JFJ Forums

Attached is an article by Dwayna Litz, posted at Christian Worldview Network 10/11/2007 (scroll down a short way).  American Hebrew Cults  It gives some helpful detail on the growing problem of gentiles assuming a mantle of Hebrewness, actually redefining what is a Jew from that understood by both Jews who believe in Jesus and Jews who do not believe in Jesus and denying the triune God of scripture.

If any looking in have been approached by, engaged by, or given literature by some of these folks, I encourage you to read this article and review the links provided in order to be better prepared to resist this latest ploy of the enemy to adulterate the gospel, the identity of the Jews and the Church, and lead [silly women] away from the truth.  2 Timothy 3:5-7  "Take heed that no man deceive you," because this latest excursion into gospel territory is part of the last days perils about which our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who died on the Cross for our sins, has forewarned us.

Just an (personal) FYI~

I have not been approached by any of these groups, and never even heard of them. My study of Sabbath, Easter/Resurrection Day, and Christmas, are all biblically and extra-biblically based, and on my own, not directed by anyone other than God.

I am not making a case for becoming Jews if we are gentiles, and not making a case for salvation via adherance.

But, WADR, Baptistic, there are some things that we, the church universal need to discuss and repent from IMO. So, please don't throw the baby out with the bathwater based on the false teachings of these cults.

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Like this (from the article): "Constantine, they teach, is also responsible for the “pagan” holidays “Christians” celebrate such as Christmas, Easter/Resurrection Sunday, and birthdays. "

Christmas- not given in the Bible, and not shown to be celebrated by anyone in the Bible. The problem I have with it is that the omniscient, omnipresent Jolly Elf has superseded Christ, and greed has superseded "goodwill toward men". Many people, including Christians, go into debt until the following July to pay for Christmas gifts, and with interest. But Christmas in and of itself, even the customs that are said to have pagan roots, I don't have a problem with it. (Santa has never been allowed in my home though.)

Easter- The date that Christ was sacrificed on was UNQUESTIONABLY 14th of Nisan. So, Resurrection Sunday should be in accordance with that date. God gave it to us specifically, and when God tells us something specifically, I think it is for a reason. Add to that the FACT that by the very words of the changing it was to separate us from those "horrible, murderous Jews"...not for any biblical reasons. (And note that Polycarp contended for a 14th of Nisan observance because that's what his mentor, John, had done as well as ALL the apostles he had met.) Also note that the Apostles did not celebrate Resurrection on an annual date, but on every "departure of Sabbath", Saturday evening by Roman timekeeping (not Sunday). So, if we are going to pick a certain annual day to celebrate the Resurrection, it should be in complete alliance with 14th of Nisan, the REAL date it happened. And Good Friday goes without mention. (And the Easter Bunny has to go, for the same reason as Santa. It has been given God-like attributes, and that detracts from our worship of God, IMO. Not to mention confuses our kids. The Easter Bunny has never been allowed in my home either. Nor the Tooth Fairy, for that matter.)

-more coming-

-pt 3-

I don't really buy into the "paganry" aspect as far as the whole Mithra connection, or if we gather on Sunday we are really sun worshippers, etc. I know some do, but that's not my beef.

As for Sabbath, my contention is that God set it apart as holy on day 7, not on Sinai. He observed it as an example for all mankind. Just like marriage, sacrifice, and all other concepts set forth in Genesis that are foundational to our faith. Not as a means of salvation, but of loving God with all our being, as a RESULT of our faith, beginning with being obedient children.
With that said, reading the early pagan-Rome Sabbath laws as a result of the Jewish uprising following the destruction of the Temple, I can see how anti-Semitism could have influenced the church, either proactively (denouncing Israel), or reactively (wanting to gather without being persecuted with Jews). I think all of that should be looked at by all of us before diregarding Sabbath.

My beef is sticking to what God said, what Jesus taught, and what the Apostles did; not with what has been church doctrine/practice for 1900 years that can't be backed by scripture.

Just like the Reformers did, btw, so merely being a dissenter is not a sin, or even wrong. It is Rome who has excommunicated -cut off- those who did not follow their edicts. And that is something that can't go without mention either. 1500 years of practicing Roman traditions has taken it's toll. We haven't fully recovered, IMO.

Everything else in the article I agree with.

For what it is worth, I will, but do not have to read the article, you mention, because the above portion of your entry says it all for me.  I truly have a problem with giving any credability to any group who denies God's 'triune' being, like some groups we all know about, without mention.

We must, as you indicate, stay alert to the Anti-Christ teaching that is running more and more rampant.

In Messiah, Shalom.  Arley

Among the so-called "Hebrew"-American cults are professors of Black Liberation Theology and Black "Israelites" (i.e., Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)) and folks like Ripley's and Faith. Also, before you claim to be Jewish, know that you're Jewish or do some family research.

Then who are you to judge those who celebrate Christmas and Easter, especially when celebrating Shabbat on Sunday with a pure motive is kosher compared to trief motives in celebrating Shabbat on Sunday? (Mark 7:7-13, Acts 15, Romans 2, 14; Galatians 1-5, Colossians 2:16, Titus 1:14)

As a general response to these initial comments,

Although I do not get to read all the posts of everyone here at the forums, I do get a general sense of where they may differ from one another even when some camaraderie is exhibited.

This article is timely in that, here at JFJ forums, there is a sort of spiritual target practice going on, and who can resist? For here are Jews, who believe in Jesus; and hence are a magnet for every sort of Jewish and Christian denomination and offshoot, their respective groups setting forth conservative, moderate, or liberal to almost atheistic leanings.  And cults seem to thrive in any of these environments.

If you find you are more concerned about days, rituals, fleshly identity, puffing knowledge, and accusing the historical church, rather than about Jesus Christ and knowing Him, you may be involved in or are vulnerable to the influence of any number of cults today.  It is one thing to inquire into one’s ancestry; it is quite another to assume an identity by way of being deceived.  It is one thing to want to know more of the Jewish perspective of the scriptures; it is quite another to assume a Jewish perspective.

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation.  2 Corinthians 5:16-19  Those who are in Christ are giving out the word of reconciliation.  In Christ, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we walk in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ keeps on cleansing us from all sin.

Since you don't read my posts, I will disregard your comments.

Well Funny.
I don't have so much with the artical eather. And Ripley good replies thanks!!!

As an European living in Asia (Israel), I noticed a totally different American Hebrew thing...
(and than I might mean even some Jewish music that sounds like evangelicall music)...

To me in Europe it was allready proven that the American Messianic organisations tried to get a foothold in Europe with conferences in Holland... (quite an Dutch-Germanreformed country like the U.S.A.). In this U.S.A-Holland alliance wich for me was quite looking like a 60's movement, the protestant flowerpower-American thing came clear to me...
I also heard about Ukraine and other east European countries where American-Messianics where working harder.

The Traditional English, Spanisch and even over 100 year old MessianicJewish movements where overshadowed or even ignored by the American movements.
in Belgium and France partly the movement where sponsored by Finish protestants.

In Israel just every Christian Church can call themselves Messianic, for they do something Hebrew....

So for me Messianic Judaism today is a bunch of cultures, with no clear boundries. But a lot of them have a Calvinistic/American approach as a culture. That's what I might devine American-Hebrew cults.

For the rest: Why should Messianic Judaism have the name American in it? if it is Theology what is so American about keeping Shabbat as a Christian? In Europe during the Centuries some Christian Groups did that. The Celtic Churches in Turkey and England kept 14 Nissan till the latest in the 8th Century. Sounds European to me, instead of American?