Is the name "Jesus" holy?The question of whether "Jesus" is a holy name, can be addressed in several ways, the word "holy" must also be considered, and we will address this in a moment, first let's look at the "Biblical" origin of the name of "Jesus". We read in Matthew 1:21 "And she shall bring forth a son; and you shall call his name "Y'shua"; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins." No, this isn't how it was "translated", most insert the name "Jesus". But very few would dispute that the angel provided the name "Y'shua", certainly not the Greek name Jesus. Most know that Y'shua means "YHWH is Salvation". The Name of Yeshua itself is extremely prophetic for example: Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise YHWH: This gate of YHWH, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise Thee: for You have heard me, and have become my Yeshua (Salvation). The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is YHWH's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which YHWH has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O YHWH: O YHWH, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be He that cometh in the Name of YHWH: we have blessed you out of the House of YHWH. Psalms 118:19-26 The rejected head stone refers to Mashiyach ben Yoseph, the suffering servant. The "builders" are those working to establish the Kingdom, but they've gone about it on their own merits and strength, they've rejected the most important component of the Kingdom: Mashiyach. We know Y'shua to be Mashiyach ben Yoseph. He brought the Salvation of YHWH to his people and demonstrated the Torah based values of the Kingdom of Elohim. Notice how this passage begins with "open to me the gates of righteousness", clearly gates (plural) refers to a progressive walk in Righteousness, openings that we must choose to enter into. The set apart people pass through more than one gate during our lifetimes and as a people. David goes on to say "this gate of YHWH" has become my Yeshua (Salvation). Notice also that "Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of YHWH," refers to Mashiyach who came in the Name of YHWH. The Name of YHWH is both physically and spiritually with Mashiyach as he is begotten spiritually by His Father YHWH. Yeshua is the truncated form of Yehoshua which is the Hebrew name of Moses' successor, Joshua, it also means, YHWH is Salvation. Y'shua did nothing in his own name, but in the Name of His Father YHWH. We could analyze well over a hundred verses that specifically pertain to the prophetic identity of the office of Mashiyach, in which the name of Y'shua functions. Consider this in the Ketuvim Netzarim (New Covenant Writings). Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Yeshua Mashiyach haNazarati, whom you crucified, whom Elohim raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:10-12 Notice that NO other name under heaven given among men does NOT point to the name of Y'shua! Paul knows well that Yeshua has come in his Father's Name, the Name of YHWH, Y'shua is the Salvation of YHWH. Notice that Paul is quoting Psalm 118 here which states, "Save now, I beseech thee, O YHWH: O YHWH, I beseech thee, send now prosperity." The head of the corner refers to Mashiyach, but it is YHWH who saves, not Mashiyach. It is YHWH who accomplished all the healings that Yeshua invoked according to His Father's Will. Yeshua did not heal anyone in his own name, he healed in His Father's Name, according to His Father's authority. There is a legend in the Talmud (Oral Traditions of the Pharisees) about Y'shua healing in the Name of YHWH. The Pharisees made up an elaborate fable about Y'shua sneaking the Name of YHWH out of the Temple. It tells of how Y'shua wrote the ineffable Name on a piece of parchment, cut his skin open, sewed it under his skin, left the Temple, then was able access the power of "the Name" outside the Temple. This if course reeks of Gnosticism, the Pharisees are still using incantations to bring blessings upon themselves, the myth also reeks of religious pride, arrogance, paganism and traditional dogmatism about invoking the Name of YHWH. There is a passage in Talmud where the Pharisees teach that YHWH confers with them about important matters before He does anything, they certainly give themselves a very elevated chair, and they also believe themselves to be stewards of "The Name". As you probably know it is Pharisaical tradition to refer to YHWH as "haShem" (the Name), a derivative of their Gnostic religion. But even in the libelous account of Y'shua in the Talmud, there is an underlying truth that Mashiyach healed in the Name and Power of YHWH! Even the Pharisees admit it! But Christians are very slow to figure this out? How come? But I know you, that you have not the love of Elohim in you. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. John 5:42, 43 Y'shua's words declare that his Messiahship is according to His Father's Name, and of course this means the literal name of YHWH according to His Authority and Self Existent Power. So it is on this basis that we can accurately know and understand that the office of Mashiyach is tied to YHWH. Now that we know this, we can answer the question of whether the name of "Jesus" is "holy". Consider very carefully this warning that Y'shua gave us: Luke 21:8 And he said, "take heed that you be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Mashiyach; and the time draws near: go ye not therefore after them." Luke 21:8 Herein lies an "acid test" to determine whether a person is a false teacher or prophet, "many shall come in my name" in other words they will claim to operate in the office and authority of Mashiyach, NOT according to YHWH's authority! The name of Jesus is a hybrid name that was coined outside the Set Apart tongue, NOT by YHWH and NOT by the original followers of Y'shua. The name of Jesus exemplifies the seduction of Greek Christianity into Hellenistic Zeus culture. Within Christo-Paganism the name Jesus is self sustaining, many Christians pray to Jesus as "the Father", and as their God. LORD and Lord are two components of the pagan Trinity that teaches LORD is the Father and Lord is the Son, melded into a Trinity. But the Father has a very "Personal" and Set Apart Name and so does the Son for very important reasons. Often times I inquire of Christians after they pray to "the Lord", and ask who they are praying to, the vast majority reply, "to Jesus". But we must remember that: Jesus is a Deity that comes "in his own name" The name Jesus is NOT a derivative of YHWH, there is great cause for alarm when this hybrid Greek name is being plied onto Messiah because not only is it not the sanctified given name of Yeshua, but prophetic and sanctified unity within the Word of YHWH is lost! Certainly Greeks who follow the Jewish Messiah are not going to win popularity contests among their own people, within a polytheistic culture, therefore early Christo-Pagans syncretized Greek culture into Greek Christianity, which "smoothed" the way for Christo-Paganism to become the "state" religion. And let's be fair, not all Greeks are Hellenized. Hellenism is to Greeks as "Hollywoodism" is to Americans. Not all Americans bow down to the gods of Hollywood, Sports, Materialism, Money and Sensuality which are hallmarks of "Americanism." But the fact of the matter is most "believers" can't give up the American carnal Krispy Kreme Kulture any more than the Greeks could give up Hellenism. I was visiting the USA when Mel Gibson's Passion hit the movie theatres. The Messianic community I was visiting couldn't resist going to "the flick," they even bought group tickets to gaze at images of Jesus, which is VERY contrary to Torah! Don't even waste your time. I will NEVER agree that this film isn't depicting "graven images." Christians worship a deity named Jesus and there was a depiction of Jesus lifted up on their massive screens. Americans are fixated on entertainment and big screened images so who am I to argue, they'll do what is right in their own eyes and wag their tongues and say it is for "educational purposes." As an English speaker, how do you pronounce Jesus? Yes, you are saying "Je-zuz", not "Je-sus" there's that "zzzzz" sound in the name. In Spanish the Hay-sous sound is much closer to the Greek. This is why at times I spell Jesus as Jezeus, to remind Christians that this hybrid name comes from Hellenism, whose chief god was Zeus, and people are still giving recognition to Zeus, not simply as a linguistic, etymological link, but by denying that Y'shua came to write Torah upon the heart. By denying the Ancient Path. By denying to live Set Apart lives unto YHWH. By holding their Christian traditions up above Torah, above the Word of the Living Elohim. Jesus is thought by many as a close and acceptable transliteration of Yeshua, but Je-Zuz points to Je-Zeus according to the values of both the Greek language and Hellenistic culture. Greeks have NO trouble whatsoever pronouncing the name of Yeshua, exactly as it is said in Hebrew, neither do the Greek people have any trouble writing the name of Yeshua in Greek, in such way that any Greek reader would immediately know how to read and say Yeshua. In reality, the persona of Jesus in Christo-Pagan religion, has far less to do with the Jewish Mashiyach functionally, than it has to do with Zeus. Certainly some of the ideals Yeshua lived for have been regurgitated in Jesus worship, however the "person" of Jesus is far removed from the person of "Yeshua!" Yeshua upholds Torah as his Father's Commandments according to the Word of YHWH, but Jesus let his disciples break the Law, Christians teach that Paul brought the Torah to nothing, even that Paul taught that Torah was a curse, that's what Christian bibles say. So it's quite obvious that there are two Jesus', in fact Rav Shaul (Paul) warns us to beware of the false Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:4). There are theologians who try to rebuff the etymological link between Jesus and Zeus however the historical evidence is profound. Historians and documentarians have revealed busts of Zeus erected for Zeus worship appearing throughout Europe in both Catholic and Orthodox Christian churches as images of Jesus However elements of pagan syncretism are found right within New Covenant Scriptures: Acts 14:12 "And they called Barnabas, Zeus; and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Zeus, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people." Certainly a tragic event but clearly showing the propensity of the pagan element to syncretize the teachings of Paul into paganism. The pagan element today within Christianity asserts that Paul did away with Torah (instructions in righteousness), yet Paul himself warns his readers that "another Jesus" was being preached, the false anti-Torah, anti-righteousness, pagan cultural Jesus was being embedded into the minds of many Greek Christians even within Paul's lifetime, and it is very clearly evident that this movement gained momentum and became the tour de force behind modern Christianity. Theologians point out that the Septuagint scribes translated Yehoshua into Iesous. Yehoshua of course is Moses' successor (Joshua) and the full name of Y'shua. The Septuagint was translated by Jewish scribes who were very capable in the Greek language but this certainly doesn't mean they were enlightened about Mashiyach Ben Yoseph being given the name Y'shua. The Septuagint was translated into Greek about 200 years before Y'shua came to earth therefore the importance of the name of Y'shua was not fully understood back then. For Christian theologians to assert that these scribes were under inspiration of the Holy Spirit is simply a theological projection. When Mashiyach Y'shua came to earth, many religious myths were exposed but yet certain groups like the Pharisees went on campaigns to further hide the Word of YHWH connection to Mashiyach Y'shua. In fact there are 134 changes made to the Masoretic texts by the Pharisees to cover up the reality of Y'shua being the Word of YHWH. This extremely important connection between YHWH and His Mashiyach was evidently not understood by the translators of the Septuagint, yet the Septuagint is a very important work as it preserves these passages that were altered by later false scribes. When Christians realize that they've been taught a falsehood about the anti-Torah Jesus they simply need to recognize the difference between the two, and that there definitely are two Messiahs who operate under the name Y'shua and Jesus. In fact we've been amply warned that haSatan transforms himself into an angel of light. That means the Devil transforms himself into Jesus, so next time you get on your knees to pray, don't be concerned. Pray to YHWH in the Name of Y'shua and thank Him for His Torah and then go learn how to keep His Commandments. But I have bad news for you, you will be hated by the religious elements, you will be mocked, scorned, reviled, judged, and condemned to hell by those who say they love Jesus. Is the name of Jesus holy?* No, not according the Word of YHWH it is NOT! There are many material points of law that can easily establish this fact. It is not simply a matter of linguistics that the Greek culture chose to make a name change, it is a matter of politics and religion. The religious motives surrounding anti-Torah teaching are too numerous to enumerate, one of the big factors is that Torah judges autocratic governments, Torah judges and exposes hierarchy like nothing else can, or will. Torah enlightens souls towards freedom, equality, sexuality, protection of personal property and liberty, it would be impossible for the current oligarchic political hierarchical structure of the world to operate within a Torah based value system, therefore the real Mashiyach had to be silenced or reinvented. Hence "Jesus" became an anti-Torah icon, at most he is taught of as being a "respecter" of Torah, who "translated" Torah principles into Hellenism. However, the anti-Torah values that are syncretized into "Jesus" could not have been done so while Yeshua was connected to his Father YHWH and Torah, hence the linguistic severance that made way for the new religious ideal... enter Jesus. From Rabbinical Judaism's perspective, the Pharisees used their tradition to judge Yeshua as a breaker of their tradition, and tradition is their highest authority, NOT Torah. The Pharisees used Yeshua to establish their own authority, by judging Yeshua and putting him to the torture stake, they put themselves above Mashiyach. The Greek culture used their own methodology to do the very same thing, they syncretized Yeshua into their own Hellenic culture. There was a time when the "person of Jesus" was the defining authority of the Roman empire, Constantine and his mother Hellena forced their brand of Christianity upon the world as the official religion of Roman Empire, under their direction the massacre of "the innocents" seemed a reasonable thing, much like American civilization today uses it's military might for conflict resolution, in the "name of Jesus" and perpetrates wholesale evil upon it's victims. From a humanistic religious perspective (like Christian America), the name of Jesus is holy because it is on this basis that they give themselves authority to do what is right in their own eyes. But what is YHWH's doing according to Mashiyach is a completely different matter, we should be much more interested in that which is "Set Apart" unto YHWH rather than what is "holy" unto man. "Blessed be He that cometh in the Name of YHWH: we have blessed you out of the House of YHWH." Followers of Truth must understand that we are required to be in the House of YHWH to be able to judge with righteous Judgment. Neither Christianity nor Rabbinical Judaism is "in the House of YHWH", as these religions both take their authority from tradition and versions of the Bible according to man's traditions. Before a person can judge what is right or wrong they must enter into the House of YHWH, and this means a person must observe and do the Commandments and live according to Torah principles. We must adopt the Authority of the Word of YHWH for righteous judgment. For example, the 3rd Commandment states we are NOT to bring any other name equal to the name of YHWH. The 1st Command is that YHWH is Elohim. Therefore on these two Commandments we can be assured that the name of Jesus is not holy, it is simply un-holy or common. However, when people are earnest and sincere and use the name of Zeus to call upon Mashiyach simply because they don't know his true name or the Name of his Father, then certainly YHWH is merciful and will draw earnest souls to Himself. But as a person matures in the Faith it is foolish for them to make excuses and continue calling on the name of Jesus, just because of religious tradition or because "everyone else is doing it." Neither the name Jesus or Y'shua are meant to be used for incantations, it is false religion to verbalize any name as though there is power in making the sound of the name, yet most Christians and Jews continue to say canned prayers and make incantations as part of their religion. NO, we are to learn about the person of Mashiyach, emulate his character, learn from his life and walk as he walked and as he taught his disciples according to an intimate spiritual relationship. It is impossible for men to "translate" the revealed Set Apart name of YHWH and His Mashiyach into man's values. YHWH does not ask that man preside as judges over His Authority, yet man continually does this on his own initiative, by using a thing called "religion". For the benefit of Christians who may be upset at this discovery, don't let your pride rule the day, it is your desire to please Mashiyach and live for him that will carry you into a more intimate relationship with YHWH. But it is also the weak flesh of religion and status quo pressure that holds a soul back from entering into a deeper, more meaningful and spiritually powerful relationship. It is obvious that the Name of YHWH and His many Titles are to reveal His nature and character to us. YHWH created the universe with Words, and it is in the power of His Word that mankind communicates with each other about Him and His Mashiyach. Certainly the Spirit is not constrained by the limitations of our vocabulary, but words and names are meant to give us entry into greater Spiritual consciousness, yet each of us were taught basic information about YHWH and His Mashiyach from the words and names we learnt from our teachers. Regardless of what our teachers might say, YHWH says that He regards His Name as "Set Apart", and that He requires us to also honor His Name as SET APART. Therefore we set apart Words and Names that are meant to elevate that which pertains to YHWH and His Mashiyach from those things that are opposed to the Kingdom of Elohim. "And YHWH Elohim formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a nefesh chaya." Genesis 2:7 The Targumist writes that nefesh chaya is best translated as the "spirit of speech". YHWH "breathed" a "spirit" into mankind that is of His own Spirit, to connect us to Himself. Initially the whole world was of one language. The reason YHWH confused the languages was so that mankind wouldn't soon repeat what he did in Noah's day, and bring destruction upon himself. The diversity of languages and culture bought us time and allowed humanity to nurture cultures and diversity that would bring more glory to YHWH. Is it not a blessed thing to travel to various countries and be with Believers who dress different, prepare their food different, who have different customs when they sing, dance and worship the King of Kings? But YHWH did not confuse the revelation about Himself, this was the work of the adversary. The revelation of YHWH was given in Hebrew because in it's original form and delivery, it was perfect. The Hebrew language connected the spirit of man (neshama) to the soul (nephesh) and body (guf) and to all the rest of the created world as members of YHWH's Creation. Hebrew was originally pictographical, it conveyed moral sequence and revelation about YHWH and man's obligation to YHWH and to each other. When man began to slice and dice the revelation of Mashiyach Yeshua and the Torah of YHWH, the world was set on a course for destruction, and it is not possible for mankind himself to turn it back. After the Pharisee elitists killed Yeshua both physically and by the venom of religious tradition, the Christians then "resurrected" their own Christo-Pagan hero which they named Je-zeus, who endorses their status quo pagan religious tradition, materialism and anti-Torah traditions. The real marketing campaign of Christianity is not about the inner rebirth of righteousness within the fallen soul of man, but the justification of religious souls according to what "JeZeus did on the cross." In Christian meetings it can routinely be heard that "Jezeus did it all," which is a universal cop-out for Christians to live carnal, worldly, unrighteous lifestyles. The name of Jezeus represents the justification of their sins, so those who make a call to raise up Torah standards are viewed as enemies of "the church." Certainly there are many beautiful souls within Judaism and Christianity who have never distinguished the Yeshua of YHWH versus the Jesus of Christian tradition, the religious status quo fights aggressively to maintain it's authority, which gets it's power from "the beast". Many Christians and Jews have a very good idea deep inside that their religion needs a renovation, many Christians know that if they were to renounce Jezeus and take up the sufferings of Yeshua, that their days in the local churches would be numbered, and many Jews are aware that if they investigate the real Yeshua that they will fall out of being religiously or politically correct, but this is the cost of discipleship. The Word of YHWH must be the final authority of every Believer, not the traditions of men. We read a telling example in Scripture where a man tried to manipulate Yeshua to get himself assurance for eternal life, it goes like this: "And, behold, one came and said unto him, 'Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?' And he said unto him, 'Why do you call me good? there is none good but one, that is, Elohim: but if you will enter into life, keep the mitzvoth (commandments).'" Matthew 19:16, 17 Yeshua demonstrates to this man that even if he were to esteem him as the "Good Master", that this would NOT qualify him for eternal life, but that he is obligated to keep the Commandments of YHWH to enter into Life. This man represents Christendom who bring all manner of praise and worship to the person of Jesus, but who do not uphold Torah. The "person of Jesus" in this scenario of "Good Master" could not save anyone anymore than Hitler or Saddam Hussein could provide salvation! Unless a soul is obedient to the authority behind Mashiyach?Who is YHWH?there is NO salvation. However, Christianity has marketed a salvation "gospel" under the persona of Jesus, they claim to have a "Good Master" who did away with Torah, but this is false and evil religion. If you will enter into Life, keep the Commandments, because this is the fullness of Yeshua himself. The Spirit within Yeshua is the Spirit of YHWH Who came in the flesh. Yeshua is Set Apart (Holy) because He was obedient to death, all of Yeshua's followers strive to be obedient and to bring glory to his Name by their obedience, however the fallen church wants to get glory through the name of Jesus without being obedient to YHWH. These two values are as far apart as the east is from the west. Yeshua's sufferings opened the door of righteousness so that mankind could see the awesome love of the Father. Yeshua lived in such a way that demonstrated for each of us how we are to live each day. Because Yeshua lived, and because he resurrected, we can be empowered in him by Grace unto the perfect man, our Standard is Yeshua. Not Paul, not someone's theology, but the Spirit of Yeshua. Yeshua is not a substitute for us but our goal, he is the example, the quintessential Jew who became a sin offering for each of us. This is how he fulfilled the office of Mashiyach ben Yoseph, but one must also bear in mind that he will return as Mashiyach ben David and sanctify the earth according to his Father's Commandment. His suffering is complete, but now his enemies are the ones who will suffer. One of the greatest deceptions within Christo-Paganism is the identity theft of Yeshua, although, had Yeshua been followed accordingly by our ancestors, you and I wouldn't be here. The forces of evil would have long been overwhelmed and the Kingdom of Elohim would have been established. We would exist in a very different dimension. The future of this world is much shorter than any of us would really care to acknowledge, this generation is beginning to witness the birth pangs of Mashiyach ben David, if there was ever a time in the history of the world that one would be motivated to live for Mashiyach, it would be now. There really isn't much out there by comparison worth living for. I pray that you will be bold to sanctify the Name of YHWH in Yeshua, take courage, be peculiar, stand upright and take down the walls of the enemy. We are entering into a prophetic time when YHWH is calling out a people for His Name, He is writing His Name on their foreheads, and they will do valiantly in Him, because YHWH's Word says He alone will be Glorified. People will refrain from saying that catastrophic events were just coincidences, evolutionists aren't always going to continue their mealy mouthed invectives against YHWH and the true origins of life, YHWH says that in that day ALL, will know His Name. "Holy" or what is "Kadosh" is that which is Set Apart by YHWH for His people. Jesus was not a Set Apart name given by YHWH. His name is Y'shua for VERY good reason! JeZeus is the invention of a politically correct status quo religious "translator." And you shall know the Truth, and the Truth, shall set you free. Yochanan/John 8:32 YHWH be with you, Shalom U'Vrachot, Baruch Ben Daniel *The word "holy" finds its origins with heile, which is a Greek term that refers to the warmth of the sun. The sun was worshipped by the pagans as a deity, and heile was also a deity. Unfortunately, the Christian churches renounce being "Set Apart" unto YHWH, as this requires following in the footsteps of Mashiyach and observing Torah. In "Christianese", "holy" means to be embedded in a church, believe their theology, support the church, show up for meetings, and participate in building a big new church or go "soul winning" and find others who will accept the churches doctrinal positions. Each church has made for itself a "holy" status quo, therefore if you don't belong to the church "status quo" you are not as "holy" as they. In Israel this type of thing is loosely referred to as "shtuyot" (shtoo-yot) or religious garbage. http://www.mashiyach.com/SighandCry/jesusholy.htm
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Have you been preaching for "Jesus?"Some startling facts Seeking to lead people to the Savior of all mankind is indeed a good work. The purpose of this message is to introduce you to some facts about the One from Nazareth that you may not be aware of. His origins While it is certain that He pre-existed, it must also be acknowledged that He was sent to His own people, the Jews. He was Jewish and so were all of the apostles. In fact, He said: "But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Matthew 15:24 Today, many assume that the "Old Covenant" was with Israel and the New Covenant is with everyone. However, Gentiles are not mentioned in the New Covenant at all: "Behold, the days come...when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah" Hebrews 8:8 So the New Covenant is only with the House of Israel and the House of Judah. If you still consider yourself a Gentile, then you are not among the partakers of the New Covenant. This is not to say that our salvation depends on our genealogy, for it is also written: "And if ye be Messiah's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:29 So even if we were born a Gentile, all who are in Messiah (Christ) are Abraham's descendants through Him. Therefore, what we must recognize is that Gentiles are no longer Gentiles, but all who are Messiah's are now Jews (Israel) because He lives in us. Gentiles are grafted into the tree of Israel so the true "Good news/Gospel" must be preached as such. He is a light unto the Gentiles, and He is calling all of us to join ourselves to Israel...not the other way around. Otherwise, we aren't really part of the New Covenant at all. Today, people often look at "Jewish" things with disdain and contempt. This kind of thinking is due to the centuries of hatred and persecution leveled out by Christians toward the Jews. Even Martin Luther said of the Jews: "Their homes should likewise be broken down and destroyed...we ought to drive the rascally lazy bones out of our system...therefore away with them." Concerning the Jews and their lives pp 34-36. This kind of racism and hatred over the centuries has affected theology in such a way that most people do not know the fact that the New Covenant is only with Israel & Judah. The truth is that Christianity actually has its roots in Judaism, the religion of the Jews. This fact has been lost over the last 2000 years of tradition. The Son's Name Partly because of this effort to distance the Messiah from anything Jewish, His name has also been changed to a more "Gentile-sounding" name. Did you know that the name "Jesus" is only about 400 years old? The 1611 King James Version originally printed His name as "Iesus", a Latin form of the Greek "Iesous". But when the Savior walked this earth, He was never called either of these names. The name that the disciples were praying in, baptizing in, and receiving so much criticism for preaching in was "Yahushua" (pronounced Yah-oo-SHU-a). The name Yahushua carries a very important meaning which is not found in the name "Jesus". Yahu = Yahuah/Yahweh (the name of the Heavenly Father) Shua = Saves Therefore, His name means "Yahweh saves" or "Yahweh (is) salvation". Thus, scripture begins to make more sense when we read what is written in the book of Matthew: "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Yahushua (Yahweh saves): for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 This is why the disciples were baptizing in the name of Yahushua even though Yahushua said to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As you just saw, the Father's name (Yahweh) is included within the name of the Son, and Yahushua said that the Holy Spirit comes in His name: "...the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name?" John 14:26 Thus, in "Yahushua" we have the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Peter said: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12 Unless Peter was lying (and I know he was not), there is salvation in no other name. This is not to condemn you, for we all know that our Father is merciful to those who do not know any better. But now you do know. And because the apostles were faithful, many thousands of others knew the name of Yahushua: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahushua Messiah for the remission of sins?" Acts 2:38 "...Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Yahushua Messiah of Nazareth rise up and walk" Acts 3:6 "And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong?" Acts 3:16 "...when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Yahushua" Acts 5:40 "...when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of Elohim, and the name of Yahushua Messiah, they were baptized" Acts 8:12 Those scriptures are compelling, aren't they? The Heavenly Father's Name Another tradition likely rooted in racism has been the removal of the Heavenly Father's name from nearly all translated bibles. "Yahweh, the God of the Israelites, his name being revealed to Moses as four Hebrew consonants (YHWH) called the tetragrammaton, after the exile (6th Century BC), and especially from the 3rd century BC on, Jews ceased to use the name Yahweh for two reasons. As Judaism became a universal religion through its proselytizing in the Greco-Roman world, the more common noun elohim, meaning "god," tended to replace Yahweh to demonstrate the universal sovereignty of Israel's God over all others. At the same time, the divine name was increasingly regarded as too sacred to be uttered; it was thus replaced vocally in the synagogue ritual by the Hebrew word Adonai ("My Lord")?" Encyclopedia Britannica, under the heading "Yahweh". This tradition continues to this day. But nowhere in scripture do we find where it was Yahweh's desire to replace His name with a title. In fact, His name is actually in scripture nearly 7,000 times, most often replaced with the title "LORD" in all CAPS in modern translations. Why do we feel the need to take away from the scriptures and add a title in place of Yahweh's name? For the Jews it was because they thought His name was too holy to be pronounced. For Christians, it just sounds too Jewish. But we ought not change the scriptures, no matter what tradition says. Yahweh didn't place His name in scripture nearly 7,000 times so that man could come in and remove it. He placed it there so that we would call upon His name, praise His name and love His name: "I am Yahweh, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images." (Isaiah 42:8) "O give thanks unto Yahweh; call upon his name.." (Psalm 105:1) "...whoever calls on the name of Yahweh shall be saved:" (Joel 2:32) Even more compelling scriptures, yes? Now if you were to take these matters to your Pastor, he might offer the following excuses to continue in tradition: "He has many names" - He does have many titles which describe Him, but only one personal name (See Psalm 83:18, Isaiah 42:8) "We don't speak Hebrew, we speak English" - Scripture says His name will be great among the Gentiles (Malachi 1:11). "The LORD" isn't an English form of "Yahweh", it is a direct replacement. Also, "Abraham" is a Hebrew name, yet nobody changes His name. So why change the names we are told to call upon for salvation and baptism? "It doesn't really matter" - If it didn't matter, scripture would make no issue of it. But the scriptures compel us to see that it really is important. Read them again. There are hundreds more like that. "Most people don't know about this". This is true, but continuing in error is never superior to walking in the truth. So rather than looking to proclaim "Old time Christianity", let's seek to proclaim the faith that the Apostles were proclaiming in the first century. This tract describes one of many unscriptural traditions that have crept in over the years. We need to forsake unscriptural traditions without fearing what man might think. We all need to focus on seeking the truth rather than assuming we are already being taught all the truth. If you feel I'm in error, or if you are interested in more information on this or other unscriptural traditions, feel free to contact me via the information below. I don't claim to have all the truth, but don't put down this tract without researching the things written here. May the light of Yahweh's word reveal His ways, a narrow way that few find (Matt 7:14). Contact Information: Website: www.eliyah.com
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