Uncovering the Truth Behind Easter: Separating Fact from Fiction

 

The series of Pagan Holidays continues with Easter, I know for many, as it is for Christmas, it will be very difficult for them to let this pagan holiday go. The fingernails of Easter have dug into the skin with fond memories of finding Easter eggs or celebrating the resurrection of the Messiah. But what is the true meaning of the Easter egg, and more importantly, does the holiday have anything to do with Yeshua coming back to life? Mainstream Christianity will tell you, of course, it has to do with Jesus resurrecting and that finding Easter eggs is a fun activity for children. 

Three Days and Three Nights?

There are already problems with their claim, for how can the Messiah die on Friday and then be raised on Sunday when the Bible said he spent three days and three nights in the grave?

“But He answering, said to them, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Yonah (Jonah). “For as Yonah (Jonah) was three days and three nights in the stomach of the great fish, so shall the Son of Adam be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:39-40) 

Friday to Sunday will not give us the three complete days and nights; those who subscribe to this model can only do so by affirming that any amount of a day counts for a whole day. This is illogical. How can 6 hours equal 24? Or how can eating a slice of pizza equate to eating the whole thing? The absurdity of their claim is plain and evident to see; no matter how you dice it, a part can not equal the whole. What about this business of Easter being in celebration of Yeshua’s sacrifice? My Messiah is the Passover lamb. 

Messiah is the Passover Lamb

“Therefore, when Pilate heard these words, he brought יהושע out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the Preparation Day of the Pĕsaḥ week, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Yehuḏim, “See your Sovereign!” (John 19:13-14) Pesah means Passover. My quotes from the Bible come from The Scriptures 2009, the free version can be found online. 

“being declared right, without paying, by His favor through the redemption which is in Messiah יהושע, whom Elohim set forth as an atonement, through belief in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His tolerance Elohim had passed over the sins that had taken place before.” (Romans 3:24-25)

“Therefore, cleanse out the old leaven, so that you are a new lump, as you are unleavened. For also Messiah our Pĕsaḥ was slaughtered for us.” (1 Corinthians 5:7) 

If the Bible continually refers to Yeshua as the Passover lamb, then why do mainstream Christians keep Easter and not Passover? 

The Catholic Church’s Doing

The Catholic church made it a practice to “Christianize” pagan holidays, and mainstream Christian churches have followed in line with their treacherous mother. 

“We further proclaim to you the good news of the agreement concerning the holy Easter, that this particular also has through your prayers been rightly settled; so that all our brethren in the East who formerly followed the custom of the Jews are henceforth to celebrate the said most sacred feast of Easter at the same time with the Romans and yourselves and all those who have observed Easter from the beginning.” (First Council of Nicæa, A.D. 325) 

First off, keeping Passover is not a Jewish thing; it’s a Hebrew thing, and if that statement confuses you, please read through my posts under the tab Torah. Most sacred feast of Easter, who claimed that in the Bible? Absolutely no one! The Catholic Encyclopedia uses a few choice words that are deceptive in order to promote their pagan holiday. 

“The connection between the Jewish Passover and the Christian feast of Easter is real and ideal. Real, since Christ died on the first Jewish Easter Day.” (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05224d.htm)

Passover is not the Jewish version of Easter; that is a ridiculous statement to make, but the reason they use that type of language is to blind the masses. Because the mainstream Christian will then be indoctrinated to believe that celebrating Easter is for the Messiah and Passover is for the Jews when they were led out of Egypt. When in reality, as Paul promptly mentions, Yeshua is the Passover Lamb, not the Easter ham. Before we delve into the origins of Easter, I have to make you all aware of a purposely mistranslated phrase that is found in the KJV of the Bible; other translations may use this as well. 

“And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.” (Acts 12:4)

The word used here is Pascha, which comes from the word Pesach; this word means Passover, not Easter. 

“So when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to watch over him, intending to bring him before the people after Pĕsaḥ.” (Acts 12:4)

The Origins of Easter

Ok, now that is out of the way, let us continue with our journey of discovering the truth. So, if Easter did not come from the Bible, then where did it come from?

“Since Bede the Venerable (De ratione temporum 1:5) the origin of the term for the feast of Christ’s Resurrection has been popularly considered to be from the Anglo-Saxon Eastre, a goddess of spring…the Old High German plural for dawn, eostarun; whence has come the German Ostern, and our English Easter” (The New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967, Vol. 5, p. 6).

“The fact that vernal festivals were general among pagan peoples no doubt had much to do with the form assumed by the Eastern festival in the Christian churches. The English term Easter is of pagan origin” (Albert Henry Newman, D.D., LL.D., A Manual of Church History, p. 299).

“Easter—the name Easter comes to us from Ostera or Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, for whom a spring festival was held annually, as it is from this pagan festival that some of our Easter customs have come” (The Easter Book of Legends and Stories by Hazeltine, p. 53).

“This Ostarâ, like the Eástre, must in heathen religion have denoted a higher being, whose worship was so firmly rooted, that the Christian teachers tolerated the name, and applied it to one of their own grandest anniversaries.” (“Deutsche Mythologie” by Jacob Grimm) 

“In Babylonia…the goddess of spring was called Ishtar. She was identified with the planet Venus…In Phoenecia, she became Astarte; in Greece, Eostre and in Germany, Ostara…” (Easter Parade (An Avon Camelot Book) by Englehart, p. 4) 

“The reasons for celebrating our major feasts when we do are many and varied. In general, however, it is true that many of them have at least an indirect connection with the pre-Christian feasts celebrated about the same time of year -- feasts centering around the harvest, the rebirth of the sun at the winter solstice (now Dec. 21, but Dec. 25 in the old Julian calendar), the renewal of nature in spring, and so on.” (The New Question Box -- Catholic Life for the Nineties by John J. Dietzen, p. 554.)

“The term ‘Easter’ is not of Christian origin. It is another form of Astarte, one of the titles of the Chaldean goddess, the queen of heaven. The festival of Pasch held by Christians in post-apostolic times was a continuation of the Jewish feast … From this Pasch, the pagan festival of ‘Easter’ was quite distinct and was introduced into the apostate Western religion, as part of the attempt to adapt pagan festivals to Christianity.” (. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, William White, Jr., Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, article: Easter, p.192) 

“The term Easter was derived from the Anglo-Saxon 'Eostre,' the name of the goddess of spring. In her honor sacrifices were offered at the time of the vernal equinox. By the 8th cent. the term came to be applied to the anniversary of Christ's resurrection.” (International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, edited by Geoffrey Bromiley, Vol 2 of 4, p.6, article: Easter)

“The name of a feast, according to the Venerable Bede, comes from Eostre, A Teutonic goddess whose festival was celebrated in the spring. The name was given to the Christian festival in celebration of the resurrected Eostre, it was who, according to the legend, opened portals of Valhalla to recieve Baldur, called the white god because of his purity and also the sun god because his brow supplied light to mankind. It was Baldur who, after he had been murdered by Utgard Loki, the enemy of goodness and truth, spent half the year in Valhalla and the other half with the pale goddess of the lower regions. As the festival of Eostre was a celebration of the renewal of life in the spring it was easy to make it a celebration of the resurrection from the dead of Jesus. There is no doubt that the church in its early days adopted the old pagan customs and gave a Christian meaning to them.” (George William Douglas, The American Book of Days, article: Easter) 

Easter does not have its roots in the Bible but comes from the pagan worship of spring. The Catholic church would assimilate pagan customs to garner new converts, as they did with Christmas, Halloween, and Valentine’s Day. I could continue to provide quote after quote detailing the pagan origins of Easter, but I believe the point has been made. Now, what about the traditions that surround Easter?

Easter Eggs 

“The origin of the Easter egg is based on the fertility lore of the Indo-European races…The egg to them was a symbol of spring…In Christian times the egg had bestowed upon it a religious interpretation, becoming a symbol of the rock tomb out of which Christ emerged to the new life of His resurrection” (Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs by Francis X. Weiser, p. 233)

“Around the Christian observance of Easter…folk customs have collected, many of which have been handed down from the ancient ceremonial…symbolism of European and Middle Eastern pagan spring festivals…for example, eggs…have been very prominent as symbols of new life and resurrection.” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 1991 ed., Vol. 4, p. 333)

“Eggs were hung up in the Egyptian temples. Bunsen calls attention to the mundane egg, the emblem of generative life, proceeding from the mouth of the great god of Egypt. The mystic egg of Babylon, hatching the Venus Ishtar, fell from heaven to the Euphrates. Dyed eggs were sacred Easter offerings in Egypt, as they are still in China and Europe. Easter, or spring, was the season of birth, terrestrial and celestial.” (Egyptian Belief and Modern Thought by James Bonwick, p. 211-212)

“The custom may have its origin in paganism, for a great many pagan customs, celebrating the return of spring… the egg is the emblem of the germinating life of early spring.” (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05224d.htm) 

“In ancient Egypt and Persia friends exchanged decorated eggs at the spring equinox, the beginning of their New Year. These eggs were a symbol of fertility for them because the coming forth of a live creature from an egg was so surprising to people of ancient times. Christians of the Near East adopted this tradition, and the Easter egg became a religious symbol. It represented the tomb from which Jesus came forth to new life.” (Catholic Customs and Traditions by Greg Dues, p. 101) 

Easter Rabbit

“The Easter Rabbit lays the eggs, for which reason they are hidden in a nest or in the garden. The rabbit is a pagan symbol and has always been an emblem of fertility (Simrock, Mythologie, 551).” (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05224d.htm)

“The Easter bunny had its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore…The Easter bunny has never had religious symbolism bestowed on its festive usage…However, the bunny has acquired a cherished role in the celebration of Easter as the legendary producer of Easter eggs for children in many countries.” (Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs by Francis X. Weiser, p. 236)

“The hare, the symbol of fertility in ancient Egypt, a symbol that was kept later in Europe…Its place has been taken by the Easter rabbit.” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 1991 ed., Vol. 4, p. 333)

“Little children are usually told that the Easter eggs are brought by the Easter Bunny. Rabbits are part of pre-Christian fertility symbolism because of their reputation to reproduce rapidly.” (Catholic Customs and Traditions by Greg Dues, p.102) 

“The Easter hare was no ordinary animal, but a sacred companion of the old goddess of spring, Eostre.” (Julian Fox, Easter, Vero Beach: Rourke Enterprises, 1989, p.11)

The number of sources that speak on the pagan origins of Easter and its customs is extensive. I provided just a handful of quotes, but I strongly encourage everyone to do their own research. Indeed, looking into this topic has proven to be a rabbit hole so deep that it puts Alice and Wonderland to shame. I hope this post has sparked your interest in testing the origins of Easter. I pray that the Ruach Hakodesh leads you into all truth. 

P.S.

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The Story of Yeshua and the Adulterous Woman: Uncovering the Truth Behind the Trap

The Adulterous Woman--Christ Writing upon the Ground by James Tissot from the Brooklyn Museum

The story of Yeshua and the adulterous woman has been used by mainstream Christians to “prove” that the Torah is done away with. This conclusion comes from a lack of understanding of what YHWH’s instructions are on the matter. At face value, it would appear that Yeshua is going against the Torah, his Father’s instructions, but that is not the case, as we will see. If Christians started in Genesis (where the Bible begins, not Matthew), then they would be able to see with clearer eyes what exactly is going on. So, let us read about the woman “caught” in adultery and begin to peel back the layers of what is truly happening. 

The Context and Set-Up

“And at dawn He came again into the Set-apart Place, and all the people were coming to Him. And having sat down, He was teaching them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And having set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. And in the Torah Mosheh (Moses) commanded us that such should be stoned. What then do You say? And this they said, trying Him, so that they might accuse Him. But יהושע, bending down, wrote on the ground with the finger, as though He did not hear.” (John 8:2-6)

Right from the beginning, something doesn’t sound right. Can you guess what it is? The Pharisees said they caught the women in the VERY act of committing adultery. If so, then where is the man with whom she was sinning with? Surely, he’s not running out in the streets naked; if he were, he would be quite easy to identify and bring to Yeshua as well. But the man is not present and isn’t even mentioned, why? Because he never existed, this is a rouse set up by the Pharisees, testing Yeshua’s knowledge of the Torah. And what does the Torah say regarding adultery?

“And a man who commits adultery with the wife of another man, who commits adultery with the wife of his neighbour: the adulterer and the adulteress shall certainly be put to death.” (Leviticus 20:10) 

Both perpetrators must be put to death, not just the woman. Again, supposedly, she was caught in the very act, and yet the man is nowhere to be seen. There is another issue here: why did the Pharisees bring Yeshua the “adulterous” woman? He was not a judge or acting as a priest, and the Torah states that it was up to the judges and priests to declare whether or not the accused were guilty or not. 

“One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse someone of a crime, the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. The judges must make a thorough investigation…” (Deuteronomy 19: 15-18) 

I will use the rest of verse 18 here in a minute, but as you can see, it was up to the priests and the judges, and at that time, Yeshua was neither of those. Are you starting to see how this whole ordeal reeks of a setup? To be fair, John did tell us that the Pharisees were testing Yeshua and hoping to find something to accuse him with. They knew exactly what they were doing and orchestrated the whole fiasco. Somewhere, I can hear “It’s a trap!” Indeed, it was, and what was Yeshua writing with his finger? I like to think he was writing the instructions on what to do, like Deuteronomy 17 and 19. 

Yeshua Sees Through the Trap

“But as they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” And bending down again, He wrote on the ground. And when they heard it, being reproved by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the older ones until the last. And יהושע was left alone, and the woman standing in the middle. And יהושע, straightening up and seeing no one but the woman, said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Did no one condemn you?” And she said, “No one, Master.” And יהושע said to her, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:7-11)

So what did Yeshua mean when he said let the one without sin throw the first stone? Well, for starters, those who witnessed the transgression had the right to throw the first stone. 

“At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall he that is to die be put to death. He is not put to death by the mouth of one witness. “The hand of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and the hand of all the people last. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.” (Deuteronomy 17:6-7) 

Ah, so Yeshua put the Pharisees on the spot now, he knew they didn’t witness the adultery take place. They sinned by not bringing the accused to the right people for judgment and by bearing false witness. You may say, “Well, they could have thrown the stones anyway.” They could have if they wanted to die.

“…and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite, then do to the false witness as that witness intended to do to the other party. You must purge the evil from among you.” (Deuteronomy 19: 18-19) 

So, you see, had the Pharisees thrown a stone, they would have been signing their own death warrant. Noticed too that the eldest were the first to disperse because they knew the jig was up, Yeshua had seen through the deception. Then, after the mob had left, Yeshua asked the woman where are your accusers, she had no legitimate witnesses. Remember, on the testimony of two to three witnesses, but lo and behold, there was nothing to witness. The last thing the Messiah tells her is quite interesting, go and sin no more. What sin had she committed? Well, not adultery, if she had, then the Pharisees would have taken her before the judges and the priests, even after testing Yeshua. So, what was her sin? Possibly, her willingness to participate in the setup, I imagine the conversation between her and the Pharisees went a little like this, “Hey, we're going to use you to trick this guy calling himself the Messiah. Don’t worry, we’re not really going to stone you, we just want him to mess up so we can properly accuse him.” And had Yeshua made the wrong move, well, there would have been a group of people to bear witness against him. It was rather foolish on the Pharisees' part, for how could they trip up the walking, talking Torah? 

Proper Research Brings Understanding  

I hope this brought a new understanding of what exactly went on with the “adulterous” woman. I know you may have been wondering what it was all about, or maybe even some of your Christian friends and family members challenged you on the matter. Well, now you can stand firm and give a proper answer to their inquiry. Continue to test all things, including this, and may the Ruach Hakodesh lead you into all truth. 

P.S.

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Biblical Principles for a Strong and Lasting Marriage

 

A Biblical marriage is one of the most beautiful commitments someone can be a part of or witness. Sadly, however, even within the body, marriages are being defiled, and divorce rates continue to rise. Before my wife and I got married, we had to attend marriage counseling, maybe because we were 18, but it was well worth it. And while I don’t remember everything, one concept has stayed with me. Elohim is in the middle, and the husband and wife are on opposite sides of Him. As the two grow closer to Elohim, the closer they grow to each other. I know my wife and I can both attest to that principle, and it's one I believe every couple should know about. It is just as important to know what the Bible says about marriage and how both members should act. 

The First Marriage 

“And the rib which יהוה Elohim had taken from the man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And the man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. This one is called ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of man.” For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:22-24)

From here, we can gather two very important aspects of marriage: first, it is a union between a man and a woman, and the two become one flesh. Becoming one flesh is not just a physical act but is also very spiritual. The two become one in spirit. If you have seen my wife, then you have seen me and vice versa. This is supported by the Messiah himself in the book of Mark.

“However, from the beginning of the creation, Elohim ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh,’ so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. “Therefore what Elohim has joined together, let man not separate.” (Mark 10:6-9)

How Special a Wife Is 

Further along in Proverbs, we men learn how truly special it is to find a wife who is dedicated to serving YHWH.

“A capable wife is the crown of her husband, But one causing shame is like rottenness in his bones.” (Proverbs 12:4)

“Who does find a capable wife? For she is worth far more than rubies.” (Proverbs 31:10)

Having such a wife is a gift from the Father.

“He who has found a wife has found good, And receives favor from יהוה.” (Proverbs 18:22)

“Houses and riches are the inheritance from fathers, But an understanding wife is from יהוה.” (Proverbs 19:14) 

It might seem obvious how husbands should treat their wives, especially after learning that they are a gift from the Father. But the Bible actually gives us detailed instructions for how husbands should be towards their wives. 

How Husbands Should Treat Their Wives

“Husbands, love your wives, as Messiah also did love the assembly and gave Himself for it, in order to set it apart and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, in order to present it to Himself a splendid assembly, not having spot or wrinkle or any of this sort, but that it might be set-apart and blameless. In this way husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but feeds and cherishes it, as also the Master does the assembly. Because we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This secret is great, but I speak concerning Messiah and the assembly. However, you too, everyone, let each one love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she fears her husband.” (Ephesians 5:25-33)

Husbands and those soon to be in marriage, we are the representation of the Messiah, and our wives represent the church (Israel). We are to love our spouse just as Yeshua loves us (the church, the body), we must take care of her like we take care of our own bodies. Men, stop talking ill of your wives or treating them like second-rate citizens; your job is to nourish, instruct, and protect. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard other husbands speak of their wives in unpleasant ways. Enough is enough, man up and do your job. 

How Wives Should Treat Their Husbands

For the wives, as you just read, you are to respect your husbands, and there are more instructions for you all as well.

“Wives, subject yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Master. Because the husband is head of the wife, as also the Messiah is head of the assembly, and He is Savior of the body. But as the assembly is subject to Messiah, so also let the wives be to their own husbands in every respect.” (Ephesians 5:22-24)

Wives and those soon to be, you are to be submissive to your husbands, realizing that he is the head just like Yeshua is the head of the body. I know that may sound old-fashioned or even offensive to say nowadays, but that’s how Elohim wants it done. The world says that wives should be strong and independent, equal to their husbands. I don’t disagree that wives should be strong, but the Bible is very clear that you should be submissive. 

Do Not Marry Unbelievers 

Sisters of the body should not be marrying Gentiles (those outside the body of Israel). The same applies to the brothers as well.

“Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness and lawlessness? And what fellowship has light with darkness? ” (2 Corinthians 6:14)

Let’s break that down. What is righteousness?

“For not the hearers of the Torah are righteous in the sight of Elohim, but the doers of the Torah shall be declared right.” (Romans 2:13)

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

Simple enough, righteousness has to do with obeying the Torah, which is righteous. Then what do you think lawlessness is?

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

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

My unmarried brothers and sisters do not marry someone who does not obey the Torah, I beseech you. Marrying an unbeliever will only bring about heartache; save yourselves from such pain. But what about those who are already in such a marriage? Paul gave us some advice. Notice he makes it a point to let us know that he, not Elohim, has given this instruction.

“And to the rest I say, not the Master: If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she thinks well to live with him, let him not send her away. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he thinks well to live with her, let her not send him away. For the unbelieving husband has been set-apart in the wife, and the unbelieving wife has been set-apart in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are set-apart. And, if the unbelieving one separates, let him separate himself. A brother or a sister has not been enslaved in such matters. But Elohim has called us to peace. For how do you know, O wife, whether you shall save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you shall save your wife?” (1 Corinthians 7:12-16)

This is my interpretation of what Paul said, but I could be wrong. This is where testing all things comes into play. I believe Paul is saying that if your unbelieving spouse still wants to be married, then through you, your spouse may hear the truth and repent. Likewise, your children may learn the truth, but should the unbelieving spouse decide to leave, then let it be. For there was no guarantee that they would convert anyhow. 

Do Not Deny One Another

Early in that chapter, Paul wrote something very interesting involving sexual relations within marriage. 

“But because of whoring, let each one have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife what is her due, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with agreement for a time, to give yourselves to fasting and prayer. And come together again so that Satan does not try you because of your lack of self-control.” (1 Corinthians 7:2-5)

According to this, husbands do not deny your wives and wives do not deny your husbands, when either one of you wants to have relations, then let it be. The exception to this rule is if you both agree to abstain for a time to dedicate yourselves to prayer. I wonder how many marriages practice this? If I had to guess, not many but it is one I believe every couple should exercise. 

Final Words

Before concluding, I ask that all my brothers and sisters to remember this:

“Let marriage be respected by all, and the bed be undefiled. But Elohim shall judge those who whore, and adulterers.” (Hebrews 13:4)

“Wives, subject yourselves to your own husbands, as is proper in the Master. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.” (Colossians 3:18-19)

Continue to test all things, including this, and may the Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) guide you into all truth. 

P.S.

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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.