Ten years ago now, I found myself questioning many of my “religious” traditions and devotions. Much like Abram, before he became Abraham, there were many aspects of my faith that perplexed me. But now, almost seven years later, the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) has turned the lights on. He has helped me not to see the Bible as scattered pieces, like that of a jigsaw puzzle; instead He has given me a “whole-listic” panoramic view...connecting the pieces. He has called me out of the familiar and is leading me toward “Kingdom”. It’s like I’ve been asleep for 30 years...and now I have officially been unplugged from the “MATRIX”. Inside joke! David said it best in Psalms 34:4, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me...” The Ruach HaKodesh has caused me to question and validate much of the “Christian” doctrine. In my studies, I have found several fallacies as it related to biblical truths. Surprisingly, much of the foundational structure of the Christian or the New Testament Church has been adopted or influenced by the Roman Catholics. Satan, the father of lies, has conjured a method to deceive people by creating alternative religious structures. Catholicism is one religious influence that has caused billions of believers into voluntarily participate in divination (a form of witchcraft). Number one, the focus has been shifted off Yeshua (Jesus) and the Gospel and placed on Mary, His mother. They should be called “Marians” instead of “Christians”! This doctrine requires people pray to or access God through other mediums when the scripture says in John 14:6, Philippians 2:9-11, and Acts 4:12, to name a few, that YESHUA (Jesus) is the ONLY way! Also, to my surprise, the origin of the word “catholic” is defined as unified or universal church, which is what the body of Christ is suppose to be (1Corinthians 1:10)! Before our current governmental system, there existed a theocracy, a time where religious leaders controlled government. This is significant because much of our governmental and religious systems today have been affected as a result. For example, our calendar! Instead of following the Biblical Calendar, set by God, we use the Gregorian calendar manufactured by a catholic pope in the 1500’s. This calendar has replaced biblically significant dates and seasons for pagan ones. Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus the Messiah) spoke regarding the traditions of men by quoting the Prophet Isaiah in Mark 7:6-8 (AMP). He said, “...These people [constantly] honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far distant from Me. In vain (fruitlessly and without profit) do they worship Me, ordering and teaching [to be obeyed] as doctrines the commandments and precepts of men. You disregard and give up and ask to depart from you the commandment of God and cling to the tradition of men [keeping it carefully and faithfully].” The governmental and religious structures at work today have formed and continue to formulate traditions and unauthorized ceremonial, moral, and civil ordinances. Another example: Infant Baptism or Baby Christening as some may call it. Many, many, many scriptures suggest that baptism is a symbolic act of repentance and rebirth. A simple understanding of repentance is acknowledging and turning away from sinful or immoral acts in order to receive forgiveness and reconciliation with God (Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:38, 8:35-38; Romans 6:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 2: 11-12, etc.). According to the biblical definition of repentance, babies or infants cannot repent. So where did this practice originate? That discussion is TBC (to be continued). Lastly, because I feel myself on a roll! ... is Sabbaths. I will not tackle the topic of the original, biblical Sabbath day NOT being on Sunday at this time, but I will say that scripture supports that the Sabbath is on Saturday. And NO, you don’t have to be a Seventh Day Adventist to worship on the biblical Sabbath! That’s just another form of religious separation or denominationalism... whole ‘nother topic. However, the Bible does mention special seasonal celebrations, instructed by God, and the blessings attached to either celebrating or observing them. For whatever reasons, many New Testament believers think that these “Old Testament practices” are not OUR (body of Christ) concern. I agree that we are not called to the ceremonial customs, because Yeshua fulfilled them. But we are encouraged to acknowledge our Jewish roots. God’s teaching and instructions in the Old Testament are our guidelines toward holiness (being set apart for God) and worship (honoring and obeying God, according to His standards). That has and will never change; they are our standard operating procedures for life and are very valid today. IJS!
Posted on: Tue, 24 Sep 2013 07:05:11 +0000
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