Errors of Tradition, wrong turns taken...

"The biggest mission field in America is professing Christianity".
John MacArthur

OK, a few clarifications and definitions to answer questions like,
"What does that mean? Why did you use that word?"

G-d = Elohim. Elohim is a term used for greatness, strength, or deity. G-d is derived from pagan deities. It's not a good thing to call the King of the Universe by the name of some false deity. See Leviticus 23:13

Why do I put a hyphen in the word g-d? To prevent any kind of glory being given to a false deity.

The L-RD, or the L-rd = Yahweh (YHWH). When the Psalm writer says (in our English translations) "Blessed be the name of the L-ORD" we remain ignorant of just what His Name is. YHWH are the four consonants of His Name. There is some discussion over just which vowels are between the consonants, but most scholars agree it should be Yahweh.

What we do know for sure is that His Name is NOT L-RD. L-rd is also derived from pagan deities, so it falls into the same category as G-d. Besides, there are many pagan L-rds such as the thousands you'll find in Hinduism.

George Harrison of the Beatles fame sung of "My Sweet L-rd." He was not referring to Yahweh, but a Hindu deity. Sorry if that bursts your bubble.

Sadly, "My Sweet L-rd" probably is sung in some worship services today. It's not hard to believe, since so many "Christian" rock/worship groups simply re-record old classic rock songs. It amazes me now how we could sing so many "worship" songs that never even mentioned G-d directly at all. I could've been singing to, or about, anybody.

Old Testament = Tanak, or the the Torah of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms as Yahshua referred to them in Luke 24:44

Testament = Covenant. The Scriptures version quotes Dr Bullinger in The Companion Bible, Appendix 95:

"The word Testament as a translation of the Greek word diatheke (which means covenant), has been nothing less than a great calamity; for, by its use, truth has been effectively veiled all through the centuries; causing a wrong turn to be taken...errors of tradition have usurped the place of important truth. The word Testament as a name for a collectionof books is unknown to Scripture. It come to us through the Latin Vulgate."

Testamonium was a Roman "omen of death." Therefore, we should say Old Covenant at least.

New Testament = Renewed Covenant. See previous blogs for this explanation.

Jesus = Yahshua. Yahshua is the Hebrew name of the Jewish Messiah

Christ = Annointed = Messiah = Moshiach in Hebrew.

Names that begin with "J" = Names that begin with "Y"

Joshua = Yehoshua
Joel = Yo'el
John = Yohanan
Joseph = Yoseph
Jude = Yehudah
James = Ya'acov

Y'all understand that? (Sorry, had to throw that one in. That's southern Hebrew)

Did you notice James in the list? Yep. The Book of James is actually Ya'acov. It's not even close is it?

Another name that needs to be corrected:
Mary = Miriam

One more,
Paul = Sha'ul

Looking at the names of Mary and James certainly brings up a question.

Why are the true Hebrew names for both of these used repeatedly in the Tanak, yet when we get to the Renewed Covenant they are changed to an name form which hides their Jewishness?

Is this intentional? Many say it is, that it betrays an underlining antisemitism in modern translations. In any case, it is certainly a subtle way of influencing and prejudicing our understanding of Scriptural matters.

Law = Torah. While law is the closest English word to convey the Greek word nomos, the Hebrew word Torah is much broader in meaning. Such meanings include "to teach"and "to instruct." Torah refers to the first five books of Scripture, also known as the Law of Moses.

No, Virginia, this is not the same as the movie, "Tora, Tora, Tora" about the Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor.

The Greek word may also represent ideas or meanings other than Torah from time to time. Some times it refers to a body of rules or system of behavior that may be man made. This is part of what leads to so much confusion regarding the writings of Sha'ul. Just which set of laws is he referring to at any given time?

Perhaps this is one of the reasons Peter (Kefa) warns us that the writings of Sha'ul are difficult to understand and easily twisted.

Are you aware Rabbinic Judaism considered their own writings and commentaries on Torah to actually supersede the written Torah?

"My son, be careful concerning Rabbinical decrees even more than the Torah...the Torah contains prohibitions...but anyone who violates Rabbinical decree is worthy of death." Babylonian Talmud, Eruvin 21b.

Most, if not all, of the Scriptures used as proof texts to show the Law is done away, come from the writings of Sha'ul. Keep in mind that Sha'ul was a Pharisee. He knew all about the Rabbinic decrees. He had probably taught them himself before his encounter with the Messiah.

It is clear to me now that when you finally grasp the understanding Sha'ul refers to more than one "law", it will go a long way toward clearing up the confusion about Yahweh's Torah. Hopefully, you'll begin to realize that it was the man-made laws that needed to be done away - not the loving instructions a loving Elohim gave to His children.

Jesus and Matthew 1:21

Have you ever read Matthew 1:21 and thought, "Huh?"

I hope you have because it makes no sense.

Let's read it now...

" And she shall bear a son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. "

Here's what I mean when I say "Huh?"

The word 'for' begins an explanation why Joseph and Mary were to call Him "Jesus." It is tied to the fact He will save His people from their sins.

Yet, here's the problem. It's one everyone overlooks.

The word "Jesus" has no meaning.

No meaning in Greek. No meaning in Latin.

It's not even a Hebrew name.

Our Savior was Hebrew. The word "Jesus" should be a like a red flag alerting us to a problem.

Why?

Because all Hebrew names have meaning. But, Jesus has no meaning in Hebrew.

The word "Jesus" is a poor attempt at a Greek transliteration of a Hebrew name which is then further warped by forcing it into an English mold with the illegitimate letter "J".

Granted, today, "Jesus" does have a meaning in English. But that is simply because after 400 years of incorrect use, it now has a meaning applied to it.

Think about this. Don't you find it strange that we open our Scriptures to read about...

• a baby of Torah observant Jewish parents,
• Who was born in Israel,
• Who lived and died as a Jew,
• Who spoke Hebrew,
• Who became the Jewish Saviour,
• and was labeled at His death as the King of the Jews,
  

But, we - an English reading audience- now call Him by

• the Greek/Latin hybrid, "Jesus"
• which has no meaning in any language
  
• along with the Greek title "Christ"
• which could mean any one of the many Greek false deities?
  

In other words, to call Him "Jesus" in Matthew 1:21 is like forcing a square peg in a round hole.

On a side note, if you do even a little research and you'll find many modern scholars maintain that the name “Jesus” is the same in the Hebrew as the Old Testament “Joshua,” the son of Nun. Should not these names appear the same throughout our English Bible? If its Joshua in the Old Testament, why is it Jesus in the New?

Nonetheless, can we know what His real Hebrew name is?

Yes.

Here are our clues...

1) The Saviour said He came in His Father's name (John 5:43). The word 'name' can be either literal or figurative. The Father's name is Yahweh, sometimes shortened to Yah. ( As in Hallelu-Yah).

2) Matthew 1:21 connects His name with His function of salvation.

"Yeshua" is the Hebrew word which means "salvation, deliverance".

However, if you only use "Yeshua" then the Father's Name is not in the Saviour's Name. You are simply calling Him "Salvation."

"Yahshua" means "Yah's Salvation or Yah's Deliverance", which is exactly what the Messiah is. By using Yahshua, you use the Father's Name in the Saviour's Name. (In practice, it is difficult to distinguish the pronunciation of Yeshua from Yahshua).

"Yahshua" is a combination of a description of Who He is, as well as what He came to do.

Now, if we read Matthew 1:21 with the correct name, you can see how it all fits together.

" And she shall bear a son, and you shall call His name Yahshua (Yah's Salvation or Yah's Deliverance): for He shall save His people from their sins. "

Isn't that better?

Hmm...how does all this reflect on our understanding of verses like Acts 4:12.

"And there is salvation in no other One; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Personally, I don't believe you can make a legitimate argument that you must be saved pronouncing the name Yahshua. The term here for 'name' can be 'authority'. Most everyone reading this was saved under the name "Jesus." We were saved under the authority of the one and only Saviour, the son of G-d (Yahweh).

However, a good case can be made that the name of "Jesus" robs the true Saviour of the Glory that is His. Plus, it steals from us - His children - the understanding that even Yahshua's name embodies the Father's Name and purpose to save us from our sins.

So, the choice is ours.

To put it in perspective, remember "Jesus" is a man made word. Yahshua is a Holy Spirit inspired Name.

Do we show the Saviour respect and honor by using the correct name? Do we honor the Father by using the Name He gave to His Son?

Or, do we follow Frank Sinatra?

In case you're too young to remember, one of his signature hit songs was

"I did it my way..."

Jesus and the Case of the Mysterious "J"

Why Do We Call The Saviour by the Name Jesus?

How many of us have sung, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that name..." Perhaps we've made a remark like, "Sweet Jesus."

Christians for centuries have called upon the name of Jesus and have come to love that name. And why not? It's the name of our precious Saviour, is it not?

Well, that is the subject of our teaching today and it has me disturbed. I can not hide from you the fact that I am pulled at from two sides whether I should even bring this subject to the light.

On the one hand, I don't want to do anything to discourage the relationship you have with the Saviour. But, on the other hand, I am compelled to believe that the Truth will set you free.

I also have a fear.

That fear is that you will shoot the messenger.

I remember a discussion I tried to have with a deacon of a large Southern Baptist church. He cut me off by saying he did not want to know more if it meant he was going to have to think.

Which is it for you?

Are you going to shoot the messenger? Would you prefer not to hear something that will make you think? Or, do you want the Truth?

If you want to hear the rest of the story, then continue reading.

Here it is point blank:

There is no letter "J" in the Hebrew alphabet. There isn't one now and there never has been.

In fact, the "J" didn't come into use until the late 16th and early 17th centuries in any language. That's a little late for it to have been included in the original Scriptures, don't you think?

So, His Name could not start with a "J."

Our precious Saviour never heard the name "Jesus" in His ears while He was on earth. His mother Miriam and His disciples never called Him by the name "Jesus."

Sometime, about 400 years ago, believers began to call the Saviour by the wrong name.

How did this happen?

The answer to that can be a little complicated when you discuss transliteration and transcription. Therefore, this explanation is simplified: Somewhere in the transliterations from Hebrew to Greek to Latin and then English things got pretty messed up.

I don't know which translation it first appeared in, but it could have been Tyndale's. Certainly by the time of the King James translation the name "Jesus" came into use - along with some other incorrect name substitutions such as "god" and "lord."

One thing you should note is that names can not be translated. That's right, contrary to what even I was taught as a child in public school, my name is still George no matter whether I am in Russia or China. I am aware you will find references that say things like "George" in English equals "Jorge" in Spanish. But, my name is not "Jorge." "Jorge" is pronounced as "Hore-Hay" in Spanish.

My mother did not name me "Hore-Hay" and never called me that.

When a name is transliterated/transcipted you will hear your name in your ear just as you always have regardless of which language is spoken. A foreigner will pronounce "Bill" as "Bill" and "Tom" as "Tom."

In any case, we find ourselves in the rather embarrassing position of calling the Saviour of the world by the wrong name. If your name is Jenny, its like having an acquaintance who always calls you Alice.

I can imagine that most of us have encountered someone who continued to call us by the wrong name. And when we do, it makes us feel a little awkward doesn't it? I know when it happened to me I felt irritated. I couldn't help but think this person didn't really know me or like me much since they didn't bother to get my name right.

Fortunately for us, the Saviour is gracious - much more than I am.

What do we do now that we know the truth? The same we do when we err in anything. We change our behavior, of course.

But you say you like the name of "Jesus." And you don't want to stop using it.

I understand. I felt the same way. It's hard to break old habits - even when we know they are incorrect. How many people still eat the wrong kinds of foods despite what the medical consequences are?

And I feel with you that you were saved under the name of Jesus and have grown to think of your Saviour fondly by that name.

When I was first convicted I should start using His correct name, I rebelled.

"His real name sounds fake," I would tell myself. "It doesn't really matter, He knows my heart."

Yes, He knows my heart - and yours - that it is rebellious and self willed.

When I finally came to that point of surrendering my will to His, I realized that His real name did matter. Otherwise, why did He put it in the original Scriptures (not man's recent translations) so many times?

Yahweh (G-d) has not given me the authority to change or disguise what the Scripture says. How about you?

After you read Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18,19 ask yourself if you are willing to take responsibility for changing or disguising (adding to or taking away from ) what the Scriptures really say?

Well, what about the name "Christ?"

Sorry, but that is not a name. It's a title which means "anointed."

Unfortunately, while it may sound glorifying to our Saviour, it's not really. You see, it's a Greek title, a title used to describe any and all of their many false gods.

OK, that leads to the obvious question, "What is His real Name?"

I thought you'd never ask.

We'll discuss that next time.