Acts 15: The Truth Behind the Claims of Torah Abolishment

 

Acts 15 is often used by Christians as a tool to show that the Torah was done away with or to prove that dispensationalism is true. But are there any truths to their claims? As we take a closer look at Acts 15, we will see that such claims are scripturally bankrupt and only come from a misunderstanding of the scriptures. This will not be an exhaustive explanation of Acts 15, but a pocket guide to understanding what is said in the chapter. My mission is to inform and inspire you to do the research yourself. Doing this will strengthen your beliefs. 

What’s Necessary to First Enter the Kingdom?

At the beginning of the chapter, we learn that certain men came from Judea and told the young believers they needed to be circumcised to be saved.

“And certain men came down from Yehuḏah (Judea) and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised, according to the practice of Mosheh, you are unable to be saved.” (Acts 15:1) 

This is no different than the Preachers nowadays saying you must be baptized to be saved, or you need to be able to speak in tongues. Circumcision, baptisms, and speaking in tongues are all great things, but salvation is available to all so long as they abide in the Messiah. According to the Talmud, no one may enter Israel unless they are first circumcised. This has never been the case, but was added by men. 

“When a convert enters the congregation of Israel, he is obligated to undergo circumcision first. If he had been circumcised while he was a gentile, it is necessary to extract the blood of the covenant on the day that he converts.” (Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 13:1-4)

Talmud vs Torah

Next, we read what some of the Pharisees, who believed in Yeshua, had to say about what the new in faith should do. 

“But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” (Acts 15:5)

After this, a great debate took place between those who wanted the new in the faith to keep the Talmud and those who said they should keep the Torah. 

“And the emissaries and elders came together to look into this matter. And when there had been much dispute, Kĕpha (Peter) rose up and said to them, “Men, brothers, you know that a good while ago Elohim chose among us, that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News and believe. “And Elohim, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Set-apart Spirit, as also to us, and made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by belief. Now then, why do you try Elohim by putting a yoke on the neck of the taught ones which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” But through the favor of the Master יהושע Messiah we trust to be saved, in the same way as they.” (Acts 15:6-11)

Upon reading this, Christians will often say, “See, Peter said the Law was a yoke no one could bear.” Well, instead of relying on our own understanding, let's read how the Bible describes the Law.

“For this command which I am commanding you today, it is not too hard for you, nor is it far off. “It is not in the heavens, to say, ‘Who shall ascend into the heavens for us, and bring it to us, and cause us to hear it, so that we do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, to say, ‘Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, and cause us to hear it, so that we do it?’ ” “For the Word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart – to do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:11-14)

“For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy,” (1 John 5:3)

Furthermore, the Torah is described as liberating and a delight in other passages in the Bible. (Read my article “Understanding the Torah - A Biblical Perspective on Living a Life Pleasing to Yah” for more information.) Even Yeshua, who only spoke the words of His Father, said that his yoke was light.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your beings “For My yoke is gentle and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)

What is this yoke that the Messiah talks about? 

“If you love Me, you shall guard My commands.” (John 14:15)

As we can see, this aligns perfectly with other scriptures; it's amazing how well the Bible comes together if you let it speak for itself. Not letting man's doctrine, that unbearable yoke, get in the way of the truth, speaking of which, let’s see what the Messiah had to say about man's doctrines.

“Then יהושע spoke to the crowds and to His taught ones, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on the seat of Mosheh (Moses). Therefore, whatever they say to you to guard, guard and do. But do not do according to their works, for they say, and do not do. “For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders, but with their finger they do not wish to move them.” (Matthew 23: 1-4)

The Messiah said the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, which means they read the Torah out loud during Sabbath to the congregation. During this time, Yeshua tells his followers to obey all that they say. Why? Because keeping the Torah is how we show we love Elohim! He goes on to say, though, do not follow their ways. Do not follow their Talmud (Man doctrine); they preach the Torah but follow the Talmud. It is from man's doctrines that we get heavy burdens that no one can keep, not the instructions of YHWH. 

James’s (Jacob’s) Ruling on the Matter

At the end of the meeting, James concluded the matter. 

“Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the nations who are turning to Elohim, but that we write to them to abstain from the defilements of idols, and from whoring, and from what is strangled, and from blood” (Acts 15:19-20)

Again, Christians will proclaim, “See, we only have to keep these four things. The Law was done away with.” So you can go murder someone, commit adultery, practice witchcraft, forsake the wearing of Tzitzits, and worship other gods? That is just absurd! Not to mention that these four commandments come from the Torah. 

Abstain from things polluted by idols:

“Guard what I command you today. See, I am driving out from before you the Amorite and the Kena‛anite (Canaanites) and the Ḥittite and the Perizzite and the Ḥiwwite and the Yeḇusite (Jebusites). “Guard yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst. “But break down their slaughter-places, and smash their pillars, and cut down their Ashĕrim (Asherim) – for you do not bow yourselves to another mighty one, for יהוה, whose Name is jealous, is a jealous Ěl – lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they whore after their mighty ones, and slaughter to their mighty ones, and one of them invites you and you eat of his slaughterings, and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters whore after their mighty ones, and make your sons whore after their mighty ones.” (Exodus 34:11-16)

Most of the commandments on sexual immorality can be found in chapter 18 of Leviticus. Abstaining from eating food that was strangled, and the eating of blood go hand in hand with each other. If an animal were strangled, it would have been almost impossible to properly drain the animal of its blood. It would thicken and seep into the muscle and harden. 

“An everlasting law throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you do not eat any fat or any blood.” (Leviticus 3:17)

Why these four, though? During the time, pagans would slaughter animals to idols, eat the meat of it, drink its blood, and then have relations with the temple prostitutes. All of these were done to worship a false god, so it makes sense that the council would make it a point for the new in the faith to stop worshiping idols. This can be summed up with this one commandment.

“you do not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, יהוה your Elohim am a jealous Ěl ...” (Exodus 20:5)

Start with a Few and Continue to Add

But what about the rest of the Torah? Well, as James said, they would learn during Sabbath when Moses is read.

“For from ancient generations Mosheh (Moses) has, in every city, those proclaiming him – being read in the congregations every Sabbath.” (Acts 15:21)

Those who are new in Messiah cannot be expected to learn and follow the whole Torah in one day. It is a process and takes time to grow in the faith, just like infants, they need milk to grow strong, and then they will be ready for solid food. 

“as newborn babes, desire the unadulterated milk of the Word, in order that you grow by it, if indeed you have tasted that the Master is good.” (1 Peter 2:2-3)

We shouldn’t stop at keeping these four commandments; we need to continue to grow, and in doing so, keep even more of the Torah. Those who are infants in the faith cannot be expected to adhere to the Torah like those of spiritual adulthood.

“And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual ones but as to fleshly, as to babes in Messiah. I fed you with milk and not with solid food, for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is envy, and strife, and divisions among you, are you not fleshly and walking according to man?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)

The author of Hebrews (Most likely Paul) tells us that we need to grow to the point of being teachers, skilled in the word of righteousness, and trained in distinguishing good from evil, which can only be known through Torah. 

“For indeed, although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first elements of the Words of Elohim. And you have become such as need milk and not solid food. For everyone partaking of milk is inexperienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food is for the mature whose senses have been trained by practice to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:12-14)

Grow into Spiritual Adults 

In summary, being circumcised will not save you, but it is needed for obedience. The four commandments given to the new in faith were a starting point and focused on stopping the worship of idols, and the infants in Messiah would learn the Torah every Sabbath when Moses is read. Let Acts 15 serve as an excellent model for how we should raise newborns in the faith, with a little of the Torah every Sabbath. As the infants grow in the spirit, so too will they grow in obedience to YHWH. 

I hope this helps shed some light and understanding on Acts 15. I ask that you test all things, including this. And may the Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) guide you into all truth.

P.S.

Check out some of my books! Available in both print and Kindle versions.  

Understanding the Torah - A Biblical Perspective on Living a Life Pleasing to Yah

 

Readers, family, and friends have asked me many questions since I started this blog, but one of the questions that comes up often is, “What exactly is the Torah?” This is a great question, for if you do not know what the Torah is, then how can you properly love YHWH?

“And this is the love, that we walk according to His commands. This is the command, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.” (2 John 1:6)

The Torah is Not Just For the Jews

Torah is Elohim’s instructions for us on how to live a life pleasing to Him. It is not just a Jewish thing, it is a Biblical thing, all of Israel was given the Torah, not just the House of Judah (Which didn’t exist at the time). 

“And Mosheh (Moses) came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which יהוה commanded him. And all the people answered together and said, “All that יהוה has spoken we shall do.” So Mosheh (Moses) brought back the words of the people to יהוה..” (Exodus 19:7-8)

If you identify as a follower of Yeshua and yet believe yourself to be a gentile and outside of the nation of Israel, read my post “Grafted In”. In that post, I show Biblical proof that those of us who believe have been grafted into the olive tree of Israel. Further, if someone chooses to believe that the Torah is only for the Jews, then they are saying only the Jews can sin. But everyone sins.

“Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” (1 John 3:4) NIV

“Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4) The Scriptures 2009

Keeping Torah is How We Love Him

Yeshua said he spoke only the words that His Father gave him, and Yeshua said If you love me, keep my commandments.

“Because I spoke not from Myself, but the Father who sent Me has given Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.” (John 12:49)

“If you love Me, you shall guard My commands.” (John 14:15)

No matter how you dice it, we should be keeping Torah, for that is how we show that we love our Elohim. Torah or Law, as it is often translated as, is the commandments YHWH gave us. It is more than the 10 that everyone thinks of; it is all 613 (an in-depth study shows this to be inaccurate, but an estimate) that are found within the first five books of the Bible. I know it sounds like a lot, but many of the commands have to do with the Levitical priesthood, farmers, the temple, and some commands distinguish between the two genders or being in the land of Israel. So large portions of the Torah will not be doable in your life, but we must do what we can. 

The Torah is Not Burdensome 

At the bottom of the page, I will leave a link to a website that has all 613 commandments as written down by Rambam. I also have a Testing the 613 tab, if you wish to check that out. I know many say, “We can’t keep the law; nobody is perfect.” Well, let’s see if the Bible describes the Torah as being burdensome or too difficult to do.

“For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy,” (1 John 5:3)

“For this command which I am commanding you today, it is not too hard for you, nor is it far off. “It is not in the heavens, to say, ‘Who shall ascend into the heavens for us, and bring it to us, and cause us to hear it, so that we do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, to say, ‘Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, and cause us to hear it, so that we do it?’ ” “For the Word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart – to do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:11-14) 

It’s not too hard, and we can do all things through the Messiah.

“I have strength to do all, through Messiah who empowers me.” (Philippians 4:13) 

What makes keeping Torah difficult is not the Torah itself, but the fact that our fleshly desires war against the spirit. 

“For we know that the Torah is Spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.” (Romans 7:14)

“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. And these are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you desire to do.” (Galatians 5:17)

Delighting in the Torah

Do not fret or feel intimidated by the Torah; it is to be enjoyed and loved!

“Blessed is the man who shall not walk in the counsel of the wrong, And shall not stand in the path of sinners, And shall not sit in the seat of scoffers, But his delight is in the Torah of יהוה, And he meditates in His Torah day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2) 

“O how I love Your Torah! It is my study all day long.” (Psalm 119:97)

“I have hated doubting thoughts, But I have loved Your Torah.” (Psalm 119:113)

“I have hated falsehood and loathe it, Your Torah I have loved.” (Psalm 119:163)

“Great peace have those loving Your Torah, And for them there is no stumbling-block. ” (Psalm 119:165)

“I have longed for Your deliverance, O יהוה, And Your Torah is my delight.” (Psalm 119:174)

“Where there is no vision, the people are let loose, But blessed is he who guards the Torah.” (Proverbs 29:18)

The Father Makes the Rules, Not the Children

I do not understand the disdain or the neglect Christians have for the Torah. How do they show love for Elohim without it? How do they know how to live without it? The Bible makes it very clear that it is a delight to have and obey the commands of YHWH. I fear for those who claim to be followers of Yeshua and do not guard the commandments. 

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter into the reign of the heavens, but he who is doing the desire of My Father in the heavens. “Many shall say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and done many mighty works in Your Name?’ “And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23)

Do not misunderstand me, I know we are bound to mess up, but we must continually try to live as obedient children. 

“My little children, I write this to you, so that you do not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Intercessor with the Father, יהושע Messiah, a righteous One.” (1 John 2:1)

I hoped this helped shed some light on what Torah is and what it isn’t. It is His instructions for us, not some man's doctrine; it is not burdensome but is a delight. Test all things, including this, and I pray that the Ruach (Spirit) leads you into all truth. 

http://the613.info/ 

P.S.

Check out some of my books! Available in both print and Kindle versions.   

Messianic's Views on Abortion: A Biblical Perspective

 

With the recent rulings on third-trimester abortions, I thought it would be a good time to address this and see what the Bible has to say about the topic. Although I have never personally met a believer in Elohim who was in support of abortions, I decided to look up if any sect of Christianity approves of abortions (Outside of cases where the mother would die). Lo and behold, there are groups of Christians that believe abortions to be ok and cite certain Bible verses as poetic and not to be taken literally. This is one reason why I have an issue with Christians taking the Bible as metaphorical or allegorical. The Bible is very clear when it is being literal or symbolic. If you would like to learn more about this, you can read my post, “Biblical Literalism”. 

Poetry can Speak the Truth

One such example of this interpretation of scriptures is that they claim Psalm 139 to be out of context when used to oppose abortion. The quote you are about to read comes from the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

“To use a poetic reference such as that in the Psalm as if it were a literal description of the beginning of personhood is to confuse poetry with a factual explanation of stages of gestation.” (http://www.life.org.nz/abortion/abortionreligiouskeyissues/christian-religions/) 

The particular verses they say are taken out of context are the following.

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:13-14) ESV

“For You, You possessed my kidneys, You have covered me in my mother’s womb. I give thanks to You, For I am awesomely and wondrously made! Wondrous are Your works, And my being knows it well.” (Psalm 139:13-14) The Scriptures 2009

Sure, this is a song, and like songs nowadays, poetic speech is interlaced with the truth. Ask anyone who writes poetry or songs, and they will tell you the same thing. Maybe YHWH didn’t knit me together like one knits a blanket, but that doesn’t take away the part He played in informing me. 

Changes in Childbirth 

I know someone will probably say, “If He forms everyone, why are there children born with deformities?” I don’t claim to know everything, but if I had to surmise why abnormalities are a possibility, it is that sin is active and entered into the world after the fall. I have no reason to believe that if the fall had never happened, malformations would occur. We know this for certain, though, that sin did change aspects of Childbirth.

“To the woman He said, “I greatly increase your sorrow and your conception – bring forth children in pain…” (Genesis 3:16)

A Lack of Fear 

What is bizarre is that there are “Christians” (proclaimed followers of the Messiah) who support abortions. When even the Hebrew midwives of the past had the wisdom to fear Elohim and violate a direct order from the Pharaoh.

“Then the sovereign of Mitsrayim (Egypt) spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Pu‛ah (Puah), and he said, “When you deliver the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth stools, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death, but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” But the midwives feared Elohim, and did not do as the sovereign of Mitsrayim (Egypt) commanded them, and kept the male children alive. So the sovereign of Mitsrayim called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and kept the male children alive?” And the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Mitsrian (Egypt) women. For they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them.” So Elohim was good to the midwives, and the people increased and became very numerous. And it came to be, because the midwives feared Elohim, that He provided households for them. And Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Throw every son who is born into the river, and keep alive every daughter.” (Exodus 1:15-22)

I know many may argue that, technically, what Pharaoh wanted to be done was murder and not abortion. Spare me the antics; just because the child is in the womb versus out of the womb does not change how YHWH feels about them. Again, some may state that Elohim Himself has killed children, such as when he flooded the Earth or when He killed the firstborn of the Egyptians. I have thought about this, and while I might not have a concrete answer, I do know this. His ways are higher than mine, and as a created being, I have no right to judge YHWH on His actions, for He is just, and His way is perfect. It should be noted, though, that whenever this does occur, it is either to bring judgment upon a people or to save Israel from being assimilated into the nations. 

Deuteronomy 7 Explored 

Many may cite Deuteronomy 7 to show that YHWH sanctioned the massacre of all those living in the promised land, but let us examine this ourselves. 

“And when יהוה your Elohim gives them over to you, you shall strike them and put them under the ban, completely. Make no covenant with them, and show them no favor. And do not intermarry with them – you do not give your daughter to his son, and you do not take his daughter for your son,” for he turns your sons away from following Me, to serve other mighty ones. Then the displeasure of יהוה shall burn against you and promptly destroy you. “But this is what you do to them: Break down their slaughter-places, and smash their pillars, and cut down their Ashĕrim, and burn their carved images with fire. “For you are a set-apart people to יהוה your Elohim. יהוה your Elohim has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a treasured possession above all the peoples on the face of the earth. “יהוה did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more numerous than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples, but because of יהוה loving you, and because of Him guarding the oath which He swore to your fathers, יהוה has brought you out with a strong hand, and ransomed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh sovereign of Mitsrayim (Egypt). And you shall know that יהוה your Elohim, He is Elohim, the trustworthy Ěl guarding covenant and loving-commitment for a thousand generations with those who love Him, and those who guard His commands,” but repaying those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He does not delay to do so with him who hates Him, He repays him to his face. “And you shall guard the command, and the laws, and the right-rulings which I command you today, to do them.” (Deuteronomy 7: 2-11)

Here we see the reason those who inhabited the promised land were exterminated was because they would have led the Hebrews astray (they also had the genetics of giants). Which would have led to the Israelites being destroyed as well, and that was not a risk YHWH was willing to take, and rightly so. Ok, I know that was a bit of a detour, but I know some of those arguments would arise. 

Abortion in the Bible

Does the Bible say thou shalt not have an abortion? Well, no, but it does say this.

“You do not murder.” (Exodus 20:13)

Some may say abortion is not murder, but that is far from the truth; it is a lie the wicked want you to believe. In Exodus, we learn what should happen to someone who hurts an unborn child.

“And when men strive and they shall smite a pregnant woman, and her children come out, yet there is no injury, he shall certainly be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband lays upon him. And he shall give through the judges.“But if there is injury, then you shall give life for life.” (Exodus 21:22-23) 

The penalty for causing a miscarriage appears to be death (for more information, check out my post titled "Eye for Eye"). The argument that life starts after birth is ridiculous; in Luke, we read that John leaped for joy in the womb. When’s the last time you witnessed an inanimate object move on its own accord? 

“And it came to be, when Elisheḇa (Elizabeth) heard the greeting of Miryam (Mary), that the baby leaped in her womb. And Elisheḇa (Elizabeth) was filled with the Set-apart Spirit, and called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! “And who am I, that the mother of my Master should come to me? “For look, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:41-44)

The Origin of Abortions 

To those who are unfamiliar with the book of Enoch (Check out my post, “Ripped from the Bible, 1 Enoch”), it may surprise you to learn that it was a fallen angel who taught men how to perform abortions. 

“And the name of the fifth is Kasdeyae; this one showed the sons of men all the evil blows of the spirits and of the demons, and the blows that attack the embryo in the womb so that it miscarries…” (1 Enoch 69:12) Note: Some translations of Enoch will have this verse at 69:17.

It is a wicked thing, make no mistake, it is not something Elohim wishes to see. I know there are cases when abortion might be appropriate, such as saving the life of the mother. I pray that you never find yourself in that situation. But if you do, I would seek the guidance of the Rauch Hakodesh. As always, test all things, including this, and may the Holy Spirit guide you into all truth.

There is still Time to Repent 

One more thing, if you have had an abortion or if you condoned the act, I do not wish for you to feel as if forgiveness is beyond you. Do not let the sins of your past rule in your life. Yeshua is our Great High Priest, through whom we can find forgiveness; now walk in obedience to your Elohim YHWH. 

“My little children, I write this to you, so that you do not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Intercessor with the Father, יהושע Messiah, a righteous One.” (1 John 2:1) 

P.S.

Check out some of my books! Available in both print and Kindle versions. 

The Dark History of Valentine's Day and its Pagan Roots

 

Valentine’s Day is the day when hopeless romantics and lovers send cards, chocolate, and roses to the one they desire. Many see this holiday as fun and innocent; after all, school children across the earth will be sending little cute cards and hard candy that say, “Be mine.” For those who grow up in the Catholic Church, it is a day to remember Saint Valentine, who was killed for converting people to Christianity. But these are not the true meanings of the holiday; in fact, as we will see, Valentine’s Day is rooted in paganism. 

Lupercalia and Valentine's Day

Before it was known as Valentine's, it was celebrated by the Romans under the festival of Juno Fructifier and the Feast of Lupercalia. On February 14th, during a festival to honor Roman goddess Juno Fructifier (The queen of the Roman pantheon), women would put their names into a box and men would draw a name at random. After this, the two would pair off for the coming Feast of Lupercalia, though sometimes these sexual flings lasted longer and ended with the two getting married. Below is a quote from Alberta Franklin’s book “The Lupercalia”, which depicts the rites performed during the Feast of Lupercalia.

“For goats are slain, then two boys of noble rank are led up to the victim, and a sword which has been dipped into blood is pressed upon their foreheads, after which the blood is immediately wiped off with a bit of wool moistened in milk. The blood having been removed, the lads must laugh. After this [the Luperci] cut the hides of the goats into strips and, naked except for a girdle, they run about [the Palatine], striking with the thongs everyone whom they meet. The young women do not shun the blows, since they believe that they will avail for the conception and the easy delivery of children.” (The Lupercalia – Alberta Mildred Franklin pg. 16) 

It is quite evident that during this time, sexual immorality was rampant; these festivals were about fertility after all. During this holiday, the giving of red roses can be seen as trying to garner the favor of the Roman goddess of love, Venus, whose favorite flower is the red rose. Even Cupid, who looks innocent enough, is the Roman god of desire, affection, and love. Look around as Valentine’s Day nears, and the pagan god Cupid will be on full display. Something interesting I stumbled upon while researching is that in some sects of witchcraft, anonymously giving cards of affection is linked to love magic. 

The Issue with ‘Christianizing’ Pagan Ways

So, where did the idea of this being a Christian holiday come from? Well, just like Christmas, Easter, and Halloween, it was “Christianized” by the Catholic Church. 

“At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day.” (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Valentines-Day) 

As I stated in “The True Origins Behind Christmas” we do not have the power or right to Christianize pagan festivals or practices. If you haven’t read that post or “Understanding the Mo'edim: The Biblical Holy Days Given By YHWH”, I highly recommend you do, for our Father YHWH has set apart days for us to follow. Elohim makes it very clear that he does not want us to do as the pagans or gentiles (Read “Grafted In” to learn how, once you accept Yeshua, you become part of Israel. No longer a gentile). 

“Thus said יהוה, “Do not learn the way of the nations…” (Jeremiah 10:2) 

“Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl (Israel), and say to them, ‘I am יהוה your Elohim. ‘Do not do as they do in the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt), where you dwelt. And do not do as they do in the land of Kena‛an (Canaan), where I am bringing you, and do not walk in their laws. ‘Do My right-rulings and guard My laws, to walk in them. I am יהוה your Elohim.” (Leviticus 18:2-4)

YHWH tells our ancestors when He brings them out of Egypt not to do as the Egyptians, or as the Canaanites in the land of Canaan. So, why would we think it is any different when it comes to Roman practices? If our forefathers couldn’t rectify the pagan ways of Egypt or Canaan, then neither can we, regardless of what the Catholic Church states. 

Worship of the Saints 

I was looking at their website to see what information they had on Valentine’s Day and found this at the bottom of the page.

“St. Valentine is the Patron Saint of affianced couples, beekeepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travelers, and young people. He is represented in pictures with birds and roses and his feast day is celebrated on February 14.” (httphttps://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=159s://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=159) 

The way they describe St. Valentine is how he is the saint of couples, love, and marriages. Sounds an awful lot like how pagan gods are described as being over some aspect of life. For example, Aphrodite (Greek goddess) is said to be over love, fertility, and marriage. Not only that, but the Catholic Church advocates praying to dead saints. Here is one version of a payer to St. Valentine.

“Oh glorious protector Saint Valentine, Defender of marriage and true believers, Defiler of pagans and idols, I offer this prayer to you. Help me in my marriage and in my daily battle to keep my faith, Help me to defy doubts and forget my fears, Help me devote my life to the Lord as you devoted yours. Saint Valentine, I ask you to bless me in my time of need. I will devote the 14th of February to you and hold your name in my heart. Please help me see the truth and the way and the light. Just as you fought for the young people who needed your guidance, draw your sword for me, carve a path for me. Forgive me for the sin of temptation and help me to leave temptation behind.” (A version of a prayer to St. Valentine)

We have one mediator, Yeshua the Messiah.

“For there is one Elohim, and one Mediator between Elohim and men, the Man Messiah יהושע. (1 Timothy 2:5)

We should not be praying to various saints that are patrons of a certain aspect of life, like the pagans of old did to their chosen pantheon. Don’t let the doctrines of men lead you astray; the Catholic Church and mainstream Christianity are polluted with such nonsense. Do your due diligence and read your Bible for yourself, ask YHWH to show you the truth, and leave out any preconceived notions. Your Bible starts in Genesis, not Matthew, and all of it is applicable to your life. 

I hope this post helped shed some light on the pagan origins of Valentine’s Day. As always, I ask you do your own research, it’s actually quite fun! Down below is a link to a free e-book, “The Lupercalia” by Alberta Mildred Franklin. I pray the Rauch Hakodesh guides you into all truth.

“The Lupercalia” by Alberta Mildred Franklin 

P.S.

Check out some of my books! Available in both print and Kindle versions.  

The Bible and Clean Eating: Understanding What YHWH Proclaims as Clean and Unclean

To eat or not to eat? That is the question. I have heard preachers and Bible teachers say on numerous occasions, “I’m glad God did away with the law because I love my bacon!” At the time, I had no idea how completely wrong that statement was. Mainstream Christianity, either by choice or ignorance, proclaims that the Torah is done away with, which includes the commandment not to eat unclean animals. 

Clean and Unclean Land Animals 

Let us all investigate the matter, that way we know exactly what YHWH proclaims as clean and unclean.

“Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl (Israel), saying, ‘These are the living creatures which you do eat among all the beasts that are on the earth: ‘Whatever has a split hoof completely divided, chewing the cud, among the beasts, that you do eat. ‘Only, these you do not eat among those that chew the cud or those that have a split hoof: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not have a split hoof, it is unclean to you; and the rabbit, because it chews the cud but does not have a split hoof, it is unclean to you; and the hare, because it chews the cud but does not have a split hoof, it is unclean to you; and the pig, though it has a split hoof, completely divided, yet does not chew the cud, it is unclean to you. ‘Their flesh you do not eat, and their carcasses you do not touch. They are unclean to you.” (Leviticus 11:2–8) 

According to Torah, pork is unclean and is not to be eaten. To further illustrate that message, we’ll look to see what the prophet Isaiah had to say. 

“I have held out My hands all day long to a stubborn people, who walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts; the people who provoke Me continually to My face, who slaughter in gardens, and burn incense on slaughter-places of brick; who sit among the burial-sites, and spend the night in secret places, who eat flesh of pigs, and the broth of unclean meat is in their pots,” (Isaiah 65:2-4) 

It should be pretty clear that, no matter how much you love your bacon, it is deemed unclean by your Father. I used to enjoy bacon; now, I can’t even imagine eating it again. It has lost all appeal to me; that goes for all the other unclean animals I was eating. 

Dietary Instructions Regarding  Fish and Birds  

Now, let’s see what birds and fish are considered unclean and not to be chosen as food.

“These you do eat of all that are in the waters: any one that has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas or in the rivers, that you do eat. ‘But all that have not fins and scales in the seas and in the rivers, all that move in the waters or any living being which is in the waters, they are an abomination to you. ‘They are an abomination to you – of their flesh you do not eat, and their carcasses you abominate. ‘All that have not fins or scales in the waters are an abomination to you. ‘And these you do abominate among the birds, they are not eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the vulture, and the black vulture, and the hawk, and the falcon after its kind, every raven after its kind, and the ostrich, and the nighthawk, and the seagull, and the hawk after its kind, and the little owl, and the fisher owl, and the great owl, and the white owl, and the pelican, and the carrion vulture, and the stork, the heron after its kind, and the hoopoe, and the bat.” (Leviticus 11:9-19)

So, catfish, shrimp, crawfish, lobster, and crab are all unclean. My wife used to really enjoy eating crawfish, but after waking up to Torah, she gave it up and has never looked back. Well, good news, chicken and turkey are clean! I don’t think many people struggle with not eating the following, but here you go.

“And these are unclean to you among the creeping creatures that creep on the earth: the mole, and the mouse, and the tortoise after its kind, and the gecko, and the land crocodile, and the sand reptile, and the sand lizard, and the chameleon.” (Leviticus 11:29-30)

Yeshua Did Not Do Away with the Torah 

Let’s examine two sections of scripture that are usually given to “prove” that the dietary commandments have been done away with. 

“And the Pharisees and some of the scribes assembled to Him, having come from Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). And seeing some of His taught ones eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Yehuḏim (Jews), do not eat unless they wash their hands thoroughly, holding fast the tradition of the elders, and coming from the market-place, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions which they have received and hold fast – the washing of cups and utensils and copper vessels and couches. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your taught ones not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” And He answering, said to them, “Well did Yeshayahu (Isaiah) prophesy concerning you hypocrites, as it has been written, ‘This people respect Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain do they worship Me, teaching as teachings the commands of men.’ Forsaking the command of Elohim, you hold fast the tradition of men. And He said to them, “Well do you set aside the command of Elohim, in order to guard your tradition. “For Mosheh (Moses) said, ‘Respect your father and your mother,’ and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ “But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me, is Qorban (that is, a gift),” ’ you no longer let him do any matter at all for his father or his mother, nullifying the Word of Elohim through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such traditions you do.” And calling the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: “There is no matter that enters a man from outside which is able to defile him, but it is what comes out of him that defiles the man. “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” And when He went from the crowd into a house, His taught ones asked Him concerning the parable. And He said to them, “Are you also without understanding? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside is unable to defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purging all the foods?” And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil reasonings, adulteries, whorings, murders, thefts, greedy desires, wickednesses, deceit, indecency, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. “All these wicked matters come from within and defile a man.” (Mark 7:1-23)

Notice that it makes it very clear that the act of washing your hands before eating (in a ceremonial sense, check the Talmud for that) is a tradition of men and not a commandment from YHWH. I think mainstream Christian leaders need to be told to stop teaching the traditions of men (man doctrine) and to start obeying the Father's instructions (Torah). I know Yeshua would tell them so, just as he told the Pharisees. I know some of you may use a translation that says “Thus making all foods clean” at Mark 7:19. I’ve seen that newer translations use this, but this is the translators putting their own meaning and thoughts into the text. This is evident because they put it in parentheses. I would also suggest that the Bible never claims unclean animals as food; thus, unclean animals would not fall into the category of food. Furthermore, historical research has shown that it was once believed that eating bread with unwashed hands would allow demons to enter the body. And Yeshua is stating that eating bread with unwashed hands will not defile or profane the body, but committing sin will, which is why he then lists off several sins. 

“For out of the heart come forth wicked reasonings, murders, adulteries, whorings, thefts, false witnessings, slanders. “These defile the man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.” (Matthew 15:19-20) 

Peter’s Vision Explained  

“And on the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Kĕpha (Peter) went up on the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour. And he became hungry and wished to eat. But while they were preparing, he fell into a trance, and he saw the heaven opened and a certain vessel like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth, in which were all kinds of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping creatures, and the birds of the heaven. And a voice came to him, “Rise up, Kĕpha (Peter), slay and eat.” But Kĕpha (Peter) said, “Not at all, Master! Because I have never eaten whatever is common or unclean.” And a voice came to him again the second time, “What Elohim has cleansed you do not consider common.” And this took place three times, and the vessel was taken back to the heaven. And while Kĕpha (Peter) was doubting within himself about what the vision might mean, look, the men who had been sent from Cornelius, having asked for the house of Shim‛on, stood at the gate, and calling out, they enquired whether Shim‛on (Simon), also known as Kĕpha (Peter), was staying there. And as Kĕpha (Peter) was thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “See, three men seek you. But rise up, go down and go with them, not doubting at all, for I have sent them. So Kĕpha (Peter) went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Look, I am the one you seek. Why have you come?” And they said, “Cornelius the captain, a righteous man and one who fears Elohim and well spoken of by the entire nation of the Yehuḏim (Jews), was instructed by a set-apart messenger to send for you to his house, and to hear words from you.” So inviting them in, he housed them. And on the next day Kĕpha (Peter) went away with them, and some brothers from Yapho (a seaport city of Pal) went with him.” (Acts 10:9-23)

“And talking with him, he went in and found many who had come together. And he said to them, “You know that a Yehudi (Jew) man is not allowed to associate with, or go to one of another race. But Elohim has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” (Acts 10: 27-28)

What was the vision about? Well, it was not about making all animals clean; the Bible is very specific about what the vision was about. Cornelius was a gentile, and as per Jewish traditions (man-made law), gentiles were seen as unclean people. But, as we all know (If you don’t, see my post “Discovering the Connection Between Israel and the Church in the Bible”) we can become a part of Israel, once we accept Yeshua. We become citizens of Israel, no longer seen as gentiles. If you want to know more about the Torah, you can click on the tab titled “Torah”. As to why Elohim used such a dream to convey the message that no person should be called common and why He didn't just tell him plainly, we look to Numbers 12. Here, YHWH states that He speaks to prophets in dreams, visions, and riddles. 

“And He said, “Hear now My words: If your prophet is of יהוה, I make Myself known to him in a vision, and I speak to him in a dream. “Not so with My servant Mosheh (Moses), he is trustworthy in all My house. “I speak with him mouth to mouth, and plainly, and not in riddles. And he sees the form of יהוה. So why were you not afraid to speak against My servant Mosheh (Moses)?” (Numbers 12:6-8) 

I hope this post brought some clarity and encouragement to follow the ways of our Elohim. I pray that you all come out of the doctrines of men and help spread the truth to the ends of the earth. May the Rauch Hakodesh guide you into all truth. 

P.S.

Check out some of my books! Available in both print and Kindle versions.