AllFaith.com is unique!
At AllFaith.com I share numerous studies into the world's religions based on my personal quest for Truth. Over the years this research has led me to embrace Judaism. That is now the main focus of the domain.
On my blogs I share many of these studies and invite your questions and comments.
Also see my Xanga Blog.
Todah veShalom,
~ John of AllFaith
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Anyone have any info on the Missionary Church Of The Disciples Of Jesus Christ
They are often seen dressed in all white military-looking garb in front of stores asking for donations for their halfway houses etc.
Their website is http://www.disciplesofjesuschrist.org/language/en/index.php but it doesn't give much actual information.
I know they are stem from the greater Restoration Movement (which includes groups like The Disciples of Christ and the Church of Christ) of the Second Great Awakening and are headquartered in Southern California (Covena).
They were founded in 1970 by Cuban refugee (Apostol) R. Gonzalez Washington and have about 1000 members according to what I've found.
They are Sabbath Keepers and their doctrinal statement sounds basically mainline Christian other than that.
I know they have been sued several times for soliciting funds (especially by Walmart).
Anyone have any firsthand knowledge about the group etc.? I'll be trying to connect with their organization over the next few days.
Thanks,
~ John
Saturday, April 24, 2010
From Craig's List: Walk Naked in America Day!
The Not-so Sacred Web Book of John Not the Apostle
Ya' just can't make this stuff up!
(http://www.allfaith.com/Humor)
WALK NAKED IN AMERICA DAY
(Chico, California)
(Chico, California)
Source: Craig's List
Tomorrow is: WALK NAKED IN AMERICA DAY
Don't forget to mark your calendars!
As you may already know, it is a sin for a Muslim male to see any woman other than his wife naked and if he does, he must commit suicide. So next Saturday at 1 PM Eastern Time, all American women are asked to walk out of their house completely naked to help weed out any neighborhood terrorists.
Circling your block for one hour is recommended for this anti-terrorist effort.
All patriotic men are to position themselves in lawn chairs in front of their houses to demonstrate their support for the women and to prove that they are not Muslim terrorist sympathizers. Since Islam also does not approve of alcohol, a cold 6-pack at your side is further proof of your patriotism.
The American government appreciates your efforts to root out terrorists and applauds your participation in this anti-terrorist activity.
God bless America !
P.S.. It is your patriotic duty to inform others. If you don't send this to at least 1 person, you're a terrorist-sympathizing, lily-livered coward and are possibly aiding and abetting terrorists.
Always More to come!
Truth IS Stranger then Fiction!
AllFaith.com: Humor Home Page John Not-The-Apostle's Shroud AllFaith.com: Main Home Page AllFaith.com: Videos Contact me
Truth IS Stranger then Fiction! | |
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Friday, April 23, 2010
A Little Humor: The Diffrence Between Baptists and Catholics
The Not-so Sacred Web Book Of John Not the Apostle This one is from my Nekkid Humor Section
Baptists and Catholics! |
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Textus Receptus: The Word of God
"The Earth Belongs to HaShem and the Fullness Thereof." Which is the Best Translation of the Bible? |
Of Noah | |
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Why Do Many Jews Sway As They Daven (Pray)?
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Monday, April 19, 2010
!!!!!!WATCH THIS!!!!! -- An Letter to the World From Jerusalem -- !!!!!!WATCH THIS!!!!!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Listen to the Reverend C.L. Bryant! Powerful Message!
Join the Brand New JUDEOCHRISTIANAMERICA Group!
JUDEOCHRISTIANAMERICA Group!
Learn what's happening.
Share Blogs, Videos and More!
Jews and Christians Welcome!
(Add me as a contact: johnofallfaith)
Friday, April 16, 2010
Shabbat Shalom Yerushal�yim! Happy Birthday on Monday to Israel
Happy Birthday on Monday Israel! Shabbat Shalom Yerushal�yim!
Israel became a nation again on May 14 1948 at 4:00 pm according to the Western Pagan-based calendar.
On HaShem's calendar however Yom Ha'Atzmaut is the 5th day of the month of Iyar.
This year that date is this Monday.
Western calenders are solar based and dedicated to the Pagan Gods. Only the Hebrew calendar is dedicated to HaShem.
This year Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Independence day) is April 19. Its different each year. Israelis will be celebrating on this Yom Sheini.
God's Calendar and Ours:
The Jewish calendar has the following days:
Yom Rishon First Day (Sunday: Day to worship Sol Invictus (sun gods)
Yom Sheini Second Day (Monday: Day to worship the Moon (moon gods)
Yom Shlishi Third Day (Tuesday: Day to worship Tiew (Mars)
Yom R'vi'i Fourth Day (Wednesday: Day to worship Wodan (Mercury)
Yom Chamishi Fifth Day (Thursday: Day to worship Thor (Jupiter)
Yom Shishi Sixth Day (Friday: Day to worship Fria (Venus)
Yom Shabbat Sabbath Day (Saturday: Day to worship Saturn)
The Jewish calendar has the following months:
English | Number | Length | Civil Equivalent |
---|---|---|---|
Nissan | 1 | 30 days | March-April |
Iyar | 2 | 29 days | April-May |
Sivan | 3 | 30 days | May-June |
Tammuz | 4 | 29 days | June-July |
Av | 5 | 30 days | July-August |
Elul | 6 | 29 days | August-September |
Tishri | 7 | 30 days | September-October |
Cheshvan | 8 | 29 or 30 days | October-November |
Kislev | 9 | 30 or 29 days | November-December |
Tevet | 10 | 29 days | December-January |
Shevat | 11 | 30 days | January-February |
Adar I (leap years only) | 12 | 30 days | February-March |
Adar (called Adar Beit in leap years) | 12 (13 in leap years) | 29 days | February-March |
Shalom and Maranatha,
May HaShem bless and protect Jerusalem and Israel from Barry Sotero (aka Obama) and the enemies of God!
DID YOU KNOW? Facts about the US you may not know...
Maybe the current Democrat Administration, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, President Obama, the Liberals and the ACLU just DO NOT accept that this Nation (America) was founded on Judaeo-Christian principals and not on Shariah laws. America is a Christian Nation and prayerfully will always be a Christian Nation as well as a ENGLISH speaking nation. I think it's time for Americans to take back her heritage starting in November 2010.
Andy Rooney
DID YOU KNOW?
As you walk up the steps to the
building which houses the U.S Supreme Court
you can see near the top of the building a row
of the world's law givers and each one is
facing one in the middle who is facing forward
with a full frontal view .... it is Moses and he
is holding the Ten Commandments!
.
DID YOU KNOW?
As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the Two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments
Engraved on each lower portion of each door.
DID YOU KNOW?
As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see
The wall, right above where the Supreme Court
judges sit, a display of the Ten Commandments!
DID YOU KNOW?
There are Bible verses etched in stone all
over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in
Washington , D.C.
DID YOU KNOW?
James Madison, the fourth president, known as
'The Father of Our Constitution' made the
following statement:
'We have staked the whole of all our political
institutions upon the capacity of mankind for
self-government, upon the capacity of each and
all of us to govern ourselves, to control
ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to
the Ten Commandments of God.'
DID YOU KNOW?
Every session of Congress begins with a prayer
by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid
by the taxpayer since 1777.
DID YOU KNOW?
Fifty-two of the 55 founders of the
Constitution were members of the established
orthodox churches in the colonies.
DID YOU KNOW?
Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would
overstep their authority and instead of
interpreting the law would begin making law
an oligarchy the rule of few over many.
How then, have we gotten to the point that
everything we have done for 232 years in this
country is now suddenly wrong and
unconstitutional?
Let 's send this around the world and let the world
see and remember what this great country was
built on.
I was asked to send this on if I agreed , or simply
delete it if I didn't. Now it is your turn...
If you agree, pass this on.
It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God.
Therefore, it is very hard to understand
why there is such a mess about having the Ten
Commandments on display or 'In God We Trust'
on our money and having God in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Happy Birthday Israel!
Israel at 62
Sunday evening will usher in Yom HaZikaron, our Remembrance Day for Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism. Then, Monday evening, Yom HaZikaron ends and the celebration of Israel's Independence Day begins. We'll be going up to Jerusalem for a party with old friends. All that's left for me to do now is to hang up the big new Israeli flag we just bought.
From the Desk of Moshe Feiglin: Looming Shadows: II Kings 5:7 Israel Needs HaShem!
From the Desk of Moshe Feiglin: Looming Shadows
(NOTE: Emphasis is mine)
And when the king of Israel read the missive, he tore his clothes, and said: 'Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends me to cure a man of his leprosy? But know and see that he plots against me.' (From the Prophets portion for this week -
Kings 2, Chapter 5:7)
Yehoram, king of Israel, is afraid of his own shadow. In his wildest dreams he cannot imagine that the Chief of Staff of the Aramite army - that had already wreaked havoc on the Kingdom of Israel - was returning to Israel at the head of his army just to consult with the prophet Elisha on a personal medical issue. Yehoram had already turned his back on the G-d of Israel in an attempt to be normal and to join the enlightened family of nations that surrounded him.
Just imagine if after he had roundly scolded and humiliated Netanyahu during his recent trip to the US, Obama would have sent him a fax saying he would like to come to Jerusalem on a private visit to consult with a particular rabbi.
The verse in Kings reflects the confusion, impotence, fear and breakdown of sovereignty that plagued the kingdom of Israel after it had disengaged from G-d. How could it possibly be that Na'aman - the renowned Aramite general - was specifically seeking the G-d of Israel? "Why is he telling me tall tales? What am I? G-d, Who kills and brings people to life? I smell a plot."
*
It is almost Israel's Memorial Day, to be followed by Independence Day - two sides of Israel's sovereignty coin. Never has Jewish sovereignty in the revitalized Land of Israel cowered in the shadow of such a large question mark.
Ironically, Israel's physical might has never been greater. Economically and militarily, Israel is a regional superpower and even more. But the State of Israel's disengagement from G-d has led to its inability to justify its existence. It has brought about its broad international de-legitimization, its loss of military deterrence and the rapid progress of weapons of mass destruction of all types to our doorstep - met by nothing more than Israeli impotence.
All the options offered by Israel's leadership - from the Likud, Labor and Kadimah - are captive to the erroneous assumptions that have brought us to this point. "He who has a why to live can bear with almost any how," Nietzsche explained. The current Israeli leadership cannot answer the 'why.' It does not understand our destiny in the Land of Israel and as a result cannot draw the strength it needs from that destiny to preserve our existence here.
Pointing to Auschwitz as an answer to the 'why' used to be an easy solution. But it no longer works. Israel divested itself of its role as representative of the Jewish Nation - after all, we are a state of all its citizens - and in the March of the Living, Israel's VIPs speak in English. The generation of murderers and their victims has by and large passed on, the international community no longer has a guilty conscience and the compulsory rounds of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum do not prevent the world's leaders from asking difficult questions for which Israel's rootless leaders have no answers.
All the platitudes of the Prime Minister and the Chief of Staff about never again depositing our fate in the hands of others are no more than lip service. Netanyahu's entire policy on Iran's nuclear program is one large deposit of our security in the hands of others.
Instead of reaffirming its sovereignty by strengthening its Jewish identity, Israel's leadership turns time and again to the mirage of international acceptance in exchange for pieces of our homeland. The result is always the opposite of what the leaders tell us to expect. Their knee-jerk reflex is a given in a vicious cycle from which they cannot extricate themselves. He who is not firmly entrenched in his Jewish destiny above and beyond present reality cannot pull himself out of the quicksand of the normalcy ethos that Israel's leadership has created.
Perhaps the denial of Jewish identity was a necessary departure from the long years of exile, a clean slate on which to build a real state with economic and military might. But now that those goals have been achieved, we must remove the scaffolding that was (maybe) needed for the establishment of the State. Now it is choking us. The State of Israel must begin to run on its inherent strength; not only its economic or military prowess, but first and foremost, on its moral might. The only way to connect to our intrinsic moral strength is to connect to the Jewish roots of the Nation of Israel.
Binyamin Netanyahu is a perfect example of a leader completely enshrouded in the old mentality, with no ability to cut himself free. He does not differ on this fundamental point from any of the other national leaders on the scene. The fact that Netanyahu has already agreed to the American/Arab demands to a total retreat to the Green Line - including in Jerusalem (with the exception of some minor territory exchanges) should come as no surprise. This is the necessary outcome of the process described above. Any Israeli leader who denies the Jewish destiny of the State of Israel would do the same. As far as they are concerned, reality leaves them with no other choice.
Only faith-based leadership inspired by our Jewish destiny can extricate Israel from its current crisis, confusion, fear and impotence. When Israel will have faith based leadership, the shadows looming over its sovereignty will give way to universal appreciation for the G-d of Israel and the Nation of Israel's pivotal role in perfecting the world in the Kingdom of the Almighty.
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Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Be Human First!
Be Human First! A Study by Pastor John � April 1999 (revised 3-14-2010) |
Mark 2:23 - 27:
"And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?
How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the showbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath."
May I repeat?
The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath!
This was one of Y'shua's main and most controversial themes. Traditionally devout Jews have placed strict Torah observance above everything else. Strictly obeying the 613 commandments (as delineated by Rabbi Maimonides) has been the key concept in Jewish righteousness and Y'shua of Nazareth often challenged this legalistic aspect of the Jewish religion. According to the Rabbis (and/or Pharisees) to save a life, one could violate Shabbat, but short of that one must obey the Written and Oral Torah as completely as possible to be a good Jew. Torah observance was considered everything.
Have you ever met people who were so "holy" you just wanted to shake them and wake them up? I sure have! Such people are seemingly so "holy," so otherworldly, that they are of no earthly good to God or anyone else!
Such people just love to quote the Scriptures AT you, to tell you exactly how, where, why, and when you are, in their pious estimation, missing the mark of God's standard! Such white washed sepulchers (Matthew 23:27) love to condemn people to Hell for minor (and often questionable) infractions while they fail to do even the basics! They condemn others for not dressing up for services when they do not even observe the biblically mandated day for worship! Master Y'shua was quite critical of such religious hypocrisy. Where is their love for their fellows? Where is their biblically mandated compassion?
But you know, there is good news today! If you're hungry, you can eat the show bread! If you're hungry, you can gather corn on the Sabbath! Because you see, Shabbat was made for you, and not you for Shabbat! This does not mitigate the Sabbath in any way, God forbid, rather it returns us to its original intention of giving glory to HaShem our Creator and our Sustainer.
Likewise the Bible was made for people, not people for the Bible. So, if you're hungry for God the Word of HaShem is your food! Study it, consume it, bask in its light and receive of its freeing power. Y'shua of Nazareth invites you to reach out and take the fruit of his love for as John 1:1 says, Y'shua is the Word of HaShem made flesh! The Bible is meant for the children of God, not for scholars and pundits alone!
Its a balance. Don't misunderstand me here, I love the Bible! I read it, I study it, I honor it, but the fact is, the Bible didn't save anyone! HaShem did through Y'shua our Cohen Hagadol or High Priest! Our relationship is with the personal Living God of Israel and His Only Begotten Son, not with a book and not with sets of rules and regulations. AND that Book draws us ever closer to Master and to HaShem! Both are true. Both are essential.
Despite this, some well meaning Christians just love to take the Bible and try to control and legislate the lives of others based upon their limited understandings of its teachings. They try to make people live for the Sabbath instead of allowing the Sabbath to be the blessing it is intended to be! Such people condemn others and teach that they must not be who they are. They demand that others must change and deny even their basic natures and personalities when the Y'shua said he came not to condemn the world but to set it free! HaShem and Y'shua of Nazareth love diversity! Just look around you!
Were such judgmental Laodiceans (compare Revelation 3:14-19) correct that would be Bad News, not Good! But the Gospel means "Good News"!
I'm not meaning to pick on anybody here, but in 1856 the Reverend Thorton Stringfellow spoke for the Southern Baptist Convention when he proclaimed:
...Jesus Christ recognized the institution of slavery as one that was lawful, and he regulated its relative duties...I affirm then ... that Jesus Christ has not abolished slavery...
Reverend Stringfellow was a widely respected Baptist minister in Culpeper County Virginia and author of the widely distributed A Scriptural View circa 1856. His views were fairly standard for the period.
Believe it or not, it was not until 1995 that the Southern Baptist Convention issued a formal retraction and apology for their denominational support of slavery! Again, not picking on the Baptists here, but we need to understand how commonly even sincere Believers twist the Scriptures to condone their own prejudices still today! But Y'shua stands with his arms open wide and invites "Whosoever will" to come!
More recently in 1991 the Reverend Pat Robertson, founder of the 700 Club and the Christian Coalition said the following concerning Jewish people:
The New Testament reveals that Jews both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men. History records the terrible sufferings the Jewish people have experienced as a result.
This example of continuing antisemitism is from an editorial he posted in the Christian Coalition's official newsletter dated July/August 1991. Yes, "in the name of Jesus" many people continue to not only hold anti-biblical views but even to boast about them! Such people have a form of godliness but they deny its power (II Timothy 3:5)! Such deceived Nicean Christians conclude that the Shoah (Holocaust) and other atrocities were the Jew's fault, that they deserved it! While claiming to serve the God of Israel such people condemn His Chosen People and believe they are thereby serving Him!
Another example. In 1992 the Reverend Jay Grimstead, director of the Ecumenical Coalition on Revival wrote:
Homosexuality makes God vomit."
This comment was quoted in the LGBT publication the Advocate, Oct. 20, 1992. The Reverend Grimstead thereby notified the magazine's readers that the god he worships wants nothing to do with them. I'm sure that exclusionary comment brought lots of unsaved gays and lesbians into the Kingdom of God!
Such hateful intolerance and Biblical abuses remind us of those immortal words of the Bard (William Shakespeare):
Even the devil can cite scripture for bias purpose."
Yes indeed and he often does! "God hates you Black people!" "God hates you Jewish people!" "God hates you homosexual people!" These Christians scream; "Now accept His love for you!"
Yeah... like that's gonna win souls! People always look for mercy from people who hate them!
For far too long countless Nicene Christians have missed the central theme of Y'shua's message! LOVE.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
What did the Master stress time and time again? What was his central message? Was it to blindly obey human traditions without regard to the potential harm they cause? Was his focus Law over Grace, Justice over Mercy? God forbid! Was it hate and condemn your neighbor? No!
Recall the woman caught in the act of adultery? The religious people wanted to stone her to death. And this was the biblical teaching under the Law of Moses! They could correctly cite the Bible as their authority to kill this poor woman! But recall Y'shua's words to her over-pious accusers:
Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.
Master Y'shua's teachings are that we must love those who stumble, even if they are our enemies. That we are to turn the other cheek to those who would strike us. That we must not judge others because as we unfairly judge them we may be judged by the same narrow measure! Imagine if HaShem judged us with the same harshness we judge one another! May heaven help us!
No! Y'shua's message is not like that:
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
I don't want to be judged harshly or prematurely nor condemned! Do you? Then judge not!
As we read the Master's words recorded in the Bible we find -- at places like Matthew 7:28 and 29 -- that those who heard his teachings were astonished by them because he spoke from his heart with power and wisdom rather than according to the letter of the Law.
When the Pharisees had heard that Jesus had put the Seduces to silence, they were gathered together.
Then one of them, who was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and said:
Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it, You must love your neighbor as yourself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets -- Matthew 22:34-40
Its so simple and yet so utterly profound! It is impossible to realize this level of love in our own power and strength. How then can we boast (Ephesians 2:9)?
How can we love our neighbors, let alone our enemies, as we love ourselves? And yet this is what we are all called to do. Only when we consistently do this are we free to judge... and then we would not do it!
Yesterday [as I originally gave this talk] at Cabrillo College hundreds of us gathered together and proclaimed that hate is not acceptable at Cabrillo, in Santa Cruz or any where else in our lives. We came together as young people, old people, Black, White, Asian, as Christians and Jews, as Buddhist, Hindus, Sikhs and Native peoples, we came as Progressives and Conservatives... (it was a wonderfully diverse turn out). We all came there united in just cause and with a single voice we stood against the Ku Klux Klan whose members had desecrated a local Jewish Synagogue and graveyard and assaulted two lesbians in the campus parking lot. It was a wonderful show of solidarity in love!
Love requires action.
One way we can love our neighbors as ourselves is to stand with them when them face persecution and bigotry; realizing that together we stand but divided we will most certainly fall because the only thing needed for the tyranny of evil people to succeed is for good folks to do nothing.
We love our neighbor when we commit ourselves to their defense and well being. We understand that if their freedoms are not enforced one day ours will doubtless be denied as well! we understand that if they are forced to go to bed hungry then our own needs may likewise fall by the way.
We love our neighbor as ourselves when we commit ourselves to honoring their diversity, not merely tolerating it.
The heart of Y'shua's message I believe is that we are to truly love our neighbors as ourselves. The answer to the question "Am I my brother's keeper?" is yes! We are in this together! Only when we allow ourselves to be truly human is this possible. We must lay aside the walls and labels that define and divide us: I am Christian, I am Hindu, I am Jewish, I am Pagan, I am gay, I am lesbian, I am straight, I am American, I am Russian, I am Asian, etc.
We are all human! We are all children of one Parent. As we discuss and debate the many important issues in life our common humanity must never be forgotten.
First and foremost I am a human being! First and foremost I am a child of the One God. When I understand this, then I can understand that first and foremost you also are a human being! You are unique and wondrously made! As a follower of Y'shua of Nazareth when I look at the person who is you I should be able see and appreciate the diversity you manifest, your beauty and uniqueness. In each other we should behold first and foremost God's diversity, God's beauty and the inestimable price He paid to liberate the world (John 3:16,17)! If Y'shua loves you that much how could I ever hate you!
Understanding that we have all received of HaShem's love how can we remain divided? How can we hate one another when we realize that we are all imperfect sisters and brothers, created from the dust of the same earth?
In you I see the hand of HaShem at work -- and when I fail to behold this I need to repent and ask Y'shua to restore my spiritual vision so that I see things as they truly are through his eyes. The color of your skin, your sexual orientation, the language you speak, and the paths you have walked... In your diversity, I see my own unique Path, my own fears and loves, my own dreams and failings. In you, I see GOD at work. It is only as I see through the eyes of faith that I can truly reach out and love you as you are, or at the least, that I come to develop a true desire to do attain to this vision!
As Y'shua of Nazareth promised:
If I be lifted up, I will draw everyone unto myself.
What did the Master mean by this?
Did Y'shua mean he would draw all the "right sorts of people" and leave the rest behind? No. He taught that when we care the poor among us we're really caring for him. When we minister to the hurting, we're actually ministering unto him, when we welcome the rejected, we're really welcoming him because:
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Keith Green - The Sheep And The Goats (live)
This is the heart of Master Y'shua teaching.
Wherewith shall I come before HaShem, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
Will HaShem be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth HaShem require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" -- Micah 6:6-8
Yes, there will always be those who seek to divide people into groups and subgroups, who abuse the Scriptures to their own ends. But when all is said and done:
We are to: Love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind. And to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Thank you very much. May God bless you as you continue Reaching for the One!
Shalom and Maranatha
You are visitor number...
Who cares, I'm glad YOU'RE here!
Who cares, I'm glad YOU'RE here!
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Monday, April 12, 2010
Dry Bones Yom HaShoah 2010
Yom HaShoah 2010
The Holocaust: Learn the Truth of What Really Happened!
http://www.holocaustchronicle.org/
http://www.holocaustchronicle.org/
"Never Again!" Means Not Now Either!
"Never Again!" Means Not Now Either!
Long Live Israel!
Long Live the Jewish People!
Peace in the Middle East Yes,
But NOT if that means the death of Israel!
Long Live the Jewish People!
Peace in the Middle East Yes,
But NOT if that means the death of Israel!
Peace and Justice Doesn't Just Happen!!
First they came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up, because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me.
--- Words of wisdom from Rev. Martin J. Niemoller in 1945
AllFaith.com is a Hate Free Zone
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Baptism by Water and by Fire Part 2 of 2
Baptized by Water and by Fire A Study by Pastor John � May 1999 (revised 4.11.10) |
Baptism By Fire
Baptism by water has been practiced by the people of HaShem since at least the time of Moses (circa 1500 B.C.E.). Baptism by fire came through Y'shua.
On the Pesakh/Pentecost following Y'shua's ascension into heaven the talmidim (disciples) were gathered together in an upper room for the traditional sedar (feast). While there they received another type of baptism as Y'shua had promised:
Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
This empowerment from on high was in partial fulfillment of an important prophecy revealed by Joel in the 8th or 9th century B.C.E. Joel foretold:
Joel 2:28,29 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
Not all of this prophecy has been fulfilled yet. We will witness its complete fulfillment soon as we enter into the final seven years of the age. The disciples however were given a taste of its yet-future fulfillment and this taste empowered them to rock the foundations of the earth as the Way exploded and spread throughout the known world (Acts 17:6)!
Peter cited this prophecy explaining what they had experienced that Day:
Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
This was the baptism of fire! Here's how it came about:
Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
By His Ruach HaKodesh HaShem baptized ("gathered together in His anointing") everyone present in that room with His Spirit thus confirming the ministry granted to them by Y'shua. Word of what was happening quickly spread throughout Jerusalem and the region and people flocked to the disciples to see what was up. According to the scriptures "a great multitude" of people from all over the world came and experienced the miracle of Pentecost as once again HaShem gave freedom to the captives.
Master Y'shua had said his followers would empowered, but they probably didn't expect anything so dramatic! The assembled throng each understood the words of the talmidim (the Way followers) in their own languages!
As we study The Book of the Acts of the Apostles, the various Epistles and so on, we find these supernatural gifts manifested from time to time as evidence of the empowerment or anointing experienced by the first century Way community.
Even at this first outpouring of Ruach HaKodesh some of those present failed to understand what they were seeing. Peter says that some of these eyewitnesses assumed the talmidim were drunk (Acts 2:15)! In time the Apostle Paul sought to categorize the powers and gifts being received through the ongoing outpourings. He felt these were important signs and spiritual tools from God but that "... all things [need] to be done decently and in order" -- I Corinthians 14:40.
We will discuss the modern day Pentecostal Movement below but there is one point that needs to be clarified here. In many Pentecostal circles it is believed that the gift of tongues is the evidence that one has received "the Baptism of the Holy Spirit." This gift is therefore placed above all others. I have "spoken in years" for many many years and value this wonderful gift, however the teaching that it is the main sign of the Baptism of Fire is simply opposed to what the Bible says of it:
I Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
12:15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
The gift of tongues is one among many and no gift is given to all nor does any individual gift serve as a litmus test. Paul continues:
I Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.>
Seems clear enough to me. All Believers receive spirit gifts according to their service. It is also clear from verse 31 that we can pray for new gifts. When will they be granted? Verse seven tells us: "... the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." So if one wishes to receive the gifts of Ruach HaKodesh one should begin exercising the gifts already granted by HaShem. Are you a gifted speaker? Speak about Y'shua and his Kingdom! Are you a healer? Then heal in the name of Y'shua, giving glory to HaShem! Are you able to explain difficult topics clearly? Then explain the things of God! To those who have more will be granted as the Master explained (Matthew 25:29). We are different. Use you unique gifts in the service HaShem for the benefit of others.
As foretold by Y'shua of Nazareth and his servants like John an infection entered the Way early in its history and gradually spread like cancer through the Way Movement. This cancer is known by many names including the Error of Balaam:
Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam...
Master Y'shua's brother Jude (compare Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3) also warned about this heretical movement within the early Way Movement:
Jude 11 Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah`s rebellion.
12 These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.
14 To these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones,
15 to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him."
This spiritual cancer is referenced in several different ways. For instance:
Revelation 2:20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess....
"That woman Jezebel" will soon become "the Great Whore" known as Babylon the Great, she who contaminates the world with the Nicolaitan Heresy:
Revelation 2:6 But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
I discuss the Nicolaitan Heresy in detail in my verse by verse commentary of The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed.
As the Nicolaitan Heresy took root and developed among the followers of the Way the various symptoms described in chapters two and three of Master's Revelation occurred. Gradually the Way became the Church and lost most of its spiritual empowerment. I discuss this development in part four of my study The Noahide Nazarene Way: Rise of the Universal Church. With the nationalization of the Way the more dynamic gifts like miraculous healing, tongues and so on faded away and Christianity became the nearly global religion.
To be sure, Church history records scattered outbreaks of what we today call Pentecostalism, the Baptism of Fire, but they were few and far between. There were however always sincere people throughout the Church who desired the Holy Spirit's guidance. Despite occasional periods of optimism the Way remained largely concealed under heavy clerical garb.
But then something truly awesome occurred! Something that most people didn't even notice.
In the mid 1800's the bands HaShem had placed on Israel began being loosened! The spirit of Jewish identity known as Zionism had been building for a while but by the 1840's it was taking hold in the hearts and minds of ever more Jews. The writings of people like Rabbi Alcalay and Rabbi Kalischer began reminded the people of HaShem of their destiny and their duty. As Jews had since 70 CE many longed to return home to Eretz Israel but now they were seeking ways to accomplish it!
The time for the Kingdom was dawning.
The time for the complete fulfillment of Joel's prophecy was nearing!
And HaShem began pouring out His Spirit as He had not in nearly 2000 years! Besides the spark of nationalism He placed in the hearts of the Jewish people, HaShem touched a group that no one would have expected!
A small group of ministers were lead by Ruach HaKodesh to sincerely seek Him in the hope of producing what they considered a "Second Chapter of the Acts Revival." These ministers felt the Christian Church had grown lukewarm (compare Revelation 3:14-19) and spiritually weak and so through much prayer and fasting they sought God for a "Pentecostal Outpouring of the Holy Spirit."
And guess what happened: HaShem heard them and granted the desires of their hearts!
The Second Pentecostal Revival began in small enclaves throughout my ancestral homeland of Wales. What was happening there rocked Great Britain and reverberated around the world!
As the twentieth century dawned many sincere Christians from various denominations began sensing that God had something huge in store for them and for the world.
Then on April 14, 1906 Ruach HaKodesh baptized the African American Reverend and Pastor William J. Seymour with fire! Pastor Seymour prayed and the Holy Spirit of HaShem descended upon his Azusa Street congregation in Los Angeles and continued to do so until 1915! As the Power of the Holy Spirit fell the people were "slain in the Spirit," they spoke in tongues, experienced amazing healings, saw visions and dreams... And the Pentecostal Movement was born.
And Lucifer was furious! He began the First World War as the Ends Times became visible through the fog! And the Pentecostal fires sputtered... but they continued and Pentecostal and Charismatic churches arose among the denominational and non-denominational Believers.
For their part, more and more Jews were realizing that the establishment of the Jewish state after 2500 years was possible! In 1917 the Balfour Declaration was signed guaranteeing that the UK would support and help to establish the independent Jewish Homeland!
And Lucifer was irate!! He began the First World War as the Ends Times became visible through the fog! And then he began the Second World War and raised up an Austrian anti-Semitic colonel to genocide the people of HaShem and prevent the Jews from achieving their destiny.
These two events are directly related!
Today, about a hundred years after the Azusa Street Revival, the Pentecostal fires continue to burn, though not as brightly as before. As the Master foretold with the dawning of the End Times the Christian faith at large has gradually become lukewarm, the Salt has all but lost its savor (Matthew 5:13) and will soon be vomited out in the final seven years of the age (Revelation 3:14-19)!
Soon the one called Rex Mundi, Little Horn, the Man of Sin and Son of Perdition, the Antichrist will arise in Europa and take control of the now-almost established Global Union. He will appear to be a man of profound wisdom and peace. He will unite the nations, end poverty, advance remarkable technological innovations that will seemingly promise the establishment of an Earthly Paradise. And he will sign one very important treaty with Israel! When he and the Israeli government officials sign this treaty the age will have just under seven years left -- but of those seven years Master Y'shua warns us:
Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
To save the Jews from annihilation the final seven years will be shortened as Y'shua HaMoshiach destroys the Rex Mundi and the New World Order.
Our job is to assist him!
THEN will the complete prophecy of Joel be fulfilled:
Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of HaShem cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
2:2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
2:3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
2:4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
2:5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
2:6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
2:7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
2:8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
2:9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
2:10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
2:11 And HaShem shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of HaShem is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
2:12 Therefore also now, saith HaShem, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto HaShem your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
2:14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto HaShem your God?
2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
2:16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
2:17 Let the priests, the ministers of HaShem, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O HaShem, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
2:18 Then will HaShem be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
2:19 Yea, HaShem will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
2:20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
2:21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for HaShem will do great things.
2:22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
2:23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in HaShem your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
2:24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
2:26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of HaShem your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
2:27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am HaShem your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
2:30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of HaShem come.
2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of HaShem shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as HaShem hath said, and in the remnant whom HaShem shall call.
THIS Is The Baptism of Fire!
Get Ready and Stand With Israel Always!
Get Ready and Stand With Israel Always!
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