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Lies
Preface
The following list of “10 lies” (listed in reverse priority—shades of “Late Night with David Letterman”) was submitted from a Christian on this website’s cyber-list who is an ardent supporter of the Jewish people. Apparently, many of the positions this list asserts has found resonance with this person. Unfortunately even though they contain fragments of truth, most all are in contradiction with Bible doctrine; and for this reason, each one will be followed by “corrective doctrinal comments.”
It should be understood by the reader of this apologetic presentation that this website recognizes that the Jewish people are the chosen of God (YHWH), who will, as a nation, eventually come to the realization that Jesus Christ was and is the Messiah of the Old Testament. Thus the Jewish people, as a nation, will be saved and will be a part of the coming millennial kingdom ruled by Jesus Christ upon earth (Romans 11:26, 27).
The author of the following list is not known by this website; although, this apology may very well find its way back to him. Nevertheless, because the list contains partial truth in order to present its non-biblical views and because those who love the Jewish people are inclined to accept its false conclusions, this apologetic analysis is warranted.
The author of this apology will attempt to limit personal argument-rebuttal on the following issues, since Titus 3:9 and 2 Timothy 2:23 discourages such discourse. This apology will be based on the Word of God, the 66 books of the Bible.
Even though the author of “10 lies” attempts to use “historical arguments” in support of his positions, counter historical arguments (which do exist) will not be used in defense of the apology. Historical accounts are not deemed inspired or inerrant. For the Christian the Holy Bible is the final answer in such matters; and frankly, if the reader who accepts the positions of the following listed “lies” is not receptive to the influence of the Holy Spirit as he reads God’s Word, counter historical facts or personal argumentation is of no avail.
Addressing the Issues
Lie #10: Sunday is the Sabbath
From the 10 Commandments we learn “ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it,” Exodus, chapter 20
Now, compare this verse to a calendar. What day is the seventh?
Sunday is clearly the first day of the week and therefore cannot be the Biblical Sabbath! The Savior kept the seventh day Sabbath and so did the apostles, including Paul. “And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them,”- Acts, chapter 18:3,4,11. Paul’s actions were the same as the Savior’s: to be in the synagogue on the Sabbath. “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,” -- Acts, chapter 17:1,2. Compare this to Luke 4:16, "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.”
From creation, the Seventh day has been Saturday. Mankind has not lost track of time, nor confused which day is which. Nowhere in the Bible is the day of worship changed from Saturday to Sunday. This change was not made by the Almighty, but by the Roman Catholic Church.
“Prove to me from the Bible alone that I am bound to keep Sunday holy. There is no such law in the Bible. It is a law of the Roman Catholic Church alone. Chapter 20, verse 8 of Exodus says ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’ The Catholic Church says not, but by its divine power it abolishes the Sabbath day and commands we 'keep holy the first day of the week'. And lo! The entire civilized world bows down in reverent obedience to the command of the Holy Catholic Church,” wrote Father Thomas Enrich, in the Roman Catholic journal The American Sentinel.
It is very important that we dedicate the seventh day for rest and worship. Honoring any other day than the seventh as the Sabbath is a direct violation of one of the Ten Commandments. Of those who do this, the Savior said, "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,” Matthew, chapter 15:9
Correction to Lie #10:
The author of“10 Lies” is correct by stating that the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, which was established as a holy day for the people of Israel in Exodus 20:8-11. As such it is part of the law that God established for Israel and those who would convert to Judaism. The understanding of the law and its appropriateness today also involves lie #5 (“The Law has been done away with”) below; therefore, this corrective response will deal with both issues. Once a person understands what the Bible says about the “law,” the issue of the Sabbath and other “legal” issues should be resolved.
Although the moral law contained in the Old Testament is valid, the ceremonial law (to include the requirement to honor the Sabbath) has no application, other than historical and emblematical (as types), to the Christian today. The moral portions of the law were given to clearly demonstrate to a person that he is a sinner, in need of salvation, and to lead him to Christ who alone can save him from his sinful condition by faith alone in Christ alone.
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. . . Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law. (Romans 3:19-31)
Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:20, 21)
Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. (Romans 7:4-11)
But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith.". . . Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree") . . . . What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. . . . Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. . . . But the Scripture has confined all under sin that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:11, 13, 19, 21-26)
But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners . . . . (1 Timothy 1:8, 9a)
The Old Testament established the Sabbath as a day of rest for the Jews. This day became a day of worship and sacrificial offerings. Since the law was impossible to fulfill, these “temporary offerings” were necessary to cover personal sins for the worshipper from year-to-year. It was therefore necessary for Jesus Christ (Messiah) to come to totally fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17) in order that He could become the perfect sacrificial Lamb of God and thereby take upon Himself the sin of the world (John 1:29), to pay the sin-debt for everyone, and thereby bring eternal salvation to anyone who by faith receives His free grace-gift of salvation.
Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17)
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
For He [God the Father] made Him [God the Son] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him [Jesus Christ] the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)
For as by one man's [Adam] disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's [Christ] obedience many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:19)
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"). (Galatians 3:13)
Who Himself [Christ] bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
And you know that He [Christ] was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. (1 John 3:5)
Jesus Christ fulfilled the Sabbath requirement under Jewish law (Luke 4:6). On the other hand, Paul and the other apostles utilized the Sabbath and the existing temples of the day to spread God’s grace-gift of salvation to the Jewish people (Acts 17:1-4). They never attended the temples on any Sabbath in order to fulfill the Jewish law that was then a dead issue to them.
No New Testament Christian proffered the Sabbath as the designated day of worship. On the other hand, it was the apostle Paul who warned against the keeping of any special holy day as a legalistic requirement, declaring that Christians were free from the requirements of the law through Christ.
But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements [the law], to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. (Galatians 4:9-11)
And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He I [Christ] has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements [the law] that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. (Colossians 2:13-17)
Because of this and because Christ rose from the grave on the first day of the week, Christians adopted (but not as a legalistic requirement) the first day (Sunday) of the week as a day of gathering together for study and worship. Sunday became known as the “Lord’s Day,” which was established long before the formation of the Roman Catholic Church.
Now when He [Christ] rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. (Mark 16:9)
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19)
Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. (Acts 20:7)
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet. (Revelation 1:10)
Lie #9: The rapture
Do a Bible search for the word “rapture.” Go ahead, flip through some Bible pages and look for the word. No luck? This term just can’t be found in the Scriptures. It isn’t in the Bible. Anywhere. The idea of Christians being suddenly taken to heaven comes from preachers who misinterpret 1 Thessalonians - “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words,” I Thessalonians 4:16,17.
Many churches now teach that believers will suddenly disappear at the beginning of a seven-year period of Tribulation. The time of the anti-Christ will then begin, until the visible Second Coming of the Savior. Yet, this doctrine is fairly new when compared to the major tenets of the Christian faith.
The false teaching of the pre-tribulation rapture first surfaced around the 1830’s. This is when a thirteen-year old little girl had a vision that those baptized in the Spirit would be raptured before the antichrist came to power. She also saw that a second group of believers would then be raptured at the end of the tribulation. About the same time, a book was released about the Savior coming first to rapture His church and then, again to defeat the anti-Christ.
Bible publisher C.I. Scofield promoted these ideas in his popular study bible, and the Church hasn’t looked back since. From movies to TV preachers to best-selling books, the church is taken with the pre-tribulation rapture theology.
The New Testament does speak of a certain event taking place, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed,” 1 Corinthians, chapter 15:52.
Again, many suppose this is the sudden disappearance of Christians. Is this really what Paul meant? No. The Bible does not teach a pre-tribulation catching away where unbelievers are “left behind.” Man teaches this. Don’t get caught up, in this false hope. Strengthen your faith for whatever the future holds.
Correction to Lie #9:
It is true that the word “rapture” does not appear in the Bible, just as there are other words (such as “trinity,” “omnipotent,” “vicarious sacrifice,” and others) that do not appear in the Bible; yet they unmistakably represent definite biblical doctrine. In fact, a huge number of words don't appear in the Bible, including the word “Bible.”
Because God's Word was originally written in Hebrew and Greek, one could truthfully say that no English words are found in the Bible. For the record, the word “rapture” comes from the Latin word rapiemur, which in the Vulgate (Latin Bible) was a translation of the Greek verb harpazo that is translated "caught up" found in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
The doctrine of the Rapture is clearly taught in God’s Word by the apostle Paul. The doctrine was the hope of Christians from the very beginning, long before any “little girl” in the 1800’s or C.I. Schofield surfaced on history’s scene.
Whether or not a person holds to a pre-tribulation view of the Rapture is a matter of individual interpretation. Most if not all biblical scholars who believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and who subscribe to a literal interpretation of it see this as the only logical position.
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)
And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come [the Tribulation Period]. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
For God did not appoint us to wrath [the Tribulation or Hell], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:9)
Lie #8: “Jesus” is the Savior’s name
Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” detailed the last hours of the life of Messiah. The film was recorded totally in the ancient languages of Latin and Aramaic. Throughout the blockbuster, the Savior is called “Y’shua” in Aramaic. This further shows that Jesus is not Savior’s name. Just think about it, how could the Jewish Messiah have an English name?
When the angel spoke to Mary and Joseph about the pregnancy, the Hebrew-speaking couple was told that the Savior’s name was “Yahshua,” meaning “Salvation is of YHWH.” (more on the phrase YHWH to follow)\
One basic reason that the name Jesus is not correct is that the English language is not that old. Moses did not speak King James English. And the Savior’s name could not start with a “j” because it simply did not exist. There isn’t even a Hebrew letter sound similar to “j.”
The King of the Jews was given a Jewish name. Christianity has used the name of Jesus for so long, that few people stop to question how a Hebrew Messiah could have an a Greek/English name. When the Messiah walked this earth, He was never called “Jesus.” His name was, and is, Yahshua. From this point forward, this teaching will refer to Him by His true name.
The name “Jesus” is derived from the Greek name “Ieasus,” which actually means “son of Zeus.” Sadly, when people call upon the name of Jesus they are actually speaking of Greek mythology. The Bible clearly reveals that salvation is available in only one name: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,” Acts, chapter 4:12. What is found in English Bibles is a fake name. Mel Gibson was right after all.
Correction to Lie #8:
To follow the logic of the author of “10 Lies” to its natural conclusion would have all followers of the Messiah speaking only in Hebrew. In fact, it is surprising that this author uses the English Bible at all.
The English word “Jesus” is a derivative of the Greek word Iesous, a masculine proper noun transliterated from the Hebrew word Yeshua, meaning “Jehovah is salvation.” It was given to the Son of God in Incarnation as His personal name, in obedience to the command of an angel to Joseph, the husband of His mother Mary, shortly before He was born (Matthew 1:21).
In the gospels, the Savior is designated by the name of Christ alone in nearly 300 passages; by the name of Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus less than 100 times, and by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ less than 50 times. Prior to His resurrection, He was designated as Jesus Christ; after His resurrection, He is often referred to as Christ Jesus.
Just as the author of “10 Lies” is consumed with legalism, instead of God’s grace, he is self-absorbed in the letter and not the spirit of God’s Word. Whether a Christian uses the name Jesus, Yeshua, Savior, Lord, or God when referring to the Son of God; he is referring to God’s only unique Son, the Messiah. God knows it and honors it!
Lie #7: Just ask “Jesus” into your heart and you will be saved
Evangelical churches’ message of salvation is pretty simple. They say to just “ask Jesus into your heart and you will be saved.” This message is so simple, that it can be understood by people of all ages. However, the idea of a fast and convenient salvation is a lie.
The Savior Himself never told anyone to pray the “Sinner’s prayer.” Nor can a single person in the New Testament be found asking Yahshua "into their heart". Even the criminal on the cross, who died beside the Savior, didn’t ask Yahshua into his heart. Yet, to this thief, Yahshua said, “today you will be with me in paradise.” Asking the Savior into your heart is an invention of man, aiding in the gospel of fire insurance. Promoting this heresy is promising a “get out of hell free card” to anyone who repeats a prayer. Just because a person walks an aisle, doesn't mean they are going to heaven when they die.
Sorry, but there is more to salvation than saying a prayer. The prayer of repentance is not some magical incantation that grants us access to heaven. Salvation is “by grace through faith” in the Savior. We must enter into agreement with him about our sinfulness, turn from our wrongdoing, and pursue His Kingdom. Trusting in the atoning sacrifice of Yahshua is the only path to salvation. This trust might begin with a prayer, but is shouldn’t end there.
Correction to Lie #7:
Although the author of “10 Lies” is correct that nowhere in the Bible is there support for the “sinner’s prayer,” he is also incredibly incorrect to mix the acquisition of eternal salvation by faith (i.e. “by grace through faith in the Savior”) with works (i.e. “turn from our wrongdoing, and pursue His Kingdom”). The only clear presentation of how one is to apprehend (appropriate) God’s grace-gift of eternal salvation is found in Paul’s and Silas’ reply to the Philippian jailer’s question: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” in Acts 16:31.
And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:30, 31)
Biblical repentance is not contrition or penitence for one’s sins. It is simply a willful decision, once one comes under the conviction by the Holy Spirit of his lost condition in sin, to turn to Christ alone from every other confidence (works, persons, etc.) in order to receive by faith alone (full trust) God’s grace-gift of eternal salvation. Once this decision is made, the person (his spirit) becomes instantly and forever saved from hell. Now, the salvation of his life (soul) through sanctification (spiritual growth) and his body at his resurrection are other matters. Nevertheless, eternal salvation is permanent!
The only book of the Bible primarily written to bring the lost to God’s grace-gift of salvation is the Gospel of John (see John 20:31— but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.) In this book the only means of appropriating God’s gift of salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone.
The Christian may be assured that when he prayed the “sinner’s prayer,” that it was not the prayer that saved him. It was the decision to trust only in Jesus Christ that preceded the prayer that instantly saved him. For more definitive studies on this subject, see the topical section at www.bibleone.net.
Lie #6: The Jews killed Jesus
Anti-Semitism is the ugly hatred of anything Jewish. “Anti-Semitism has its roots planted deep in the soil of the world religions of Christianity and Islam. Both of these claim to be the “true” religion of the Scriptures and claim to have replaced Judaism. Christianity, as it now exists, claims to be the “New Israel” and they claim the “New Covenant” has replaced the inferior “Old Covenant”. The “New Testament “god is one of love and grace, while the god of the “Old” is judgmental and shows no mercy to the sinner. The Torah is bondage and their anti-Torah teachings are called freedom in “Christ”. Their Messiah came to free the Jews from the law and to put an end to their legalistic religion. According to their doctrines, Yahshua came to stop all tradition and Torah observance. In their mixed up world, the “Church” replaces Yisrael and the Jews are destined for hell-fire unless they convert to their brand of Christianity. The Christian religion claims to love the Jewish people, yet their history only proves their distain and persecution of the Jews,” wrote Rabbi Ed Nydle.
Sadly, for many years anti-Semitism has been taught in the church by suggesting that the Jewish people killed the savior. This idea breeds dislike and disgust of the Hebrew people.
The Jews did not kill Yahshua. Nor did the Romans. No one took Yahshua’s life from Him. He gave up His life freely for all mankind. “I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again,” John 10:17-18. Don’t blame the Jews! Don’t harbor anti-Semitism. The Hebrew people were and are the chosen people of YHWH.
Correction to Lie #6:
Here again the author of “10 Lies” is correct in stating that anti-Semitism (discrimination against or prejudice or hostility toward Jews) and “Replacement Theology” (the belief that the Christian Church has taken the place of Israel) exists today, as they have throughout history. But such unbiblical sentiments are not universal within Christianity. Quite frankly, they are abhorred by doctrinally-positioned Christians within many different denominations.
On the other hand, it is true that the New Covenant under Jesus Christ the Messiah has in fact nullified the Old Covenant (the law). See the first corrective comment within this apology (Lie #10). God (YHWH) who established the Old Covenant is also the One who has established the New Covenant, and He embodies both the attribute of divine love as well as the attribute of divine judgment. But both attributes are undergirded by His grace and mercy.
From a purely spiritual point-of-view, it is true that the responsibility of the Messiah’s death on the cross of Calvary must rest upon all mankind, not just one nationality. For as Scripture (quoted previously) clearly indicates, Jesus Christ took upon Himself and became the sin of all mankind in order to pay the penalty-price of man’s sin. And the author is correct in saying (noting the appropriate scriptural passage) that no man could take the physical life of Christ; He alone could do it.
The Jews remain the chosen people of God under the Abrahamic Covenant, which was a unilateral covenant established by God with Abram in Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 15:1-21. Part of this covenant has been fulfilled in the incarnation and sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Messiah, and the day is coming when “the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” that this covenant will be completely fulfilled. Yet a reading of Romans 11 reveals that God has set the nation of Israel aside for a season due to their unbelief (rejection of Jesus Christ the Messiah) and that He is presently bringing together His Church consisting of both Jews and Gentiles who will by faith alone in Christ alone receive His grace-gift of eternal salvation. The Bible clearly recognizes three classes upon earth, i.e., Jews that are lost, Gentiles that are lost, and Christians (the Church of God).
For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:25)
Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God. (1 Corinthians 10:32)
Lie #5: The Law has been done away with
Like a boxing battle for truth, this lie has probably bruised and beaten more people than any other. In one corner is the church that proclaims the law is legalism and has been nailed to the cross. In the other corner is the Messiah who said, "Think not that I have come to abolish the Law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these Commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven,” Matthew 5: 17-19. The issue seems pretty plain doesn’t it? Heaven and earth are still here, so the Law must be too! What was wrong to do during the times of Moses is still wrong. What was commanded during the time Moses is still commanded today.
Many misunderstand and misquote Paul about this subject. Yet, if Savior didn’t do away with the Law how could Paul? Grace and faith have not taken the Law’s place. Consider these verses on the subject:
Ø "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law," Romans 3:31 Ø "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein," Romans 6:1-2 Ø “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good," Romans 7:12 Ø “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law," 1 John 3: 4
Part of the misunderstanding concerning this subject is in how we view the term “law.” For many, the idea of “law” seems to be like a binding set of rules that hinder enjoyment. Don’t think like this. Consider instead the Law to be like a stoplight that allows life, cautions when things aren’t going right, and stops dangerous behavior. Just read Psalm 119 for insight on how we should approach the Law of Moses.
So, don’t call it “law” anymore. This word is a horrible translation of the Hebrew. Instead of referring to the commandments as laws, use the Hebrew term “Torah.” Torah is the ancient Hebrew word for teaching and instructions. Torah is more like instruction manual than it is a rulebook. Found within the Torah is our blueprint for living, with information on pretty much every part of life, from what to eat, to how to dress, and when to worship. “Christians usually call the Torah "the Law," because most English translations of scripture translate Torah as Law. The reason this came about is because some rabbis translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek, called the Septuagint. The Septuagint translated Torah into the Greek word Nomia. Nomia was used in Greek culture to mean an unalterable law. Following this tradition, the Greek New Testament also used nomia to signify the Torah. The Torah is unalterable, and technically it is Law, since breaking it does have penal consequences. (Remember, this includes all that God gave to the Prophets.) However, the Torah is first of all the teaching of a protective parent, the Most High Father, Abba, who loves His children enough to preserve them in righteousness,” wrote David M. Hargis.
Correction to Lie #5
See the first correction comment pertaining to Lie#10.
Lie #4: The Church
The word “church” originally comes from an Old English term “kirke.” Long ago, the Anglo-Saxons used to refer to their pagan places of worship as a “kirke.” When the Anglo-Saxons accepted Christianity, they simply continued to call their worship centers kirkes, which eventually evolved into “churches.” The word “church” is in fact a pagan term that describes a pagan worship system founded by man. Early believers were never called “church goers” or even “Christians.” The faith in Messiah was originally just a sect of Judaism. The first believers were called “Nazarenes” or “Followers of the Way.” In Paul’s trial before Felix, the lawyer for the prosecution said, “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ring leader of the Nazarene sect,” Acts 24: 5.
So when did the church start? Catholics proclaim that the church began when the Savior commissioned Peter to become the first Pope. They believe the apostles were the original Catholics who lead the early believers to start the new religion of Christianity. They reasoned that since the Jews killed, God had now turned his attention to the rest of the world. “After the crucifixion, the apostles passed to the Early Church Fathers, the Faith. Later Emperors, like Constantine, and Monarchs accepted the Creed; their subjects followed. That's how it started,” says one web site.
It was Roman Emperor Constantine who mandated Christianity to be the universal religion. Before he did this though, he made huge changes in the faith. Constantine gave several edicts that would separate the church from Biblical Judaism. These decrees mandated ancient pagan practices, like Christmas, Communion, Easter, and Sun day worship, as “Christian.” In the preface to Edward Gibbon's History of Christianity, we read: "If Paganism was conquered by Christianity, it is equally true that Christianity was corrupted by Paganism. The pure Deism of the first Christians . . . was changed, by the Church of Rome, into the incomprehensible dogma of the trinity. Many of the pagan tenets, invented by the Egyptians and idealized by Plato, were retained as being worthy of belief."
See the corrective comment pertaining to the next (Lie #3) issue.
Lie #3: Christianity
If the term “church” is incorrect, what about “Christianity?” Isn’t our faith just another denomination of Christianity? No. Even the using the word “Christianity” is another mistake that needs to be exposed. Again, the earliest believers were called “Nazarenes.” The saints were only called “Christians” by those who did not understand the faith! The Bible shows though, that for a follower of Messiah, being called a “Christian” is not a good thing.
The word “Christian” can be found only a few times in the Bible. The three times it is used, are to describe a totally separate religion than the Biblical faith.
Christianity, as a religious system, has been perverted by paganism and corrupted by man. Everyone misled by traditional Christianity are not evil. The system itself is.
In our Bibles, the word “Christian” is derived from the Greek “Khristos.” Kristos is a popular ancient Egyptian god, better known as Horus. “Khristos” also means, “anointed one” in Greek. Confusion set in as outsiders mistook early followers of the Savior as members of another group that worshipped “Krist.”
Interestingly there are many similarities between the pagan god of Krist and the Christian version of Jesus. For example, Greek mythology tells of Krist bring born to the virgin Isis on December 25. This confusion isn’t new. The apostle Peter understood the confusion surrounding Krist and Christ when he wrote, “Yet if any of you suffers as a Khristian, do not consider it a disgrace,” I Peter 4:16. The other places the term “Kristian” appears in the Bible are:
Ø Acts 11: 25, “Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were first (mistakenly) called Khristians at Antioch.” Ø Acts 26: 28, “Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Khristian?”
Correction to Lies #4 and #3
The author apparently draws much of his argument against the Church and Christianity from spurious historical accounts and information proliferated on anti-Christian Internet websites. The English word “church” is derived from the Greek adjective kyrikon, which means “belonging to the Lord.” In the New Testament, however, “church” translates the Greek word ekklesia, which never refers to a place of worship but has in view an assembly of people. Jesus Christ the Messiah established His Church (universal assembly of believers in Him), which He proclaimed would be built upon the kind of faith (Gk. petra—mass of rock) Peter (Gk. petros—a detached stone) demonstrated in his affirmation of Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16-18).
Believers in Jesus Christ the Messiah apparently may never have instigated any given name for themselves. They eventually adopted what others called them, e.g., the “Why” (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23), “Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5), and “Christians” (Acts 11:26; 26:28). Eventually, the term “Christian,” which came to mean “one who belongs or is devoted to Christ,” was accepted as a “badge of honor” (1 Peter 4:16) instead of a term of derision as was intended by those who rejected Jesus Christ the Messiah (both Jews and Gentiles alike).
It should be noted that it is not the name that is so important regarding a people. It is the content of their belief system that is critical. One is a “surface” issue; the other is one of “depth.” The only biblical position, of both testaments (Old and New Covenants) is that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and eternal life may only be obtained by faith alone in Him.
Lie # 2: The Trinity
This doctrine of the church just doesn’t make any sense. Many different Trinitarian ideas exist, which generally present the Godhead as three persons. This doctrine says that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are separate but each equally “god.” This is very confusing! Even the Encyclopedia Americana notes that the doctrine of the Trinity is considered to be “beyond the grasp of human reason.” When questioned about this doctrine, most preachers respond that we should “just believe” and that we might not every really understand the trinity.
Not surprisingly, the word Trinity cannot be found in the Bible. And it wasn’t formally a part of church doctrine until the 4th century, when the Catholic Church first began teaching god as being in three separate persons. The New Catholic Encyclopedia says, “the Trinity is not directly and immediately the word of God. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is not taught in the Old Testament." The Savior himself said, “Eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus whom you have sent,” John 17:30. It is pretty clear that Messiah didn’t believe in the Trinity.
The truth is, that the Bible doesn’t teach the trinity. What the Bible teaches is Unity. The Father, Son, and Spirit are One. Devarim 6:4, “Hear O Israel YHWH our God is the one, the only YHWH.” Paul wrote that “God is only one,” in Galatians 3:20. "I am YHWH your God . . . You shall have no gods except me,” Exodus 20: 2,3. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three separate persons with different personalities. The Father is not some upset parent ready to strike disobedient people with a lightening bolt. The Son did not come to save us from His angry Father. The Savior came, as an expression of the Father’s love, to save us from our sins.
Correction of Lie #2
Admittedly, the word “trinity” is never used in the Bible; but, the doctrine is amply taught in both testaments. Admittedly, the concept is difficult for the human mind to comprehend, just as is the concept of “forever” (no beginning or ending) is difficult for the human mind to comprehend; nevertheless, both are true. It goes without saying that many if not most of the doctrines of God and His ways must be taken by faith—the key principle of God’s Word. The Trinity, as mentioned by the author of “10 Lies” as he refers to God, employs the concept of “unity.” Yet, it also employs the concept of division of personality and purpose. A discussion of this and the scriptural proofs listed in the Old and New Testaments would be far too extensive for this apology. The reader is therefore referred to the topical study entitled “The Trinity,” which may be found in the topical section of www.bibleone.net.
Lie # 1: The LORD our GOD
Throughout this teaching, the words “god” and “lord” have been used to describe the recipient of Christian worship. Sadly, even these terms are a lie. They shouldn’t have been used. God’s name is not the “Lord.” When a person uses these generic terms, they are actually referring to the false Babylonian deity of good fortune or luck. This is according to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and Dictionary #H1407-1411. This claim is further validated by the Oxford Etymological Dictionary of the English Language. This dictionary teaches that ‘god’ comes to modern English from the ancient Sanskrit language meaning – “to invoke by incantation, sorcery, magic.” Please understand that the English word “god” has been falsely used as a substitute of the Father’s real name for centuries. This is in prohibition to Exodus 23:13 that says we are to, “make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.” God is not the Creator’s name, is not His title, is not a substitute, is not a translation, and is not what He desires to be called.
Just ask any person on the street “Who is god?” and you will get a variety of answers. Most people will say that he is a “supreme being,” others will argue god’s name is “Allah” or “Jehovah.” Most people though, view god from the background and teaching of their religious affiliation. The truth is that “God” is the source of worship for those involved in Wicca and Christianity. Even some people claim to be god! It is both amazing and troubling that the Muslims and the Masons both call their being of worship “god.” It makes no difference whether or not the “g” in god is capitalized. Using this general term for the creator is in violation of Exodus 20:7, which tells us not to take the name of the LORD in vain. Surely calling him the name of a pagan deity is defaming His character and taking His name in vain.
The Encyclopedia Americana says under the topic “God: that “god is a common Teutonic word for personal object of religious worship, formerly applicable to super-human beings of heathen myth.” While further research reveals that the Druids called the sun Gud, Gudh, Goth, or Gott which where translated into English as “gawd” or “god.” So, if we shouldn’t call the Most High “god” then what should we call him? Well, why not call Him by His real name as revealed in the Bible as “YHWH,” which is usually pronounced “Yahweh.” (YHWH is the English equivalent to the Hebrew letters yod, hey, wav, hey.)
Just read the introduction in most Bibles and you’ll find that translators have hidden the name of the Creator within the English term “LORD.” Whenever we find the English word “LORD” or “GOD” in all capital letters, the translators are letting us know that the sacred name of Yahweh is being used. But, Yahweh says emphatically in Exodus 3 that Yahweh “is my name forever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” This name was not intended to be hidden by scribes and translators; rather Yahweh Himself gave it to man as a sign of His existence and as a means of personal relationship. This is similar to how a person introduces himself on a first name basis. Yahweh gave us His personal name so we could approach Him with intimacy.
It’s very important to note that “YHWH” is used almost 7,000 times throughout the Bible as the only and unique name of the Mighty One of Israel. The KJV sometimes even uses the poetic form of “Jah” to reference the mighty name of Yahweh. (see Psalm 68:4) Other titles such as Adonai and El Shaddai are just that – they are titles that describe His attributes and actions. The English word “god” that you find in your KJV is usually a poor translation for the Hebrew “Elohim” which according to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance means “mighty one, judge, or deity.”
One last verse, from the New International Version Isaiah 65:11, 12 "But as for you who forsake Yahweh and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny…you did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me." Here the capitalized word “Destiny” is the Hebrew form of the deity of good fortune. It is clear from this verse that we are not to mix Destiny worship or “god" worship with the true worship of Yahweh. Those who do, according to this verse, “displease” the Creator.
Experience a closer relationship with the Most High by using His name. Follow the footsteps of the only begotten Son of Yahweh, who said in John 5:43 “I have come in my Father's name.” The Father’s name is Yahweh, not “god”. It is in this power that we have been commissioned to proclaim that “everyone who calls on the name of YHWH will be saved,” Joel 2: 32.
Correction to Lie #1
In keeping with the (“10 Lies”) author’s inordinate legalistic approach, his misplaced devotion to form rather than substance appears to carry over to how one is to refer to God. It is true that the Hebrew spelling of the one and only triune God is YHWH, but the exact pronunciation of such is uncertain (although Yahweh is most probable). This is the divine “personal” name of God, which relates to the verb “to be.” It translates “I AM WHO I AM,” which is exactly what God called Himself when addressing Moses in Exodus 3:14. It is surprising that the author of “10 Lies” does not use “I AM” each time he refers to God. Jesus Christ does in fact refer to Himself as “I AM” in John 8:58—proof that Jesus Christ was in fact YHWH incarnate.
The author of “10 Lies” is correct in that “whoever calls on the name of the LORD [YHWH] shall be saved” (Joel 2:32). This truth is emphasized by the use of the same expression in Romans 10:13, the meaning of which (in both testaments) is to “place one’s faith solely in Jesus Christ the Messiah for one’s personal eternal salvation.”
As to the (“10 Lies”) author’s interpretation of Exodus 20:7, it is not how you pronounce the Creator’s name that is so important (as stated, no one truly knows the correct pronunciation of YHWH) to Him. Incorrectly pronouncing His name is not taking His name in vain. What is taking His name in vain is to use it from a position of disbelief. To truly honour YHWH is to believe Him (His Word). More specifically, to place one’s total trust in His one and only Son Jesus Christ. This is in fact believing “in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). To do so insures that one does not take the name of YHWH in vain.
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God [YHWH], that you believe in Him [Christ] whom He sent.”. . . And this is the will of Him [YHWH] who sent Me [Christ], that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:29, 40)
And this is His [YHWH] commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. (1 John 3:23)
For God [YHWH] did not send His Son [Jesus Christ] into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him [Christ] is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:17, 18) |