Messianic Publications

10/18/2019

David Wilber

May you all have a blessed Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles/Booths)! Chag Sameach!

www.davidwilber.me

06/15/2019

"The secret matters belong to YHWH our Elohim, but what is revealed belongs to us and to our children forever, to do all the words of this Torah."
- Deuteronomy 29:29

03/10/2019

TorahResource

"A lot of our Christian brothers and sisters keep more Torah than we do. Let us not forget this."

What about Christians who "don't keep Torah" like Messianics do? This snippet is from Tim Hegg's series on the New Covenant. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/2HqlbbZ

01/22/2019

Legalism

"Let us pause for a second and ask ourselves honestly—do we think that somehow because we are attempting to obey God through a Torah-pursuant lifestyle we are actually earning our salvation? If even a hint of such a thing adheres to our belief, we have diminished the glory of Messiah and disregarded the agony of His atoning death on our behalf."

If we are to take seriously the warnings we are given about legalism, we must first of all understand what the term means, and this is a problem. It's a problem first of all because it seems clear that people use the term differently. And secondly, the definition of "legalism" is difficult because t...

01/02/2019

Many use the term "Judaizer" today without understanding its first century historical context -- namely, that the Judaizers demanded that Gentiles convert to Judaism via a proselyte ritual that involved circumcision, in order to be saved.
Read more here:
https://messianicpublications.com/daniel-botkin/who-were-the-judaizers-the-jerusalem-council-of-acts-15/

12/18/2018

Isaiah 53: God Rests His Case | Messianic Publications

"Several years ago I had the opportunity to attend a Messianic Jewish synagogue. There... I heard Messianic Jewish people tell of ways some of the rabbis would dismiss this passage’s unmistakable meaning. They reportedly would say that Isaiah 53 was about Israel — not the Jewish Messiah."

I first became aware of the Isaiah 53 text during junior high and high school, while having the sweet experience of singing excerpts of Handel’s Messiah in choirs. At some point I became aware of the brief passage of Handel’s masterpiece that is based on Isaiah 53. It is called simply “Surely ...

12/02/2018

Is Sunday “the Lord’s Day”? | Messianic Publications

The "Lord's Day" is believed by many to refer to Sunday, because this is when most Christians believe Jesus rose from the grave. But do the Scriptures support this view? J.K. McKee offers an in-depth analysis of the questions surrounding this important topic.

It appears on countless church bulletins, newsletters, and is frequently referred to by many Christians, both Protestants and Catholics. It is “the Lord’s Day,” believed to be Sunday when most Christians believe that Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) was resurrected from the dead.1 Because of ...

11/07/2018

Question: Did the Apostle Paul Preach the End of the Law? | Messianic Publications

Short Answers to Short Questions Video Series: Did the Apostle Paul preach the end of the Law/Torah? Ariel HaNaviy explains:
https://messianicpublications.com/ariel-ben-lyman-hanaviy/question-did-the-apostle-paul-preach-the-end-of-the-law/

Did the Apostle Paul preach the end of the Law? The short answer is “no.” Paul not only DID Torah, he also taught others to DO the Torah.

11/02/2018

Paul’s Message About Torah Remains a Mystery To Many | Messianic Publications

Galatians and Romans can be hard to understand. So what should guide our interpretation? Should it be guided by the full weight of prior revelation or by the NT only? Ian Hodge weighs in.
https://messianicpublications.com/ian-hodge/pauls-message-about-torah-remains-a-mystery-to-many/

The ideas offered by some of the commentators, however, halt between an outright declaration that the Torah is out completely for the New Testament believer, or else there is equivocation on explaining just how the Torah might be used today.

09/19/2018

Yom Kippur is a reminder that our atonement was procured at great cost by our King.

May your fast be meaningful and Yeshua reign supreme.

05/15/2018

70 Biblical Reasons to Keep The 7th Day Sabbath

Six new reasons to keep the 7th day Sabbath just added: #6, 24, 48, 53, 61, 62.

Many become preoccupied with finding reasons not to keep the 7th day (Saturday) Sabbath. This article side-steps these debates by listing as many biblical reasons to keep the original commandment as possible.

03/29/2018

Who Separated Passover from Easter? | The Stream

The quartodeciman controversy is indeed critical to understanding the separation of Passover and Resurrection day (aka First Fruits, Pascua, Easter, etc.). What do you think of Michael L Brown's proposal of bringing the two back together again?

My radical proposal for reconnecting these severed roots.

05/16/2017

“The reality is as clear today as it was in the days of Yeshua: the enemy of our souls will do all in his power to render us useless for the kingdom of God, to besmirch the Name of the Holy One by effacing His image in us. Moreover, he hates nothing more than that we should constantly live out the victory that was won for us by Yeshua, and he will therefore apply all of his power to tarnish the trophies of God’s grace we are destined to be. Recognizing both the war in which we are engaged, and the power by which it is won, will secure his defeat.”
– Tim Hegg, comment on Matt. 12:25-27, from _Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew_ vol. 2

10/10/2016

Intro to Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement

"Yom Kippur, if understood correctly, is not a day by which our atonement is realized, as much as it is a day to be reminded that our atonement was procured at great cost by our King..."

An introduction to Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement), and how this day might enhance and strengthen a believer's faith.

10/07/2016

On Walls and Oneness: Reflections on the Book of Ephesians

The Gospel brings down cultural walls that separate God from His people.

The Gospel brings down cultural walls that separate God from His people.

08/09/2016

How I Helped My Boys to Become Christian Men

Christian scholar Vern Poythress, on how he helps his sons transition from boyhood to manhood with a ceremony modeled after the Jewish Bar Mitzvah celebration:

by Vern S. Poythress, Ph.D., Th.D. 1999 God gave me two boys to raise, Ransom and Justin. Ransom is now 14 years old and is already a Christian man. Justin is a Christian boy 12 years old, a…

06/29/2016

The early followers of Jesus Christ (Messiah Yeshua) kept the Biblical Feasts!

For Polycrates' full, unedited letter, see Eusebius' Church History, Book V, Chapter 24: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201.iii.x.xxv.html

06/10/2016

It is Often Said: “Two Thousand Years of Christianity Cannot be Wrong”

Many assume that the wholesale rejection of the Law/Torah of God by many modern Christians represents historic Christian thought, but nothing could be further from the truth, as Tim Hegg explains.
#ItHasntAlwaysBeenThisWay

Many assume that the wholesale rejection of the Law/Torah of God by Christians today represents historic Christianity, but nothing could be further from the truth, as Tim Hegg explains.

06/03/2016

Help me choose my new design!

One of our contributors, Jason Salas, wants your help picking a cover for his latest book that best represents his work.

I’m running a book or magazine cover contest on 99designs. Designers have submitted 67 designs so far. Please vote on your favorite as I’d love to receive your feedback.

05/21/2016

May your Sabbath rest be blessed!

Messianic Publications for more

05/16/2016

In The Way: Yeshua for President

With all of the current political discussion, it's important to remind ourselves who really reigns as King.

"In The Way" is a Messianic comic strip by Jason Salas, created to encourage believers in Yeshua and keep His commandments as laid out in the Torah.

05/14/2016

May your Sabbath rest be blessed!

05/13/2016

In The Way: Shabbat Calories

Remember: No counting calories on Shabbat! :D

"In The Way" is a Messianic comic strip by Jason Salas, created to encourage believers in Yeshua and keep His commandments as laid out in the Torah.

05/10/2016

Matthew 5:17-20: Yeshua’s View of the Law

Matthew 5:17-20 are the clearest statements that Yeshua ever made, explaining the relationship of His ministry to the Law (Torah) of God. This is a detailed, line-by-line commentary on those verses.

"For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Lawuntil all is accomplished." -- Matthew 5:18 The following article originally appeared on TorahResource.com and is reproduced here with permission. Matthew 5:17-20 is a central text for our cons...

05/05/2016

What are the “Elements of the World” Paul Refers to in Galatians 4:3, 9 and Colossians 2:8, 20?

Many interpret the phrase "elements of the world" in Galatians 4:3 and Colossians 2:8 as referring to God's Law/Torah. But is this understanding historically accurate? J.K. McKee weighs in.

Some interpreters believe that "elements of the world" in Gal. 4:3 and Col. 2:8 refers to God's Law/Torah. Is there any truth to this claim? J.K. McKee weighs in.

04/15/2016

An Investigation Of “The Lord’s Table”

With Passover just around the corner, here is an article that helps explain the origins of the Eucharist/Communion, and compares it to the Passover.

What is the background of the Eucharist, commonly known as "The Lord's Table?" This series offers an historical inquiry and suggests that the "Lord's Table" was the product of the emerging Christian Church as she left her Hebrew roots. It will show how 1 Corinthians 11 refers to the Passover celebra…

04/13/2016

Michael Rydelnik | A Messianic Jewish Perspective on Holy Week

Why do Messianic Jews and non-Jews celebrate Passover and not Holy Week? Dr. Michael Rydelnik (Professor of Jewish Studies at Moody Bible Institute) explains at Wheaton College.

April 8, 2009 • For more 2008-09 Wheaton College chapel messages, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9GwT4_YRZdBLNsu4aFmXW8v7Uz-gTc7N....

04/08/2016

It is with great sadness -- but also with great joy -- that we celebrate the passing of Ian Hodge into the presence of God.

Our readers know Ian Hodge as a contributing author at Messianic Publications; he was also a loving husband and father, and a gifted scholar (Ph.D. Whitefield Theological Seminary) who's interests and writings were diverse, spanning the areas of theology, economics, politics, music education, and business management, among others.

Ian was a passionate, public defender of the faith, frequently engaging in both written and street-evangelism; he was also passionate about exploring Yeshua and the Apostles' view of the Torah/Law of God in its first century context.

You can read Ian's work at Messianic Publications here (more articles are forthcoming): http://messianicpublications.com/category/articles-by-author/ian-hodge/

And his blog and other writings here:

http://www.biblicallandmarks.com

http://www.biblicallandmarks.com/files/Unequal%20Testaments.pdf

http://chalcedon.edu/blog/2011/3/7/law-and-liberty-podcast-ian-hodge-remembers-rush/

http://www.garynorth.com/freebooks/docs/pdf/baptized_inflation.pdf

03/31/2016

Denying That Messianic Jews Are Really Jews: My Rejection From Taglit-Birthright Israel

Many are not aware that mainstream Judaism not only rejects Messianic Judaism as a valid sub-sect, but also denies that Messianic Jews are even actually Jews -- a fact which has led to the exclusion and marginalization of thousands of Messianic Jews around the world.

Mainstream Judaism has yet to recognize that Jews who believe in Yeshua are still Jews, marginalizing thousands of Jews around the world.

02/02/2016

The Adoption: A Short Story

A Christian family, hoping to adopt a baby boy, is shocked to find a strange Jewish man named Yeshua standing at their door.

A Christian family hoping to adopt a baby boy is shocked to find a strange Jewish man named Yeshua, standing at their door.

01/27/2016

A Community or a Congregation: For What are We Striving?

Is attending a local assembly a necessary part of the faith? What about the roll of the modern pastor? Is it biblical? And is it possible to establish generational communities? Tim Hegg weighs in.

Recovering a Biblical view of the Torah also requires recovering a biblical ecclesiology. But what is the nature of the biblical ekklesia/assembly? Tim Hegg explains.

01/21/2016

Compare what God says about His Torah/Law and what man says about it and ask yourself: who should we believe?
- via Torahresource

01/11/2016

How to Study the Torah

Ariel Berkowitz offers some helpful guidelines for studying God's Torah (Law) for today.

Contents: Part 1: Reasons to Study the Torah Part 2: Six Basic Hermeneutical Rules for Studying the Scriptures Part 3: Six Rules for Specifically Studying the Torah Part 4: How to Teach the Torah Anyone who has attempted to read and appreciate the Torah has discovered that sometimes the Torah is…

12/23/2015

Rob and Caleb Show

Rob Vanhoff & Caleb Hegg look at the history of Christianity and the Reformation to tackle the question of whether Christmas is pagan. Tune in now or join the chat room to hear more.

The live chat room will be open on Weds starting at about 9:00am until the show ends. Don't forget, join Rob and Caleb LIVE! Weds mornings at 10am PST. Complete with a live chat room so you can ask questions and make comments. Click on the small icon in the lower right-hand corner of the…

12/22/2015

A Theology Cheat Sheet

Dispensational Theology says that the Law/Torah was relevant only to a certain “age of law,” and after Christ’s death, we are now no longer in the age of law, but in the age of grace.

New Covenant Theology holds that since the Bible speaks of God's Law/Torah as a unified whole, after Christ's resurrection the whole Law is done away with, and is replaced with the Law of Christ.

Covenant Theology says that there are divisions in God's Law/Torah between 'moral', 'ceremonial', and 'judicial' categories of law, and that only the 'moral' category (and sometimes the 'judicial') is to be kept in perpetuity.

Messianic Covenant Theology says that God instructs Israel to never add to nor take away from His Law/Torah (Deut. 4:2); that He never intended it to be too difficult to follow (Deut. 30:11; Matt. 11:30); that Israel should be careful to follow "all the words of this Law" (Deut. 31:12, Psalm 119:160); and that they should do so forever (Deut. 29:29, cf. Matt. 5:17-19, Rom. 3:31).

12/18/2015

May the Shalom be with you!

12/17/2015

Orthodox Rabbis Issue Groundbreaking Declaration Affirming ‘Partnership’ With Christianity

Though their statement falters on many key points, they did get this right: "Jesus brought a double goodness to the world. On the one hand he strengthened the Torah of Moses majestically… and not one of our Sages spoke out more emphatically concerning the immutability of the Torah."

A group of Orthodox rabbis in Israel, the US and Europe have issued a public statement affirming Jews And Christians should work together

12/16/2015

"There is nothing in the law of God that will rob you of happiness; it only denies you that which would cost you sorrow."
- C.H. Spurgeon

[Image credit: Tim Challies]

12/03/2015

Heartbreaking news today. One of the victims of yesterday's shooting, Nicholas Thalasinos, was not only a believer in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ), but was an outspoken Messianic believer as well. According to a co-worker, Mr. Thalasinos and Syed Farooq (one of the shooters) got into a heated conversation about Islam just two weeks before the attack. Mr. Thalasinos attended Shiloh Messianic Congregation in Calimesa, CA.

Another victim of the attack, Bennetta Betbadal, was born in Iran in 1969 and fled to America when she was 18. According to her family, she left Iran in order to “escape Islamic extremism and the persecution of Christians that followed the Iranian Revolution.” The tragic irony here is that as a believer in Yeshua, she fled Islamic extremism in Iran, only to lose her life to Islamic extremism in "the land of the free." Bennetta is survived by her husband and three young children.

Michael Wetzel, another victim of the attack, was the father of 6 children and also a fellow believer in Yeshua; he attended Church of the Woods in Lake Arrowhead, CA.

Please pray for the spouses, children, and families of all those who lost their lives in yesterday's attack. And please remember, the best way to combat such senseless acts of violence and terrorism is with the Gospel of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ) -- the only solution that lays an axe to the roots of this world's idols.

Read more about Mr. Thalasinos, Mr. Wetzel, and the other victims of the attack here: http://bzfd.it/1IrNXos