The Nazarenes and the Christians
No book has more truth than Scripture. However, even though Scripture has lots of truth, we still need to know how to interpret what it says, if we are to come away with the correct impression. If we do not interpret the Scriptures correctly, it can lead to problems.
Most mainstream versions of Second Timothy 3:16-17 tell us that all Scripture is given by inspiration of Elohim (God), and that it is therefore profitable for doctrine and instruction. For example, let us look at the New King James Version (NKJV).
Second Timothy 3:16-17, NKJV
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The way the New King James Version reads, it makes it sound as if we can take form doctrine on any verse in Scripture (and in fact, many churches do just exactly that). However, there are some problems with this. We cannot do that with Iyov (Job) 2:9.
Iyov (Job) 2:9
9 Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse Elohim and die!"
Obviously, Iyov’s wife was not speaking according to inspiration here, and we cannot use this for doctrine. Therefore let us look at 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 again.
Later we will see that the Renewed Covenant (“New Testament”) was originally written in Hebrew and/or Aramaic. However, these originals are no longer with us. There is an Aramaic version called the Peshitta, but there are indications that it is a backwards translation from the Greek; so since the Greek texts are older, they are more valuable for textual analysis. Therefore, let us have a look at the Greek here. In particular, let us see what the Greek word “kai” (καὶ) means. It is in bold (in both English and Greek).
|
2 Timothy 3:16
16 Every scripture inspired of Elohim (is also) profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness….
|
BGT 2 Timothy 3:16 πᾶσα γραφὴ θεόπνευστος καὶ ὠφέλιμος πρὸς διδασκαλίαν, πρὸς ἐλεγμόν, πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν, πρὸς παιδείαν τὴν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ, (2Ti 3:16 BGT)
|
Most mainstream translations (such as the NKJV) have translated καὶas a simple “and.” However, while καὶcan mean “and,” it does not usually mean a simple “and.” Rather, in context it probably means something more like “and therefore,” “so then,” or “is also.” Strong’s Concordance defines it this way:
NT:2532 kai (kahee); apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:
KJV - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
It makes more sense that “kai” is a complex “and.” If “kai” is a complex and, then what the Apostle Shaul (Paul) really meant was that every word which is given by inspiration of Elohim (G-d) is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. When the Father or Son speak (or when the Father speaks through one of His prophets) it is profitable for doctrine.
2nd Timothy 3:16 (corrected)
16 All Scripture given by inspiration of Elohim, [is also] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness….
Incidentally, the American Standard Version defines it this way, and it makes so much more sense. Rather than suggesting that what Job’s wife said was inspired, we can understand that what is inspired is when a word comes from Elohim. When the word comes from Elohim, then we can form doctrine on it. We can be instructed in righteousness by it. This also explains why the Apostle Shaul took pains to differentiate between his words, and Yahweh’s.
Qorintim Aleph (1st Corinthians) 7:10-12
10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but Yahweh: A wife is not to depart from her husband.
11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.
12 But to the rest I, not Yahweh, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.
It is clear that Shaul did not believe that everything he ever wrote was “inspired,” or else he would never have pointed out the difference between his words, and Yahweh’s words. He would just have stated his opinion, and expected people to comply. (Yet he did not do that.)
Even though the apostles were called to their duties by Elohim Himself, they were still just mortal, fallible men. They made mistakes. Ironically, even though they were filled with His Spirit, not everything they ever wrote was inspired according to the Spirit. If we understand this, it can help us to avoid a lot of mistakes that are made in Judeo-Christianity today.
In the last chapter we talked about how Yahweh wants a bride. Most Christians realize this, but are not always aware that Yahweh originally gave the Laws of Moshe (or the “Torah”) to Israel as a wedding covenant (a contract). For her part, Israel said, “I do.”
Shemote (Exodus) 19:8
8 Then all the people answered together and said, "All that Yahweh has spoken we will do." So Moshe brought back the words of the people to Yahweh.
[In Scripture, when one enters into a covenant, both parties are required to uphold their end of the bargain; and the penalty for not upholding one’s end of the bargain is death. This is one reason for all of the death-penalty laws in Scripture: Yahweh desires a companion who keeps her words.]
The word “Torah” translates as “instructions;” and one of the things Yahweh instructed His bride to do was not to add or subtract from His instructions in any way.
Devarim (Deuteronomy) 4:2
2 “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh your Elohim, which I command you.”
Yahweh seems to say that if we alter His instructions, then we are not really keeping His instructions (but are doing our own thing). However, that would be really bad, because we are also told that we are His servants (and it is clear that a servant should obey his master’s instructions).
Luqa (Luke) 12:42-48
42 And the Master said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?
43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.
45 But if that servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk,
46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.”
The Messiah was upset with the rabbis because they were not being good servants. They were not keeping Yahweh’s commandments. They were keeping their own traditions (and just pretended to be His servants).
Marqaus (Mark) 7:5-10
5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"
6 He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
7 And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'
8 For laying aside the commandment of Elohim you hold the tradition of men — the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."
9 He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of Elohim, that you may keep your tradition.”
As a child, I was taught in church that the reason the Messiah Yeshua (often called “Jesus”) was upset was because the rabbis were “keeping the Law.” It was only later that I realized this was backwards. In verse 8, Yeshua said He was upset that the rabbis were “laying aside the commandment of Elohim” in favor of their tradition. That means He was upset because they were not keeping the Torah/Law. He was upset because the rabbis were substituting their own commandments for Yahweh’s commands (and were calling it “Torah”).
Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:32
32 "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
The rabbis are not alone in substituting their traditions for Yahweh’s covenant. Many Christians also “lay aside the commandments of Elohim” in favor of their own traditions and teachings. This is very ironic, because in His very first sermon Yeshua said not to think He came to do away with any part of the Torah.
Mattityahu (Matthew) 5:17-19
17 “Think not that I came to destroy the Torah and the Prophets. I did not come to destroy, but (only) to fulfill.
18 For truly I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, nothing at all shall pass from the Torah, till all is fulfilled.
19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever does and teaches them, this one shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Ironically, what we find (time and again) is that most Christians do think that Yeshua came to do away with the Torah. They rationalize this in various ways, but in most cases it boils down to a belief (either conscious or unconscious) that the words of Paul are just as inspired as the words of Elohim. If one interprets the Word this way, then it makes sense to think that men can alter (or abolish) Elohim’s words; and in fact there is a sect of Christianity known as “Pauline” Christianity which teaches just exactly that. Pauline Christian theologians teach that since Yahweh sent “Paul” to His people most recently, that his words are the most pertinent…even to the point of superseding the words of the Father and Son. (This is where we get the old joke about Christian bibles having the words of “Paul” in red.)
[The Muslims also believe that the words of the “most recent prophet” do way with the words of every other prophet that came before. In fact, in The Roman-Islamic Beast we show how Islam and “Torahless” Christianity are really just two separate manifestations of Nebuchadnezzar’s “beast” (of Daniel chapter 2).]
For their part, the Catholics believe that the Pope has the power to override all prior words of the Father and Son, because they believe that the Pope is the living mouthpiece of the Father and Son. We will talk more about the Pope later, but many scholars consider him (Pope) to be the primary fulfillment of the “Little Horn” of Daniel 7:25, who would attempt to change the days of worship, as well as the Torah of Moshe.
Daniel 7:25
25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change (the festival) times and (the) Torah. And the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.
The Catholics admit Yahweh tells us to rest on the “Saturday” Sabbath, and that this did not change at the Messiah’s first coming. Ironically, the Catholics still declared Sunday as the “new day of worship.”
But you may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day which we (the Catholic Church) never sanctify.
[Archbishop James Cardinal Gibbons, “The Faith of our Fathers,” 88th ed., pp. 89.]
In the next chapter we will discuss the manner in which the festival days were changed, but what we should notice here is that the Catholics admit they made these changes not because they had the Scriptural authority: they did so because they had the power to do so.
"Question: Have you any other way of proving that the Church has power to institute festivals of precept?
"Answer: Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her—she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority."
[Reverend Stephen Keenan, A Doctrinal Catechism, 3rd ed., p. 174.]
The argument here is that because the Catholics had the power to make everyone worship on Sunday, this means they had the authority to make that change. However, that is a false argument. Power and authority are two different things. Just because the Pope had the power to break Yahweh’s Torah, that does not mean he did not commit a sin.
But if the Pope is the “Little Horn” of Daniel 7:25 that attempted to change the festival times and the Torah, then who are the “saints” that were given into his hand? We will give more details later, but obviously these “saints” have to be a group of people who believed in keeping the festival days and the Torah. As we will see, the “saints” are none other than the Israelite “sect of the Nazarenes,” to which the Apostle Shaul (and the rest of the apostles) belonged.
Ma’asei (Acts) 24:5
5 “For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.”
We need to understand the word “sect,” or we won’t understand what Scripture says here. Satan has done an amazing job of tainting this word in people’s minds, but a “sect” is just a “section” of something: it refers to a “part” of something. The “sect” of the Nazarenes, then, was the Israelite sect of the Nazarenes. It referred to those Israelites who followed the Nazarene (Yeshua). Shaul, then, was literally an Israelite.
In the first century, there were several “sects” within Judaism. The Pharisees (i.e., “Orthodox” Jews) were one sect, and the Sadducees (“Karaite” Jews) were another. There were also the Ebionites, the Gnostics, the Nazarenes, and (as we will see) the Christians. All of these were different “sects” (or parts) of the Israelite nation in the first century, but with one distinction: the Christians thought of themselves as spiritual Israelites, rather than literal ones.
Just to compare and contrast, Christianity has a number of sects. Catholicism might be thought of as one sect, Eastern Orthodoxy as another sect, and Protestantism as yet another sect. We might break Protestantism down into a number of further sub-sects (such as the Lutherans, the Amish, Pentecostals, and etcetera). Each of these sub-sects might claim to be “the one true Way,” but in relation to each other they are all “sects” of Christianity as a whole. However, most Christians do not generally think of themselves as literal Israelites, as the Apostle Shaul did.
As a child I was taught that the words “Christian” and “Nazarene” are synonyms (such that these words are completely interchangeable). However, this is not really true. While the Christians and the Nazarenes both believe in a Jewish Messiah, they have two completely different ideas about what a Messiah is, and what He is supposed to do. These differences lead the Christians and the Nazarenes in two very different directions (which never intersect again). In fact, most Christians are hostile towards the Nazarenes, and persecute them (for a “time, times, and half a time”).
One of the more famous Christians who persecuted the Nazarenes was Epiphanius of Salamis. He was one of the founders of the Roman Catholic Church, and he lived from 310 to 403 CE. At that time there were many variations of “Christianity,” which he did not like. In an effort to eradicate all of these other “denominations” Epiphanius wrote a book called Panarion. This name means “Medicine Chest,” but it has an additional meaning of “Against Heresies” (the implication being that the book was “medicine” for curing “heretics”). In this Panarion Epiphanius wrote about a group called the “Nazarenes,” whom he considered to be heretics, because their faith did not differ “in any essential thing” from that of the Pharisees (the Orthodox Jews), except that they believed in the Messiah.
“The Nazarenes do not differ in any essential thing from [the Pharisees/Orthodox Jews], since they practice the customs and doctrines prescribed by Jewish Law (Torah); except that they believe in Christ. They believe in the resurrection of the dead, and that the universe was created by God. They preach that God is One, and that Jesus Christ is His Son. They are very learned in the Hebrew language. They read the Law (meaning the Law of Moses)…. Therefore they differ…from the true Christians because they fulfill until now [such] Jewish rites as the circumcision, Sabbath and others.” [Epiphanius, “Against Heresies,” (Panarion) 29, 7, pp. 41, 402]
Epiphanius may have hated the Nazarenes because Catholicism justifies its claim to authority based on its doctrine of “apostolic succession.” This doctrine claims that the Apostle Kepha (Peter) went to Rome, where he allegedly laid hands on his disciple Clement (before he died), and that Clement then laid hands on further successors, right on down to the first Pope. This claim was widely believed in Epiphanius’ day, and a great many people still believe it. However, many scholars have disagreed with it since that time—even Catholic scholars. Among these was the late Marcel Simon, a devout Catholic expert on the first century assembly. Marcel Simon said that Epiphanius “well knew” that it was not the Catholics, but the Nazarenes who had descended from the sect of the Nazarenes—and yet ironically, Marcel Simon agreed that the Nazarenes were “heretics” because they continued to practice the same faith that had been practiced in the first century (instead of adopting the new Catholic doctrines).
They (Nazarenes) are characterized essentially by their tenacious attachment to Jewish observances. If they became heretics in the eyes of the Mother Church, it is simply because they remained fixed on outmoded positions. (Yet) they well represent, (even) though Epiphanius is energetically refusing to admit it, the very direct descendants of that primitive (apostolic) community, of which our author (Epiphanius) knows that it was designated by the Jews, by the same name, of ‘Nazarenes’.” [First Century expert Marcel Simon, Judéo-christianisme, pp. 47-48.]
This claim ought to give any serious Bible student pause. Marcel Simon admits that the Nazarenes were the true descendants of the “sect of the Nazarenes,” but still he called them “heretics” because they clung to the faith that Yeshua had taught the apostles to keep. So in essence, Marcel Simon called the Nazarenes “heretics” contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints (as Jude had said to do).
Yehudah (Jude) 3
3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
Shaul said that even though he believed in Yeshua, he still believed everything that was written in the Torah and the Prophets.
Ma’asei (Acts) 24:14
14 “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the Elohim of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Torah and in the Prophets.”
Shaul’s confession does not describe most Christians very well. Most Christians do not believe everything that is written in the Torah and the Prophets. Rather, they believe that Yeshua came to destroy the Torah and the Prophets (contrary to what He actually said).
The Nazarenes believe that the Messiah’s coming did not change the fact that they were Israelites, whereas the Christians do. The Nazarenes believe Yeshua did not come to destroy the marital covenant (Torah), while the Christians do. The Nazarenes continued to self-identify as Israelites, whereas the Christians self-identity as “spiritual Israelites.” Further, whether they realize it or not, in practice most Christians believe that the words of the Apostle Shaul and/or the words of the Pope are at least as important as the words of Yahweh and Yeshua. Thus, even though both the Nazarenes and the Christians profess belief in a Jewish Messiah, the differences between these two belief sets lead the two faiths in completely opposite directions.
Kepha (Peter) warned us that there was a group of people in his day who twisted Shaul’s writings, to make it seem as if the Law was done away with. He said they were “untaught and unstable,” and that their “twisting” of Shaul’s words lead them to their own destruction. He also warns us to guard against these “lawless” beliefs.
Kepha Bet (2nd Peter) 3:15-17
15 And think of the long-suffering of our Master as Salvation (lit: Yeshua), as also our beloved brother Shaul wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them concerning these things, in which some things are hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable twist, to their destruction, as also the rest of the Scriptures.
17 Then beloved, you being forewarned, watch; lest being led by the error of lawlessness you should fall from your own steadfastness.
We can easily understand how people might not grasp the need to keep Torah hundreds of years after Yeshua had ascended to heaven, but what is so astonishing is how people could fail to grasp the need to keep Torah even while Yeshua was still walking here on earth. Yet this is precisely what happened: “Torahless” Christian belief on Yeshua was present even while Yeshua lived.
In Mark 9:38, John tells us that there was a man who was casting out demons in Yeshua’s name who did not “follow” Yeshua. The word “follow” means to do as one’s leader does, and we know that Yeshua kept the Torah (perfectly). So in context, what we see is that this man was even casting out demons in Yeshua’s name, and yet he was not keeping the Torah (as Yeshua and the apostles all did).
Marqaus (Mark) 9:38-42
38 Now Yochanan (John) answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow us."
39 But Yeshua said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.
40 For he who is not against us is on our side.
41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Messiah, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
This is a perfect description of most Christians. Even though they might believe on Yeshua, and even though they might even cast out demons in His name, they do not really follow Him, because they do not do as He did (i.e., keep the Torah/marital covenant).
Yeshua said that these kinds of believers would not lose their reward, but we also have to remember that Scripture is a double-edged sword. While Yeshua said that the Christians would not lose their reward, He also prophesied that in the Day of the Judgment, He would declare He does not know them.
Mattityahu (Matthew) 7:21-23
21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Adon, Adon (Master, Master),' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but (only) he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Adon, Adon, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'”
If we understand that the Torah is the marital covenant, then we can understand why Yeshua finds lawlessness to be such a serious offense. If we are not keeping the bridal contract, then how could the Bridegroom claim to know the bride?
As difficult as it may be to accept, there is only one group of people on the face of the earth who prophesy in His name, cast out demons in His name, and do many wonders in His name, and yet who practice “lawlessness.” That group is the Christians, and Yeshua says He will declare that He “never knew” them. That is because Yeshua and His Father are One, and His Father Yahweh tells us to be careful to keep all of the Torah exactly as it was dictated, not adding anything to it, or taking anything away from it.
Devarim (Deuteronomy) 12:32
32 "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
If we want Yeshua to be pleased with us in the day of the Wedding Feast, then why take chances? Shouldn’t we do our best to obey our Master’s Instructions to the very best of our ability, especially considering that the Torah was given to us for our own good?
Devarim (Deuteronomy) 10:12-13
12 "And now, Israel, what does Yahweh your Elohim require of you, but to fear Yahweh your Elohim, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul,
13 and to keep the commandments of Yahweh and His statutes, which I command you today for your good?”