Netzari Yehudim - haDerech

Apostolic Judaism - The Way

Getting back to the truth of the Word, the divine revelation of our Creator, made flesh in Yeshua the Mashiach

"True religion" is an oxy-moron because religion is all about men establishing their own authority and traditions which stand in direct opposition to the authority of Mashiach (Messiah), the anointed one of HaShem (Y H W H), He who is the Creator of the universe.

"All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him." (Matthew 11:27)

"And Yeshua came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth"."(Matthew 28:18)

All things and all authority have been given to the Mashiach Yeshua (Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living G-d). Not to the pope; not to the Rabbi; not to any religious institution of man here on earth! In fact, any man-made institution that challenges Mashiach's authority with it's own rules and traditions that attempt to supersede or replace what HaShem commanded through Moshe is a false prophet (Deuteronomy 13:4-5). This does not mean however that "organized religion" is always a bad thing. But spiritual leaders appointed by HaShem into leadership (pastors, husbands, fathers, rabbi's, etc.) need to be accountable, and hence in submission to, Mashiach (Luke 6:46). For this to work, a properly appointed Beit Din must be in place to help settle disputes and establish community halacha to keep everyone united and accountable to HaShem's word (Exodus 18:19-22, Deuteronomy 16:18, 17:8-13). The other essential ingredient of course is the fear of HaShem which we all know is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 9:10). But our carnal man fears being wrong more than it fears HaShem, and this is why we must work together to nurture the spiritual man who is born from the beginning to live under Mashiach's Kingship (John 3:4-8, Romans 8:5-8, Galatians 6:7-8). Indeed, as the arm of HaShem revealed (Isaiah 53:1, Ezekiel 30:33, Zechariah 14:9) Yeshua the Mashiach, the King of all Kings, is a government, not a religion,

"for a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders;" (Isaiah 9:6a)

And this is not an earthly government, for His kingdom is not of this earth (John 18:36), but a heavenly one that starts from within (Luke 17:21). Those who want to receive life that is eternal must by faith submit to this perfect government after they confess Yeshua as their Master (Matthew 7:21). Submission is essential because if you are not willing to submit to HaShem through Yeshua then you are not willing to accept Him as your G-d (i.e. the ultimate authority in your life). Truly, He is the ultimate authority of heaven and earth regardless, but to receive a place in the world to come we must be humble enough to recognize His sovereignty in this life and therefore be willing to submit to Him. To do so requires one to accept His work of salvation through the Mashiach, Yeshua, and these are the key elements of the faith that saves. It is this faith that lets us enter fully into and live out our relationship with HaShem, for no one comes to the Father except through Yeshua our Mashiach (John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5). HE is the mediator, not a particular religion! It's not about denominations, theology, or converting people, it's about nurturing the spiritual man by building up disciples in Mashiach Yeshua. Mashiach is the source of life which allows us to love and be loved, and this is the very purpose of life since without love, all things are meaningless.

Now Rav Shaul says that love is the fulfillment (or proper understanding) of the Law of Moses, the Torah (Romans 13:10). Our Master Yeshua says that the purpose of all the Torah commandments is to love both HaShem our G-d as well as our neighbour (Matthew 22:40). Years earlier, we read from King Solomon that the purpose of all mankind is to fear G-d and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). As this is truly the love of G-d (1 John 5:3, 2 John 1:6) we can then see that the purpose of life is to love according to His love - that is, the commandments of our G-d which are not burdensome (1 John 5:3), nor too difficult or far off (Deuteronomy 30:11) but indeed they are very near to us, in our mouths and in our hearts, that we may obey them (Deuteronomy 30:14). Make no mistake, the Torah is holy, and the commandment is holy, and righteous and good (Romans 7:12) and if we are to be bondservants to righteousness resulting in sanctification (Romans 6:19) so then must the Torah still be playing a very integral role within our faith walk. To build one up in Mashiach then is to build them up in love according to Torah / the Word, all of which reveals and magnifies the one who we serve (John 1:1, 1 John 4:8). Building up a disciple can be likened to building temples for HaShem to dwell in (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

What is the original Apostolic faith?

The original disciples were known as Netzarim (Nazarenes; lit. "Branches" [of the True Vine] - Acts 24:5), and they did not subscribe to any religious authority because they had their faith established directly by Yeshua Himself (who is HaDerech; "The Way" - John 14:6, Acts 9:2, 19:23, 22:4, 24:14, 24:22). They trained up disciples in the Master, unifying all souls who had hearts to receive by nurturing righteousness of character according to image of G-d as revealed in the foot steps of Mashiach. Things like Peter's vision in Acts 10 helped them also to come to the realization that HaShem is actually no respecter of persons; He cleanses all who have faith in the blood of Mashiach (Acts 10:28, 15:8-9), and His Torah (righteous instructions) and halacha (way to walk) provide justice and peace for everyone who pursues Him (Numbers 15:14-16, Isaiah 56:6-8, 66:23). Despite what religious tradition imposes, we are all one single community with no class or racial distinction, reconciled to HaShem by one Spirit through faith in Mashiach (Acts 15:8-9, Ephesians 2:12-13,18-22). The idea that there is one way or Law for the Jew and another way or Law for the Gentile is disproved completely by Paul the Apostle, the very man who people use to promote this idea. For it is Paul who, inspired by the Ruach haKodesh, proclaimed that we are no longer strangers to the commonwealth of Israel and it's covenantS (Ephesians 2:12-13), but we are fellow citizens (Ephesians 2:19) meaning we follow the same rules and regulations as them, being partakers of all the covenants given to Israel (note once again that covenants is plural in Ephesians 2:12). Paul also said that if we belong to Mashiach we are Abraham's descendants (Galatians 3:29) meaning that we are actually "Hebrews" - one who has "crossed over" into faith in the one true G-d. Even Orthodox Judaism teaches that all who accept Torah and confess the unity of HaShem are of Abraham's household (Maimonides, “Letter to Obadiah the Proselyte”).

But how does a Gentile make such a transition? The Apostles ruled against the "unbearable yoke" (oral laws) of the time, seeing that the Gentiles who were turning to G-d were, through Mashiach, cleansed by faith and could thus be fully grafted in like a Ger Tzadek without being ritually circumcised (as a form of Jewish conversion) and bearing the full weight of the man-made laws of the sages as was expected of proselytes at that time (Acts 15:1,7-11). Rather, being cleansed by faith alone (Acts 15:8-9), the only thing required in order to sojourn or fellowship with the Jews was that they had to keep four specific laws (Acts 15:19-20) to prove that they had forsaken paganism and idolatry. From that point on, as both groups are cleansed according to the same Spirit through faith in Mashiach (Ephesians 2:18-22), they would then learn together how to live righteously according to the written Torah as Moses is read every Sabbath (Acts 15:21). One group, one body, one house, one mikvah, and one law (for an in-depth study of this, click here). Sadly however, beginning even in the latter half of the first century, the antisemitic cultures and politics of this earth began influencing a separation between the believers in Mashiach Yeshua and what we now call the the Hebraic roots of our faith. Several factors led to increasing tension between Jew and Gentile, and the subsequent birth of various political-religious ideas and agendas then began to distort the reality about the One New Man in Mashiach and HaShem's universal Law of truth and righteousness. A careful examination of the events surrounding both Jewish revolts will clearly reveal how this all began, and the rest of church history from that point on sadely speaks for itself. By the 4th century the original Jerusalem assembly became labeled as heretics (Epiphanius, "Against Heresies" Panarion 29, 7, pp. 41, 402), the mainline church was sending out decrees telling everyone to stop keeping Shabbat and the Feast Days, and creeds were even being developed renouncing everything Jewish (see an example here). Oh may G-d have mercy on their souls.

But we all know that G-d's perfect will shall eventually come to pass as we get closer to the restoration of all things. Daniel prophesied that knowledge would increase in these last days (Daniel 12:4), and now more than ever before HaShem is revealing once again to His servants that the Torah is His divine instructions in righteousness for all people. Yes, it is the everlasting Law of Mashiach's government for the commonwealth of Israel - both Jew and Gentile as One New Man serving One G-d (Ephesians 2:11-22). The spirit of Elijah (Malachi 4:4-5) is strong and birthing this repentance all over the earth where people are now beginning to see that the Torah is the very MARK of HaShem which opposes the mark of the beast (compare Exodus 31:12-14, Deuteronomy 6:6-8, 11:18 with Revelation 16:2, 19:20 [click here] and Exodus 13:16 with Revelation 13:16 [click here]). But this is not without it's spiritual battles, and the adversary is doing everything he can to sow division and heresy within this movement. So arm yourselves with prayer and remain steadfast in keeping your eye on Mashiach! Remember that the fruits of our labour will confirm if we are walking in His will. As Mashiach and the one who came to testify about him said, those who do not bear fruit are cut down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 7:19, Luke 3:9, John 15:1-11). So if we want to enter into Mashiach's Kingdom we must have humble servant hearts that are willing to follow His Law so that as prophecy says, HaShem can write it upon our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33) and cause us to walk in His statutes (Ezekiel 36:27). This is not our own strength and wisdom as we sit behind our computer and debate theology, but rather it is His strength and wisdom that we allow to flow through us every moment of our life. And that my friends is truly what the restoration of all things is about. Maran Yeshua, who is the living Torah (the Word made flesh) demonstrated this way in which we are to walk (1 John 2:6). O our Heavenly Father, hear our prayer in that we may all humble our hearts and so have a chance to act likewise. Amen.

Hodu L'Adonai Ki-Tov
Give thanks to HaShem for He is Good!

YES, thank Him and praise Him! One of the most adamant aspects of Torah is the emphasis on praise and worship of our G-d! And this I must also emphasize as much as possible because if we only study and debate theology amongst ourselves, it's no different than reading somebodies biography but never meeting them. Without that spiritual connection and relationship with our Heavenly Father, all other things are but vanity. Therefore, before continuing on this website and reading my articles or reviews, please take some time to worship and pray to our Father in Heaven. The following page is a collection of some of my favorite prayers, liturgy and praise music. It is always being updated as I have time, but it includes all manner of encouraging and uplifting things that should help you in connecting with our G-d through praise, prayer and worship. May you experience His awesome presence, b'shem Yeshua Mashiach.

Praise - Prayer - Worship

Articles

One purpose of this website is to provide some alternative insights to the Malchut Shamayim (Kingdom of Heaven). I fully admit that like all of us, I am continually growing and learning myself, and so you will see a definite progression in my articles. But the most important thing I can tell you is that I love HaShem and His Mashiach and thirst after truth with a heart that by His grace is progressively humbled as He answers my prayer.

I have split my articles up into three categories. The first, my "Early Articles", were written when I was fairly new to the faith and I directed these towards more of my secular friends and acquaintances who were vaguely familiar with spiritual concepts. The second section, "General Articles and Links" are things that I have written recently in comparison to my early articles, but are not written from the same distinct perspective as the third category. This third category, "New Ministering Articles", are Spirit inspired, life giving messages that were put on my heart to share as a means of ministering to others. These articles are not there for the sake of debating any theological hot topic, but rather, are purely for edification within the Body. Unlike the "Hebraic Roots Rantings" linked below, these messages are reflective of the theology and atmosphere of my community of faith.

Before reading my thoughts, explorations and ministering articles, I should emphasize that they should do nothing more than point you to HaShem and His Mashiach as revealed through the Scriptures. Whether that leads you to agreeing or disagreeing with me is going to be up to you and your personal studies and prayer. I certainly don't feel that my writings should establish anyone's beliefs or the way they walk in Mashiach, and it's for this reason that I will not post my own established "Statement of Faith". The Scriptures say what the Scriptures say. I encourage everyone to study them, pray, and listen to the Ruach (Spirit) of HaShem. The Kingdom of Heaven is like the mind of a child: simple, innocent, and beautiful. Without this simple foundation of love and truth, all theology is meaningless. Indeed, all my articles and studies would be meaningless if they did not have the goal of learning about and drawing closer to Him. And I pray that each of you would go out and touch the lives of others with the love of Mashiach, giving charity, helping those who are helpless, and spreading joy to everyone in your day to day work. If we do not live like this, then all of our studying is going to do nothing more than make us theologically over weight.

Early Articles	General Articles and Links	New Ministering Articles
What Really Matters Answering the Secular World: The Dilemma of Nice Guys Agape More Than Meets the Eye Perception "True Religion"	Why I say HaShem: Putting the Divine Name into Perspective Who is the Mashiach Yeshua? You're the half of my whole, no mistaking it! Recommended Resources	Reflections on Tisha B'Av Tabernacle with the Light A Faith Like Abrahams The Purpose of Torah The Dividing Wall of Ephesians 2:14 Under the Law Walk in Newness of the Spirit and not Oldness of the Letter Shevet Achim gam Yachad The Mark of HaShem

OTHER

Hebraic Roots Rants - Sacred Name Bible Reviews - Netzarim Links

HaDerech Links

HaDerech means "The Way" and refers to how Believers in the first century referred to themselves before adopting the Nazarene (Netzarim) label. Below are links to reliable, scholarly groups and individuals that tend not to associate themselves with the Netzarim label and do not necessarily carry the same theological beliefs as those who lay claim to it's name today. However, the belief structure is close in many ways but unlike the Netzarim groups you see on the internet, you won't find any pseudo-scholar material worked within, making it much easier to glean from their teachings. There also tends to be a much more Judaic approach and foundation which seeks to hold the Word in an even higher esteem than many of the Netzarim groups which grew out of Christian backgrounds. Indeed, this is a foundation where men do not chase after vain theologies but rather seek to edify the Body with life giving messages. So it is for these reasons that I highly recommend the following websites and endorse much of what they have to share.

Bereans Online
Kehillat Beit Hallel
Torah Resource Blog
Kehillat Beit Mashiach
The Jerusalem Council
Kehillat Melech Yisrael
The Jewish Carpenter 613
Tim Hegg - Torah Resource
Yoseph Viel - Messiah Alive
Andrew Ketel - Gesher Ministries

Torah Study

Too often within the Hebraic roots movement (at least on the internet) there is too much focus on justifying that one should keep Torah without actually studying it and walking it out. But when you study the Torah the Torah really justifies itself and will help you to bear fruit rather than sow division as your debate turns into a heated argument. Below are some excellent resources to explore the weekly Torah readings and grasp the wisdom which HaShem would like to see in our lives as we bear fruit for His Kingdom. I encourage everyone to get in the habit of studying it every Erev Shabbat. Invite your friends over for the Shabbat seder and have them stay for the study. With HaShem's help and by using the resources below you should be able to show them the beauty of the Torah and create a much more fruitful atmosphere for sharing it with them.

Torah Resource Parashot
Men of Torah Discussions
Torah - Netzari Faith Blog
Yoseph Veil's Torah Study
Mountain Lake College Parashot
First Fruits Of Zion Weekly eDrash
Rabbi Machlis - Midrash on the Torah Portion
David ben Gavriel's Exploration of the Weekly Parasha