Uncovering the Truth Behind the Mistranslation of Jacob as James in the Bible

 

It comes as a surprise, I know I was certainly shocked, to learn that the Book of James is really the Book of Jacob. I should have caught on sooner than I did, as I use the Scripture Research Institute 2009 version of the Bible. They have the book in English as James, but Hebrew as Ya’aqob, which is properly translated as Jacob. Wherever “James” is mentioned in the Brit Hadasha (New Testament), it is always rendered in Hebrew as Ya’aqob.

His Name is Spelt Ya’aqob

“Is this not the son of the carpenter? Is not His mother called Miryam? And His brothers Ya‛aqoḇ (Jacob) and Yosĕph (Joseph) and Shim‛on (Simeon) and Yehuḏah (Jude)?” (Matthew 13:55) 

Jacob, the one who would become Israel, is spelled the same.

“And afterward his brother came out, with his hand holding on to Ěsaw’s heel, so his name was called Ya‛aqoḇ (Jacob). And Yitsḥaq (Isaac) was sixty years old when she bore them.” (Genesis 25:26)

So why is Jacob, the brother of Yeshua, inaccurately translated as James? It seems to start with John Wycliffe when he translated the New Testament in 1380. Wycliffe was an English philosopher/ theologian and one of the forerunners of the Protestant Reformation. Some have speculated that the change in Jacob’s name was to create distance from the Christian Church and all things Hebraic. Something my website has covered quite a bit of in my “Torah Related” tab. Others have theorized that Jacob was translated to James to satisfy King James I, or at least he did not wish to fix the error; this King James also being the one who authorized the King James Bible. Either way, the mistranslation is acknowledged among top scholars in the Christian Church and Biblical Historians, yet there has been no push for correction, that I am aware of. 

Discovering errors made in translations is always disheartening, for we want to have an infallible source to study Elohim’s Word. Man, however, is fallible and capable of making mistakes or even purposely making changes to push an agenda. From Yeshua, YHWH, and Jacob, what other names have been changed? Many may object and say it does not matter so long as we know who we are talking about, but names mean something in the context of the Bible. 

Names Have Meanings 

“And the man called his wife’s name Ḥawwah (Eve), because she became the mother of all living.” (Genesis 3:20)

“And no longer is your name called Aḇram, but your name shall be Aḇraham, because I shall make you a father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:5) 

“And Ya‛aqoḇ (Jacob) was left alone. And a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. And when He saw that He did not overcome him, He touched the socket of his hip. And the socket of Ya‛aqoḇ’s (Jacob’s) hip was dislocated as He wrestled with him. And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I am not letting You go until You have blessed me!” So He asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Ya‛aqoḇ (Jacob).” And He said, “Your name is no longer called Ya‛aqoḇ (Jacob), but Yisra’ĕl (Israel), because you have striven with Elohim and with men, and have overcome.” (Genesis 32:24-28)

“These are the names of the men whom Mosheh (Moses) sent to spy out the land. And Mosheh called Hoshĕa (Hosea) the son of Nun, Yehoshua (Joshua).” (Numbers 13:16) Joshua means “YHWH is salvation,” and it was Joshua who led the Hebrews into the promised land. 

“And she shall give birth to a Son, and you shall call His Name יהושע for He shall save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) Yeshua’s name means “salvation”. 

These are but a few examples of names that mean something in scripture, and I encourage everyone to research what every name in the Bible means. A translation is one thing; at least in this manner, the meaning of the name can usually be preserved. However, this is lost when a name is completely changed. Continue to test all things, including this, and may the Ruach Hakodesh lead you into all truth. 

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The Importance of Following the Torah Always and Forever

 

When it comes to following Yeshua in Torah obedience, he wants us to give it our all, not 20%, 50%, but 100% of our effort. Likewise, Elohim wants us to keep all of the Torah that applies to us, not just keeping the commands we like or what Christianity or Judaism say we are to keep. In relation to giving Elohim our all and obeying all of the Torah, here are a few verses that instruct us to do so. 

All of the Torah

“Walk in all the ways which יהוה your Elohim has commanded you, so that you live and it be well with you. And you shall prolong your days in the land which you possess.” (Deuteronomy 5:33) 

“Hear, O Yisra’ĕl (Israel): יהוה our Elohim, יהוה is one! “And you shall love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

“And now, Yisra’ĕl, what is יהוה your Elohim asking of you, but to fear יהוה your Elohim, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, and to serve יהוה your Elohim with all your heart and with all your being,” (Deuteronomy 10:12)

“And it shall be, if you diligently obey the voice of יהוה your Elohim, to guard to do all His commands which I command you today, that יהוה your Elohim shall set you high above all nations of the earth.” (Deuteronomy 28:1)

“Only, diligently guard to do the command and the Torah which Mosheh the servant of יהוה commanded you, to love יהוה your Elohim, and to walk in all His ways, and to guard His commands, and to cling to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your being.” (Joshua 22:5) 

“Only fear יהוה, and you shall serve Him in truth with all your heart, for consider what marvels He has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24) 

“Blessed are the perfect in the way, Who walk in the Torah of יהוה! Blessed are those who observe His witnesses, Who seek Him with all the heart!” (Psalms 119:1-2)

“Then you shall call on Me, and shall come and pray to Me, and I shall listen to you. And you shall seek Me, and shall find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13)

“But the wrong, if he turns from all his sins which he has done, and he shall guard all My laws, and shall do right-ruling and righteousness, he shall certainly live, he shall not die.” (Ezekiel 18:21)

“And יהושע answered him, “The first of all the commands is, ‘Hear, O Yisra’ĕl, יהוה our Elohim, יהוה is one. ‘And you shall love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first command.” (Mark 12:29-30)

There are more verses I could have pulled, but even from this list, it is evident that we are to keep all the Torah (meaning what we can keep) with all our might. Next, we turn our attention to the Bible’s frequent use of always or forever when describing His Torah.

The Torah is Forever

“Oh, that they had such a heart in them, to fear Me and to guard all My commands always, so that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” (Deuteronomy 5:29) 

“And יהוה commanded us to do all these laws, to fear יהוה our Elohim, for our good always, to keep us alive, as it is today.” (Deuteronomy 6:24) 

“He is יהוה our Elohim, His right-rulings are in all the earth. Remember His covenant forever, The Word He commanded for a thousand generations, Which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Yitsḥaq (Isaac), And He established it to Ya‛aqoḇ (Jacob) for a law, To Yisra’ĕl (Israel) as an everlasting covenant,” (1 Chronicles 16:14-17)

“You are near, O יהוה, And all Your commands are truth. Of old I have known Your witnesses, That You have founded them forever.” (Psalms 119:151-152)

In this last verse, I will show details of how, even when the new heavens and new earth are formed, we will still be honoring the new moons and the Sabbath. Further illustrating that the Torah, the instructions of the Most High Elohim, is not simply going to vanish, but is going to be enjoyed for an eternity. 

“For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make stand before Me,” declares יהוה, “so your seed and your name shall stand. “And it shall be that from New Moon to New Moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,” declares יהוה.” (Isaiah 66:22-23) 

I hope the aforementioned scriptures help to show you that Elohim wants us to obey Him fully and He wants us to do so always. If keeping the commandments is a new concept for you, check out my “Torah Related” tab, where you will find numerous posts that may help you on your journey. Continue to test all things, search out matters, and may the Ruach Hakodesh lead you into all truth. 

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The Moral Argument for Living a Torah Lifestyle

 

This is a moral argument I created to show the validity of living a Torah lifestyle. I was inspired by the original moral argument that sets the case for the existence of Elohim. Mine was developed from having numerous conversations with Christians who asserted that the Torah was done away with. I hope you find this syllogism enlightening and that it helps you in future discussions and personal discourse. 

1. Objective morals and values must come from Elohim

Objective means factual, true, and not dependent on anyone’s interpretation. For example, it is a fact that we live on Earth, and personal perceptions cannot change that. It is paramount that we establish that objective morality must come from Elohim, since He is the creator, He gets to set the rules, not his creation. By being El Shaddai, it is only by His authority and power that such principles can manifest themselves in a foundational way. The contrast between objective and subjective is that subjective is relative to the individual. For example: which flavor of ice cream is the best, what’s the best color, the coolest looking animal, and so forth. The Bible teaches that Elohim alone is the foundation for morality. Remember, if something is true, then it is objective.

“You are near, O יהוה, and all Your commands are truth.” (Psalms 119:151)

“The sum of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous right-rulings are forever.” (Psalms 119:160)

“Set them apart in Your truth – Your Word is truth.” (John 17:17)

 “And now, O Master יהוה, you are Elohim, and Your words are true, and You have spoken this goodness to Your servant.” (2 Samuel 7:28)

For those who have a belief in Elohim, the first premise is usually accepted without much trouble. The second premise is where most of the conflict will take place.

2. Elohim details what is right and what is wrong in His instructions (Torah)

There are several ways to demonstrate that premise two is correct, one is by defining what sin is.

“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4)

The word "lawlessness" does not refer to man-made laws, but to the Torah given by Elohim. Often, the English translators replace Torah with law, though the word actually means instructions. With what is wrong addressed, we turn our attention to what is right.

“For what great nation is there which has Elohim so near to it, as יהוה our Elohim is to us, whenever we call on Him? And what great nation is there that has such laws and righteous right-rulings like all this Torah which I set before you this day?” (Deuteronomy 4:7-8) 

Deuteronomy likens the Torah to righteous right-rulings, and now, with that in mind, we look at other witnesses to testify to that fact.

“Righteous are You, O יהוה, And Your right-rulings are straight.” (Psalms 119:137)

“So that the Torah truly is set-apart, and the command set-apart, and righteous, and good.” (Romans 7:12)

The Torah teaches followers how to live a life pleasing to the Father, and doing what is right (obeying) and what is wrong (sin/ disobedience) is established in the foundations of the first five books of the Bible. This is made very clear towards the end of the Torah.

“And you shall turn back and obey the voice of יהוה and do all His commands which I command you today. “And יהוה your Elohim shall make you have excess in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground for good. For יהוה turns back to rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers, if you obey the voice of יהוה your Elohim, to guard His commands and His laws which are written in this Book of the Torah, if you turn back to יהוה your Elohim with all your heart and with all your being. “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. See, I have set before you today life and good, and death and evil,” in that I am commanding you today to love יהוה your Elohim, to walk in His ways, and to guard His commands, and His laws, and His right-rulings. And you shall live and increase, and יהוה your Elohim shall bless you in the land which you go to possess. “But if your heart turns away, and you do not obey, and shall be drawn away, and shall bow down to other mighty ones and serve them, “I have declared to you today that you shall certainly perish, you shall not prolong your days in the land which you are passing over the Yardĕn (Jordan) to enter and possess.” (Deuteronomy 30:8-18) 

3. Therefore, objective morals and values come from the Torah

With premises one and two shown to be correct, it logically follows that the conclusion must be true as well. Some in religion may think, “Well, do what you think is right.” Or some other version of relativistic morality, but this runs contrary to the scriptures. This is evident with just the little snip bits I’ve shown here. The issue of subjective morality comes into play when humans try to dictate what is right and what is wrong; in a sense, by doing this, they are elevating themselves to the level of Elohim since only the creator can dictate what is righteous and what is unrighteous. In Judaism, they add to the Torah with the Talmud, and they have made flipping on a light switch during the Sabbath a sin when there is no such verse in scripture that could even be used to suggest such a thing. In Christianity, they have taken away from the Torah, making the eating of swine flesh perfectly okay, when the scriptures state that pork is unclean and is not for food. Both religions have sinned by adding and taking away from the Torah. 

“All the words I am commanding you, guard to do it – do not add to it nor take away from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32)

Because Elohim has stated not to add or take away from Torah, making it objectively wrong to do so, we can firmly assess that both religions have broken this command. This is the second objective of the argument, the first being the reasons for following the Torah, that without the Torah, there are no concrete morals or values. It's all dependent on the individual or the particular religion that claims to believe in the Bible. 

Continue to test all things, including this, and search out the matter for yourself. I pray that the Ruach Hakodesh leads you into all truth. 

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Understanding the True Interpretation of Romans 13

 

Understanding Romans 13 may seem simple enough, for we’ve all seen churches use part of that chapter to encourage willing compliance with whatever secular authority is established in that particular country. However, could the conclusion that those who use this chapter, they really only use the first verse, be misapplying and misunderstanding what Paul is talking about? Using the foundation that begins the Bible, Torah, and how the scriptures define words, has led me to a completely different interpretation that is both sound and consistent with the rest of the Bible. 

The verse in question

“Let every being be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from Elohim, and the authorities that exist are appointed by Elohim.” (Romans 13:1)

The crux of the issue is which governing authorities Paul is talking about. When this verse is sectioned off from the previous and the following scriptures, it easily reads as if we are to obey whatever secular government. But this is where we must use the context for this verse and how it aligns with the rest of the Bible. First, is there any command in Torah to obey secular authority? No, there is not. That’s a big red flag that something is amiss with the usual interpretation, because if it’s not found in Torah and Paul is adding to it, then he would be a false prophet. 

“Do not add to the Word which I command you, and do not take away from it, so as to guard the commands of יהוה your Elohim which I am commanding you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2)

What about the rest of the scriptures, do we find examples of people disobeying the secular authority and being blessed for it? Yes, we do, and quite a few actually. 

Terah Disobeys Nimrod 

The first example I will present will be from the book of Jasher, I know some may not accept it as scripture, and I encourage every one of you to test it; even so, what I am quoting is acknowledged as a historical fact in the Jewish community. 

“And it was in the night that Abram was born, that all the servants of Terah, and all the wise men of Nimrod, and his conjurers came and ate and drank in the house of Terah, and they rejoiced with him on that night. And when all the wise men and conjurers went out from the house of Terah, they lifted up their eyes toward heaven that night to look at the stars, and they saw, and behold one very large star came from the east and ran in the heavens, and he swallowed up the four stars from the four sides of the heavens. And all the wise men of the king and his conjurors were astonished at the sight, and the sages understood this matter, and they knew its import. And they said to each other, This only betokens the child that has been born to Terah this night, who will grow up and be fruitful, and multiply, and possess all the earth, he and his children forever, and he and his seed will slay great kings, and inherit their lands.” (Jasher 8:1-4)

“And now our lord and king, behold we have truly acquainted thee with what we have seen concerning this child. If it seemeth good to the king to give his father value for this child, we will slay him before he shall grow up and increase in the land, and his evil increase against us, that we and our children perish through his evil. And the king heard their words and they seemed good in his sight, and he sent and called for Terah, and Terah came before the king. And the king said to Terah, I have been told that a son was yesternight born to thee, and after this manner was observed in the heavens at his birth. And now therefore give me the child, that we may slay him before his evil springs up against us, and I will give thee for his value, thy house full of silver and gold.” (Jasher 8:12-16)

“And Terah answered the king, saying, I beseech thee my lord and king to let thy servant speak a word before thee, and let the king hear the word of his servant, and Terah said, Let my king give me three days' time till I consider this matter within myself, and consult with my family concerning the words of my king; and he pressed the king greatly to agree to this. And the king hearkened to Terah, and he did so and he gave him three days' time, and Terah went out from the king's presence, and he came home to his family and spoke to them all the words of the king; and the people were greatly afraid. And it was in the third day that the king sent to Terah, saying, Send me thy son for a price as I spoke to thee; and shouldst thou not do this, I will send and slay all thou hast in thy house, so that thou shalt not even have a dog remaining. And Terah hastened, (as the thing was urgent from the king), and he took a child from one of his servants, which his handmaid had born to him that day, and Terah brought the child to the king and received value for him. And the Lord was with Terah in this matter, that Nimrod might not cause Abram's death, and the king took the child from Terah and with all his might dashed his head to the ground, for he thought it had been Abram; and this was concealed from him from that day, and it was forgotten by the king, as it was the will of Providence not to suffer Abram's death. And Terah took Abram his son secretly, together with his mother and nurse, and he concealed them in a cave, and he brought them their provisions monthly. And the Lord was with Abram in the cave and he grew up, and Abram was in the cave ten years, and the king and his princes, soothsayers and sages, thought that the king had killed Abram.” (Jasher 8:30-36)

Had Terah obeyed the rule of Nimrod, Abram would have died, and there would not have been Israel with his twelve sons. Yet Terah disobeyed the secular authority, and YHWH was with Abram. 

The Hebrew Midwives Disobeyed 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, 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 (Egypt) 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 (Egyptian) 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.” (Exodus 1:15-21) 

The Hebrew midwives disobeyed the order of the pharaoh and were blessed by Elohim because the directive that was given was pure evil, it was not good, and that will come up later when we further read Romans chapter 13. 

Moses’ Mother Disobeyed the Pharaoh 

“And Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Throw every son who is born into the river, and keep alive every daughter.” (Exodus 1:22)

“And a man of the house of Lĕwi (Levi) went and married a daughter of Lĕwi (Levi). And the woman conceived and bore a son. And she saw that he was a lovely child, and she hid him three months. And when she could hide him no longer, she took an ark of wicker for him, and coated it with tar and pitch, and put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the edge of the river. And his sister stood at a distance, to know what would be done to him. And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river, and her young women were walking by the riverside. And when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her female servant to get it, and opened it and saw the child, and see, the baby wept. So, she had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the children of the Hebrews.” (Exodus 2:1-6)

The mother of Moses disobeyed the edict that every male child should be drowned and hid her son. Clearly, this was the proper thing to do as Moses would later go on and then be the person Yah chose to lead the Israelites. 

Rehab Disobeyed the Sovereign of Jericho  

“And Yehoshua (Joshua) son of Nun secretly sent out two men from Shittim to spy, saying, “Go, see the land, and Yeriḥo (Jericho).” And they went, and came to the house of a woman, a whore, and her name was Raḥaḇ, and they lay down there. But it was reported to the sovereign of Yeriḥo (Jericho), saying, “See, men from the children of Yisra’ĕl (Israel) have come here tonight to search out the land.” And the sovereign of Yeriḥo (Jericho) sent to Raḥaḇ, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hid them. So she said, “The men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. “Then it came to be as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, so that you overtake them.” But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid out on the roof. And the men pursued them by the way to the Yardĕn (Jordan), to the fords. And they shut the gate afterwards as soon as the pursuers had gone out. And before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and she said to the men, “I know that יהוה has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of you. “For we have heard how יהוה dried up the water of the Sea of Reeds for you when you came out of Mitsrayim (Egypt), and what you did to the two sovereigns of the Amorites who were beyond the Yardĕn (Jordan), Siḥon (Seon) and Oḡ, whom you put under the ban. “And when we heard, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in anyone because of you, for יהוה your Elohim, He is Elohim in the heavens above and on earth beneath. “And now, please swear to me by יהוה, since I have shown you loving-commitment, that you also show loving-commitment to my father’s house, and shall give me a true token, and shall spare my father, and my mother, and my brothers, and my sisters, and all that they have, and shall deliver our lives from death.” And the men said to her, “Our lives for yours, if you do not expose this matter of ours, then it shall be, when יהוה has given us the land, that we shall treat you in loving-commitment and truth.” So she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall and she dwelt on the wall. And she said to them, “Go to the mountain, lest the pursuers come upon you. And you shall hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned, and afterwards go on your way.” And the men said to her, “We are released from this oath of yours which you have made us swear, unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, and your mother, and your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home. “And it shall be that anyone who goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood is on his own head, and we are innocent. And anyone who is with you in the house, his blood is on our head if a hand is laid on him. “And if you expose this matter of ours, then we shall be released from your oath which you made us swear.” And she said, “Let it be according to your words.” And she sent them away, and they went. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window. So they left and came to the mountain, and stayed there three days until the pursuers returned. And the pursuers sought them in all the way, but did not find them. Then the two men returned and came down from the mountain, and passed over. And they came to Yehoshua son of Nun, and related to him all that had befallen them.” (Joshua 2: 1-23)

Rehab disobeyed the ruling secular authority and helped the Israelite spies and this went well with her in the end. 

The Maccabean Rebellion

The Maccabean rebellion is our next example, and I believe it’s best to read those books in their entirety, but if you would like, you could read my articles “The Story of Hanukkah” and “Remembering Hanukkah”. From the book of Maccabees, we read how the Jews disobeyed their Greek ruling authorities and revolted against them, and this action was blessed by Elohim. 

We are to Disobey the Beast 

There are numerous other examples but my last one will center around the mark of the beast.

“And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he does great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from the heaven on the earth before men. And he leads astray those dwelling on the earth because of those signs which he was given to do before the beast, saying to those dwelling on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword, yet lived. And there was given to him to give spirit to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause to be killed as many as would not worship the image of the beast. And he causes all, both small and great, and rich and poor, and free and slave, to be given a mark upon their right hand or upon their foreheads, and that no one should be able to buy or sell except he that has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (Revelations 13:12-17)

“And a third messenger followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark upon his forehead or upon his hand, he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of Elohim, which is poured out undiluted into the cup of His wrath. And he shall be tortured with fire and sulphur before the set-apart messengers and before the Lamb. “And the smoke of their torture goes up forever and ever. And they have no rest day or night, those worshiping the beast and his image, also if anyone receives the mark of his name.” (Revelations 14:9-11)

Will not the beast or Anti-Messiah be the worldly ruling authority? Are we not warned against receiving his mark, that he will issue out as a law for all people? The scriptures speak for themselves, and it stands to reason that the ruling authority that Paul was talking about had nothing to do with leadership that does not follow YHWH.

The Authority We Should Obey 

 As we continue reading Romans chapter 13, you will see that the type of language Paul uses to describe this authority is one that follows Yeshua in Torah obedience. 

“So, he who opposes the authority withstands the institution of Elohim, and those who withstand shall bring judgment on themselves. For those ruling are an object of fear, not to good works, but to evil. Do you wish to be not afraid of the authority? Do the good, and you shall have praise from it, for it is a servant of Elohim to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword in vain. For it is a servant of Elohim, a revenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore, it is necessary to be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of the conscience.” (Romans 13:2-5)

Paul states that the rulers are not a terror to good works but to evil; what is good or bad (sin) is defined by the Torah. Was Rome a terror to evil? Hardly. And the same can be said of modern nations, sure they all generally agree that it is wrong to kill (the cultic elites get a pass on this apparently) or steal (unless the government needs it), but these same countries allow for abortions, adultery, perverted scenes to be displayed on television, toxins to be injected into people, and forces draconian measures under the guise of the ‘greater good”. Promotes the biased medical community whose standard operating procedure is to administer the patient medication that will only cover the symptoms, and not the cause, thus becoming a lifetime customer to big pharma. Not to mention idolatry, homosexuality, debauchery, drunkenness, etc. In essence, the countries today are wicked, serving money and idols above all else; they do not care about Yeshua or the Torah. Further on, Paul says if you do not want to be afraid of the authority, do good, who shall we fear if not Elohim? 

“And do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the being. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both being and body in GĕHinnom.” (Matthew 10:28)

We fear Elohim alone, and the authorities He has raised up are an extension of His power. In Paul’s day, the followers of Yeshua had a hierarchy of religious leadership. Think about the brother of Yeshua James (whose name is actually Jacob), who was head of the Jerusalem council. That’s the type of authority Paul is talking about, one that promotes good (Torah obedience) and is a terror to evil (sin), for they execute righteous judgment (not bearing the sword in vain). Does this mean we are to be criminals? No, we should be prime examples of what it means to be a child of the living Elohim. Even so, if the nation we find ourselves in issues laws that go against Torah, well, we have Maccabees to look to for an example. Followers of Yeshua obey His decrees, and if the secular world tries to prohibit that, then we must stand up and remain strong in Elohim. 

Continue to test all things, including this, and may the Ruach Hakodesh lead you into all truth.

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Examining the Evidence for Once Saved Always Saved Doctrine in John

 

One of the most pivotal tenets of Christianity is the doctrine of once saved, always saved. Growing up in the church, I routinely heard how once you repeat the said prayer or are baptized, you are forever sealed in the Kingdom. The concept is appealing, but is there any evidence found within scriptures that gives credence to this sentiment? The main set of verses I see being used to postulate this theology resides in John; thus, an examination of John 10:28-29 will be conducted, followed by a rebuttal with scriptural support. 

The Verse in Question 

“And I give them everlasting life, and they shall by no means ever perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” (John 10:28-29)

Those in favor of the once saved always saved doctrine (OSAS) offer this up as the integral sign that their theology is correct. In passing, it does seem to align with their beliefs; however, these two verses are predicated on verse 27. 

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)

The condition for entering into everlasting life, which Yeshua the good Shepard leads us to, is entirely contingent on whether the sheep follow. If A (you follow Messiah), then B (you enter into everlasting life), this is called modus ponens in logic, and it is one of the methods used to determine if an argument is valid. Provided that B is conditional on A, it is only rational to conclude that if not A, then not B. Modus tollens could also be used to demonstrate that if you did not enter into eternal life, it’s because you did not follow Yeshua (See my selection on Torah related, to know what I believe that looks like). The syllogism would be constructed as such: If A then B, not B, therefore not A. 

My First Witness

The Torah states that a matter is settled on the testimony of two to three witnesses. My first witness is Yeshua, and he makes a compelling argument against OSAS when he likens himself to a vine. 

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. Every branch in Me that bears no fruit He takes away. And every branch that bears fruit He prunes, so that it bears more fruit. You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you. Stay in Me, and I stay in you. As the branch is unable to bear fruit of itself, unless it stays in the vine, so neither you, unless you stay in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who stays in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit. Because without Me you are able to do naught! If anyone does not stay in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up. And they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you stay in Me, and My Words stay in you, you shall ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. In this My Father is esteemed, that you bear much fruit, and you shall be My taught ones. As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Stay in My love. If you guard My commands, you shall stay in My love even as I have guarded My Father’s commands and stay in His love. These words I have spoken to you, so that My joy might be in you, and that your joy might be complete.” (John 15:1-11) 

Some may try to reason that the unbelievers are the branches that are removed, but this is not consistent with what Yeshua said. He states that he is the vine and that you, speaking of his disciples, are the branches. Therefore, the audience he is addressing, in regard to being branches attached to the Messiah, are those who follow him. Considering this perspective, we are left with the possibility that those who no longer stay in Messiah, by not keeping the commands, are rendered fruitless and hence are cut off and tossed into the fire. In keeping with this mentality, we look to where Yeshua mentions that those who endure until the end shall be saved.

“And you shall be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But he who shall have endured to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)

“But he who shall have endured to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)

It could be argued that, given the context of the aforementioned verses, which are about the end times, this would not apply to Matthew 10:22, which is about Yeshua instructing his disciples (and by extension future ones) what will happen when they spread the message of the Messiah. Yeshua clearly asserts that those who remain in him, and do not deviate from the path but endure till the end, shall be saved. Matthew 24:13 is concerning end times, but we know from Matthew 10, where he uses the same language, that the congruent element is persisting through difficult times without abandoning the faith. Furthermore, John would submit that we are already at the last hour.

“Little children, it is the last hour. And as you have heard that the anti-messiah is coming, even now many anti-messiahs have come. This is how we know that it is the last hour.” (1 John 2:18)

Finally, Yeshua uses verbiage in Revelation that is related to his remarks made in Matthew. 

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I shall give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of Elohim.” (Revelations 2:7)

My Second Witness 

Paul, who follows suit with his terms, evokes the same sense of having to sustain in belief to inherit the promise. 

“If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also shall deny us.” (2 Timothy 2:12) 

“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the desire of Elohim, you receive the promise: “For yet a little while – He who is coming shall come and shall not delay.” “But the righteous shall live by belief, but if anyone draws back, my being has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to destruction, but of belief to the preservation of life.” (Hebrews 10:36-39)

The next series of scriptures from Paul, the last one from Luke, use “being” as in the process of. 

“For the word of the stake is indeed foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of Elohim.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

“But brothers, I make known to you the Good News, which I brought as Good News to you, which you also did receive, and in which you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold fast that word I brought as Good News to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)

“Because we are to Elohim the fragrance of Messiah among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:15)

“praising Elohim and having favor with all the people. And the Master added to the assembly those who were being saved, day by day.” (Acts 2:47)

My last quote from Paul is his warning that though we are grafted in, if we fail to continue in belief (Having the testimony of Yeshua and being obedient to Torah, Revelation 12:17), then we will be cut off. 

“You shall say then, “The branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Good! By unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by belief. Do not be arrogant, but fear. For if Elohim did not spare the natural branches, He might not spare you either. See then the kindness and sharpness of Elohim: on those who fell sharpness, but toward you kindness, if you continue in his kindness, otherwise you also shall be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, shall be grafted in, for Elohim is able to graft them in again.” (Romans 11:19-23) 

My Third Witness 

Jude and his testimony are also one of caution, beseeching us not to be led astray by false teachings, but to remain in the belief or risk being destroyed just as our ancestors did when they left Egypt. 

“Beloved ones, making all haste to write to you concerning our common deliverance, I felt the necessity to write to you urging you to earnestly contend for the belief which was once for all delivered to the set-apart ones. For certain men have slipped in, whose judgment was written about long ago, wicked ones perverting the favor of our Elohim for indecency, and denying the only Master יהוה and our Master יהושע Messiah. But I intend to remind you, though you once knew this, that יהוה, having saved a people out of the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt), afterward destroyed those who did not believe.” (Jude 1:3-5)

My Final Witness

Peter, properly illustrating the disgustingness of leaving the Messiah to return to a life of sin.

“For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Master and Saviour יהושע Messiah, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the set-apart command delivered unto them. For them the proverb has proved true, “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “A washed sow returns to her rolling in the mud.” (2 Peter 2:20-22)

The purpose of this post was not to incite a sense of dread but a healthy dose of fear for those who had been swindled into believing a false doctrine, one that would have ended horribly. We must remain in the Messiah to bear fruit; this is not to say we will not stumble occasionally, but we must not make a practice of sinning. This is why it’s important to reprimand a fellow brother or sister in Messiah if they are caught in a sin, the Torah commands us to do such (Leviticus 19:17) and for good reason, sin leads to death and obedience leads to life (Deuteronomy 30:19, Matthew 19:17). I encourage you to test all things, including this, do not take my word for it but search out the matter for yourself. May the Ruach Hakodesh grant you peace and guide you into all truth. Shalom. 

“Brothers, if anyone among you goes astray from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the straying of his way shall save a life from death and cover a great number of sins.” (James 5:19-20) 

P.S.

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