Psalm 69:13 - But as for me, my prayer is to You, O YEHOWAH, at an acceptable time; O Elohim, in the greatness of Your loving

kindness, Answer me with Your saving truth.

The

CHAPTER 1

INTRO What did the early believers call themselves? What were their religious practices according to the Scriptures and history? Is what we know as Christianity today the religion that the Messiah created and practiced? In this study we will see what the early believers were called, what they called themselves and what they practiced. We will see what happened after the original apostles and disciples died. Amongst themselves, the first believers called each other by many things. Yeshuaa called his followers talmidim which is Hebrew for students or disciples (Mark 14:14). He also told his talmidim to go out and make the rest of the world talmidim also (Matthew 28:18-20). They were also called qadoshim which is Hebrew for saints (Romans 1:7, 8:27, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 2 Corinthians 1:1, and Ephesians 1:1). The word qadoshim means set-apart ones or holy ones. Even in the Tanakh (Old Testament) believers were called qadoshim (Psalm 16:3, 34:9, Daniel 7:18, 7:2127, Matthew 27:52). Men in the faith called each other akh: Hebrew for brother and women akhot: Hebrew for sisters (Acts 9:30-31, 1 Cor 7:15, 1 Tim 5:2). Followers of Yeshua also called each other believers (1 Timothy 6:2). These are all titles the original assembly called each other amongst themselves, but as a body what did they call themselves or what were they known as? This study will answer that question. In recent years people have begun to call themselves Messianic. This is done to separate themselves from the body of people who call themselves Christians. But like the title Christian, is the term Messianic historically and Scripturally accurate? We will see from Scripture and history exactly what the body of the Messiah was called! We will see what they practiced, what happen to them and where they are now. WHAT IS THE WAY? Didnt Jesus start Christianity and wasnt his disciples Christians? Lets begin our lesson in the book of Acts. Acts 9:1-2 Now Shaul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Master, went to the high priest, 2and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Notice Shaul (also known as Paul) equates the disciples of the Messiah with a group known as the Way. What is this Way and what is this Way called? Were they called Jews (as in Judaism), Buddhist, Islamic, Hinduist or any other ism? Were they called Christians or Messianic? We shall see. Acts 19:8-9 And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of Elohim. 9But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. Again we have the disciples equated with this group being called the Way. Acts 22:1-4 "Brethren and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to you." 2And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet; and he said, 3"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of

Yeshua (H3442 Mat 1:21): the Messiahs birth name. The longer form being Yehoshua which means YEHOWAH saves/helps (H3091).

our fathers, being zealous for Elohim just as you all are today. 4"I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, Paul said he persecuted this Way; well what is this Way called? Acts 24:1-5 After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought charges to the governor against Paul. 2After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, "Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, 3we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4"But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. 5"For we have found this man (Paul) a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. Acts 24:5 (Complete Jewish Bible - CJB) "We have found this man a pest. He is an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world and a ringleader of the sect of the Natzratim. The HRV uses Netzarim and the ISRs The Scriptures uses Natsarenes. Did you see that? This Way is known as the sect of the Nazarenes! Paul is even called a ringleader of this sect. Lets confirm this. Acts 24:22 But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." Notice Felix equates the Way with the sect of the Nazarenes! The Book of Acts shows that the original assembly was known as the Sect of the Nazarenes (in no way related to the modern day denomination). They were not the sect, according to Scripture, of the Christians, Messianic, etc! They were Nazarenes! The Apostles and disciples took on this name because this was a title the Messiah was designated by. The Messiah himself was a Nazarene. He was prophesied to be called Nazarene. Matthew 2:23 (NASB) and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: "He (the Messiah) shall be called a Nazarene." Mat 2:23 (CJB) and settled in a town called Natzeret, so that what had been spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he will be called a Natzrati. Mat 2:23 (The Scriptures) and came and dwelt in a city called Natsareth . thus to fill what was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Natsarene. THE MEANING OF THE TITLE NAZARENE Where in prophecy does it state the Messiah would be called a Nazarene? To get this answer we must first discover the meaning of the word Nazarene. According to the Lexicon and Strongs the word Nazarene (G3480) means one separated. Although this is a pretty good meaning, its not the complete meaning of the word. We must look at the etymology of the word. The section in green you are about to read is taken from an article called He Shall Be Called a Nazarene Proof of Catholic Tradition? Mat 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

This is a verse that Roman Catholics are likely to quote in an effort to support Tradition. Where is the Old Testament scripture that makes this prophecy?... they will ask. See! This confirms the validity of Tradition since this prophecy was NEVER recorded by the Old Testament! ...they will say. An ironclad example of Catholic Tradition in action? But it was ultimately recorded in scripture wasn't it? Matthew recorded it in his Gospel and that is sufficient to validate that there was a prophecy, and that it was fulfilled by Jesus. Try doing that with any Roman Catholic Traditions! But that is not allFrom Holman's Bible DictionaryNAZARETH, NAZARENE - Place name meaning, "branch." Nazareth did not enjoy a place of prominence until its association with Jesus. It does not appear in the Old Testament. Holman's Bible Dictionary for Windows, version 1.0g, copyright Parson's Technology, 1994. From Smith's Bible DictionaryNAZARENE - an inhabitant of Nazareth. This appellative is applied to Jesus in many passages in the New Testament. This name, made striking in so many ways, and which, if first given in scorn, was adopted and glorified in by the disciples, we are told in Matt. 2:23 possesses a prophetic significance. Its application to Jesus, in consequence of the providential arrangements by which his parents were led to take up their abode in Nazareth, was the filling out of the predictions in which the promised Messiah is described as a netser, i.e. a shoot, sprout, of Jesse, a humble and despised descendant of the decayed royal family. Once, Acts 24:5, the term Nazarene is applied to the followers of Jesus by way of contempt. The name still exists in Arabic as the ordinary designation of Christians. Dictionary of the Bible, by William Smith, L.L.D., published by Thomas Nelson Publishers, copyright 1986, ISBN 0-8407-3085-3. The word for Nazarene is thought to be derived from5342. netser, nay'-tser; from H5341 in the sense of greenness as a striking color; a shoot: fig. a descendant:--branch. Far from being a recent discovery, this apparent relationship between netser and Nazareth was proposed by Eusebius' (260-341 A.D.) Onomasticon and Jerome's (345-420 A.D.) Ad Marcellam, Epist. 46: From Jerome's Letter XLVI, PAULA AND EUSTOCHIUM TO MARCELLA, Paragraph 13: If only you will come, we shall go to see Nazareth, as its name denotes, the flower of Galilee. Ad Marcellam, Epistle 46 online at Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Wheaton college. So even early church fathers 1500 years ago were familiar with it. So the place name Nazareth means branch, isn't that interesting ... well note these prophetic verses-

Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: The same Hebrew word "netser" (H5342) that the word Nazarene is thought to be derived from, appears in the above verse and is translated "Branch". Jer 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jer 33:15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. Jer 33:16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. Zec 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. Zec 6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Each of the above verses is well recognized as a Messianic prophecy, with Jesus being the Branch in each case. I am sure Matthew was well aware of these scriptures, and the meaning of the name Nazareth, which made the association clear to Matthew. Can this be mere coincidence? In my personal opinion, no. It has every indication of a precise fulfillment of scripture. So who now wants to make a case for Tradition from Matthew 2:23 by doubting that the three different prophets and five different verses are the very ones that Matthew is referring to? Which is more likely, a precisely fulfilled and scriptural Old Testament prophecy, or Catholic Tradition? See also the first paragraph of the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia online article: Nazareth. So what does the Catholic Encyclopedia say:

Nazareth - The town of Galilee where the Blessed Virgin dwelt when the Archangel announced to her the Incarnation of the Word, and where Christ lived until the age of thirty years, unknown, and obedient to Mary and Joseph. In the manuscripts of the New Testament, the name occurs in a great orthographical variety, such as Nazaret, Nazareth, Nazara, Nazarat, and the like. In the time of Eusebius and St. Jerome (Onomasticon), its name was Nazara (in modern Arabic, en Nasirah), which therefore, seems to be the correct name; in the New Testament we find its derivatives written Nazarenos, or Nazoraios, but never Nazaretaios. The etymology of Nazara is neser, which means "a shoot". The Vulgate renders this word by flos, "flower", in the Prophecy of Isaias (11:1), which is applied to the Saviour. St. Jerome (Epist., xlvi, "Ad Marcellam") gives the same interpretation to the name of the town. www.newadvent.org/cathen/10725a.htm Lets examine this closer. The Greek transliteration

(Nazareinos, from

which the English "Nazarene" derived) of Neitzr ( ), which is the Hebrew term meaning "offshoot(s)", especially from the branches of an olive tree (instead referring to a wicker in Modern Hebrew). which appears in Isaiah chapters 11.1 and 60.21. This derivation is popular among some of the late 20th century's Messianic Jewish groups. According to Matthew 2:23 Yeshua was called Nazarene in prophecy.

, , ; . , -- , , . ,

Isaiah 11:1 Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, And a branch from his roots will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of YEHOWAH will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of YEHOWAH.

This prophecy in Isaiah 11:1 is a prophecy about the Messiah. If you accept Nazarene, or in Greek (Nazareinos), is a transliteration of the Hebrew term Netser, then the prophecy Matthew is talking about is easy to find. Matthew, in chapter 2 verse 23, refers to Isaiah 11:1, but not as a direct quote. The Hebrew Lexicon under entry #5342 states: 5342. netser n'tser masculine noun; sprout, shoot, branch (always fig.) KJV usage: AV branch 4 times. NAS Word Usage - Total:4 times, branch 3, descendants 1. Yeshua is called branch ( Netser). Branch or in Hebrew Netser is one of the prophetic titles of YAHs anointed! Also, notice Isaiah said a branch from his roots will bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1 Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, And a branch from his roots will bear fruit. Now notice what Yeshua states to his disciples. John 15:5 "I (Yeshua) am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. Notice how Yeshua calls his disciples branches. Those who follow Yeshua are his branches that bear fruit and those who follow them become branches that bear fruit.

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The plural of Netser is Netserim (branches)! Netserim brought over from the Greek into the English is Nazarenes. Yeshua is the Branch (Netser - Nazarene) and we are the Branches (Netserim - Nazarenes)! Now there are few ways to transliterate Nazarene in English from the Hebrew, the point is to get the phonetic sound. You may see Neitzr, Netser, Natzrati (CJB), Netzarim (HRV) or Natsarene (ISRs The Scriptures) but the English carried over from the Greek from the Hebrew is Nazarene. Now whether you choose to accept this meaning or not has no bearing on the FACT and TRUTH. The FACT and TRUTH of the matter is, Yeshua and the original assemble were known throughout history, from the beginning, as NAZARENES, named after the Master and Messiah himself!!! Continuing in our study, the Messiah was called Nazarene by the people. Mark 10:47 When he heard that it was Yeshua the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, "Yeshua, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Mark 14:67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Yeshua the Nazarene." John 19:19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, "YESHUA THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS." (read also Mark 14:67, Luke 24:19, John 18:7, Acts 6:14) Now in some older Bibles, such as the KJV, it may say Yeshua (Jesus) of Nazareth. This is an incorrect translation! More modern versions, such as the NASB, acknowledge this mistake and have made corrections. The Messiah called himself by this title. John 18:5 They answered Him, "Yeshua the Nazarene." He said to them, "I am He." And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. Acts 22:8 "And I answered, 'Who are You, Master?' And He said to me, 'I am Yeshua the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.' The Angels called the Messiah Nazarene. Mark 16:6 And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Yeshua the Nazarene, who has been crucified He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. The Apostles called Yeshua Nazarene. Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Yeshua the Nazarene, a man attested to you by Elohim with miracles and wonders and signs which Elohim performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know (read also Acts 3:6, 4:10) The early believers as a body were the Nazarenes, called after the one they followed! WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN? If the early assembly were known as the Nazarenes, then where does the title christian come from? Werent the followers of Messiah called christians? Lets look at the first time the word christian appears in our English Bibles.

Acts 11:26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch and for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. It is important to remember the disciples were first called christians in Antioch! The apostles and disciples did not call themselves christians anywhere in Scripture. The Messiah was never called a Christian and neither did he call his disciples christians. Antioch was a gentile providence. It was in Antioch where non-believing gentiles attached this name as a form of insult to Nazarenes. Religious resources confirm these facts. In Nelsons Compact Bible Commentary on Acts 11:26 it states: Originally, the church called themselves The Way. But later they began to refer to themselves as christians, despite the fact that the name most likely was originally used to ridicule the believers. We will see who started calling themselves christians as we continue in this study. Notice this resource states the name christian was a title of ridicule. Christians occurs in the New Testament only here as a nickname given by outsidersAntiochans were known for making fun of people, but Christians in the 2nd century decided to adopt the title with pride The IVP Bible Background Commentary To The New Testament, pg 354 on Acts 11:26. Again, the name christian is a derogatory nickname given by gentile outsiders. Christiansperhaps at first a term of reproach The New Oxford Annotated Bible commentary on Acts 11:26. The term Christian was probably applied to these disciples in Syrian Antioch by the citys non-christian population, possibly as a derogatory label The Archaeological Study Bible commentary on Acts 11:26. The Greek name, Christian, was first applied in Antioch, probably the earliest mission to non-Jews, and it is well known that Christian was originally used by non-Christians to designate believers among the Gentiles, while Nazarenes was already used in Palestine to describe Jewish adherents to the new messianic sect. Nazarene Jewish Christianity by Ray A. Pritz. The disciples, we are told, Acts 11:26, were first called Christians at Antioch on the Orontes, somewhere about A.D. 43. They were known to each other as, and were among themselves called, brethren, Acts 15:1, 23; 1 Cor 7:12; disciples, Acts 9:26, 11:29; believers, Acts 5:14; saints, Rom 8:27; 15:25. The name Christian, which in the only other cases where it appears in the New Testament, Acts 26:28, 1 Pet 4:16, is used contemptuously, could not have been applied by the early disciples to themselves, but was imposed upon them by the Gentile world. The Smith Bible Dictionary by William Smith, L.L.D. pg 116 under christian. Christianos, Christian: a word formally not after the Greek but after the Roman manner, denoting attachment to or adherents to Christ. Only occurs as used by others of them, not by Christians of themselves. Tacitus (A.D. 96) says (Annals 15, 44), The vulgar call them Christians. Ethelbert William Bullinger, A Critical Lexicon and Concordance of the English and Greek New Testament (1908), p. 152. "The name (Christian) given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch." Eastons Bible Dictionary. The title christian was never something that the original believers in Yeshua ever called themselves. It was used as an insulting slur by pagans to insult them.

As non-Jews began to dominate the assembly and the separation away from Torah began, the term christian became a way to distinguish the non-Jewish believers from the synagogue. The MRC Translation, TNN Press 2003. Commentary on Acts 11:26 pg. 143. Though the word rendered "were called" in Act 11:26 might be used of a name adopted by oneself or given by others, the "Christians" do not seem to have adopted it for themselves in the times of the Apostles. In 1 Pe 4:16, the Apostle is speaking from the point of view of the persecutor; cp. "as a thief," "as a murderer." Nor is it likely that the appellation was given by Jews. As applied by Gentiles there was no doubt an implication of scorn, as in Agrippa's statement in Act 26:28. Tacitus, writing near the end of the first century, says, "The vulgar call them Christians. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words Over and over again religious sources tell us this term christian did not originate from the apostles but was a derogatory name applied by gentile outsiders. Acts 28:22 "But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere." The Nazarenes were not just spoken against by unbelieving Hebrews but they were spoken against by gentiles also. The book of Acts just verified this. (Remember Acts is a record of the early assemblies acts and their teachings). The word christianos appears in the original text 3 times only. It is found in Acts 11:26, 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16-19 in the Greek. In all three cases the word has negative connotations. What does the term christian mean? We are often told the word christian means christ-like but this does not agree with the etymology of the name! The word translated christian in the English bible is the Greek word christianos - Strongs Greek entry #5546. Christianos is a compound of two Greek words. The first part is the word christi/christos (G5547) and it simply means anointed. The Lexicon verifies this:

Its derived from the Greek word chrio which means to smear or anoint. The second part is anos which is an abbreviation of the word anosios (G462) and it means unholy, impious, and wicked. The Lexicon also verifies this:

The term is found in the New Testament two times: 1 Tim 1:9 (translated unholy) and 2 Tim 3:2 (unholy). Anos or Anosios is further defined as "a" Strongs #G1 a negative particle: "hosios" Strongs #3741 pure, pious, sacred, holy, consecrated. Thus "anosios" means not pure, not pious, not sacred, not holy, and not consecrated. Now we can understand why this term was derogatory. It was a mock word used by gentiles. Saying christi-anos is like saying impure, wicked, unholy and unconsecrated anointing. The disciples were called christi-anos out of pure disrespect. If the intent of the title was defamation against Yeshua and his followers when this name was coined, it cannot therefore be made into a holy description by which believers should call themselves especially when this was not the name they originally called themselves.

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Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Christianos is the Greek word, but what about the English word christian, the word translated from the Greek word christianos. Lets look at what the word christian means. To find the true meaning of this word you must do some digging. If you look up the word christian this is what you will most likely get. Christian: 1. a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ, or in the religion based on the teachings of Jesus 2. a masculine name: dim. Chris; fem. Christina, Christine 4. [Informal] a decent, respectable person adj. 5. of Jesus Christ or his teachings 6. of or professing the religion based on these teachings 7. having the qualities demonstrated and taught by Jesus Christ, as love, kindness, humility, etc. 8. of or representing Christians or Christianity Websters New World Dictionary This definition does not tell you what the word christian actually means. Christians will have you think the word means to be Christ like. But as we have seen, the word christianos from which it was translated from was wicked from its start, so how can it be said the word christian is any better! Christ-like is not the real meaning of the word christian. Lets look at the real meaning of the word christian. If you look up the word cretin in any dictionary youll see a meaning similar to this. Cre-tin kre-tin n. chr=tien; lit., Christian, hence human being (in contrast to brutes) < LL(Ec) Christianus, CHRISTIAN: sense development as in SILLY. 1. a person suffering from cretinism 2. a very stupid or foolish person. Websters New World Dictionary Christian means a stupid or foolish person! This is where we get our word cretin from. So even in the English language the word now used to designate the so-called people of Christ is negative. The name christian did not originate from the apostles. The etymology of the name christian was not holy from its beginning! So if this term is so negative why is it being used by 83% of the U.S. population and 33% of the world population? How did this name come to be used? The name christian or more accurately christianos was brought into usage by the same person who created Christianity and no it was not the Messiah; he was a Nazarene as we read earlier! Christianity. The word does not occur in the Bible. Greek Chritianismos, Christianism, Christianity, was first used by Ignatius (Ad Magnes 10). The Zondervans Pictorial Bible Dictionary, pg. 162. So we see that Ignatius was the first person to use the phrase christianity. Why? Because he created the religion! Who was Ignatius? St. Ignatius of Antioch. Also called Theophorus (ho Theophoros); born in Syria, around the year 50; died at Rome between 98 and 117If we include St. Peter,

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Ignatius was the third Bishop of Antioch and the immediate successor of Evodius. New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. Ignatius of Antioch, Saint bishop of Antioch and one of the Apostolic Fathers of the Church. During the reign of the Roman emperor Trajan, Ignatius was condemned to be devoured by wild beasts. On his way from Antioch to Rome, where the execution was to take place, he wrote seven letters. Of these, five were addressed to the Christian communities of Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Philadelphia, and Smyrnacities in Asia Minor that had sent representatives to greet him as he passed through. The other letters were addressed to Polycarp (see Polycarp, Saint), the bishop of Smyrna, and to the Christian community of Rome. Polycarp, in a letter to the Philippians, expressed his assumption that Ignatius had suffered martyrdom in Rome, although he was not certain. Likewise, Eusebius of Caesarea could report only hearsay concerning the death of Ignatius. The letters of Ignatius are an important source of information about the beliefs and organization of the early Christian church. Ignatius wrote them as warnings against heretical doctrines, thus providing his readers with detailed summaries of Christian doctrine. He also gave a vivid picture of the church as a community organized in strict subordination to a presiding bishop assisted by a council of presbyters (elders) and deacons. He was the first Christian writer to stress the virgin birth and to use the term catholic church as a collective term for the faithful. Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2005 1993-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Remember, the believers were first called christianos in Antioch! Antioch, NOT Jerusalem is where Christianity (Also called the Universal/Catholic Church) started. Lets look at some sources on the city of Antioch. Antioch - I. ANTIOCH OF SYRIA. In Antioch the new Faith was preached to, and accepted by the Greeks with such success that Christianity received here its name, perhaps originally intended as a nickname by the witty Antiochenes - Acts 11:26. New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. It is Ignatius who told gentiles who had come to believe in the Messiah to take on this name. Look what Ignatius in his epistle to the Magnesian wrote: Therefore, having become His disciples, let us learn to live according to the principles of Christianity. For whosoever is called by any other name besides this, is not of GodLet us therefore prove ourselves worthy of that name which we have received. (Magnesians Chapter X.Beware of Judaizing) Ignatius acknowledges that this name was given to gentile believers, they didnt call themselves this at first. Now watch how Ignatius claims that the name christian was divinely inspired. For whosoever is called by any other name besides this, he is not of God; for he has not received the prophecy which speaks thus concerning us: The people shall be called by a new name, which the Lord shall name them, and shall be a holy people. This was first fulfilled in Syria; for the disciples were called Christians at Antioch, (Magnesians Chapter X.Beware of Judaizing) In this epistle Ignatius claims the name christian is of divine origin. If this is the case, why didnt the apostles and original disciples use this name to describe themselves? Why didnt Yeshua the Messiah call his people this? Not only is this doctrine not true, but as christians usually do, Ignatius has pull Scripture completely out of context. Lets examine the Scripture he claims speaks to this. Isaiah 62:2, "...and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of YEHOWAH shall name."

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Right here Christiandom will say Does not the word "Christian" fulfill this verse? First of all, it says the Father will call His people by this new name, NOT pagan gentiles! Second, this is talking about Jerusalem and by extension Israel. If you read this verse in context, and read two verses further, you will actually see what this "new name" is that the Most High will call them. Isaiah 62:4, "Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah..." The Hebrew Lexicon under entry H2657 states: 2657 Chephtsiy bahh khef-tsee'baw proper name fem. Definition Hephzi-bah = "my delight is in her" 1. the queen of King Hezekiah and mother of Manasseh 2. a name for Jerusalem (fig.) King James Word Usage - Total: 2 times: Hephzibah 2. Hephzibah means "my delight is in her" NOT christian! This is the "new name" referred to in verse 2. This is the context. It is not referring to the name "christian." What about 1 Peter 4:16; doesnt this prove we were christians? 1 Peter 4:16, Yet if any man suffer as a Christian (Gk. Christianos), let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify Elohim on this behalf. Keep in mind, this is the one and only place in the entire Bible this word is used by any man who is a follower of the Messiah. Secondly, Peter did not label the followers of Yeshua the Messiah "christians" in this passage. Read it again, very carefully. He said if any man suffer "as a christian." This is very important. The word as means "like or similar to," but it does not mean one is that word. Examples: Genesis 49:9, "...he couched as a lion," does not mean Judah was a lion when he couched! Exodus 15:5, "...they sank into the bottom as a stone," does not mean they were a stone when they sank. Matthew 17:20, "...If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed," does not mean faith is a mustard seed. And, therefore: 1 Peter 4:16, "Yet if any man suffer as a christian," does not mean believers are christians when they suffer. When someone is "as" something else, it does not mean one is that something. You see, the heathens/pagans are the ones who called the followers of the Messiah "christians" (Acts 11:26; 26:28). When Peter was referring to the title "Christian," it is in the context of suffering, and is in reference to the name being imposed upon believers by gentiles as a form of disrespect. Peter is encouraging believers not to let this derogatory name trouble them. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words also agrees with this understanding. the Christians do not seem to have adopted it for themselves in the times of the Apostles. In 1 Pe 4:16, the Apostle is speaking from the point of view of the persecutor; cp. "as a thief," "as a murderer." As we have already seen from Scripture the Messiah as well as the first assembly of believers were known as Nazarenes. Besides all these negative aspects attached to the title Christian, there is yet an even more unknown history to the title christian. If we dive deep back into Greek history we find some very disturbing news.

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After the death of Tutankhamun, however, a long process of change in the Osiris theology began, which resulted in the emergence of the cult of Serapis, whose followers could obtain the right to eternal life without the need for mummification if they confessed in the deity and went through an initiation ritual. It was Ptolemy I Soter (304-284 BC), who introduced Serapis. The Apis bull was sacred at Memphis, where the deceased APIs was known as Osiris-Apis, or "Oserapis," from which he derived the name of his new deity, "Serapis." Ptolemy built a temple for Serapis in Alexandria, where he placed a statue for the god: a man with curly hair, benign expression, and a long beard, in the same style used later for the representations of Christ in Coptic churches. So what does this have to do with the title christian? Lets continue to look at this pagan god known as Serapis who was created by the Greeks. The cult of Serapis was to have sweeping success throughout Greece and Asia Minor, especially in Rome, where it became the most popular religion. There was a Serapis temple in Rome as early as 105 BCSome early Christians made no distinction between Christ and Serapis and frequently worshipped both, while paintings of Isis with her son Horus became identified by early Christians as portraits of Mary with her son Jesus. CHRISTIAN ROOTS IN THE ALEXANDRIAN CULT OF SERAPIS by Ahmed Osman, a British Egyptologist born in Cairo. Wow, this is deep! Now, notice what followers of Serapis were called. Look what the Emperor Hadrian wrote to his elderly brother-in-law, Servianus in 134 CE, after a visit to Alexandria: The land of Egypt, the praises of which you have been recounting to me, my dear Servianus, I have found to be wholly light-minded, unstable, and blown about by every breath of rumour. There those who worship Serapis are, in fact, Christians, and those who call themselves bishops of Christ are, in fact, devotees of Serapis. Augustan History Whoa, did you see that? Those who served Serapis were called christians. This title Christian may have been strategically taken by the Gentiles to maintain some type connection to there pagan roots! Whatever the case may be, the true believers of the faith never called themselves by this title. They were NAZARENES!!!

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CHAPTER 2
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WHO WERE THE NAZARENES ACCORDING TO HISTORY Lets see what religious and secular sources have to say about the Nazarenes. Nazarene / nazrn/ n. 1. a native or inhabitant of Nazareth. (the Nazarene) Jesus Christ. (chiefly in Jewish or Muslim use) a Christian. 2 a member of an early sect or faction of Jewish Christians, esp. one in 4th-century Syria using an Aramaic version of the Gospels and observing much of the Jewish law.(The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English 2007, originally published by Oxford University Press 2007.) Naza`rene 5ME Nazaren < LL(Ec) Nazarenus < Gr(Ec) Nazarcnos, the Nazarene6 of Nazareth or its people or culture n. 1. a person born or living in Nazareth 2. a member of an early sect of Christians of Jewish origin who continued to observe much of the Mosaic law (Websters New World Dictionary) Nazarene n. 1. a. A native or inhabitant of Nazareth. b. Jesus 2. A member of a sect of early christians of Jewish origin who retained many of the prescribed Jewish observances (The American Heritage Dictionary, 2nd Edition.) Nazarenes (religion), in the New Testament, followers of Jesus Christ (see Acts 24:5). The earliest Christians were sometimes referred to as Nazarenes, particularly by their Jewish contemporaries. In later church history, the term was applied to a sect of Jewish Christians of the 4th century who observed Jewish ritual, including circumcision, the Sabbath, and the dietary laws. (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2005 1993-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.) Sect of primitive Christianity; it appears to have embraced all those Christians who had been born Jews and who neither would nor could give up their Jewish mode of life. They were probably the descendants of the Judo-Christians who

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had fled to Pella before Titus destroyed Jerusalem; afterward most of them, like the Essenes in former times, with whom they had some characteristics in common, lived in the waste lands around the Dead Sea, and hence remained out of touch with the rest of Christendom. (Jewish Encyclopedia 2002, pg. 194 under Nazarene) As you will see, the Nazarenes were not a Jewish-Christian sect because for 1: Christianity did not exist at the time this sect started and for 2: Nazarenes theology was not the same as the sect of the Christians which we will see from the church fathers own admission! We will also see which sect continued to carry on the teachings of Yeshua, his apostles and disciples. The original followers of Yeshua were a sect of Judaism known as Nazarenes. (Nazarene Jewish Manifesto Second Edition by James Scott Trimm, pg. 5) Thus a new Jewish sect arose known as the Nazarenes under the leadership of....James, based on the belief in Jesus continued Messiahship. The Pharisees did not regard this sect as heretical. Indeed, the Nazarenes were regarded as being within the Pharisee party (Revolution in Judea, p168) The clearest picture we have of the actual faith and practices of the early Jewish believers comes from the book of Acts. A brief perusal of the book of Acts confirms that the early believers in Messiah understood that the Torah had not been abrogated. Furthermore, their faith and practices were consistent with one based on the Torah-submissive lifestyle modeled and taught by Yeshua in Matthew 5:17-20. This lifestyle was firmly rooted in the foundation of the Torah. The book of Acts informs us that there were tens of thousands of Jewish believers in the Messiah (Acts 5:14; 21:20; 22:12) who zealously kept the Torah commandments of Moses. These early Jewish believers met regularly in synagogues (Acts 9:2; 22;19), on the Sabbath (Acts 13:5; 17:1-4), celebrated the feasts (Acts 2; 18:21; 20:6, 16; 24:11; 27:9) and by their own sworn testimony confessed that they kept the Torah of Moses (Acts 24:14; 25:8; 28:17) even as Yeshua taught they should. These Torah-submissive Jewish believers, who were called Nazarenes (Acts 24:5), (Re-Examining Church History - Seeds of Separation Part II By Tony Robinson) And these so-called Judaizing Christians were none other than the Nazarenes mentioned by Cardinal Humbert... the true Israel of God, who, amid all the persecution through which they had passed, bore the reproach of Christ more than any other Christian party, wandering about as pilgrims and strangers to preach the faith of Jesus and the commandments of God. (Andrews and Conradi, History of the Sabbath, p. 547.) There emerges from our considerations an entity, a viable entity of Law-keeping Christians of Jewish background. These were direct descendants of the first Jewish believers in Jesus. They survived the destruction of Jerusalem in part because they fled successfully to Pella of the Decapolis, and in part because they had roots also in Galilee. These Jewish Christians were called Nazarenes after Jesus, and probably received the title on the basis of early Christian interpretation of certain Old Testament passages (e.g. Isa. 11:1) as referring to the Messiah and specifically to Jesus himself. (Nazarene Jewish Christianity by Ray A. Pritz, pg. 108) Actually, the name "Nazarene(s)" only occurs about a dozen times in Talmudic literature. In all but two of these instances it refers to "Yeshua the Nazarene." Half of these passages were censored in the Middle Ages, either by Christian censors or Jewish editors for fear of them. The censored passages were restored to the Talmud by R.N.N. Rabbinovicz from older MSS. From references to the early Nazarenes from various sources we have learned a number of vitally important things about them. For example, we have discovered that they: 1.Used both Old

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and New Testaments. 2. Believed in the resurrection of the dead. 3. Had a good knowledge of Hebrew and read the Old Testament and at least one gospel in that language. 4. Believed God is the creator of all things. 5. Believed in one God [YHWH] and His son Yeshua the Messiah. 6. Observed the Law of Moses. 7. Had a high respect for the writings of the apostle Paul. (The Early Nazarene Christians and Rabbinic Judaism) As these religious and secular sources confirms, the Nazarenes were a Hebraic sect, NOT a sect of christians! All the secular sources we have viewed thus far, show that the Nazarenes started in Israel as shown in the book of Acts, that they held the belief that Yeshua was the Messiah and that the Law (Torah/Code Of Ethics) of YAH were still to be observed and were still being observed! Christians and Nazarenes are not one in the same! Lets see what the church fathers had to say about the Nazarenes. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH FATHERS ON THE NAZARENES One of the main Catholic Church Fathers who wrote about the Nazarenes was Epiphanius. He lived and wrote in the fourth century CE, more than three hundred years after the Messiah walked this earth. Epiphanius was one of the point men responsible for the official Roman Catholic Church dogma. He writes: They did not give themselves the name of Christ, or that of Jesus, but they called themselves Nazarenes, All Christians were called Nazarenes once Notice Epiphanius says the Nazarenes called themselves this! He goes on to say all believers were known as Nazarenes in the beginning! For a short time they were also given the name Iessaians, before the disciples in Antioch began to be called Christiansthey gave themselves this name calling themselves Nazarenes...However everyone called the Christians Nazarenes, as I said before. This appears from the accusation against Paul which was as follows: We discovered that this man is a pest, somebody disturbing the people, the leader of the heresy of the Nazarenes [Acts 24:5]. [6:3] The holy apostle did not deny this name although he was not a follower of their heresy Notice how Epiphanius tries to mislead readers when he insert his own word heresy in Acts 24:5 where it originally read sect. Then he goes on to say that although Paul accepted this name he was not a part of the heresy, implying Paul was separate from the Nazarenes. Sounds like what the church does today. Complete folly! but he gladly accepted the name which was inspired by the malice of his opponents because it had been borne by Christ. [6:4] For he said at the tribunal: They did not find me in the temple speaking with somebody or causing a riot. Nothing of what I am accused of did I do. I admit to you that I serve God in that way which they call a heresy [originally said sect not heresy], believing everything which is in the Law and the Prophets. [6:5]For it is no wonder that the Apostle admitted he was a Nazarene because everybody called Christians with that name at that time, because of the city of Nazareth and because at that time there was no other name in use. Epiphanius admits that the original apostles and disciples were known as Nazarenes AND NOTHING ELSE! Therefore persons were called Nazarenes who came to believe in Christ, of whom it is written that he will be called a Nazarene [Matt. 2:23].These heresies, just mentioned, of which we here are giving a brief sketch, passing over the name of Jesus, did not call themselves Iessaians and did not keep the name

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Jews; they did not call themselves Christians, but Nazarenes, taking this name from the place Nazareth. But actually they remained wholly Jewish and nothing else. [7,2] For they use not only the New Testament but also the Old, like the Jews. This passage speaks for it self. The Nazarenes did not use the name Jesus nor did they call themselves Iessians or christians but Nazarenes! He also states the Nazarenes kept their Hebraic roots. They are not all mindful of other things but live according to the preaching of the Law as among Jews: there is no fault to find with them apart from the fact that they have come to believe in Christ. [7,3] For they also accept the resurrection of the dead and that everything has its origin in God. They proclaim one God and his Son Jesus Christ. The Nazarenes not only kept the Torah they also accepted Yeshua (here called jesus) as the Messiah (here called Christ). They proclaimed one Almighty Power and his son Yeshua the Messiah! This is exactly what the Scriptures say true believers should believe; this is the exact teachings of the original assembly as we will see. [7,4] They have a good mastery of the Hebrew language. For the entire Law and the Prophets and what is called the Scriptures, I mention the poetical books, Kings, Chronicles and Esther and all the others, are read by them in Hebrew as is the case with the Jews, of course. [7,5] Only in this respect they differ from the Jews and Christians: with the Jews they do not agree because of their belief in Christ, with the Christians because they are trained in the Law, in circumcision, the Sabbath and the other things Look at what is being said about this group known as the Nazarenes. They are in complete compliance with Scriptures. And, they like the assembly from whence they came, are not only spoken against by the anti-Messiah Hebrews but they are also spoken against by the Christians! For from there it took its beginning after the exodus from Jerusalem when all the disciples went to live in Pella because Christ had told them to leave Jerusalem and to go away since it would undergo a siege These Nazarenes are descended directly from the original assembly as attested to by this Catholic Church Fathers own admission! For they are rather Jews and nothing else. [9,2] However, they are very much hated by the Jews. For they are more hostile against them because they proclaim as Jews that Jesus is the Christ, which runs counter to those who still are Jews who did not accept Jesus. {9,4] They have the entire Gospel of Mathew in Hebrew. It is carefully preserved by them in Hebrew letters, as I wrote in the beginning. (Against Heresies, Panarion 29) Epiphanius tells us that the Nazarenes differed from what he considered True Christianity because they continued to practice Jewish rites such as the circumcision, the Sabbath, and others. He also states that not only did the Nazarenes read the Gospel of Matthew in Hebrew (which has made it to our time in the Shem-Tob Gospel of Mathew) but that it was also originally written in Hebrew contrary to popular belief. Epiphanius clearly shows that the Nazarenes and the Christians were two Separate Groups. He also shows that the Nazarenes differed from the orthodox Hebrews because they accepted Yeshua as the promised Messiah! Lets continue with more church fathers writings on the Nazarenes. In the 4th century Jerome refers to the Nazarenes as those "...who accept Messiah in such a way that they do not cease to observe the old Law." (Jerome; On. Isaiah 8:14)

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Jerome further states: "What shall I say of the Ebionites who pretend to be Christians? Today there still exists among the Jews in all the synagogues of the East a heresy which is called that of the Minans, and which is still condemned by the Pharisees; [its followers] are ordinarily called 'Nazarenes'; they believe that Christ, the son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary, and they hold him to be the one who suffered under Pontius Pilate and ascended to heaven, and in whom we also believe. But while they pretend to be both Jews and Christians, they are neither." ("Ep. lxxxix. ad Augustinum"). Jerome uses 2 terms in this passage that should be define. The first is the term ebionite. Ebionites (in Greek: Ebionaioi from Hebrew: Ebyonim) means "the Poor Ones." There were 2 groups that were called by this name; one of which were the Nazarenes. The term "Minans," which Jerome applies to the Nazarenes, initiates with the prefix "min." The word is frequently used in rabbinical literature to designate heretics, chiefly those still following Hebraic customs but claim the Messiah. Jerome also points out that the Nazarenes were neither christians nor Jews! There has always been a remnant of true believers throughout the ages. Evidence shows that the Nazarene Sect continued to exist. In the 13th century the catholic writings of Bonacursus entitled 'Against the Heretics', refers to the Nazarenes, who were also called 'Pasagini'. They were called Pasaginians by the Italians from the Latin word passagium, meaning passage, because of their wandering, unsettled life. Bonacursus says: Let those who are not yet acquainted with them, please note how perverse their belief and doctrine are. First, they teach that we should obey the Law of Moses according to the letter; the Sabbath, the circumcision, and the legal precepts still being in force. They also teach that Christ the Son of God, is not equal with God (John 14:28). Furthermore, to increase their error, they condemn and reject all the Church Fathers, and the whole Roman Church. (Bonacurcus, Against the Heretics, 13th C) Gregorius of Bergamo, about 1250 CE, also wrote concerning the Nazarenes (Pasagini): There still remains the sect of the Pasagini. They teach...that the Old Testament festivals are to be observed circumcision, distinction of foods, and in nearly all other matters, save the sacrifices. The Old Testament is to be observed as literally as the New; circumcision is to be kept according to the letter. This falls right in line with what the epistles teach about the New Covenant believers known as the Nazarenes; that the Ceremonial system was nullified by Yeshuas death. The Torah (Law/Code of Ethics/Instructions) of YAH however still stand!

THE LAW & THE MESSIAH Lets now look at what the Bible has to say about the first New Covenant Assembly. We will examine and see if Nazarenes or Christians are the historical continuation of the first believers. First, we must establish some things. When the New Testament (NT) speaks of the Commandments/Laws of Elohim (God), its talking about the commandments found within the first five books of the Bible called the Torah. This is the only place where the Most High gives His will for mankind as to how we should love Him and how we should love man. Nowhere in the NT is there a place where it

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says thus says YEHOWAH and a new set of Laws/Commandments are given. When Yeshua taught, He only spoke what the Father had already established; he did the Fathers will only, not his own (Matthew 4:4, 26:39-42, John 5:30, 6:38, 8:28, 12:49, 14:10)! John 7:16 So Yeshua answered them and said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. Yeshua did not come with some new religion called Christianity; he did not come teaching something new but came teaching the doctrines the Most High already established. He could not speak otherwise: All those who claim to walk in the light must speak according to the Torah and the Testimony (the Prophets)! Isaiah 8:16,20 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples20To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. The Fathers Law applies to all men, NOT JUST THE HEBREWS! His Law applied to the ancients as well as the people alive today. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear Elohim and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14For Elohim will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. The Most High says his Law will endure and will be written on our heart. Jeremiah 31:31-33 "Behold, days are coming," declares YAH, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 32not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares YAH. 33"But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares YAH, "I will put My Law (Torah) within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people. This prophecy speaks of a New Covenant, NOT a new law or even an abolished Law. Even in the New Covenant the Most High will have us obeying His already established Law (Torah/code of ethics)! Ezekiel 36:26-28 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27"I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. The Most High will empower us to help us obey and walk in His Law! Lets see if the apostles and the Messiah stated anything different. 1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. Romans 3:20 for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET." Here we see both John and Paul defining sin as breaking YAHs Law. Remember, both John and Paul are Nazarenes! The Nazarenes kept the torah and believed Yeshua was the Messiah. This is clearly shown from all the historical sources we have read thus

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far. The Nazarenes were not just a body of Hebrews, but Gentiles were also a part of this body in the beginning. Gentiles who came to believe in Yeshua also kept YAHs code of ethics known as the Torah, but were not required to be circumcised. Paul teaches this to the congregation at Corinth. 1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of Elohim. Paul says, before King Agrippa that he was sent to the Gentiles to teach them that they should repent and turn to Elohim, performing deeds appropriate to repentance Acts 26:20. While the Jewish Christians of Palestine retained the entire Mosaic law, and consequently the Jewish festivals, the Gentile Christians observed also the Sabbath and the Passover (1 Cor. 5:5-8) with reference to the last scenes of Jesus life, but without Jewish superstition. Gal. 4:10, Col. 2:16. Gieselers Church History, vol. I, chap. 2, par. 30, p. 93 - New York, 1857. James the brother of the Master and the apostles continued to promote Torah/Law observance under the New Covenant. Acts 21:17-24 After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which Elohim had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20And when they heard it they began glorifying Elohim; and they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; See how the original assembly had faith and also continued to observe the Law? This is echoed throughout the epistles of the NT! 21and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. Rumors were being spread about Paul that he was teaching Hebrews as well as Gentiles to forsake Moses (Moses represents the Torah). Paul was not teaching Hebrew to forsake Moses or not to circumcise. He taught the Gentiles that they did not need to be circumcised to be considered part of the body of the Messiah. He did, however teach them obedience to YAHs Law that pertained to them within Torah! False lies were being told on Paul; These same lies are being promoted even today, almost two thousand years later by the church. Lets see how James and the elders of the original assembly handled this. 22"What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23"Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law. In others words this will stop the false accusations being spread about Paul and show he himself was still a keeper of the Law. If the Law is no more, why would James make this type of decision and why is he still endorsing Law keeping? Lets see what Paul the apostle to the Gentiles, the one whom the christians say said we no longer have to keep the law, has to say. In Acts 28:17, Paul states when speaking to the Hebrews:

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"Men and Brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers" echoing similar words he stated before Festus in Acts 25:8; "Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple . . . have I offended any thing at all." To Greek word translated offend (hamartano - entry #264) means to break or violate a law! Paul from his own words stated he hasnt broken the Law of the Hebrew. Acts 24:14 "But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect (the sect of the Nazarenes Acts 24:1-5) I do serve the Elohim of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; Romans 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before Elohim, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Romans 3:31 Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. Romans 1:29-32 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of Elohim, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of Elohim, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Look at what Paul equates as unrighteousness. All these acts are violations of the Fathers code of ethics (Torah). Paul even says these actions are worthy of death. 1 Cor 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of Elohim? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of Elohim. All these unrighteous acts are transgressions of the code of ethics (Torah/Law) of YAH. Paul says those who commit these acts will not inherit the Kingdom of Elohim! You can have all the grace, faith and belief in Yeshua you want, if you are a practitioner of these acts you will not inherit the kingdom of Elohim! Ephesians 5:5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Messiah and Elohim. Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of Elohim. Over and over again Paul is telling you that Law breakers will not inherit the Kingdom of YAH. Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Yeshua the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins... Peter teaches that we must repent (turn from wickedness) and accept Yeshua through baptism to receive forgiveness of sin. This is in perfect alignment to what we have come to learn about the Nazarenes.

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James 2:8-11 If, however, you are fulfilling (fulfilling means to carry out as we will read later) the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well. 9But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. 11For He who said, "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY," also said, "DO NOT COMMIT MURDER." Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. James clearly states one can not pick and chose which part of the Law of YAH he wants to keep. You cant say I dont commit murder, but then willingly break the Sabbath and still be considered righteous in the sight of YAH. Notice also James is still promoting Law keeping just as we saw in the book of Acts (Acts 21:17-24). James 5:19-20 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James confirms that straying from the law is sin. How can I say this? Remember, sin is transgression of the law 1 John 3:4. James equates straying from the truth sin (transgressing the Law). According to Scripture, YAHs Law/Commandments are the TRUTH - Psalm 119:142, 151,160. So to stray from YAHs Law is to stray away from the truth and therefore sin! 1 John 2:6 the one who says he abides in him (the Messiah) ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. Yeshua was a Torah observant. We are to walk as he walked! 1 John 3:4-9 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 5You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. 6No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. 7Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of Elohim appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 9No one who is born of Elohim practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of Elohim. 1 John 3:21-22 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before Elohim; 22and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. This fall in accords to what Scripture has said beforehand. Proverbs 28:9 He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination. John is not teaching anything new, he is simply teaching what has already been established! All the apostles based their teachings on what was already established! 1 John 5:1-4 Whoever believes that Yeshua is the Messiah is born of Elohim, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2By this we know that we love the children of Elohim, when we love Elohim and observe His commandments. 3For this is the love of Elohim, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4For whatever is born of Elohim overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.

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Contrary to the teaching that Law of Elohim is a burden and therefore had to be removed, the Scriptures speak otherwise. John says the commandments are not burdensome. Look at how John defined the faith. He defines THE FAITH as keeping the commandments of YEHOWAH and believing Yeshua is the Messiah. This is the TRUE FAITH; THIS IS THE FAITH OF A NAZARENE! Revelation 12:17 So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of Elohim and hold to the testimony of Yeshua. Revelation 14:12 Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of Elohim and their faith in Yeshua. These are the teachings of Nazarenes! Read the entire book of Acts and you will see how the early assembly carried themselves. Let see what the Master of our faith has to say. Matthew 19:16-17 And someone came to him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" 17And he said to him, "Why are you asking me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments Verses 18 through 19 confirms that the commandments being spoken of are the ones found in the Torah, NOT some new body of commandments called the law of christ some are promoting. 20The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?" 21Yeshua said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." Yeshua just told us what it takes to be a disciple of his. We must keep the commandments of Elohim and we must follow him. Again, this is our faith: keep the commandments of Elohim and believe in the Messiah. Matthew 13:52 And Yeshua said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old." Yeshua says a true disciple uses both the old and new! Yet, christians say the old is abolished or null and void. Yeshua out of his own mouth said he did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets (OT); he said dont even think it! Matthew 5:17-20 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18"For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19"Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20"For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Yeshua says not to even think he came to destroy the law or prophets yet, you have religious leaders not only thinking it, but believing it and teaching it. Yeshua said those who teach others not to keep the commandments are in trouble! What does the word fulfill mean in this verse. The word used for fulfill in Mat 5:17 is the Greek word pleroo (Strongs Lexicon #4137) and it means to perform, execute,

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to carry through to the end, to accomplish, carry out, obey! For instance, if you told your child to do something and they did it, then they have just "fulfilled" or obeyed what you said. Here is an instance of Yeshua fulfilling something: Matthew 3:13-16 Then Yeshua arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 14But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15But Yeshua answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him. 16After being baptized, Yeshua came up immediately from the water Let me ask you, has all righteousness or baptism ceased because Yeshua fulfilled them? No! If we use the christian understanding of the word fulfill then righteousness and baptism should have ceased after Yeshua was baptized, yet righteousness and baptism still exist! Matthew 8:16-17 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. 17This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES." In each verse the Greek word pleroo (fulfill) was used to mean carry out, obey or accomplish. You see, Yeshua fulfilled or "obeyed" the scripture that was speaking of Him. He also obeyed the Law in order to be righteous. We should do likewise. Verse 18 is very clear and up front about the Law! As long as the earth and heaven are still here so too is the Law. Until everything written in Scriptures has come to pass not one letter or stroke shall pass from the Law! There is clearly more to come in prophecy that has not yet happen. If Paul is speaking contrary to Yeshua then he is a false apostle. 19"Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20"For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Yeshua goes on to say that those who dont surpass the Pharisees in righteousness they will not enter the Kingdom. The Pharisees kept their traditions and ignored the commandments of YAH (Mark 7:5-9, Matthew 15:2-9). Does this sound like any religious body we know today? Christian leaders are the first to say we are not under law, but hold fast to traditions that neither came from YAH or Yeshua. These same leaders will say we dont have to obey the Old Testament but draw from the OT and say pay your tithes (a law found only in the OT!); what hypocrisy! Mat 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, Master, Master! will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, only those who do what my Father in heaven wants. 22 On that day, many will say to me, Master, Master! Didnt we prophesy in your name? Didnt we expel demons in your name? Didnt we perform many miracles in your name? 23 Then I will tell them to their faces, I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness! Who will Yeshua be telling to get away from him? Will it be biblical Nazarenes? No, because they keep the commandments of Elohim as we have seen from the bible and history plus they hold to the testimony of the Messiah. Will it be christians? You tell me; most christians not only do not acknowledge the law of Elohim (lawlessness), they even teach that these very Laws are now abolished (again lawlessness). Revelation 20:11-13 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for

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them. 12And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened (what books were opened?); and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. According to Christian doctrine we will not be judge on our works but this is not what the bible says. The verses we just read falls right in line with the rest of the bible. Romans 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before Elohim, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear Elohim and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14For Elohim will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

CHAPTER 3

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SO WHAT HAPPENED? So what happened? We clearly have just seen from Scripture, the original sect of believers known as the Nazarenes were Torah observant believers in Yeshua - even Paul! What happen is racism against the Hebrews and paganism. The Nazarenes came under attack from all sides after the death of the Apostles. Even before the apostles were dead attacks began. Acts 28:22 "But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere." Early in the second century, the Nazarenes Jews became subjected to a number of religious and political events. (A History of Anti-Semitism by Luana Fabri) The biggest problem however did not come from the outside but from the inside! The Messiah as well as the apostles over and over again warned false teachers would enter the assembly and lead people away from the truth. Matthew 24:10-11 "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11"Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Matthew 7:14-16 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. 15"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 2 Peter 2:1-3 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3and in their greed they will exploit you with false

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words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from Elohim, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2By this you know the Spirit of Elohim: every spirit that confesses that Yeshua Messiah has come in the flesh is from Elohim; 3and every spirit that does not confess Yeshua is not from Elohim; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. Lets reexamine the history of the assembly of Antioch. Antioch, NOT Jerusalem is where Christianity started. Antioch - I. ANTIOCH OF SYRIA. In Antioch the new Faith was preached to, and accepted by the Greeks with such success that Christianity received here its name, perhaps originally intended as a nickname by the witty Antiochenes - Acts 11:26. - Source New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. Catholics, as we have just seen in their encyclopedia, will be the first to tell you that Christianity did not get its name in Jerusalem but in Antioch. founded near the end of the 4th century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals. Antioch eventually rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the nearer East and was a cradle of gentile Christianity. It was one of the four cities of the Syrian tetrapolis. - Wikepedia Online Encyclopedia. It is in Antioch where Christianity was first created by Ignatius. Paul constantly warned the assemblies he was overseer of that false teachers would arise after his death. Look what he told the Ephesians: I know that after I am gone fierce wolves will enter in among you without mercy upon the flock. And also from among you there will rise up men speaking perverse things, so that they might turn away the disciples to follow after them. (Acts 20:29-30) Paul said when he died false teacher would assume leadership and lead the disciples away from the truth in order to follow them. The Messiah as well as the apostles said the same thing. The last recorded writing from any apostle was from the apostle John between 81-96 C.E. Not shortly after the last apostle was heard from did false teachers arise. In 98 C.E. a man named Ignatius took over the overseer/bishop role of Antioch. ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH Many people have been led to believe that Constantine was responsible for the corruption of the church. Constantine did play an important part in the corruption of the church as we will see later, but he was not the first. It began with Ignatius of Antioch. It is he who declared the Law to be no more, said we should keep sunday instead of the Sabbath and founded a new nonHebraic religion which he named "Christianity." Ignatius is the one who began pulling the gentiles away from the true

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faith delivered to them by the apostles after their death. He was one of the first to teach anti-Hebraic concepts! Upon taking the office of Bishop over Antioch Ignatius sent out a series of epistles to other assemblies. His letters to the Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallianns, Romans, Philadelphians and Smyrnaeans as well as a personal letter to Polycarp overseer of Smyrnaea have survived to us. Ignatius was very arrogant and full of himself. In his letters he places a lot of emphasis on people obeying their bishops without question. He asserts the absolute authority of the office of bishop (mainly himself) over the assembly. All one has to do is read his epistle he wrote. Ignatius writes: being subject to your bishoprun together according to the will of God. Jesus is sent by the will of the Father; As the bishops are by the will of Jesus Christ. (Eph. 1:9,11)your bishopI think you happy who are so joined to him, as the church is to Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ is to the FatherLet us take heed therefore, that we not set ourselves against the bishop, that we may be subject to God.We ought to look upon the bishop, even as we would upon the Lord himself. (Eph. 2:1-4) obey your bishop (Mag. 1:7)Your bishop presiding in the place of Godbe you united to your bishop (Mag. 2:5,7) hethat does anything without the bishopis not pure in his conscience (Tral. 2:5) Do nothing without the bishop. (Phil. 2:14) See that you all follow your bishop, As Jesus Christ, the Father (Smy. 3:1) By exalting the power of the office of bishop (overseer) and demanding the absolute authority of the bishop over the assembly, Ignatius made it so that he had absolute authority over the assemblies without question. He also encourages other Gentile overseers to follow suit. Moreover Ignatius drew men away from Law of the Most High, not only at Antioch but at other Gentile assemblies to which he wrote. This was the beginning of Christianity as we know it. The name christianos (christian) and the religion Christianity were both promoted and propagated by Ignatius to separate the Gentile believers from the Hebrews and Gentiles converts who continued to practice the Nazarene faith. Be not deceived with strange doctrines, nor with old fables, which are unprofitable. For if we still live according to the Jewish law, we acknowledge that we have not received grace. (Magnesians Chapter VIII.Caution against false doctrines.) Does this teaching sound familiar? Not only do these words penned by Ignatius show the assemblies were still keeping the Law, but it also shows Ignatius was pulling people away from keeping the very Laws the Messiah and original apostles kept and endorsed as we read previously. This epistle shows that Ignatius was trying to remove people from Nazarene doctrine. Obviously Ignatius has no understanding of Law and Grace. Grace does not remove a person from living according to YAHs codes of ethics (TORAH). We are under grace, but that grace is the blood of Yeshua. This grace is not a license to sin. Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?...What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! (Again, what is sin - 1 John 3:4, Romans 7:7?) Jude 1:4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the

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grace of our Elohim into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Yeshua the Messiah. Jude says that even in his time, unrighteous persons (similar to Ignatius) crept into the assembly and turn the grace of YAH into licentiousness. What does licentiousness mean? li-cen-tious adj. 5L licentiosus < licentia: see LICENSE6 1. [Rare] disregarding accepted rules and standards 2. morally unrestrained, esp. in sexual activity; lascivious li[cen$[tiously adv. li[cen$[tious[ness n. - Websters New World Dictionary) Here Jude tells you that it is the unrighteous who uses YAHs grace as a reason to be morally unrestrained disregarding the Most Highs standard which according to Scriptures is the Torah. Hebrews 10:26-32 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth (again what is truth? - Psalm 119:142,151,160), there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins If we continue to sin (break YAHs Law - 1 John 3:4, Romans 7:7) we are no longer covered by the sacrifice of Yeshua! Lets continue on. If, therefore, those who were brought up in the ancient order of things have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lords DayLet us therefore no longer keep the Sabbath after the Jewish manner Did you see that? Ignatius is telling his assemblies to stop keeping the Sabbath and instead keep sunday, which he calls the lords day. So Constantine was not the first to endorse sunday worship! and rejoice in days of idleness; for he that does not work, let him not eat But let every one of you keep the Sabbath after a spiritual manner, rejoicing in meditation on the law How does one keep the Sabbath spiritually? To break any law in the physical is to break it spiritually and vice versa. One cannot break any commandment in the physical and say but I keep it in the spirit. For instance, to commit adultery physically is sin and to think about doing it is sin. To break the Sabbath physically without doing so spiritually is still sin. Please, please read all of Matthew Chapter 5 (especially verses 21-22, 27-28) and Chapter 6! What Law is he talking about meditating on since he believes we should no longer keep the Jewish law as he calls it? There was only one body of Laws ever given by the Most High that shows man how to live and they were not just for the Hebrews but for all mankind! not in relaxation of the body, admiring the workmanship of God, and not eating things prepared the day before, nor using lukewarm drinks, and walking within a prescribed space, nor finding delight in dancing and plaudits which have no sense in them Where is Ignatius getting these commandments from? The Law of YAH says nothing about eating things prepared the day before, nor using lukewarm drinks, and walking within a prescribed space, nor finding delight in dancing and plaudits. The Law says nothing like this! Ignatius is clearly confused; he is mixing the Law of YAH with the precepts of men known as the Oral (Rabbinical) Law. And after the observance of the Sabbath, let every friend of Christ keep the Lords Day as a festival, the resurrection-day, the queen and chief of all the days [of the week]. (Magnesians Chapter IX.Let us live with Christ.)

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Ignatius neither has the permission or authority from YAH, the Messiah or the apostles to sanctify a day. Only the Most High has the authority and right to determine what is sanctified and what is not! Plus, the phrase the Lords day used in Scripture is not talking about the Sabbath or sunday, but its actually talking about the day of judgment called the the day of YEHOWAH! Therefore, having become His disciples, let us learn to live according to the principles of Christianity Here Ignatius is telling people to live according the teaching of Christianity, a religion he created! The principles of Christianity are not the same as the principles of the Nazarenes. Even secular and religious history as we read substantiates this fact. It is absurd to profess Christ Jesus, and to Judaize. For Christianity did not embrace Judaism, but Judaism Christianity It is absurd to speak of Jesus Christ with the tongue, and to cherish in the mind a Judaism which has now come to an end. For where there is Christianity there cannot be Judaism. (Magnesians Chapter X.Beware of Judaizing.) Ignatius is talking to those who hold to the testimony of Yeshua. He asking these believers if they believe in Yeshua why are they still keeping the Law (or as he calls it Judaizing). Under Ignatius teachings even the Messiah and apostles are guilty of heresy. This so-called church father then goes on to teach that Christianity cannot co-exist with any form of Judaism even if you accept the Messiah. This type of teaching sets up a long line of hate toward those who continued to keep the Law. Here are a few more writings penned by this false teacher. But if any one preach the Jewish law unto you, listen not to him. For it is better to hearken to Christian doctrine from a man who has been circumcised, than to Judaism from one uncircumcised. But if either of such persons do not speak concerning Jesus Christ, they are in my judgment but as monuments and sepulchres of the dead, upon which are written only the names of men. (Philadelphians Chapter VI.Do not accept Judaism.) This line of false doctrine (mess) did not stop with Ignatius. This is the conversation between Justin Martyr and a Hebrew named Trypho. But we do not trust through Moses or through the law; for then we would do the same as yourselves. But now (for I have read that there shall be a final law, and a covenant, the chiefest of all, which it is now incumbent on all men to observe, as many as are seeking after the inheritance of God. For the law promulgated on Horeb is now old, and belongs to yourselves alone; but this is for all universally. Now, law placed against law has abrogated that which is before it, and a covenant which comes after in like manner has put an end to the previous one; and an eternal and final lawnamely, Christ has been given to us, and the covenant is trustworthy, after which there shall be no law, no commandment, no ordinance. (Justin Martyr is his epistle Dialog With Trypho Chapter XI The law abrogated) Consider the following. As more and more Gentiles joined the new Jewish movement, the actual Jewish presence became progressively less important. Although Christianity didnt officially take a stance against Judaism until early in the fourth century, divisions and differences of opinion began in the first century CE. As a result of the Apostle Pauls mission to the Gentiles, the ethnic composition of the Nazarene movement began to rapidly change from a Jewish majority to a Gentile majority. For some time, Gentiles remained within the Nazarene movement. However, by the end of first century, non-Jewish influences affected the structure and beliefs of the now

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Gentile-dominated movementIn the second century CE, many of the Early Church Fathers or Apostolic Fathers, began to make statements which further separated gentiles from everything Jewish. We just reads some examples of these teachings. Lets continue. Non-Jewish doctrines began to be developed which became the foundational beliefs of Christianity. Although Gentile Christians were not particularly opposed to the Jews and many still converted to Judaism, the formal position of the Church was decisively set against the Synagogue. The Church sought to conquer the Synagogue which in their view continued to cling stubbornly to its ancestral faith. Frustrated and embittered, the Church Fathers set out to prove that Judaism was a legalistic, dead and superseded religion. 2 By reversing the Biblical image of the Jews, the Church claimed to be the New Israel, the Jacob, whereas the Jews were Esau and Cain, the murderers of their brother. Israel was portrayed as blind and divorced by God. This theology of replacement, which evolved into a theology of displacement, stated that the Jews had forfeited what God had given them and now Christianity was the new heir to the promises and blessings of God. The Jews, however, could keep the curses Do you see this rhetoric? Paul warned the Gentiles not to boast against the Hebrews Romans 3:1-2, 9:3-5, 11:1-2, 16-29! The Apostolic Fathers continued issuing statements which clearly divorced Christianity from anything Jewish. The Mosaic Law, including the Festivals and the Sabbath, circumcision and Israels election by God, were all brushed away as things of the past. Also, in order to gain the acceptance of Rome, the now Gentile dominated Church made it loud and clear that it had nothing in common with Judaism. - A History of Anti-Semitism by Luana Fabri. The Jewish converts, or as they were afterwards called, the Nazarenes, who had laid the foundations of the church, soon found themselves overwhelmed by the increasing multitudes, that from all the various religions of polytheism enlisted under the banner of Christ.. - Gibbons, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, V.1, Ch.15. The Nazarenes, as Jews, continued to observe certain aspects of Mosaic Law, including circumcision and the Sabbath, and it was this which brought about their exclusion from the Church. This rejection and exclusion was, however, gradual. For this reasonand because Nazarene numbers remained small throughout Church writers do not mention Nazarenes by name until such a time as the Church was free from persecution and began to refine its own narrowed orthodoxy. The Nazarenes were not included in the earlier heresy lists because they were simply not considered heretical enough or a threat to orthodoxy. Nazarene Jewish Christianity by Ray A. Pritz, pg. 109. THE GREAT CONSTANTINE In 325 C.E. A Pagan Gentile named Constantine conquered Rome and made himself emperor. Constantine , although a Pagan himself, declared Christianity to be the Catholic (Latin: universal) religion, thus making Christianity the enforced state religion of the Roman empire. Constantine, who was an anti-Semite called the council of Nicea in 325 C.E. to standardize Christianity. Nazarenes were excluded from the meeting. Jewish practices were banned. For the first time Gentile Christianity

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officially labeled the Nazarenes as apostates. From this time forward Nazarenes begin to be listed in the catalogs of apostate movements - Nazarene Jewish Manifesto Second Edition by James Scott Trimm, pg. 34. A great gulf between Judaism and Christianity began to grow with the rise of Constantine, who formally announced the willful separation, calling all Christians under the Roman Empire to consider the Jews to be enemies of God and manAt Constantines Council of Nicea, all Jewish believers in the Messiah were banned from attending and everything Jewish - that is anything Scriptural - was thrown out. Constantine declared it unlawful for Jewish believers to continue to worship in their Hebraic traditions, and forbade them from meeting together even in the privacy of their own homes. - The Woman in the Wilderness. For as much, then, as it is no longer possible to bear with your pernicious errors, we give warning by this present statute, that none of you henceforth presume to assemble yourselves together. We have directed, accordingly, that you are deprived of all the houses in which you are accustomed to hold your assemblies; and we forbid the holding of your superstitious and senseless meetings, not in public merely, but in any private house or place whatsoever. Take the far better course of entering the Catholic Church, that any other place be confiscated to the public service, and no facility whatsoever be left for any future gathering, in order that from this day forward none of your unlawful assemblies may presume to appear in any public or private place. Let this edict be made public. - Eusebius, Life of Constantine, Book 3. Let us then, have nothing in common with the Jews, who are our adversaries. Therefore this irregularity must be corrected, in order that we may no more have anything in common with the parricides, and murderers of our Lord. Constantine, - Council of Nicea, 325 A.D. Now instead of the original body of Messiah being divided because of doctrine, now it is being divided by racism; mainly hatred toward the Hebrew. This is one of the professions of faith from the church of Constantinople in the year 325 C.E. under the Emperor Constantine. I renounce all customs, rites, legalisms, unleavened breads & sacrifices of lambs of the Hebrews, and all other feasts of the Hebrews, sacrifices, prayers, aspersions, purifications, sanctifications and propitiations and fasts, and new moons, and Sabbaths, and superstitions, and hymns and chants and observances and Synagogues, and the food and drink of the Hebrews; in one word, I renounce everything Jewish, every law, rite and custom and if afterwards I shall wish to deny and return to Jewish superstition, or shall be found eating with The Jews, or feasting with them, or secretly conversing and condemning the Christian religion instead of openly confuting them and condemning their vain faith, then let the trembling of Gehazi cleave to me, as well as the legal punishments to which I acknowledge myself liable. And may I be anathema (accursed) in the world to come, and may my soul be set down with Satan and the devils. It is Constantine, through racism and manipulation, who dealt the death blow to the original faith once delivered by the Messiah to the apostles. It is He who brought in the paganism and made sunday worship a Law! The beginning of the end came March 7, 321 A.D., when Emperor Constantine issued the first National Sunday Law in history. This was the first blue law to be issued by a federal government. Here is the text of Constantines Sunday law decree: Let all judges and townspeople and occupations of all trades rest on the venerable day of the sun [Sunday]; nevertheless, let those who are situated in the rural districts freely and with full liberty attend to the cultivation of the fields because it frequently happens that no other day may be so fitting for plowing grains or trenching vineyards, lest at the time the advantage of the moment

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granted by the provision of heaven be lost. Given on the Nones (seventh) of March, Crispus and Constantine, being counsuls each of them, for the second time.The Code of Justinian, Book lll, title 12, law 3. Five additional Sunday laws were to be issued, within a very few years, to buttress this, his basic one. It is of interest that, at the very time that Constantine was issuing these Sunday laws, he was embellishing the Temple of the Sun in Rome: and, in the same year that he proclaimed his first Sunday law, he made several decrees maintaining pagan practices. Pagan priests decided the most superstitious practices. The day after enacting his first Sunday law, quoted above, Constantine decreed that priestly examination of the entrails of freshly killed chickens should help determine government decisions. It is also significant that a close examination of this first Sunday law, of Constantine, does not mention Christianity but does use the Mithraic expression, venerable day of the sun (venerabili die solis), which was one of the hollowed Mithraic titles for their sacred day, Sunday, the first day of the week. It was one of the mystical names for the day of the sun god. Both the heathen and the Christians well-knew this. - National Sunday Law Crisis by the Editor of Harvestime Books, pg 21-22. Church leaders at the Council of Laodicea in Phrygia Pacatiana in 364 C.E. published as doctrine that the practice of staying at home and resting on the Sabbath was sinful and anathema to the Messiah. This is the actual decree. Christians must not Judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, rather honouring the Lord's Day; and, if they can, resting then as Christians. But if any shall be found to be Judaizers, let them be anathema from Christ. THE COUNCIL OF LAODICEA IN PHRYGIA PACATIANA 364 C.E. - CANON XXIX. From the time of Constantine on, the original faith and the ones who practiced the faith (the Nazarenes) came under attack in all forms. Every type of pagan doctrine you could think of started to become a part of the Christian (Catholic) doctrine replacing true biblical Nazarene doctrine. The early Christian Church was not a highly organized body with an established creed; therefore, it encompassed a wide variety of beliefs. The most famous heresy of the early church centered around a widespread and diverse group known as Gnostics. They believed the spirit was good and that flesh was evil. Consequently, they denied that Christ could have been truly human. Jesus was not really born of the flesh and there was no resurrection of the flesh. The Gnostics also regarded Jehovah as an inferior being and rejected the Old Testament. Gnosticism was a syncretistic movement which incorporated beliefs of many Middle East religions and philosophies Marcionism was a closely related heresy. Marcion, the son of the Bishop of Pontus, declared that the God of the Old Testament was a cruelly legalistic and merciless deity and that Christians should discard the Old Testament and follow Paul in asceticism, celibacy, and scorn the physical world. - An Introduction to Christianity by Dr. Meredith Sprunger. Although, the early church claim Marcion was a heretic, ironically a great deal of his doctrine is a part of christian doctrine whether christians admit it or not! To make things worse the roman catholic church began to have internal conflict. In the 1500s Martin Luther along with other men within the Roman Catholic Church broke off from the head church and founded Protestantism. They began to see just how PAGAN and filthy this religion was. This is how we got the 2 divisions/branches of Christianity Catholicism and Protestantism. Within these 2 divisions you have several splinter groups Protestantism (Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, etc) and Catholicism (Greek Orthodox, Roman, etc). Even Jehovahs Witnesses fall under the Protestant banner. World Christian Encyclopedia, published by Oxford University Press the 2001 Edition counts 33,820 denominations within christianity worldwide. The Roman Catholic Church murdered millions and was nothing like the faith delivered by Yeshua. The Protestant Reformers, sought to reform the pagan Catholic

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Church and bring it back to Scriptural standards. This however did not happen! Many of the Reformers were haters of Hebrews. John Calvin was a murderer. Martin Luther despised the Hebrews. The following are quotes taken from Martin Luther, On the Jews and Their Lies (published 1543 CE). "The rabbis should be forbidden to continue teaching the Law [Torah]." "Accordingly, it must and dare not be considered a trifling matter but a most serious one to seek counsel against this and to save our souls from the Jews, that is, from the devil and from eternal death. My advice, as I said earlier, is: First, that their synagogues be burned down, and that all who are able toss sulphur and pitch; it would be good if someone could also throw in some hellfire... Second, that all their bookstheir prayer books, their Talmudic writings, also the entire Biblebe taken from them, not leaving them one leaf, and that these be preserved for those who may be converted... Third, that they be forbidden on pain of death to praise God, to give thanks, to pray, and to teach publicly among us and in our country... Fourth, that they be forbidden to utter the name of God within our hearing. For we cannot with a good conscience listen to this or tolerate it..." These men hardly reformed or protested anything. All they did was replace a priest with a pastor, a cathedral with a church. They claim to be sola scriptural (scripture only) yet most of the practices of the Protestant movement are nowhere found in the Scriptures. They still kept all the pagan ways of the Roman Catholic Church! Although protestant denominations differ in ways, they still all hold to the same basic mystery religion, occult, pagan sun-worship, idolatrous doctrines (whether they admit it or not) of the Catholic Church! They are merely harlot daughters of the mother whore, the Roman Catholic Church. In fact, the Protestants were even MORE wicked, because they used grace as a license to sin, to violate the very Torah of YAH. It is interesting to note, that most of the hostility toward the Nazarenes and ultimately against just the Hebrews stemmed from Roman Catholic Church. It was the Roman Church who felt it necessary to sever its ties with Hebrew believers. Not only did the Roman Church reject the Torah, they also began to hate Hebrews (Jews), thinking themselves better. Ironically, of all the epistles Paul wrote, it was the epistle to the Romans where he warned Gentiles not to think that Most High rejected His people Israel. He also warned them not to arrogantly boast against the natural branches, Israel, and that Israel is the foundation (Romans 3:1-2, 9:3-5, 11:1-2, 1629). Unfortunately, by their own written testimony, history has shown that the Gentiles did not heed Pauls admonition. Islam, also, is a pagan religious system based on worship of the moon (hence the crescent moon symbol they use) started by Mohammed. Allah was the moon god way before Mohammed even lived! What most dont know is Islam actually has close ties to Catholicism too. Notice the picture of the pope kissing the quran. Judaism as taught by todays so-called Jews is a religious system based on rabbinic and pharisaic teachings (the Mishnah & Talmud) mixed with the Torah. This form of Judaism is NOT biblical. Abraham did not practice this Judaism, Yeshua did not practice this Judaism and the apostles did not practice this Judaism. Matthew 5:17-20 makes it clear that Yeshua in NO WAY did away with the Torah. Rather, He came to show how to correctly interpret and keep the Torah. Many of the Hebrew leaders added man made traditions and twisted the Torah. Yeshua came to restore BOTH the Spirit and Letter of the Torah. Yeshua WAS NOT a Christian! He was a Hebrew who perfectly kept the letter of the Law according to the spirit (principle)!

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The Nazarenes kept Torah NOT rabbinic and pharisaic teachings and traditions! None of these religions originated from YAH, Yeshua or the apostles. As stated beforehand, the original assembly as a body were Nazarenes NOT Muslims, Buddhist, Judaizers (tradition based Judaism), Messianic, etc and most certainly not Christians! THE NAZARENE FAITH RETURNS In these last days many are returning back to the faith once delivered. The last recorded mention of Nazarenes was around the 13th century, as the last of them (according to recorded history) were sought after by the Roman Catholics. The Nazarenes have always survived throughout the centuries in small pockets but have been "in hiding (unlike the teachings of the Jehovah Witnesses and the Mormons who teach that all people with the truth were gone after the 1st century). If youre a christian or reader of the bible, what are you going to do now that you have this information? Perhaps you are not a Christian at all and could care less about church or the bible. Do you think your eternal punishment will be any less, merely because you have not decided to investigate the Truth? Whether you are religious or not, its time to repent and turn to Elohim, performing deeds appropriate to repentance - Acts 26:20. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city - Rev 22:14. Today is the day of salvation. Return to the faith of the Nazarenes!

Shalom & Blessings Amar

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