After we discover our Hebrew heritage and learn that the Old Testament has not been replaced by the New Testament; as we have come out of the mysterious Babylonian world system and let go of that old time religion, what's next?
Glad you asked!
Now we discover the Faith that was once delivered.
Glad you asked!
Now we discover the Faith that was once delivered.
Jude 1:3 ~ While I take all pains to write to you of our common life, it is needful for me to write to you, encouraging you to maintain a conflict for the faith which was once delivered to the Set Apart believers.
What does that mean, the faith once delivered, and why do we need to fight for it? Keep reading:
Jude 1:4 ~ For some have obtained entrance who, from the beginning, were registered beforehand under this condemnation: wicked men who pervert the grace of Elohim to impurity and deny Him who is the only MarYah (Master YHWH), and our Master, Y'shua the Mashiyach.
Long before the days of Y'shua, wicked men had been infiltrating assemblies of YHWH and continue to teach lies to this very day. It is up to us as Set Apart believers to remind folks of the faith that was delivered long before men began to pervert it. All religions have perverted the Word of our Creator to one degree or another.
1 John 4 ~ Do not believe all spirits, but discriminate among spirits whether they are of Elohim; for many false prophets have gone out into the world...
These false prophets (wicked men) in their teaching of perverted doctrines, in essence, deny YHWH as our only Elohim and do not recognize Y'shua as the Son of Elohim.
What is 'faith'?
Hebrews 11 ~ Now faith is the persuasion of the things that are in hope as if they were an actual fact, and it is the manifesting of the things not seen. For by faith we understand that the worlds were shaped by the Word of Elohim and that things seen originated from those that are not seen.
What does that mean, the faith once delivered, and why do we need to fight for it? Keep reading:
Jude 1:4 ~ For some have obtained entrance who, from the beginning, were registered beforehand under this condemnation: wicked men who pervert the grace of Elohim to impurity and deny Him who is the only MarYah (Master YHWH), and our Master, Y'shua the Mashiyach.
Long before the days of Y'shua, wicked men had been infiltrating assemblies of YHWH and continue to teach lies to this very day. It is up to us as Set Apart believers to remind folks of the faith that was delivered long before men began to pervert it. All religions have perverted the Word of our Creator to one degree or another.
1 John 4 ~ Do not believe all spirits, but discriminate among spirits whether they are of Elohim; for many false prophets have gone out into the world...
These false prophets (wicked men) in their teaching of perverted doctrines, in essence, deny YHWH as our only Elohim and do not recognize Y'shua as the Son of Elohim.
What is 'faith'?
Hebrews 11 ~ Now faith is the persuasion of the things that are in hope as if they were an actual fact, and it is the manifesting of the things not seen. For by faith we understand that the worlds were shaped by the Word of Elohim and that things seen originated from those that are not seen.
In our continued reading and study of Scriptures, it is by faith we come to trust our Creator and believe His Word is the truth about everything. We commit ourselves to YHWH and trust Y'shua, His Son. Our Hope is in the actual fact of the Good News of the Kingdom to come, yet to be manifest - all of which we have not seen - but it is by growing in faith we obey the will of the Father. Examples of faith are taught to us through Noah; when he was told of the things not seen (the Flood), he obeyed Yahweh and made an ark, and became righteous which is by faith. By faith, Abraham, when called, obeyed Yah, left home and traveled to the place of his inheritance while he had no idea where he was going. By faith he became a resident in the land that was promised. By this same faith we also inherit the promised land.
1 Peter 1:6-9 ... when you are under some pressure by the various trials that pass over you (it is) so that the proof of your faith may appear more precious than refined gold that is tested by fire, to glory and honor and praise at the manifestation of Y'shua: whom having not seen, you love; and in the faith of whom you rejoice with the joy that is glorious and beyond expression, that you may receive the reward of your faith, the life of your souls...
According to Scriptures, faith is not about religion or the doctrines of man. Faith is much more than saying "In God We Trust", going to church and reciting prayers. Faith is our commitment to the Living Elohim who provided an Owner's Manual to go with His Creation which includes all humanity. As we read, study, research, discuss and learn about His ways, the Ruach haKodesh reveals the truth of all things, and it becomes a harmonious relationship in which we gain understanding. It is His Path of Righteousness we continue to move along towards the land of our inheritance. Satan, with his various devices which cause division, tries to stop us from moving along this path, and succeeds in turning many people away from YHWH Elohim our heavenly Father.
John 20:29 - Y'shua said to him, "Now that you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who do not see me and believe."
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Since discovering these Hebrew origins-- beginning with Abraham the Hebrew and continuing through the descendants of Jacob which became the House of Israel --many have be led to align themselves with today's Jews, completely ignoring the other eleven tribes, a serious side-effect of many Hebrew Roots teachers. These people begin to embrace traditions as they adorn themselves with prayer shawls, clip-on tzitzits, collect shofars, menorahs and Israeli flags, wear pins and star of David jewelry, and keep the 7th day rest every sat-day. They follow the herd as they 'stand with Israel' not knowing today's modern day state of Israel is not Biblical Israel and they believe that Jews are God's chosen people who were gathered back to their land in 1948. Some folks even go as far as to submit their DNA for analysis to see if they are blood relatives of the Jews. Sadly, they don't realize how much has been added to the Word of Elohim via Judaism, the writings in the Talmud and the mystical Kabbalah. It's as if Satan is throwing out one last stumbling block for those of us seeking YHWH. We came out of the Babylonian religious systems but many are in danger of being snared by Judaism and all its customs. YHWH's Son refers to this very topic and taught against it.
Let's come back to the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Recorded in these writings are YHWH's plans for His people and the precise instructions to follow in order to live in a just and righteous fashion. They are known as Torah in the Hebrew language and Instructions in the English language. Christianity likes to call them Laws and put them under the heading of Legalism which makes it easier to promote the belief that Jesus 'nailed them to the cross' and did away with them. This is not the case.
Does any one even take into consideration where the Ten Commandments came from? There are even folks who think only Two Commands apply today. The Two and the Ten can be backtracked to the rules and regulations found in the Old Testament and narrowed down to the first five books. For example, Matthew 22 tells us that Yah's Instructions (Torah) and the (writings of the) prophets hold onto these two commandments:
- Love Master Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart, soul, might and mind
- Love your neighbor as yourself
Earlier, we read in Deuteronomy 6:5
- You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and all your soul and with all your might.
and in Leviticus 19:18
- Do not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your countrymen. Love your fellow as yourself.
It is because of our faith
that we become obedient, through love.
If we have no love nothing else matters.
Faith, not religion, is what Y'shua asked about, wondering if any will be found on this earth when he returns (Luke 18:8). He spoke this parable against men who relied upon themselves thinking they were righteous, while despising everyone else.
Being made aware of the Hebrew Roots of the Word of Elohim (aka Scriptures) is a valuable stepping stone along His Path. Do not let it become a stumbling block by trading your old religion for a substitute. Pick up your Bible and start reading from the beginning, Genesis, on through to Deuteronomy. Just a light surface reading will do the first time... now read it again and one more time. Take notes and write down your questions. Let His Words sink in and allow His Spirit to teach you. Y'shua called this Spirit the Comforter, who reveals truth. Find fellow Set Apart believers to share and grow with. Understand that we are no different from the people we read about in Scriptures. We have the same struggles, joys and sorrows. Satan is still seeking whom he can devour as we face the same temptations and make decisions. By obeying the Instructions given by our Creator we are trained up so as to make the right decisions. Continue reading through the Old Testament noting the results of the decisions made by those people. All this was written for our benefit so that we would not make the same mistakes. Scriptures contain everything we need to know in order to live a good life as we wait for the return of Y'shua our High Priest and future King.
