born the Church, made up of both Jewish and Gentile believers, following not the Law of Moses, but rather the teaching of Jesus. Because of their rejection, God hit the "pause button" on the Jews, and did not allow the final week of Daniel's prophecy of the 70 weeks to continue. Paul talks about this mystery in the book of Romans where he says this:


"I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but [rather] through their fall salvation [is come] unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy." Romans 11:11

Paul further goes on to say that the day would come when God would once again turn His full attention back to Israel, and redeem them:

"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins." Romans 11:25,26


These are the true roots of Christianity and the Christian's relationship to the Jew. But there are those who seek to pervert that relationship, and add layers of law and works to it where none exists in the Scriptures. This new movement is called Hebrew Roots, and while it uses words and phrases from the bible and Jewish culture, there is nothing either Jewish or Christian about this group as you will see.

Why haven't I heard about the Hebrew Roots movement?

As a rule, this spreading wave of false doctrine is not being addressed by the church. This is due to several reasons:

• There is a fear of appearing anti-Semitic
• The depth of the movement's doctrinal heresies is not generally known
• There is within the church in general a reluctance to address false doctrine

The movement usually hides their beliefs and presents itself as simply seeking to educate Christians concerning their Jewish heritage. As they become acclimated to the Jewish orientation the more aberrant doctrines are slowly introduced.

Some of the warning signs

• All Christians must adhere to a kosher diet
• The Sabbath can only be observed on Saturdays
• The Jewish festivals and holidays must still be observed today

The root of their symptomatic heresies is hermeneutic (having to do with the methodology used to interpret scripture) in nature. The Protestant Reformers used a grammatical-literal hermeneutic when interpreting scripture. In other words, it means what it says unless there is a significant reason to believe otherwise. This movement uses a grammatical-historical hermeneutic with a twist. Their underlying assumptions when approaching any scripture are:

Whatever God has ever commanded of those who seek Him (i.e., the Jews, their ancestors, their descendents, and Christians) is still in effect today (including the Levitical law)

Gentile followers of Christ were "grafted into" the Jews which they interpret to mean that Gentiles must assume Jewish customs if they really want to mature and please God

Based on those unquestionable assumptions, they then decide how they can best interpret a given scripture to support those beliefs. The farther down this rabbit hole they go, the more bizarre their doctrines become. Many see the New Testament as inferior to the Old (or a conspiracy by the Catholic church). More still say that Paul's teachings are contrary to Christ (since they have trouble with his obvious statements against their beliefs) and, therefore, reject his epistles as scripture. Some say that the only reason we aren't still sacrificing animals and stoning people for their sins is because there is no Temple and no Sanhedrin. But when they are restored then these will resume. Others go so far as to eventually reject Jesus as the Messiah and simply say that He was just a Rabbi. The inevitable outcome of following this train of thought is to put people back into bondage to the Law.

The proof is in the Scripture

"But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command [them] to keep the law of Moses. ¶ And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter." Acts 15:5

The issue of how to treat the gentile believers is not a new question in our day, the Apostles themselves dealt with this issue on more than one occasion. Acts 15 shines ample light on not only the question, but the answer as well. As we read in Acts 15, we see the bible "heavyweights" like Paul and Barnabas called on the carpet along with the rest of the apostles to figure this out. And as with most issues in the church, the whole problem started with a small handful of troublemakers:

"And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved." Acts 15:1

A few bad apples...

Now, we are not told who these troublemakers are, but it was sufficient to throw a monkeywrench into the whole deal:

"When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question." Acts 15:2

And deal with it they did..."And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men [and] brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. Act 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as [he did] unto us; Act 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith." Acts 15:7-9

They acknowledged that while e gentile does not become a Jew when believing on the Messiah, the line of division between them no longer exists. From God's perspective then, there is no difference between a Jewish and Gentile believer in Christ. But they didn't stop there, they continued on to answer this question in a most resolute and final way.

The Apostles settle this question once and for all

"Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them." Acts 15:10-12

Peter is so bold that he stuns them all into silence, and uses this time to allow Paul and Barnabas to recount all the awesome 'miracles and wonders that God had wrought among the Gentiles by them'. Just when you think it can't get any more intense that it already is, James steps in begins to wrap it up:

"And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men [and] brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. " Acts 15:13-18

Then, the knockout blow:

"Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and [from] fornication, and [from] things strangled, and [from] blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day." Acts 15:19-21

In an amazing display, James through the Holy Spirit, tells us once and for all what God expects from Gentile believers...and it is not to be placed under the Law of Moses. There exists no evidence in the New Testament that mandates that any Gentile believer observe Jewish holidays, eat kosher foods or worship only on the Sabbath day. What was the reaction from the entire assembled group of elders? They said this:

"Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, [Ye must] be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no [such] commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell [you] the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well." Acts 15:24-29

Did you catch that line? Go back and reread the Apostles themselves saying that they never gave any such commancment for Gentiles to be placed under the Law of Moses. Never. Ever. Do you believe the Bible? Don't take my word for it, look it up and read it for yourself...

The believer in Christ is not called to law, but to freedom in Jesus. And for those who still need further proof, Paul provides it in Galatians 2:

"But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We [who are] Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." Galatians 2:11-16


Conclusion

The roots of Christianity grow deep in Jewish culture, and it is highly recommended that all Christians learn about the Jewish feast days, holy days and other customs. They will only deepen our appreciaton and understanding of our common ancestry that we have, Gentiles together with Jews. But to suggest that any Gentile believer who follows Jesus must be placed under Old Testament law is nothing but bondage, and it's a bondage that the Bible speaks against not only in the verses quoted here, but in many other places as well. Regarding the freedom we have in Christ, let me leave you with this verse from the Master himself:

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36

(Acknowledgement: the sections titled "Why haven't I heard...", and "A few warning signs" were taken from Cyshift.com)

Part 2

www.nowtheendbegins.com/writers/GG/the-hebrew-roots-cult-part-2.htm

The Hebrew Roots Cult Movement - Part 2
Hatred for Christians and the Apostle Paul

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. " Galatians 1:6-9

One of the main dangers with cults is that they attempt to masquerade as the real thing. It's easy to spot way out wacky ones like Heaven's Gate and the Rev. Sun Yung Moon, but the really tough ones to spot are the ones that hijack the bible and use much of the same terminology as you would find in the bible. Excellent examples of this being the Mormons, the Jehovahs Witness, the Seventh Day Adventists, and others. But as we have previously reported, the Hebrew Roots movement, which is neither Christian nor Herbrew, has appeared on the scene preaching the "other gospel" that the Apostle Paul warned so strongly and passionately for us to watch out for and to avoid. In fact, the Hebrew Roots people make no bones about their contempt for the Apostle Paul and his teachings given him by inspiration of the Holy Ghost.

Another gospel

It is astonishing to me that any group could so strongly hate Paul, yet claim that they follow the bible. Indeed, if you were to remove the Apostle Paul's writings from New Testament, you would be left with the gospels and precious little else. Out of the 27 books of the New Testament, Paul wrote a certified 13 of them, and the book of Hebrews which while it does not give authorship, many like myself believe that he wrote that one as well. So roughly 55% of the entire New Testament is authored by Paul, and it would be wise to listen to what God the Holy Spirit has spoken through him.


Next to Jesus, the Apostle Paul is the greatest figure in the New Testament


Hating the Apostle Paul yet teaching the bible...really?

There is a group out of Newport Beach, California, called Last Trumpet Org Ministires, and they are one of the leading groups attempting to delegitimize the Apostle Paul, and while they may be the most overt, they are not alone in this thinking. Other groups, like El Shaddai started by Mark Blitz, also slam the Christian church. One thing you need very much to keep in mind is that the Hebrew Roots movement - while the claim the name of Jesus - are not Christian and in fact are anti-christian. This is the danger of following these cults. Their aim is not to teach you the bible, it is to drag you back to before the cross and place the yoke of the Law, the Torah, around your neck after Christ has freed you from it.

The following is taken directly from the Last Trumpet website, and says this:

"Pastor Mark Biltz and I both in agreement that the foolish virgins of Matthew 25 are ALL the Sunday churches. It's very obvious if you know your scriptures and understand Torah terminology. The Sunday churches, meet on Sunday, they do not meet on the appointed Saturday Sabbath, they don't keep the appointed Feasts of the Lord (Leviticus 23), they teach people away from the need for "being Torah observant," (the instructions of God) , claiming they are not under the law any more. They celebrate Christmas which is the pagan sun god holiday, the birth of the sun. Jesus was born on Sukkoth and this can be easily proven from Scriptures. Now all Christians cite Paul as the reason why they do what they do. Paul is "the spoutter of lies" which is what James calls Paul in letters found with the Dead Sea scrolls. This work found by Dr. Robert Eisenman an expert on this subject of letters found with the dead sea scrolls and wrote an exhaustive book on the subject titled James, the Brother of Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Also attached is a PDF by Pastor Mark Biltz proving who the foolish virgins are of Matthew 25. We had been in dialog on the subject and I wanted to know if thought ALL the Sunday churches are the foolish virgins of Matthew 25. Pastor Mark is in agreement with me that ALL the Sunday churches are the foolish virgins of Matthew 25 and sent me back the attached PDF as a study that he wrote. Everyone needs to get out of the Sunday churches are they are going to be judged." source - Last Trumpet

Mark Biltz seeks to "straighten out the Christians"

Now people have approached me saying that Mark Blitz is a "good guy" with incredible insight to bible prophecy. I wonder how good his insight is if he thinks that Sunday church attendance qualifies you as one of the "foolish virgins" of the Tribulation. His group is one of many in the Hebrew Roots community that believe that the Apostle Paul is not to be believed, or at the very least taken with a grain of salt. This is very, very dangerous teaching, my beloved in Christ, and the whole purpose of it is to make you doubt the New Testament, and to get you to believe in "another gospel", as the bible so clearly warns us would happen in the last days.

In Mark Blitz's own words, he states that Christians don't really know Jesus and that don't really know the bible, and in doing so allows us to peek behind the curtain into what the real goals of his group as well as all Hebrew Roots groups is - destroying the Church. Here is Mark quoted directly from his website:

"My goal is not to convert Jews to Christianity but to bring non-Jews to a better understanding of YHVH through a better understanding of Torah. I think most Christians do not know YHVH as He really is but know Him as they have tried to create Him in their image rather than understanding they were created in His image. Many Christians believe they have a relationship with YHVH but they don't.

The time is coming when the Jewish people will recognize the role Yeshua played and they will then fulfill their mission in taking Torah to the nations. They will straighten out the Christians theology in what Yeshua was really saying. There will be Christians who will be saying what can these Jews know about Yeshua when in actuality you will have the correct understanding. In Christianity as you probably know there will be an antichrist and false prophet who deceive the world." Source - Mark Blitz and El Shaddai

So Mark Biltz thinks that the bible believing Christians need to be "straightened out"? What he is really after is taking the liberty we have in Christ and replacing it with the yoke of the Law, which Jesus Himsel took off of our backs. This is, without a doubt,the "other gospel" that Paul warned against, get involved with these people at your own peril. Make no mistake, the followers of Jesus Christ, according to the bible, are Christians, and Mark Blitz is very much anti-christian both by things he has said and by his associations. In the quote of Biltz, he very frankly says that he goal is to make non-christian followers of Jesus. Now how exactly does one do that? Answer is that you cannot do that. The very term "christian", in it's most literal sense is a "follower of Jesus Christ."

What Mark Biltz teaches is the very definition of a cult.

So now you know the real and stated goals of Mark Biltz and El Shaddai, and of the larger Hebrew Roots movement in general. It is our recommendation that if you want to be true to what the bible actually teaches, that you will avoid these and all false teachers who perverty the word of God for their own selfish gain.

"For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." Romans 10:4

[northernlight]

I have friends who are quite heavily involved in this movement and they have almost become 'Israel worshippers'. They speak about Israel all the time, go there whenever they can afford it and pray about every minute detail of life there. Jesus barely gets a mention.

I have looked into the Hebraic roots movement, and it is very enticing because it appeals the intellect, finding out new information etc.
It's also really easy to become followers of 'keeping the law' because having a set of rules to live by is so much easier that a wind-swept Holy Spirit walk.
There are also truths in it, which makes it all the more appealing, but very dangerous.

[wateredseeds]

Now you've got me more motivated to post my audio teaching "True Rightousness Apart From The Law". I just need to re-record it. It's about 25 minutes long. It addresses this specific thing.

[shann0]

Yes, exactly! What I've found is that people involved in this movement have an air of superiority. They believe that other christians are ignorant because they haven't been taught these things.

Another very dangerous part of this movement is the "Sacred Names" movement. It is in essence saying that we need to use very specific names for referring to Jesus, or else He will not hear our prayers. It's almost like they're using the names of God like magic spells or something.
If what they say is true, then why when Jesus was dying on the cross didn't he use the "special name" of God when He cried out "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"

They have all sorts of strange spellings for Jesus too, Yeshua, (the Hebrew spelling) Ye'hushua, Yahu etc. It's pure rubbish. The name of Jesus has authority, or else all the people who came before this fairly recent movement came about would not be saved. It's preposterous!

While I do think that we can learn some beautiful things from examining the jewish history and customs, I do not believe that the Lord expects christians to behave like Jews. The scripture is very clear on that.

[wateredseeds]

shanno,

I believe in using the proper names of God. However, i believe he hears us and knows that we are addressing Him no matter what name we are calling Him(as long as we sincerely believe in HIM). But i do use Yahweh, Elohim and Yahshua a lot.

[PrisonerOfHope]

It seems like it's becoming more pervasive. We have a group of The Twelve Tribes in Chattanooga, led by Gene Spriggs. They observe the Sabbath, Jewish holidays, and the members take Hebraic names. They're none too popular with the traditional Christian churches, and have been run out of town once before.

They've opened (or, I should say, re-opened) a restaurant in Chattanooga called "The Yellow Deli" right on the edge of the UTC campus. It's open 24/5 (closed from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon), and I have to admit, the food (which isn't kosher) tastes like it's been imported from heaven! The staff are extremely friendly and warm, and there's a sense of peace that permeates the place...the atmosphere is unhurried and pleasant, and the music soothing; it's the kind of place you hate to leave and have to go back to the rat race. Anyone who comes to them hungry who doesn't have money is fed at no charge. Despite their false teachings, they seem to have "something" that I wish was more prevalent among Christian churches...they certainly seem to be a loving group, and to be honest, I think their courtship customs are rather sweet, especially when compared to the "anything goes" dating of the modern world.

Read about them here:

secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Twelve_Tribes_communities

[shann0]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we can't use those names. Just that the names of God, of which there are many, cannot be used like incantations.

Nor is it incorrect to use the name Jesus. Jesus is the english spelling of Yeshua.

[wateredseeds]

shanno,

I agree.....except the last part. The name in hebrew is actually Yahshua(Yahweh our salvation). It is the same name as an old testament figure....named Joshua. So the more correct english translation would indeed be Joshua. Jesus, is actually derived from a derivitive of zeus. However, i don't think that matters at all. But yeah, joshua would be more correct.

[shann0]

I'd beg to differ, and here is an article that refutes the Jesus = Zeus claim from a man who has a Phd in Semitic languages.

askdrbrown.org/ask-dr-brown/35-ask-dr-brown/79-what-is-the-original-hebrew-name-for-jesus-and-is-it-true-that-the-name-jesus-greek-isssous-is-really-a-pagan-corruption-of-the-name-zeus

What is the original Hebrew name for Jesus? And is it true that the name Jesus is really a pagan corruption of the name Zeus?




I am continually amazed by how many people write to our ministry and ask us questions like this one, which came in last week: “Some Christians say we have to use the Hebrew name, Yashua. They say calling on the name of Jesus is calling on Zeus. That Jesus is a disguise name for Satan. What answers do you have for this? Where can we prove the name of Jesus is correct to use in its English translation and pronunciation?”

As bizarre as these questions are, the fact that they keep coming up means that they need to be addressed, so here are some simple responses (for more details, see What Do Jewish People Think About Jesus, question #38).

The original Hebrew-Aramaic name of Jesus is yeshu‘a, which is short for yehōshu‘a (Joshua), just as Mike is short for Michael. The name yeshu‘a occurs 27 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, primarily referring to the high priest after the Babylonian exile, called both yehōshu‘a (see, e.g., Zechariah 3:3) and, more frequently, yeshu‘a (see, e.g., Ezra 3:2). So, Yeshua’s name was not unusual; in fact, as many as five different men had that name in the Old Testament. And this is how that name came to be “Jesus” in English: Simply stated, this is the etymological history of the name Jesus: Hebrew/Aramaic yeshu‘a became Greek Iēsous, then Latin Iesus, passing into German and then, ultimately, into English, as Jesus.

Why then do some people refer to Jesus as Yahshua? There is absolutely no support for this pronunciation—none at all—and I say this as someone holding a Ph.D. in Semitic languages. My educated guess is that some zealous but linguistically ignorant people thought that Yahweh’s name must have been a more overt part of our Savior’s name, hence YAHshua rather than Yeshua—but again, there is no support of any kind for this theory.

The Hebrew Bible has yeshu‘a; when the Septuagint authors rendered this name in Greek, they rendered it as Іησους (I­­ēsous, with no hint of yah at the beginning of the name); and the same can be said of the Peshitta translators when they rendered Yeshua’s name into Syriac (part of the Aramaic language family). All this is consistent and clear: The original form of the name Jesus is yeshu‘a, and there is no such name as yahshu‘a (or, yahushua or the like).

What about the alleged connection between the name Jesus (Greek I­­ēsous) and Zeus? This is one of the most ridiculous claims that has ever been made, but it has received more circulation in recent years (the Internet is an amazing tool of misinformation), and there are some believers who feel that it is not only preferable to use the original Hebrew/Aramaic name, Yeshua, but that it is wrong to use the name Jesus. Because of this, we will briefly examine this claim and expose the fallacies that underlie it.

According to the late A. B. Traina in his Holy Name Bible, “The name of the Son, Yahshua, has been substituted by Jesus, Iesus, and Ea-Zeus (Healing Zeus).”

In this one short sentence, two complete myths are stated as fact: First, there is no such name as Yahshua (as we have just explained), and second, there is no connection of any kind between the Greek name I­­ēsous (or the English name Jesus) and the name Zeus. Absolutely none! You might as well argue that Tiger Woods is the name of a tiger-infested jungle in India as try to connect the name Jesus to the pagan god Zeus. It is that absurd, and it is based on serious linguistic ignorance.

Here is another, equally absurd statement:

Basically, to keep it simple, “Jesus” is a very poor Roman translation from Latin, that was also poorly translated from the Greek, which IN NO WAY resembles His Hebrew name, “Yahushua.” Whew! Get all that? Moreover, according to the ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA, the name Ieusus (Jesus) is a combination of 2 mythical deities, IEU and SUS (ZEUS, a Greek god). In Gnostic and Greek mythologies they are actually one and the same pagan deity. So, it appears the name “Jesus” has some documented pagan origins. That's not good! In fairness, some Messianic believers disagree and state that there is no definitive evidence to connect “Jesus” to “Zeus.” However, I disagree with them. (http://www.wwyd.org/)

The response to this statement (which has as much support as the latest Elvis sightings) is quite simple: We know where the name I­­ēsous came from: the Jewish Septuagint! In other words, this was not some later, pagan corruption of the Savior’s name; rather, it was the natural Greek way of rendering the Hebrew/Aramaic name Yeshua at least two centuries before His birth, and it is the form of the name found in more than 5,000 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. This is saying something! The name I­­ēsous is also found in Greek writings outside the New Testament and dating to that same general time frame.

Although it is claimed that the Encyclopedia Britannica says that “the name Ieusus (Jesus) is a combination of 2 mythical deities, IEU and SUS (ZEUS, a Greek god)” it actually says no such thing. This is a complete fabrication, intentional or not. In short, as one Jewish believer once stated, “Jesus is as much related to Zeus as Moses is to mice.”

Unfortunately, some popular teachers continue to espouse the Jesus-Zeus connection, and many believers follow the pseudo-scholarship in these fringe, “new revelation” teachings. Not only are these teachings and practices filled with error, but they do not profit in the least. So, to every English-speaking believer I say: Do not be ashamed to use the name JESUS! That is the proper way to say his name in English—just as Michael is the correct English way to say the Hebrew name mi-kha-el and Moses is the correct English way to say the Hebrew name mo-sheh. Pray in Jesus’ name, worship in Jesus’ name, and witness in Jesus’ name. And for those who want to relate to our Messiah’s Jewishness, then refer to him by His original name Yeshua—not Yahshua and not Yahushua—remembering that the power of the name is not in its pronunciation but in the person to whom it refers, our Lord and Redeemer and King.

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[wateredseeds]

shanno,

Interesting. I could go along with the part about how it became Jesus. However, the author admitted himself that it is Joshua. As far as his refuting the pronunciation of Yahshua, it is only his opinion that it be yeshua. Because the letters themselves bare witness. And the figurative meaning of the name itself is "Yahweh our Salvation"...all names that bare the name meaning of Yahweh, such as Eliyahu(elijah)...which means "My God is Yahweh), will have a "Yah" pronunciation in it. So the argument is flawed, if only because he must first argue over the pronunciation of the name Yahweh. If it is indeed Yahweh...then it must also be Yahshua. If it were "Yehweh", then it could be Yeshua...but that is not correct. I don't care how educated a man or woman is in a particular thing...that doesn't make them right. I've destroyed pastors with doctorates on specific biblical issues in the past...and an education doesn't mean a thing. It is studying to show thyself approved. While many people are able to understand that our education must come from the word rather than man...I've had to correct many pastors on doctrine, just because they take the stock position on doctrinal issues. Such as the ridiculous "line of seth" view for Genesis 6, and some other really ridiculous claims.

So like I said, i think he is probably right on everything except the pronunciation of Jesus' name. It has to be Yahshua. And since he won't argue(at least i don't think) about the pronunciation of Yahweh...he can't win. Like I said, if the meaning(of a name) contains the name Yahweh, then Yah is a part of the pronunciation.

[wateredseeds]

Let me prove this last point for you quickly about the pronunciation of Jesus hebrew name form. In your post, by the doctor's own words...Jesus name in hebrew is the same as Joshua. So that would make his hebrew form name éÀäåÉùËÑòÇ

[wateredseeds]

Okay, issue with my last post. Sorry I'll try to get this right for you. Anyways, the name Joshua starts with Yod Hey. Interestingly enough, Yahwehs name is the same. It starts with Yod Hey. Those two letters put together properly make a ya-h sound. So the scholarly opinion comes down to whether or not Yahweh is really Yahweh...or whether it is Yehweh. Maybe it is Yehweh. But the first part of the name of Jesus...which we know his name means "yahweh our salvation" has to be the same as the first part(or abbreviated form) of the name Yahweh. So if Yahweh is Yahweh, then Jesus is Yahshua...not Yeshua. But if it be the other way around...then it has to be consistent. This is exactly why many scholars get things wrong. They ignore the rules, and make their own up. I'm not a hebrew expert...but it's pretty easy to tell that any time a name meaning contains the name Yahweh...there is always a "Yah" sound in it somewhere. That's just common sense. Now at the same time...you don't really emphasize the "Yah" part of it. It can be pronounced "Y'shua". Which is why i believe there is so much confusion. Because people try to emphasize the "Yah" or the "Yeh". When really there is no emphasis there. It is basically silent. But the name itself must bare the name of the father(Yahweh). That is exactly what the bible teaches us anyhow.

[shann0]

I'm no Hebrew scholar, and I don't pretend to be. The main reason I posted that article wasn't the pronunciation of Jesus name, it was that His name didn't evolve from Zeus. Thanks for your response. Blessings.

[wateredseeds]

shanno,

Yeah, there was some logical stuff there that i didn't know. Very good to. Doesn't make it feel so wrong to say Jesus.

[emortimer]

All I know is what the Bible says....pray like this...Our Father

pray with meaning and not repetition and the Holy Spirit will make it so God likes the sound of it....which is great for dummies like me

I did not see it any where is the Bible (yet) to call Him by this name or that name and do not call Him this or that...once you move out of the Bible then you run into man and God makes it perfect and man screws it up

so MERRY CHRISTMAS

[wateredseeds]

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."-John 14:13

We are definitely to use His name. Though i don't think that it matters whether we use the english translation, hebrew or what we "believe" is his name. The pronunciation doesn't matter as much as the humility that we bring forth in our prayers.

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."-1 Peter 5:6-7

[emortimer]

;D He is like me call me by what ever you want
He wants it to be personal that is why Jesus taught to pray Our Father....
I tell my boys they have 2 fathers the one here and the one in heaven and their heavenly father knows them WAY better than their earthly one

[shann0]

There is a sect of the Hebrew Roots movement that thinks we must use Sacred Names for God, else he will not hear us and we are supposedly praying to pagan gods if we use the name Jesus Christ or God. Here Chris White thoroughly debunks this belief with hardcore verifiable facts. These videos are an excellent resource for showing people deceived by this heretical teaching the truth.





[youtube]

[shann0]

This link was shared with me by our member popcorn. Thanks popcorn! There is some great information on this site regarding the Hebrew Roots law keepers. There are links in the article, so be sure to visit the website.

joyfullygrowingingrace.wordpress.com/2010/11/05/12-undeniable-truths-that-drive-law-keepers-crazy/

12 Undeniable Truths That Drive Law ‘Keepers’ Crazy
Posted on November 5, 2010 by JGIG

Having debated with those in Law-keeping sects for the last couple of years, the following are some truths that I’ve found to be of particular frustration and annoyance to them as they try to convince me that those in Christ are mandated to ‘keep’ Torah:

1. Yes, it is the NEW Covenant, not the RENEWED Covenant. To get to the idea of a ‘Renewed’ Covenant, one must play fast and loose with the language of the Scriptures, both Old and New Testament. (See also Hebrew Roots Movement – New Covenant or “Renewed” Covenant?)

2. Paul’s letters, read as written, really do teach that the Body of Christ is no longer under the Law. (See most of New Testament.) Paul was given revelation directly from Christ (2 Corinthians 12, Galatians 1, Ephesians 3) and his writings were recognized by the other Apostles as Scripture (2 Peter 3:16). Christ foretold of greater revelation concerning the Church, making it understood that there was more to come, that the Holy Spirit would reveal much to the Body of Christ through His Apostles (John 16:12-16), making it clear that Torah was not the end all and be all to what God wanted to communicate to His people. What Christ did matters.

I so tire of Law ‘keepers’ who say things like,

“If there is one person most MIS-understood and most MIS-quoted it is the Apostle Paul. Almost as soon as Paul penned his words, the church began twisting them to say the complete opposite of what he had intended.” (source)

The above is a common mantra throughout the Hebrew Roots/Messianic Judaism/Law ‘keeping’ sects. They accuse the Body of Christ of, at best, misinterpreting Paul’s writings to Her, at worst, outright lying about the words Paul penned to Her. What is really amazing is that everyone but those in the contemporary HRM/MJ movements and their sects have had it wrong for nearly 2000 years? How is it that God would allow such a thing?! Only now He’s allowing His Truth to be known? Are we really to believe that?

When I heard the Law-keeping rendition of Paul’s letter to the Galatians (one of my first exposures to the HRM), it was almost comical to see how Paul had been turned on his head by those who assert that he advocates Torah observance for Gentiles. And it was not because I am so steeped in ‘church tradition’ that I say that what I heard from these Law ‘keepers’ was error. A simple reading of the writings of Paul reveal his intent, and Torah is not central to his writings, but Jesus Christ, His work, and His absolute authority are repeatedly established and hailed as paramount.

Paul centered EVERYTHING he taught on the completed work and authority of Christ. Torah is a part of what Paul taught, but Jesus Christ – Who He is and what He did - is central to what Paul taught the Body of Christ:

1 Corinthians 2:2
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Ephesians 1:15-22
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Then there are those who realize that for them personally to retain any credibility the Scriptures that Paul penned cannot be twisted to such a point where they support their theology and so they choose instead to throw Paul under the bus altogether.

3. God is eternal, Torah is not. Torah is created, not eternal. There is an attempt in the Law keeping community to attach godly attributes to Torah, when in reality Torah is representative of God’s character and expectations, not an embodiment of them. You may hear the Law ‘keeper’ say things like,

“Torah was before time”, “God spoke creation into being, and what did He use to do that? His Word! What is His Word? Torah! What does John 1:1 say? The Word was with God in the beginning . . . therefore Torah is eternal!”

They will also take that train of thought (right off a cliff!) and say that the Word in John 1:1 is Torah and turn that into “Yeshua is the Living Torah”, totally misusing the Greek word logos John uses for the word, Word. I used to think this was more of a fringe belief in the Hebrew Roots/Messianic Judaism and Law ‘keeping’ sects, but the belief that Yeshua is the Living Torah is a fairly widespread belief. They are undoubtedly preaching a different Jesus.

2 Corinthians 11:4-6
4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

5 I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.” 6 I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.

4. The catch-22 problem with the ‘Yeshua is the Living Torah’ doctrine: If Yeshua is the Living Torah, then the Law DID die. If the Law died, then it is no longer in effect. If you are a Law ‘keeper’, are you going to come back and say that the Law rose from the dead? Are you going to pick the Law apart like you do to ‘keep’ it? Can you pick Yeshua apart and say that only ‘parts’ of the Word were put to death? Was the Law resurrected?

Game over. Law ‘keepers’ shred their own theology with such an unscriptural doctrine. Not only is it unscriptural, it’s just plain silly.

Sound doctrine elevates Yeshua to the fullness of God as the Scriptures say He is (Colossians 2:9-17). The doctrine Law ‘keepers’ believe diminishes Yeshua to a written code. If you hold to the ‘Yeshua is the Living Torah’ doctrine, the Law died.

The Bible says that Christ is the end of the Law for all who believe (Romans 10:4). That indicates a change in relationship to the Law for the believer. It seems that sound doctrine has more respect for God’s Law than does ‘Yeshua is the Living Torah’ doctrine does. (See also The Law of Christ – Defined and Defended to explore the believer’s relationship to Law in Christ.)

5. It was our SIN that was nailed to the Cross, not just man’s additions to or the curses of the Law. What was blotted out and nailed to the cross? What stood against us? Convicting us in the sight of God? That which the Law defines – SIN. Law Keepers assert that Christ merely nailed human traditions added to the Law or just the curse of the Law to the Cross. Jesus accomplished so much more than that.

**This entry has been edited after a fellow contender for the faith corrected me. They say it best, so I’ll post what they wrote to me here (Many thanks CIAN!):

“The LOM did NOT die on the cross, Jesus did, and through HIS death on our behalf, all believers have DIED as well — The LOM is NOT dead, but WE are DEAD to IT (a crucial distinction) … It is our SINS which Jesus took upon His own head on the cross when He became SIN for us (He did NOT become the LOM) — I think that is a pivotal point to keep in the forefront of our thinking as we read this passage & others relating to it … WHAT is REMOVED in Col.2:11 ??? NOT the LOM (!!!) but our body of flesh, our body of dead works, our body of SIN … The decrees certified against us in verse 14 have been CANCELLED out and taken away (Because our Transgressions were forgiven, having been Nailed to the Cross in HIS Body) and the charges have been dropped against US since they were levied upon Jesus (in our stead) who PAID our DEBT BOND, He Himself being the Surety Forfeited because of our DEFAULT.”

Seeing that human tradition carries no authority to convict man in God’s sight and sin does, that it was merely human tradition or just the curse of the Law that Law ’keepers’ assert was nailed to the cross simply fails in light of the facts and the context. Once sin is washed away, the Law is done with us . . . it has led us to the Cross – and there we become a New Creation! We no longer have the same relationship with the Law as we did before the work of Christ in our lives!

Colossians 2:9-15
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

6. The Holy Spirit is perfectly capable of sanctifying the believer apart from observing Mosaic Covenant Law. The Holy Spirit works righteousness from the inside out, where the Law merely restrains sin from the outside. Where the Law instructs man regarding his sinful condition, the Gospel transforms man regarding his sinful condition! The believer walking in submission to the Holy Spirit will not be led into sin. The believer walking in rebellion to the Holy Spirit will be miserable!

Galatians 5:16-18
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Galatians 6:11-15
11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.

Does that mean that we as believers cannot learn from the Law? Of course not! ALL Scripture is profitable . . .

2 Timothy 3:14-17
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

7. Law is not law unless it is enforced. Those in the Hebrew Roots/Messianic Judaism streams of thought pick and choose what laws they follow. They call it being ‘Torah pursuant’ – doing what they can as they are ‘led’. God’s Law does not allow for this practice! To follow that way of thinking is to cheapen both the Law and the Holiness of God Almighty!

Those who are Torah ‘pursuant’ completely ignore the very important enforcement aspects of Mosaic Covenant Law. It would seem that the judgement aspects of the Law are part of the jots and tittles, if you know what I mean. If you want to see some Torah-pursuant back-pedaling, see how your Law ‘keeping’ friends respond when you ask them why they don’t obey Deuteronomy 16 and 17. (See also Is Law Really Law Without Enforcement?)

8. The fruit of the Hebrew Roots/Messianic Judaism belief systems and related sects is not good. While attempting to sway you to a Torah-pursuant lifestyle one may appear to be sweet and nice at the outset, but consistently challenge them on their beliefs with contextual Scripture and look out for the teeth and claws! (Edited to add: An example of what I’m talking about can be found in a run of comments from ‘Brandon’ found HERE at JGIG.) There are several who have lined up to be ‘witnesses against me’ at the judgement because I disagree with mandatory Torah observance for those in Christ. Apparently I am not alone as one who has witnesses lining up against me . . .

This came to a fellow believer/friend of mine who had a civil discourse with such a person. Then this, after my friend clearly was rejecting Law keeping doctrine (bolding, color, spelling, and exclamation points all by original author):

“According to Heb 10:26 you are headed for the fire!! and this direction you are on will lead to destruction!!! and I am one witness who will testify of your disobedience in front of Yahushua (Jes*s), I pray you will obey YHWH (GOD) before there comes another witness!

And according to 1 Jon [sic] you are a liar so, dream what you will regarding your understanding… but don’t let your dreams keep you from experiencing everlasting life with the Creator of the universe! REPENT NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

My last post to you!

R~

GO AND SIN (LAWLESSNESS) NO MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…….eversasting [sic] ”

Other Christians who contend for the Faith on debate forums have had similar threats leveled at them. Beyond the obvious problems with the above, I’ve had false witness borne against me by Law ‘keepers’ countless times, one has threatened me with legal action for content on this blog, and I’ve received veiled threats because I stand by the completed work of Christ at the cross!

Galatians 5:22-26
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

9. Torah is not our access to God and His Character or His promises. Faith in Jesus and belonging to Him is. There is relationship with God that is available to us that was not available to those under the Law.

Ephesians 3:2-6
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 11:39-40
39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

10. The hermeneutic (a method or principle of interpretation) used by those teaching HRM/MJ doctrines is fluid. There is no stable underlying framework from which those in Law ‘keeping’ sects interpret and teach Scripture. They make use of eisegesis over exegesis, transliteration, Midrash, proof texting, and shift back and forth between ‘Hebraic’ thought and Western thought when it suits their purposes.

Some will even go so far as to use ‘re-translated Scriptures’ - those translated from what they claim is the original Hebrew or Aramaic New Testament writings. In other words, they reject the Greek Primacy of the New Testament Scriptures, opening up all kinds of new interpretations of the writings to the Body of Christ as they purpose to substitute specific Greek language that the Apostles actually used in their writings with what HRM/MJ teachers consider to be Hebrew or Aramaic ‘equivalents’. Key Biblical doctrines affected by this practice are those hinging on words such as justification, repent/repentance, Word, commandment, fulfill, etc.

If it (HR/MJism) were indeed truth, the belief system would be able to stand on a plain reading of Scripture and not have to build all kinds of theological interpretive contraptions to get Scripture to mold to their way of thinking.

11. Those in Law-keeping sects seek to make the simple complicated. Notice when someone like me comes along with a simple New Covenant concept like the realities of grafting or the Law of Love how some Law ‘keepers’ go on and on about how I “just don’t understand – here – let me throw 30 different Old Testament passages and a couple of out-of-context and/or misapplied New Testament passages at you to show you how you’re wrong”.

12. Law ‘keepers’ cannot deal with contextual writings written to the Body of Christ, or their theology falls apart. It is on the core issues of the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that belief systems stand or fall. Who Jesus Christ is, what He did, and that He instituted the New Covenant in His Blood, making a way for all men, through faith in Him, to have relationship with God – these are core issues that are muddied by those in the Hebrew Roots Movement/Messianic Judaism streams of thought. Some key results from those muddied issues:

Jesus for them becomes the Living Torah, not the Living God.
The New Covenant becomes the Renewed Covenant, a complete misuse of the language of both the OT and the NT, and indicating a turning back to Mosaic Covenant Law when the Gospel requires nothing of the sort.
A perversion of the word repentance, again saying that it is a turning back to God in the form of turning back to Mosaic Covenant Law, not in a turning away from sin and to the Cross and the New Creation that God desires us to become in Christ!
It’s always a Jesus + equation for the Law ‘keeper’ . . . for them it is believe on Jesus (Yeshua or however they choose to spell the sacred name at any particular moment), and then there are things you MUST do. If you don’t you at best will be called least in the kingdom, at worst, be utterly cast out.
They are Torah-centric, not Christ-centric, resulting in obvious idolatry, rectified in their minds by the first point noted above.
Some resort to mystical interpretations of the Scriptures, using Talmudic sources and methods, not realizing where those things are rooted. If they do become aware of the mystical roots of such sources and methods, by that point they no longer care, as they are so tied to the Law. The veil is by then firmly in place (2 Corinthians 3).

[shann0]

www.jesus-is-savior.com/False Religions/Other Pagan Mumbo-Jumbo/hebrew_roots.htm

The Name

Hebrew Roots Movement Attacks the Name of Jesus!
Therefore my people shall know my name:
Is. 52:6


An exposé on the Hebrew Roots / Sacred Name Movement

Intro:


His Name is Wonderful!! ... Or is it??:

Have you found eternal salvation through the lovely name of our Lord Jesus Christ? Have you found true deliverance from your old sinful past, the world and it's pleasures, in this most precious name? What about the reality of the peace of God, and the assurance nothing can separate us from the love of God? Have you seen lives changed, miracles wrought, families restored, and others responding towards God, at the preaching of this Name above every other name?

What if someone came along and said this Name you have been saved and set free by is not the correct name at all but a misnomer? What if someone came along and said the wonderful name of your Saviour was a corrupt Greek name, derived from a false god called Zeus? How would you react? What would you response be?

Beware!!! This is exactly what is happening in some spheres of Christendom today, through sources of the Hebrew Roots / Messianic / Sacred Name Movement, as it "validates" itself into the Body of Christ.


Why and how?:

Titus 1:14. Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

Fact: The Old testament was written in Hebrew for the chosen Jewish Nation. The New Testament was written in Greek where the partition between Jew's and Gentiles was broken down so we could all become one new man in Christ.

Back in the early eighties not long after we left the established church, Don Stanton of Maranatha Revival Crusade was a dear brother in Christ we came to respect and receive much encouragement from, even sharing in our home and supplying much of our literature for witnessing and growth. After being such a blessing to my wife and myself, along with our friends, I became very alarmed when his ministry took a turn towards Judaism when he switched to substituting and teaching Hebraic names for many important biblical names, along with a passion for following Jewish feasts and customs as part of our Christian faith. He even re-wrote the Bible replacing our Saviour's name with Hebraic equivalents and today is entrenched in something our Lord Jesus came to set us free from.

This following three part article is written in response to this tragedy, along with the many people who have e-mailed me in recent months, trying to persuade myself over to the Hebrew Roots Camp. Generally I have found these people to be varied in their opinions in regards to doctrine; some moderate (scripturally still believing in the Trinity) and others into complete heresy omitting the name Jesus Christ entirely from their faith.

The sincere majority of these people have used the gentle diplomatic approach in their argument to win us across, whereas a few others have been aggressive, and down-right rude and even abusive, when we wouldn't skip to their tune. On all occasions have I found them very persistent, rabbinic centred, and usually attacking the holy name of our Lord Jesus Christ one way or another.

An in-depth study will prove the teachers who are fanatically entrenched into this movement are deliberately discrediting, tainting, and replacing the precious name of our Saviour, and attempting to lead bible believing Christians out of Christianity.


From another name to occultic leanings:

Part One of this address is a simplified way of exposing their Hebrew Roots Movement and how believers have been seduced away from the New Testament written in Greek (the universal language of the day) and providentially translated into English (the universal language for the closing hours), with the sole purpose of restoring these folk back to the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

This is followed-up by Part Two revealing the authentic root of our faith and dealing with the false roots of the HRM.

Unlike it's Gentile counterpart the Alexandrian School of Thought, which throws doubt on finding the right source of the Greek, giving it's Scholars the final authority in interpretation, the H.R. Movement has been successful in discrediting the Greek New Testament and replacing it with the so-called Hebrew / Aramaic "originals". This places the final authority in regards to interpreting scripture in the hands of it's rabbinic teachers. Once achieved, then the Holy Name of our Lord Jesus Christ comes under scrutiny.

Part Three by Barb Aho, is more of an in-depth study exposing the sources and occultic connections to this Movement, which is no doubt part of the Great Falling Away delusion in this final hour, even more subtle and dangerous than the false Signs and Wonders Movement, the Word of Faith Movement, and Dominion Theology.

However, we need to make it quite clear from the start this does not mean we lump into one all advocates of the HR Movement as deliberately being into, or promoting the occult. What we are doing is exposing the teaching links to these sources which are deliberately leading believers away from our true root ... Christ Jesus our Lord; replacing His name, and depriving others from the only name whereby man can be saved.



Part One ... The pure Name

Pure language for a pure name:

During the last hours of these last days (when English would be the universal language of the world) the Lord in His manifold wisdom has chosen this language to represent His Word, to be written as the plain, simple, uncloistered and easily comprehended words of His gospel to the world at all levels of class and culture. God foresaw this language would be the 'world language' in the closing hours, presenting His pure, preserved and inerrant autograph with the message ... whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Zep. 3:9. For then will I turn to the people a pure language that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.


Why Elizabethan period English:

The above scripture was prophesying a day after the Dark Ages when the Lord would choose One Book, based on a pure language, so the world's masses would have access to God's word proclaiming there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved, where both people (Jew or Gentile) could serve the living God as one.

This revelation was preserved through the transition of the universal language from Greek to English. It occurred when the Authorized Bible was written and made public property, when English as a secular and non-religious language was established in it's purest form, just before the Great British Empire was established, when English would be set to become the universal language of the world, prior to Jesus' second coming:


"Secular and non-religious language" Linguistic expert ... the Kim Hill Show, Radio N.Z, 11:15 am, 2/2/99:

As many languages are dying in the world ("a language is dying somewhere every day") English is disseminating into the international common denominator as the world goes global.

It would be hard for God to use some languages as many are religious, and are not compatible with biblical Christianity. Meaning, "to know a particular language you have to be part of the "household", speaking the culture", interwoven with their pagan belief system. This is why it would be necessary for God to set one universal standard in an hour when confusion and apostasy would be prevalent on a worldwide scale:

English as the International Language:

"In this role of global language, English becomes one of the most important professional qualifications.
English is unquestionably recognized as the most important language to be learned in the prevailing international community. This is an unchallenged fact that seems to be irreversible. English has become
the business and scientific worlds' official language."

The value of English:

"It is a matter of statistical fact that English is the most important world language. It is the language of modernity, of the twenty-first century - the language of the most advanced technologies, of air traffic, computing, telecommunications, the language of world politics, diplomacy and international finance.

English is spoken on every continent. It has the largest number of foreign students, and the second largest number of native speakers (after Chinese). These numbers will probably continue to increase. Globalisation, the creation of one, interdependent world, will increasingly require a common language.

A good command of English will enable you to communicate with an increasing proportion of the world’s population, and to participate successfully in the new, globalised world."

Global 2000 Sold out:

"Please note: English is the official language of this conference.
For the first time, the major multilateral governmental organizations and multinational business organizations are holding a Summit on the Year 2000 conversion challenge. Several international organizations have taken steps to raise awareness and action on the global implications of the Year 2000 conversion. These organizations believe it is imperative to begin an international forum on the Year 2000 that facilitates the sharing of information, best practices and experiences on a global basis. On October 15 -16, 1998, these leading private and public sector organizations will bring together in London key executives and senior management from national governments, international organizations, industry trade and social service groups, multinational corporations and the media."

EuroEnglish:

"The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the EU rather than German, which was the other possibility. As part of the negotiations, Her Majesty's Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5 year phase-in plan that would be known as "EuroEnglish"."

The Internet, an English-language network:

English is the lingua franca of the Internet since the network's very beginning. This factor determined the path of the technicaland language development of the network. Recently the Internet has expanded all over the world and has connected countries with different languages. English plays a very important role in this multinational system: it enables the great number of people of various nationalities and therefore speaking many different national languages to communicate and make themselves understood. This would never be possible to such extent, if the lingua franca of the Internet was any other language. The supremacy of English over other languages, along with the fact that the network originates in a native English-speaking country,makes the position of English on the Internet very firm.

This common denominator language presented us with the Great Book, namely the Holy Bible, and in the Name of Jesus brought freedom to millions, was responsible for the Reformation (although exploited for political gain), and the great missionary thrust of Protestant America and Protestant Great Britain.

Matt. 12:21. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

God is not a God of confusion as He makes Himself known by one name through His revealed word, namely the Holy Bible. And as He hast magnified thy word above all thy name ... the one who would be audacious enough to replace or change His word would be the one who would be audacious as to replace or change His name. This is presently occurring in Christendom, as the Great Falling Away (from His word) process intensifies, and mankind is conditioned to receive another name ... the name of the False Christ of the New Age:

John 5:43. I (Jesus) am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.


His Name under siege:

Jer. 8:8 ... the pen of the scribes is in vain.

The most subtle attack of this process is coming through the Hebrew Roots Movement. The New Age goddess, namely Gaia, is too obvious for the fundamental Christian to be deceived. If (for argument sake) the Holy Bible is only a rehash of the originals (as the "hath God said school" declares), and not an inspired translation from the preserved Greek 'Received Text' (where the Authorized Bible derived from), then whoever is instigating the notion of "getting back to the Hebrew roots", and can impart this notion to others, creates a ready- made audience to present the "originals" in his own light, therefore making himself the Higher Critic ...

"the Greek is a perversion of the originals..." "better and more reliable manuscripts say..." "better knowledge has come to light..." "according to extra biblical commentary..." "the Hebrew root word for this passage is..." "more truth is now attainable..." And thus and so ...

... placing the Higher Critic above your God given English version (thy word is truth), and making him an instrument of "divine revelation" instead of the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth.

Therefore, more digging is required as things get more complicated, and more credentialed professionals are necessary to unravel the language and cultural barriers, along with the secrets hidden in the past.

It starts off very innocently, as the gospel is presented in it's true context to be of relevance to the Jewish people (as it is for all people) and win them to Christ; the following verse fitting a sincere motive:

1 Cor. 9:20. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law ...

So the Greek title (translated to English) JESUS, translates back to the most common of the Hebrew interpreted titles 'Yeshua' and is presented to relate to the Hebrew speaking people. Christ becomes the Messiah they are hoping for as 'Ha Mashiach'. For this we can rejoice and praise God for, as many Jewish people have found, or are finding Messiah Jesus as Saviour through this revelation, as many other nationalities are finding Him through the Bible being translated into their language.

However, any truth taken to extreme ends in error ... as Hebrew in many circles has been promoted as the favoured language above the language of the complete 1611 inspired translation, and given supreme importance as justified through the Old Testament (as well as the New in their case) being originally written in Hebrew, and the Jewish people being the original chosen people of God. Therefore, everything Jewish is being seen as being of God, and importance is placed on the Torah (the Jewish book of laws), along with the Talmud (the oral law), on a par with the New Testament, as Gentile believers find themselves fallen prey to this type of reasoning as the Galatians were at the beginning of the New Testament era ignoring the warning of their Savour Jesus:

Mark 7:13. Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition (putting the Talmud on an equal basis), which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Paul (a Jewish believer from the strictive of the Jewish sects) made it clear ... you can't have one and the other, as the new has cancelled out the old:

Heb. 8:13. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Gal. 1:6-7. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Paul clarified it was the Jewish religion he was saved from, that was responsible for this falling away in his day, and was warning the Gentile Galatian Believers not to be entangled with it:

Gal. 1: 13-14 . For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

Read Acts 15: 5-24 and you will see the church made a distinction between the old and the new with this final conclusion:

Acts 15:24. Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

Although advocates today of the HRM are not making circumcision a major requirement as in the first century, other aspects of the Old Covenant along with Jewish traditions are being imposed on bible believers to embrace as being part of God restoring the true faith in these end times. A major shift in embraced theology has been the acceptance of the Jewish name replacement for Jesus Christ.


Which name:

Mal. 1:11. For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense (prayer/worship) shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering (spirit and in truth): for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Whose name do we call out to when we want to be saved? In whose name are we sent? In whose name do we pray, preach, teach, and exercise divine authority?

Is it ... Jeshua, Yeshua, Yeshuah, Yehshua, Yehshuah, YESHUA, YESHUAH, YEHSHUA, YEHSHUAH, Yeshouah, Y'shua, Y'shuah, Jeshu, Yeshu, Yehoshua, Yehoshuah, YHVHShua, YHVHShuah, Yhvhshua, Yhwhshua, YHWHShua, YHWHShuah, Yhvhshuah, Yhwhshuah, Yahvehshua, Yahwehshua, Yahvehshuah, Yahwehshuah, Jahshua, Jahshuah, Jashua, Jashuah, Jahoshua, Jahoshuah, Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Yashua, Yashuah, Yahshua, Yahshuah, YAHSHUA, YAHSHUAH, YASHUA, YASHUAH, Yahushua, Yahushuah, Yahoshua, Yahoshuah, Yaohushua, YAOHUSHUA, Yaohushuah, Iahoshua, Iahoshuah, Iahushua, or Iahushuah??

Matt. 28: 18-19. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost ...

What name have believers been commanded to teach and baptize in? ... The same Person whom all power in heaven and earth was given to ... a Jewish man named JESUS! In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is the name of Jesus which is Christ, God's anointed one who came in the flesh.

Proof? ... Then go to the Book of Acts (where the words of Jesus were being demonstrated by the apostles and early church) and you will see every baptism of the true Way was done in the name of Jesus, as was all the preaching, teaching, deliverances, healings and miracles.

Deut. 28:10. And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.

Still not convinced!? ... Then tell me why the name presented and exalted in the Authorized 1611 English bible is the most attacked name in society? Why is it the most degraded and spat upon name around the world, uttered as a malignant byword by millions, over and over again, every single day? Why don't you hear the name of another god being continually down graded? Why is not the name Yahweh being cursed, consciously or unconsciously, by the worlds masses?

Because Jesus' name is the most precious name in heaven and earth, and should be treasured above all names, as the only name behind the Person who rendered Satan powerless and broke the chains of sin and death. It is the only name where life and death hang in the balances between whether we deny Him or confess Him. It is the only name where freedom or bondage is in the power of praising His Name or cursing it.

Matt. 1:21. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Therefore, the Name Jesus (derived from Joshua - Jehovah saves) as Christ (the Anointed One), the English name taken from the Greek (as the New Testament was written in Greek, the universal language of its day) is the hallowed name of God coming in the flesh. The same Name exalted as the Name above every other name; as the only name whereby man can be saved; as the true and relevant name today ... that whosoever shall call upon the name, shall find salvation and favour with his Maker.

His name is JESUS!


The Cult's pagan connection:

Jer. 23:27. Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.

If God's word has been lost (or forgotten) then it can be justified that His Name has been lost (or forgotten) also. And it would take so-called knowledgeable men who could put us right, so the notion goes.

However, because God has given us His Book, with every scripture given by Divine inspiration, we only need to go to His Book to find the Name which is above every other name, the only name by which men can be saved. The cult of Yah have got it wrong because it's roots are not Jewish at all in the scriptural sense, but pagan, and behind the scenes it's Masonic mystics have infiltrated Christendom (as it did with Jewish teachings through the Cabbala) leading people into spiritual captivity.

Following is an excerpt from "Christianity, Masonry not compatible. Definitions of God pose fundamental difference." [03/13/93, The Press-Enterprise Riverside, CA] (emphasis mine):

Regarding the identity of God, in Scottish Rite Masonry, the 13th degree is that of the Royal Arch. In it, the alleged true, previously hidden name of God is revealed as Jabulum. "The Encyclopedia of Freemasonry," page 359, affirms this, under the entry for Jabulum, yet does not give the meaning. But in the same book on page 102, in the definition of Bel, the meaning is given. It says, "Bel is the contracted form of . . . Baal, and was worshipped by the Babylonians as their chief deity . . . It has, with Jah and Oh, been introduced into the Royal Arch system as a representative of the" name of God. Jah represents the name Jehovah, Bel represents Baal, and Oh represents Osiris).

Jude 1:4. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through this Masonic / Cabbala infiltration Jehovah becomes Yahweh. Jesus becomes Yashua. Hence, God is now G-d being referred to as Yah or Jah which broadens the name and isolates God from Jesus Christ who came in the flesh. This suits the mystics, the secret societies, the covens, along with the ecumenicals (who like rallying names) and trendy new agers; making Christianity both contemporary and acceptable.

This Yah/Jah thing has become a trendy word through the 80's and 90's from the "Star Wars" craze, to the Rastifarrians, to off-beat Christian sects. One of these pseudo Christian HRM website (accents mine) states:

We believe that:

Yahweh is God and the only real one,
Yahshua is His son and that
Yahshua is our Saviour and salvation, so there is no oneness or trinity.
The real names are Yahweh and Yahshua.
There is no so called "Church" or one group, but it is a organism in the hearts of people.
We observe the weekly Sabbath from sunset till sunset and also the
Spring and Fall feast, not the "Worldly" feasts.
A new year starts with the first visible new moon, on or after the spring equinox.
By obeying any law we will not be "saved", but we have to obey the laws.
We do not eat unclean food and
believe in the works of the Holy Spirit.
The mark of the beast is the sunday, not a barcode on the forehead or a subcutaneous
microchip!
But mainly we try to love and help each other and like to do that to people, what we also like
to experience.

Please don't forget: wisdom is from Yahweh, misunderstanding from men!


Let's look at some proof in regards to "Yah's" roots:

Baal was the false sun-god the Jews stumbled over. Baal, which means lord and substitutes the/our Lord, and transposes to many other names (depending on the language and the nation it represents) such as Horus, Tammuz, Eros, Jupiter, Zeus, Maitreya, and so on.

Masons commonly refer to their deity as the "Great Architect of the Universe" (G.A.O.T.U.) or the Supreme Being. God is further described as Grand Artificer, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge Above, Jehovah, Allah, Buddha, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, or Great Geometer. (The "G" in the Masonic ring can refer to God; it can also refer to geometry.) Masons claim that the actual name for God has been lost. [HJB] (emphasis mine)

Isaiah 43:10. Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

God's inspired word the AV/KJB presents JEHOVAH as the all great I AM, the stand alone God who saith I AM THAT I AM. In His Book there is no room for any other god/deity where the New testament presents JESUS only as the great I AM:

John 18:6. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Confirming and declaring Jesus' invested power and authority as God in the flesh:

2 John 1:7. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

The Apostle John (a Jewish believer) warned those who deny Jesus is the only Christ and that He came once and for all in the flesh have embraced the spirit of antichrist. Every true Bible believer, in the strictest Masonic view, is therefore hated and despised as a divisive sectarianist. He who believes Jesus alone is classed a bigot and extremist. Other lukewarm believers who are not adamant in this view will largely escape persecution.

Jim Shaw, a former 33 Mason, says that Masonry is not based on the Bible (referred to as "The Great Light"), but on the Kabala (Cabala), a medieval book of mysticism and magic. Masonic authority Henry Wilson Coil also admits that the Kabala's teachings can be seen in some of the mystical and philosophical degrees of Masonry. Albert Pike, the man responsible for virtually rewriting the Scottish Rite degrees into their present form, said that the Masonic "search after light" leads directly back to the Kabala, the ultimate source of Masonic beliefs (Morals and Dogma ). [HJB]

The Cabbala (scrambled as Cabala, Kabala, Kabbala, Kaballa, Qabbala, Qabala, Qaballa, etc. where God's name is also scrambled) is Jewish mysticism. The Oxford dictionary refers to it as Jewish oral tradition; occult lore.

Just as these mystery schools of Jewish occultism have infiltrated Judaism so have these secret societies infiltrated western fraternities, softening them up for the new pseudo "sacred" name.

Part Three will reveal the links between these mystery schools, Jewish oral tradition, and the Hebrew Roots / Sacred Name Movement. However, this does not mean we are accusing all advocates of the HRM as cabbalists or occultists. Our intention is exposing both the sources of the Root teachings and the promotion of the "sacred" Yah/Jah name cult.

The complex Hebraic source promotes / purveys the name of God as Yah (Jah/Jehovah) which fits the hidden Masonic god, whereas the Aramaic source purveys God as El Shaddai (woman's breast / life nourisher) fitting the New Age mixed gender god. It is important that all this is made known to those whose profess to name the Name of Christ, so the true name is honoured, and Christians are aware of the subtleties of being lured back under the law, or digressing even further into occultic deception.


Which God do we serve:

Is it ... YHVH, YHWH, Yahweh, Yah, Yahveh, Yaveh, Yaweh, Jehova, Jehovah, Jahova, Jahovah, Yahova, Yahovah, Jahowa, Jahowah, Yahavah, Jahavah, Yahowe, Yahoweh, Jahaveh, Jahaweh, Jah, Yahaveh, Yahaweh, Jahuweh, Yahuweh, Iahueh, Jahuwah, Yahuwah, Yah, Jah, Yahu, Jahu, Yahvah, Jahvah, Jahve, Jahveh, Yahve, Yahwe???

An open-ended scrambled deity based on esoterical interpretation?

Or the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God of Israel, David and the prophets. The God of Paul, Peter, James and the church of God. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1 John 5:20. ... that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.


Which rock:

Ps. 11:3. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

A basic way to discern a cult is to test "what or who" is the foundation to their faith. The Roman Catholic institution claim Peter as their first pope as they believe he is the rock their faith and church is built upon. Just the same way the HRM claim Israel and it's diverse teachings is their foundation.

The Jewish King David said:

Ps. 18:2. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God ...

Ps .18:31. For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?

David, a man after God's own heart, saw the Lord of heaven and earth as his source and foundation, not the nation he served, nor it's traditions or ordinances.

The New Testament presents Christ as LORD and our foundation rock to build upon. Not the teaching of the church, or the clergy, neither Israel or its rabbinic teachers:

1 Cor. 3:11. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

The HRM (whether unbeknown to individuals) puts Israel above God and its teachings above the Holy Spirit, therefore New Testament revelation is obscured from them ...

2 Cor. 3:14. But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

When a Jewish person turns to Jesus as Messiah and Lord does the scales fall off his / her spiritual eyes, as it did when Paul met Jesus during his time as a zealous Jewish Rabbi persecuting the church of God. Then Christ is no longer a rock of offence (a stumblingblock) but a rock of defence, as the foundation of God standeth sure.

1 Co 1:23-24. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Christ is our rock, our foundation ... to build our life and faith on.


Summary:

The Old Testament was written in Hebrew for the Hebrew people, the chosen people of God, to declare His wonders to the world. The New Testament was written in Greek bringing the Kingdom of God to the whole Greek speaking Gentile world, as well as the Jews, that we might all become one people under God.

The partition has been taken down dividing the Hebraic Old Testament and the Hellenistic New Testament: Meaning ... the whole bible (both the old and new) has been translated into English for the English speaking world (both Jew and Gentile) at the threshold of Jesus' return, and as a base been re-translated into other ethnic tongues for non-English speaking people.

In the Old Testament the Lord's name was JEHOVAH (as presented in today's written word), the God of the Jews. In the New Testament the Lord's name is JESUS ... God coming in the flesh for both the Jew and the Gentile, that we might all become one people under God.

And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. Ex 9:16.


Part Two ... Which Root

There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. Rom. 15:12.


Getting to the root of the Roots:

From the mass reaction of e-mails in regards to our HRM exposure updates, it is obvious we have touched on something important. Also, because of the many people who have misunderstood or misconstrued us in regards to these articles, I feel it is important we clear up a few points, hence ... Part Two.


Disclaimer:

The Trinity:

Yes, we believe in the Triune Godhead expressed through three Persons of the trinity, of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In that order. Each Person being individual of the other yet the same Person ... hence, the mystery of the Godhead. The Holy Spirit making Jesus real to the believer, with Jesus in turn pointing us to our Father in Heaven.

One of the characteristics of a cult is the denial of the Trinity (which the core of the HRM does), along with the denial of the divinity of JESUS (which the HRM does), which is Christ, who came in the flesh.


The 'Jesus Only' Cult:

Yes, this cult does exist but is nothing to do with us. We don't legalistically teach or endorse that unless "the name of Jesus" is specifically mentioned when you pray, or do a good deed, then it is not of God. The Lord's Name can be interchanged with other biblical titles of His Name such as Emmanuel, Wonderful, Son of God, Lamb of God, Prince of Peace, and so forth! But should be used both scripturally and intelligently, and not glibly, faddishly, or as mere gimmickry.


Can God use other languages?:

Yes!! The Authorized Version has been the largest version of the Bible that has been translated into hundreds of other tongues and dialects over the great missionary period of England and America, bringing the Gospel to multitudes across the four corners of the earth.


Have other bibles carried the word of God other than the King James Version?:

"Both Tyndale and Wycliffe translated the bible into English before King James's day from the Received Text (the Textus Receptus, God's preserved New Testament in Greek), before they were both burnt at the stake by the Church for supplying the word of God to the common folk in the street. When James of Scotland became the first king of the new Great Britain, being a God fearing man (contrary of what we have been taught), and like myself, encouraging relationship and accountability to God only, produced the first public bible for the man in the street, the Authorized Bible (also based on God's preserved Received Text). This books title was "The Holy Bible". It was only renamed the King James Version about one hundred years ago to make it look just like another translation which were beginning to appear on the religious market.

Other bibles that were translated from the Received Text prior to the KJ were: Beza's 1604, Bishops 1568, Geneva 1560, Stephen's 1550, The Great Bible 1539, Matthew's 1537, Coverdale 1535, Luther's 1534 (not the corrupt Lutheran Bible of today), Tyndale's 1525 (as already mentioned), Erasmus 1522, and Wycliffe's 1382 (as already mentioned)."
Copied from "The Infallible Book". .


Writing off members of the HRM or Scared Name Movement?:

No way!! We all err from time to time or make mistakes. Like us all, much of what I have done in my life has been in ignorance so why not make allowances for others. Just because someone writes G-d for God, or uses Yahweh doesn't mean to say we cut them off. We are exposing the false doctrine (therefore having to name names at times) not attacking personalities.


Replacement Theology:

Replacement Theology is the teaching which states "because the nation of Israel rejected Jesus, God has rejected Israel and is therefore finished with Israel (written it off), and all His purposes have now switched and are focused on the Church (the bride of Christ) which has replaced Israel".

We certainly don't go along with this teaching which takes Hosea 4:6 to extreme without the balance of other scriptures:

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Although God does reject those who reject Him (as He accepts those who accept Him and honours those who honour Him), this still does not rule out God granting another chance and showing mercy on those who are willing to humble themselves before Him with repentant hearts.

Scripture shows the Lord will have mercy on the nation of Israel again, when they turn from their wicked ways and call out to Him, as Israel will be the nation where (Messiah) Jesus will rule from during the true Millennium on earth.

Christians follow Jesus not Israel:

2 Chr. 17:3- 5. But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.


Discerning the right Root:

Rom. 11:16-18. For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

One of the main reasons for the HRM to have had so much sway in Christendom has been due to the misconception of Romans chapter eleven. This has been because of a misinterpretation of the olive tree in relation to Abraham's seed, along with a wrong interpretation of the tree's roots.

Abraham is our father according to the faith not the flesh. He is our father according to the promise not circumcision, tithing, sabbath keeping, or any other law observance. The olive tree we are grafted into is not natural Israel of the flesh (the present political / geographical regime) but the spiritual tree.

The Jewish people have been cut off for rejecting their Messiah, and the Gentile believers have been grafted in. However, this is not an excuse for Gentle believers to be cocky as Jews are being grafted in again as they too find Jesus as Messiah. This way we can all enjoy the benefits and nourishment of the tree together, as one new man.

Now for the crunch!! ... The root of the tree is not Jewishness at all, but Jesus:

Rev. 5:5. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda (of the Jews), the Root of David (the line going back to Abraham), hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Rev. 22:16. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

The false teachings of the HRM say we need to get back to the Jewish root/s to literally understand the N.T. scripture. Not so ...

...if the root be holy, so are the branches.

The root/s can't be Jewishness because the root/s are holy and no one is holy save Christ. If we (Jew or Gentile ) be connected to Him (Jesus) then we become holy branches enjoying the benefits of the promise. If interpretation of scripture relies on Jewishness and not God's Holy Spirit, this would put the Jewish teachers in a place of monopolizing scripture, placing them on the same hierarchical plane as the Orthodox Clergy and Roman Catholic Institution who place the Church, not individual revelation, in charge of interpretation.

As the late Keith Green (a Jewish Brother in Jesus) said in his song:

"We are de branches and He is de vine!"


Private interpretation or individual revelation:

Scripture speaks for itself ... it teaches against claiming private interpretation (no group monopolizing the truth):

2 Peter 1:20-21. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Therefore, no one group, race, organization, or fraternity, can claim authority or the position of being a guide, or interpreter. The New Covenant presents the priesthood of all believers under Jesus our High Priest. It presents revelation to the individual direct from the Throne Room of God:

Rom. 16:25-26. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Revelation from the risen glorified Christ in Heaven, to our hearts by the Holy Spirit:

Gal. 1:12. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The fact that God choose the Jewish nation had nothing to do with them being a superior or better people, but because it was part of God's over all plan. Therefore, the Jewish people were a privileged people. They spoke Hebrew therefore the O.T. books (God's word) where written in Hebrew. The N.T. (God's word) obviously wasn't written in Hebrew because this would give the Jewish people claim over the new faith, lording it over the Gentiles as the Jewish Concision did with the Galatians. The N.T. was written in the common language of the day Koine Greek, breaking down the partition which divided the two peoples (Jews and Gentile) giving them both equal status as heavenly citizens in the new Commonwealth of Israel.

Just as the Lord choose a Gentile (universal) language for His word at the opening of the church age will He choose a Gentile (universal) language at the closing of the church age. This of course would be English (and as I'm not English, I'm not being biased). This is nothing to do with race superiority but to do with God being a sovereign God Who calls the shots. He could not choose the present form of English as a base because it has lost its purity (virtue) of moral absolutes, unlike when it was at it's purest in 1611. Again, this was nothing to do with English being a superior or perfect language, but because God foreseen it would be the secular (non-religious) language that would transcend cultural and political barriers in this age of Globalism, bringing his word as a light to all the nations.


The end result:

Granted, there are different degrees in being ensnared by the Hebraic Roots / Sacred Name Movement, just as there is with any spiritual deception. The HRM at it's best (if we can use this scenario) is luring believers back under the law, whereas at it's worse, is occultism sneaked in through Cabbalistic teaching, as revealed in Part One and more thoroughly in Part Three.

However, in order to deal with this 'falling away' we first need to go beyond nipping it in the bud, before it takes root, and deal with the false root:

Luke 3:9. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

We need to deal with it now (as with all deception) by ruthlessly dealing with every root that is not Christ so there would be only one root left ... which root is Christ. The result: Christ being the right tree in our lives bearing the right fruit at the end of the age.

Going back under the law with it's obsolete observances doesn't produce fruit, but brings about striving in the flesh, sowing seeds of discord among the Body of Christ, with division and confusion. It also produces a complex belief system (religion) with a complicated false (dual) gospel.

Heb 9: 9-12. Which was a figure (the Old Covenant) for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Eph. 2:15. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain (Jew and Gentile) one new man, so making peace ...

Col. .2:14. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us (the law was our teacher pointing us to Christ), which was contrary to us (to our nature), and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross ...

The Old is dead! It is a white elephant! ... Nor can it be resurrected, reformed, taken out of moth balls, or stitched up:

Mark 2:21. No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

Why point importance on the old ... our past, our culture, our traditions, when there is so much at stake? A Jewish apostle called Paul saw his Jewish past as loss for Christ ... as dung, that I may win Christ.

When the Old Covenant was brought to an end, it was completely and absolutely once and for all replaced by the New. The New wasn't simply a purification of the Old one. Nor was it a rehash. When scripture says new, it means brand spanking new. Being in Christ means we have a new heart, a new start, a new life, a new hope, as ... all things become new. Even the geography becomes new ... a new house, a new sanctuary, a new city, a new country. This world (with its various races, nations, beliefs, politics and cultures) is not our home ... we're only passing through! Why put importance on the present! Jesus, our root, our rock, is coming back very soon ...

... for those who are rooted and grounded in Him!!




Jan. 99. Updated last 15/8/99.



Part Three ... A Hebraic Roots Expose

In Part Three we will be taking a more in-depth look into the sources behind the teaching of the HRM by a report compiled by Barb Aho ...


Dear Tom,

The following is a write-up I have done which proves that the sources used by the Hebrew Roots Movement
(Talmud, Mishnah, Midrash, etc.) evolved into and purvey the same occult teachings as the Kabbalah/Zohar.
The Appendix to this report, provided by Vicky Dillen, adds further documentation showing that these sources
are in total opposition to Scripture. These are facts of which every follower of the Hebrew Roots view of
Christianity should be apprised, but all seem to be totally unaware.

I am so glad you are addressing this subject and will be glad to share any information I have in the future. Let
us pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal to disciples of the H.R. ministries the truths of Christian liberty
expressed in the book of Galatians and lead them out of this movement, which otherwise will eventually deliver them into the dreadful bondage of the Noahide Laws and the global Kabbalist/Freemasonic New World Order.

May God bless you,
Barb Aho

Watch Unto Prayer
[e-mail]
watch.pair.com/pray.html


THE HEBRAIC ROOTS MOVEMENT

Peter Michas' essay "Is The New Testament Hebrew/Aramaic or Greek?" maintains that the original Gospels were written in Hebrew and/or Aramaic, translated into Greek and are therefore not reliable, especially having passed through successive translations to the English New Testament used by English speaking Christians
today. The solution to this problem, according to Michas, is to turn to the O.T. and Jewish traditions to
determine the truth of the New Testament. Peter Michas advocates reliance upon the Jewish Mishnah,
Haggadah, Halakah, Talmud and Midrash, along with the Torah (first five books of the Old
Testament), as better commentaries on New Testament doctrine than the Greek and English New Testaments
themselves, which he claims are inferior translations of the presumed Hebrew/Aramaic originals:

Is The New Testament Hebrew/Aramaic or Greek?

"In summation, since existing New Testament manuscripts are Greek, written to express
Hebraic concepts, why be limited to the Greek or English translations when we have Hebrew, now
a living language not very different than it was 2000 years ago. The New Testament is in the
pattern of the Jewish traditional work of Torah, Mishnah, Haggadah, Halakah, Talmud
and Midrash, but inspired by God Himself for the common people. These Hebraic works as well
as the Inspired Scriptures were quoted from by Jesus and all the writers of the New Testament.
But even now, to have full comprehension, we must read the scriptures in the proper Hebraic
context.
"Most all of the Judaic writings have been preserved for us and now translated into proper
English directly from the Hebrew, as well as explained in true Hebraic manner. Therefore, why not
go to this material and study ourselves approved before God with full context and understanding?"

JEWISH OR OCCULT SOURCES?

Is the New Testament in the pattern of the Mishnah, Haggadah, Halakah, Talmud and Midrash?
"Jewish traditional work" refers to the oral traditions that were passed through generations as opposed to the
written Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. The University of Calgary website of Hebrew scholar, Eliezer Segal, Ph.D., indicates that these oral traditions originated in ancient Babylon and were handed
through successive generations until they were compiled in the Kabbalah during the third to twelfth centuries
A.D. or C.E., the Common Era. Some information about the Mishnah, Haggadah, Halakah, Talmud and
Midrash, may be obtained from Dr. Segal's website, which is cited in this report along with other authoritative
sources, to give the reader an overview of the origins, history and nature of these sources.

[NOTE: Dr. Segal received his M.A. and Ph.D. in the Talmud Dept. at Hebrew University. He is the
recipient of several scholarships and grants in Talmud and Babylonian Midrash studies, has taught the
Talmud, Mishnah, Midrash and Rabbinics, published books and articles on the Babylonian Talmud, Midrash,
and Haggadah. Dr. Segal is a lecturer on "Jewish Mysticism," "Halakha, Holidays and History", "On
Completing the Babylonian Talmud," "Ecology and the Environment: Halacha and Reality," "Burned, Banned and Best Seller: The Talmud," "Joseph and Osiris," and other subjects. He has participated in a number of
interfaith dialogues. On his site is also found the full explanation of The Ten Sefirot of the Kabbalah.]


THE MISHNAH

The Mishnah is the early Talmud or the forerunner of the Talmud. To the Mishnah the rabbis later added the
Gemara (rabbinical commentaries). Together these comprise the Talmud. Scholars will claim that the Talmud
is partly a collection of oral traditions given by Moses which had not yet been written down in Jesus' time.
However, Christ condemned the traditions of the Mishnah (early Talmud) and the Scribes and Pharisees who
taught it, because their oral traditions contradicted the teachings of Scripture. The dire warning of Jesus Christ regarding the traditions of men which make null and void the Word of God (Mark 7:1-13) seems to be a
reference to the Mishnah, which was later compiled (c. 200 A.D.) by Rabbi Judah ben Simeon, who presided
over Judaism's supreme judiciary and legislative body, the Sanhedrin.

"Mishnah can refer in a general way to the full tradition of the Oral Torah, as formulated by
the Rabbis in the first centuries of the Common Era. These traditions could not be written down,
but had to be transmitted and learned by word of mouth. This restriction was observed quite
scrupulously throughout the eras of the Mishnah and Talmud.
"The Jewish sages whose statements are quoted in the Mishnah are known as Tanna'im*
(singular: 'Tanna'), derived from the Aramaic root related to the Hebrew 'ShNH.' The era in which
the Mishnah was developed is therefore referred to as the 'Tanna'itic' era."

Who are the Tanna'im?

The Jewish sages referred to as Tanna'im are, in fact, the high initiates of Kabbalah. THE
THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY of Mme. H.P. Blavatsky shows the correlation between Tanaim and
Kabbalah:

"TANAIM (Heb.). Jewish Initiates, very learned Kabbalists in ancient times. The Talmud
contains sundry legends about them and gives the chief names of them."

"KABALIST. From Q B L H, Kabalah, an unwritten or oral tradition. The kabalist is a
student of 'secret science,' one who interprets hidden meaning of the Scriptures with the help of
the symbolical Kabala, and explains the real one by these means. The TANAIM were the first
kabalists among the Jews; they appeared at Jerusalem about the beginning of the third century
before the Christian Era... This secret doctrine is identical with that of the Chaldeans, and
includes at the same time much of the Persian wisdom, or 'magic'." (caps added)

"KABALAH (Heb.) The hidden wisdom of the Hebrew Rabbis of the middle ages derived
from the secret doctrines concerning divine things and cosmogony, which were combined into a
theology after the time of the captivity of the Jews in Babylon. All the works that fall under the
esoteric category are termed Kabbalistic..."

There appears to be disagreement as to when the oral traditions took on a written form. However, Dr. Segal
confirms that the Mishnah was developed and disseminated from a fixed body of teaching that originated in
ancient Babylon (Chaldea):

"Although there are traditions in the Mishnah that claim to go back to the fifth century
B.C.E. (the 'Great Assembly'; cf. Nehemiah 8-10), as well as a few additions from as late as the
mid-third century, the main body of the Mishnah consists of teachings attributed to authorites from
about the middle of the first century, through to the second decade of the third century C.E. This
time period witnessed some major historical turning-points for the Jewish nation, such as the
destruction of the Second Jerusalem Temple in 70, and the catastrophic failure of the revolt
against Rome under the leadership of Simeon bar Kokhba (or: bar Kuziba) in 135. Because the
Mishnah is a technical work of religious law, these momentous historical events find almost no
explicit mention in the Mishnah, even though the very composition of the Mishnah is often viewed
as a response to those very events...
"All ancient sources are in agreement that the Mishnah was compiled by Rabbi Judah the
'Prince,' before his death around 217 C.E. On the author see below. It should be emphasized
that--contrary to a view that appears in many histories and introductions, and which is based on the
writings of medieval Spanish Jewish authorities [ed: see Sephardic Jews below] --this redaction did
not involve writing down the traditions, but merely the determining and organizing of a fixed text
that was subsequently disseminated by memory. It is clear from the internal evidence of the
Talmud that the teachings of the Rabbis continued to be studied orally throughout the Talmudic
era, and this continued to be the practice in the Babylonian academies well into the middle ages...
"Rabbi Judah ben Simeon bore the Hebrew title of 'Nasi,' signifying the position of Patriarch,
the official political representative of the Jewish people. From an internal Jewish perspective, the
Nasi presided over Judaism's supreme judiciary and legislative body, the Sanhedrin. The title had
become a hereditary one, almost without interruption, since the days of the revered Hillel the
Elder in the first century B.C.E."

THE MISHNAH TORAH

The Jews of Spain who followed Babylonian rather than Palestinian Jewish traditions were exiled to Sepharad,
from whence they have been credited with disseminating Cabalism throughout Europe. [See Encarta and
Grolier's Encyclopedia entries on the Sephardim below] Amongst the most important Jewish thinkers from the
Sephardic tradition was Moses Maimonides:

Eliezer Segal commentary on Moses Maimonides:

"[Moses Maimonides] lived from 1138 to 1204. He spent ten full years compiling the
Mishneh Torah, which he continued to revise throughout his lifetime. Moses Maimonides (Rabbi
Moshe ben Maimon, usually referred to in Hebrew by the acronym "RaMBa"M) was one of the
towering figures in medieval intellectual and religious life. In addition to his law code, he excelled
in the fields of philosophy, science, medicine, exegesis and communal leadership. Though born in
Spain, in his youth his family fled religious persecution, settling in Egypt...
"Maimonides' Mishneh Torah was intended to be a summary of the entire body of Jewish
religious law... It opens with a section on systematic philosophical theology, derived largely from
Aristotelian science and metaphysics, which it regards as the most important component of Jewish
law. Most other Jewish codes avoided mixing creed and religious law; and Maimonides'
interpretation of Jewish religion in terms of Greek ideas aroused much opposition."

In Chapter 10 of the English Translation, Maimonides' Mishnah Torah curses Jesus Christ:

"It is a mitzvah [religious duty; ARC], however, to eradicate Jewish traitors, minnim, and
apikorsim, and to cause them to descend to the pit of destruction, since they cause difficulty to the
Jews and sway the people away from God, as did Jesus of Nazareth and his students, and Tzadok,
Baithos, and their students. May the name of the wicked rot." (p. 184)

THE TALMUD

The Babylonian Talmud is a commentary on the Mishnah composed by Babylonian Jewish sages (Ravs) from
the early third to the sixth century. A Jewish sage who was from Babylonia would have been addressed by the
title, 'Rav,' while one who lived in Israel would have been called 'Rabbi.' One portion of the Talmud dealt with
folklore, especially magical and medical recipes. The following statement, from TORAH TO KABBALAH by
R.C. Musaph-Andriess

[shann0]

This article takes aim at a prominent Hebrew Roots heretic, Lew White, along with exposing some of the books that he recommends to support his dangerous theology.

lightingtheway.blogspot.com/2007/09/satanism-and-hebrew-roots-movement.html

Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Satanism and the Hebrew Roots Movement
A surprising number of “remnant” (as they call themselves) “believers” in the Hebrew Roots Movement are being led to believe that “Jesus” is a pagan name. Many teach that “we have all been taught wrong” and that the “New Testament” and the “church” are not reliable. This is, of course, due to “God” (another pagan name, so they say) not being able to guard His “Writings”, as they put it, down through the ages, allowing believers in the “Bible” (the word “Bible” is another pagan word) to be led astray. The goal seems to be to unlock the conspiratorial mysteries hidden by “evil” pastors and “duped” churches in order to stay away from “Christianized” schemes of Satan such as traditional interpretations of the Bible.

The audience shares a bizarre concentrated, studious fascination for the “wicked realm of the occult”, which is defined by this sect as the (misinterpreted) Bible and the whole Christian culture. It would be far too anti-intellectual to even merit a response to these ludicrous claims except that these study groups target authentic, church-going Christians who love the Jews and Israel with the aim of painting satanic “secrets” as God’s Truth. Their attempt, most often unknowingly, is to confuse God’s elect away from the Holy Spirit into bondage of the occult. It is a crafty agenda, as Satan makes “Christians” believe they are following “Jesus” when they are following Satan.

It is a privilege to make a stand for my precious Lord and Savior and His Word, amidst this satanic onslaught of error in the name of “Yeshua.” People are truly victims of Satan, and I write this with the prayer that even the leaders of this neo-“messianic” Gnosticsm will be set free from such demonic “enlightenment.”

The sad irony is that these seekers who are so desperately trying to avoid paganism are involved in the occult, all the while believing they have “been chosen” to escape it. The satanic spirits they are supposedly avoiding have in fact twisted the Scriptures to ensnarl them with an overt attack on everything Satan hates: God, the Father; God, the Son; God the Holy Spirit; God’s Word, and God’s people. Authors such as Lew White, with his independent “Strawberry Islands Publishing”, use Scripture verses to do a little more than just suggest that the “church” lies in the “domain of the evil one.” His movement called “Fossilized Customs” recommends the following “ministries” and materials:

Hendrickson’s Interlinear Hebrew-Aramaic-Greek-English B-ble (purposely not spelling “Bible”, for it is a pagan word they purport); Come Out of Her My People by Chris J. Koster (Lew White writes that “Brother Chris fell asleep in the spring about 5 years ago”, page 66; Lew White’s book Fossilized Customs teaches that Christians do not go to heaven when they die, pp. 41-42); Search the Scriptures www.search-the-scriptures.org/ ; Yahweh’s New Covenant Assembly Light Magazine: www.ynca.com/ ; Assemblies of Yahweh www.assembliesofyahweh.com/ ; Peter Tikvah; www.etz-chayim.org/petah1.htm; Israel: 12 tribes! www.yourarmstoisrael.org/ ; Gates of Eden, Daniel Botkin; www.eliyah.com/; www.nazarineisrael.org/; www.nazarine.net/; www.fossilizedcustoms.com/.

An honest examination of what Lew White teaches in his eccentric book only serves to prove that Lew is the one who is disseminating occult doctrines not “Sun-day” worshiping pastors and the triune God he vilifies in Fossilized Customs.

The “Next Level”

“Are you ready to go to the next level?” Lew White asks on page 3. Do readers not realize that Gnosticism is elite, enlightened, occult knowledge? Whenever a teacher speaks about secrets or “the next level” it is akin to the realm of Satan. Gnostic means “gnosis” and stands for enlightened knowledge. No wonder Lew White references the “scrolls of Enoch” on page 20 of his book. He is teaching the occult. Enoch is a book referenced and revered by esoteric religions such as Rosicrucianism, Kabbalah, and Freemasonry. [See “The Secret Mysteries of America’s Beginnings: The New Atlantis”; Antiquities Research Films].

Lew White is also committing the Gnostic sin of teaching Satanism while saying it is God (or “Yahushuah”, the name he “prefers” on page 17 of his book). Lew confuses Satan with God and God with Satan, and we are reminded in the Bible, and in observation of the occult, that this is the work of Satan not God! We are warned about this strategic twist throughout Scripture, including Isaiah 5:20 and 1 Corinthians 10:20-21. Lew White is perverting the meaning of Bible verses and names of God to give them an opposite meaning. That is the work of demons. His readers obviously don’t know much about the realm of the occult, or they would see this is truly so textbook it is elementary in the study of wiles from the same old, lying adversary. It is just another fabrication of “you are gods”.

We are forewarned to test the spirits (1 John 4), for there is more than one “Yeshua” being taught (2 Cor. 11:4)!

[Jesus was not called “Yeshua” once in the original texts of the Old Testament or New. I will write more on that in a forthcoming article.]

Lew writes “a small child can understand the secret that is locked in the Scriptures.” He wants to make the truth available to the “average person.” He writes “a little flock has always held on to the true faith delivered to those set apart.” (page 2, Fossilized Customs).

Actually, cults believe they have the truth that no one else has found. It is cultic and satanic to have “hidden” knowledge. Since these “Israelites” love to study words, it is imperative for them to remember that the word “occult” means “hidden.” 2 Cor. 4:2-4 says that we “renounce the HIDDEN things.” People of the Lord don’t want or have anything “hidden.” We are not people of secrets. I will document more quotes from Lew White’s book Fossilized Customs to show that this spirit is opposed to the Holy Spirit in the following excerpts.

Lew writes: “This book will restore names and other words to the more accurate sound for their originals. Letters in any language are symbols for sounds.” (p. 4).

That “sounds” just like what the Kabbalah teaches! In pop Kabbalah, “words” are powerful as Hebrew words are studied or simply sounded over and over or stared at for “secret knowledge.”The Kabbalah Centre openly teaches the esoteric power of Hebrew words. They also teach that people do not die and go to heaven—at least not the “heaven” the Bible describes (John 14). Lew White teaches a gospel of life after death similar to the pop-Kabbalists:

“We were created to be companions to [unpronounceable Hebrew word for God] and rule the universe with Him…we will become spatial beings, able to interact with the physical world as well as the unseen space or spirit energy when the children of [unpronounceable Hebrew word for God] are finally revealed..His indwelling enables us to do no sin.” (page 91)

“…Trinity…goes against everything the Scriptures ever taught.” (page 92)

Just like Mormonism teaches, Lew continues, “You can’t have monotheism and trinitarianism!” (page 92). Cults don’t believe in one God (monotheism) in three Persons (trinitarianism)—the God of the Bible.

Satanism also teaches against the Trinity. Compare Lew White’s teaching to Satanism:

“The day of the cross and the Trinity are done.” (p. 127, Satanic Rituals, 1972)

I guess there is nothing new after all in Lew White’s “fossilized customs.”

Lew laments that he is being “persecuted” for being on the “narrow way” when people accuse him of teaching cultic and occult teachings (page 97).

However, Lew takes no heed of warnings from unenlightened “paganized Christians.” He writes “simply calling yourself a Christian is a generic reference and could be applied to any follower of any ‘Christ.’” (page 97).

“To enter into His covenant with Yisrael, and to have our sins removed and give ourselves to Him, we must be immersed in the name above all names [then he writes a name no “average person” knows how to pronounce!].” (page 98).

Lew teaches:

“The Celtic Druid sun deity was worshiped under the proper name GOTT, which was adapted into our English as God.” (page 159).

In Lew’s section, “Turning the World Upside Down,” I am reminded that in Satanism what is up is down and down is up. (see page 1, Satanic Rituals, 1972).

Lew informs us that the word “Lord” means “Baal”, and that the name of Jesus is a secret: “The name was concealed, and anyone who spoke it aloud could be stoned to death for saying it…He revealed it to those given to Him out of the world, and that we be kept as ONE (in unity) by it…He criticized the Pharisees for withholding the ‘key of knowledge’ (Luke 11:52) and what they withheld was His name.” (page 83).

Lew goes on to write that “God”, “Lord”, and “Jesus” are pagan deities. (page 43).

He says that when “believers” die they “endure like the stars unchanging.” They are not in “a place called heaven.” He goes on to mock pastors and God’s people and the Bible by suggesting:
“So, if your ‘pastor’ tells you your dead family members are in heaven with the ‘Lord’ kindly remind him what the Writings say.” (page 41)

Lew goes on to misinterpret Scripture explaining, “It is more important to note that pagans taught about the ‘spirits’ of the dead being transported to ‘heaven.’"

Lew ends that thought on this encouraging note:

“At the time the dirt is being thrown on us we have His seed in us, and He will clothe us in a new spiritual body at the resurrection of the saints…ignorance…is shameful.” (page 41)

Compare Lew’s “set apart spirit” (page 39) to what the Satanists teach:

“There is no heaven of glory bright and no hell where sinners roast. Here and now is our day of torment! Here and now is our day of joy!...Then all thy bones shall say pridefully, ‘Who is like me? Have I not been too strong for mine adversaries? Have I not delivered MYSELF by my own brain and body?’ THE BOOK OF LUCIFER; THE BOOK OF ENLIGHTENMENT…Lucifer was the bearer of light, the spirit of the air, the personification of enlightenment.” (The Satanic Bible, pp. 33-34, Anton LaVey)

We see here that to believe the teachings of "Lew White" is to believe Satanism. For a much more reliable source for the meanings of occult symbols in our society, such as secret symbols on the dollar bill and freemason designs in architecture in Washington D.C. please refer to books by David Ovason who has compiled excellent, reliable documention (published by Harper Collins) available at any major bookstore or Amazon.com. Titles include The Secret Symbols of the Dollar Bill and The Secret Architecture of our Nation's Capital. It is fascinating to study the true meanings of occult symbols weaved into our culture and society without entering the realm of the occult by the bewitchment of overt attacks on the name of Jesus, His Word, and His people...all in the name of Yeshua.

[shann0]

Sacred Names people always point to the relatively recent development of the letter J as proof that using the name Jesus is a pagan corruption. This video should leave no doubt about the fallacy of that assumption.

[maeday5]

Wow Shanno, you've posted a goldmine of good information. I wasn't in the forum yet when original discussion began. So, I'm thankful you posted more material now.
I can't even begin to think that when I call out to the Lord Jesus, he is displeased. We English speaking people were given the Bible in our own tongue and multitudes have been redeemed reading it's pages. I can't imagine God being displeased over our addressing Him, as Father God or His son as, Jesus. We're not Jewish, we don't read/speak Hebrew but for the new legalists we are supposed to start speaking Hebrew to address God?? (why not for everything then?)

[shann0]

Indeed Mae. The Lord has promised to preserve His Word, and to say that the bible has been corrupted is the same as calling God a liar.

This teaching is becoming more prevalent. After I posted this thread the first time, we lost a few members because they didn't like hearing the truth. This is none other than witchcraft, believing that we must say the magick words/ names and or perform rituals/ keep sabbaths in order to control and bend God to our will/ obtain blessings from Him. In their eagerness to avoid paganism, they have swallowed it hook, line and sinker.

The Hebrew Roots movement is a pernicious lie from the pit. Satan would love us all to come under it's bondage. The bible so clearly denounces this, that it's unimaginable how many are falling for it today. I think it's attraction is that it makes them feel like they are doing something to keep themselves holy, when in reality the sin issue has been dealt with. Jesus Christ is our holiness, and that holiness cannot be improved or maintained by anything we do... It IS Finished.

[maeday5]

Nov 29, 2011 17:29:46 GMT -5 shann0 said:

Indeed Mae. The Lord has promised to preserve His Word, and to say that the bible has been corrupted is the same as calling God a liar.

This teaching is becoming more prevalent. After I posted this thread the first time, we lost a few members because they didn't like hearing the truth. This is none other than witchcraft, believing that we must say the magick words/ names and or perform rituals/ keep sabbaths in order to control and bend God to our will/ obtain blessings from Him. In their eagerness to avoid paganism, they have swallowed it hook, line and sinker..............
Jesus Christ is our holiness, and that holiness cannot be improved or maintained by anything we do... It IS Finished.

Amen, it is finished, Jesus finished it. There are no new or recently revealed, *methods*, that bring us any closer to true worship then what the Bible has already laid out for us.
How sad, maddening to comprehend, poor souls are being denied peace with their savior over Hebrew rituals,rules, language,etc. All for naught, the curtain to the Holy of Holies was torn asunder at Christ's death. We have bold access to Almighty God through the shed blood of Jesus, He is our mediator!