Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
Part 2 of why Anabaptism?
Now let's look at the Hebrew roots movement. This movement began likely with a right concern that much of the American Church had become lawless & taught lawless doctrine. They indeed recovered some precious truths that had been lost and/or denied. The return to keeping the Sabbath and honoring the feast days was indeed a good thing. However, just because a movement has some good in it doesn't mean it's a biblical movement. The Hebrew roots folks teach that we as new covenant believers are still under the law of Moses. There are about 613 laws & they teach that we are to keep all of them that apply to us as of course some apply only to men or only to women. The fact that there is no temple or Levitical priesthood doesn't bother their view too much as they say just keep the laws as best you can or try your best as "we are in the diaspora". This mindset leads to an emphasis on Moses rather than Jehoshua. They look at Moses as the source of doctrine rather than Jehoshua. For the Hebrew roots crowd, Jehoshua was simply a Moses revivalist preacher. Scripture however refutes this idea that we are to emphasize the teachings of Moses at the expense of Jehoshua: Hebrews 3:3-6 3For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.4For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.5And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;6But Messiah as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. The author of Hebrews wants to make it clear that Jehoshua is superior to Moses in that Moses was a servant in the earthly tabernacle of God. Moses served the people of Israel as God's servant. Jehoshua is God's Son & is over His house which He built which is the church and God's temple. This fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 6:9-15 where it says that the Branch of David would build the temple of Jehovah & bear it's glory. Moses didn't bear the glory of the earthly tabernacle. Jehoshua has a higher position than Moses does. Moses was a servant whereas Jehoshua is the heir, the only begotten Son of God. Therefore, Jehoshua has authority to give law for the house that is His & that law does not have to be an exact replica of the one Moses, being servant, gave. 1 Samuel 2:35 was a prophecy that God would raise up a faithful high priest and build Him a sure house. Moses was not high priest in the tabernacle of God but Jehoshua is the high priest in the heavenly sanctuary. In Isaiah 42:4 it says: "He will not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set justice in the earth; and the isles shall wait for his law" This is a prophesy in regards to Jehovah's elect servant in that the nations would wait for His law. This shows that the law of the future Messiah would be His own meaning that God would indeed give it to Him but it would have a unique Messianic stamp to it. A new covenant would be made which would not be according to the one Jehovah made with Israel at Sinai (Jeremiah 31:31-34). In the sermon on the mount, Jehoshua utters the phrase "you have heard it said" multiple times showing that He is revising what was previous stated as being law. He is not contradicting the previous given law but rather revising it, giving it's true intent. Going back to the sermon on the mount let's look at a key verse used by the Hebrew roots movement that they pin their hermeneutic on. Matthew 5 17 Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished.19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven Verse 17, most Christians acknowledge that Jehoshua didn't destroy the law. The disagreement is, how did He fulfill the law. Most Christians agree that Jehoshua kept the law but disagree on what fulfill means in terms of this passage. Does fulfill mean He completed the law and therefore brought it to a close? or does it mean He performed the law therefore we must also? Or does it mean He fufilled the law by performing it and also bringing it to it's true spiritual intent? Of the three questions posed, one and three are correct. Jehoshua completed the old covenant law bringing it to a close by performing it and through His actions and words bringing it to it's true meaning and spirit. Verse 18, Jehoshua says one jot and tittle shall not pass away from the law till all be fulfilled and heaven and earth pass away. Now this is the sticking point as Hebrew roots folks will use this verse to promote the necessity of keeping all the law of Moses. Again, at face value one can see why they come to this conclusion. However, if this is so why aren't we sacrificing animals and stoning people? The Hebrew roots crowd as to ignore the book of Hebrews which says there has been a change in the law: Hebrews 7:12 "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law." There are a bevy of scriptures in the new testament that clearly show that we are in a new covenant and not under the law of Moses. The above passage from Hebrew is in respect to the animal sacrifices, Levitical priesthood and temple system of worship. This is actually a huge change in the law as Israel's religious society and worship was centered on these things. This then should cause the Hebrew roots crowd to reevaluate their understanding of Matthew 5:17-19. So why should no jot and tittle pass from the law until heaven and earth pass away? Because the law is just, holy and good and it is an object lesson of the better and more glorious new covenant which is in Messiah. The law points people to Messiah and is a tutor to bring us into the adoption as sons and daughters of God. Not only that, Jehoshua's statement above shows that He holds the old testament scriptures as authoritative. Also, the Acts 15 Jerusalem council makes it clear that the Gentile believers were not to be put under the law of Moses as to do so would be to tempt Jehovah God. In fact, Peter says they (Jewish) believers were to be saved by the grace of God just like the Gentiles. This decision made by the council was never overturned or altered and restated later by James in the book of Acts. Ephesians 2 also shows us that the carnal ordinances of the old covenant have been done away: 14For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition,15having abolished in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, [so] making peace; The law of commandments contained in ordinances is related to the temple system of worship as the middle wall of partition is speaking of the temple in which Gentiles were restricted in terms of entering certain areas. The book of Hebrews shows clearly what these ordinances were that were abolished and that is what I mentioned above which are the animal sacrifices, Levitical priesthood and temple system of worship. The carnal (temporal) ordinances of the old covenant worship system were to vanish away: Hebrews 8:13 "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." This then shows that Jehoshua's statement in verse 18 of Matthew 5 does not mean we are to keep every jot and tittle of the law until the new heavens and new earth arrive but rather the law still has it's place. The things that are now abrogated in Messiah serve as an object lesson. Once the new heaven and new earth arrive we will be redeemed and that lesson will no longer be needed as we will have reached perfection. The law serves as a witness of Jehovah God's redemptive program which was reformed when the fullness of time arrived and God sent forth His Son Jehoshua. 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 7But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. That which is done away i.e. the Mosaic covenant. Paul says that covenant was indeed glorious but it was a glory that was passing away and temporal. The Jehoshua covenant of the new testament far exceeds the Mosaic one in glory. This begs the question, why does the Hebrew roots movement insist on going back to a glory that is already done away with? It is because of man's tendency to seek justification by religious externals. It is a rejection of a free gift given by Jehovah God through His only begotten Son Jehoshua, which is freedom from the yoke of the Mosaic law and adoption into sonship and daughterhood. 2nd Corinthians 3:12-15 12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Paul clearly says here that the covenant that God instituted with Moses and old testament Israel was abolished, there really is no other way to understand this passage. The children of Israel could not look upon the glory shining on Moses face even though it was temporal and would one day be abolished. In Paul's day many of the Jews still had their Mosaic blinders on by rejecting the Son of God and His new covenant. This is what is happening to the Hebrew roots crowd as they have Mosaic blinders on i.e. a vail upon their heart and they cannot see the glory of the new and better covenant which is built on better promises. Hebrew 8:6-7 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. The author says that the first covenant was not faultless meaning it was not perfect as the sacrifice of animals could not clear the conscience clean of sin. The Levitical priests were also temporary priests as they would eventually die. Also, they were only allowed in the holy of holies once a year otherwise their priesthood was operated in the holy place standing daily. The new covenant priesthood of Jehoshua is conducted in the holy of holies from the throne of David. You may ask yourself, so what's the big deal? What is wrong with wanting to keeping the Mosaic laws? The problem is in the conclusions one has to arrive at when one puts themselves under the law of Moses. Obviously, once one starts on this road they are gonna want others to go on the same path and that leads to tempting Jehovah as Peter stated in attempting to put a yoke on the disciples neck: Acts 15:10-11 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. The other issue is that this leads one to not obey the teachings of Jehoshua outlined in the sermon on the mount.One can look to the law of Moses and justify things that were taught against by Jehoshua such as going to law, swearing oaths, striking back, building up wealth etc. The Hebrew roots people end up reading Jehoshua's teachings through the lens of Moses and it leads to a spiritualization of His commandments. For Hebrew roots folks, the picking up of one's cross is not talked about too much and the focus is more of doing the law of Moses. In fact, one need not pick up his/hers cross too much if they go back to Mosaic law as one certainly find things in the law of Moses that will justify striking back, not loving enemies, taking people to court, swearing, fighting for your rights and your property etc. None of these things I mentioned are bad or evil but it doesn't require cross carrying and that is exactly what Jehoshua left us, the cross! His way is the way of self denial that tells you that if someone takes you to court find a solution on the way or give them your coat as well as the cloak they asked for. His way is to give, not lend, without expecting back as there were provisions for being paid back what you lent in the old covenant system. Jehoshua's way is to turn the other cheek when struck whereas there was provision for self defense in the law of Moses. The Son of God's way is to joyfully accept the plundering of your goods whereas Moses prescribed the right to protect your property. Hebrews 10:34 "For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance." The early church was able to be joyful when they were robbed of their material possessions because they knew they eternal rewards awaiting them in the Kingdom to come. All throughout church history you see the true followers of Messiah embracing the taking of their material possessions. So while it is somewhat admirable that these believers want to go back to the law due to the rampant antinomianism in mainstream churchianity it is misguided and leads to more error. So with the analysis of the evangelical and Hebrew roots hermeneutic's out of the way, let's look at "why Anabaptism?" For Anabaptists, the sermon on the mount is the core of how to live out the Christian life. All of Messiah's teachings contain His doctrine and it is summed up in the sermon on the mount. At the end of Matthew 7, Jehoshua bases salvation on following the commandments He just gave in the sermon. Matthew 7:21-23 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. What is the will of the Father? Well, Jehoshua just got done saying what the will of the Father is in the previous 3 chapters (Matthew 5-7), obviously the sermon on the mount is in view. It will not be enough in the day of judgment to say "Lord, Lord" even though you did prophesying and miracles in His name. You will be cast into the lake of fire for practicing iniquity. Iniquity is lawlessness which is sin (1 John 3:4). What defines sin in the context of Jehoshua's words? Obviously it is not doing the will of the Father (verse 21). Again, what is the will of the Father in the context of Matthew 7:21? That we keep the sayings that Jehoshua just finished giving. So those Christians (evangelicals) who just rely on their sinners prayer for salvation will be in a rude awakening come judgment day. Those who disobey Jehoshua's commandments given in the sermon on the mount will be told "depart from me, you who practice iniquity". Jehoshua only knows those who hear His voice which are His sheep. To hear the voice of the Son of God is to know what His commandments are and to be His sheep is to actually follow Him as our shepherd and to follow Him means we actually live how He lived and keep His sayings. There is no such thing as a Christian that doesn't follow the Son of God & keep His commandments Let's look at Matthew 5:19 "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." While the Hebrew roots folks think this applies to the Mosaic law, I have already shown that not to be the case. What commandments are being talked about here? The very commandments that are about to be given by Jehoshua in the sermon on the mount. Entrance into the Kingdom is based on the commandments in this sermon not in keeping the law of Moses. Matthew 25:32-46 agress with this. When you read that passage there is no mention of the law of Moses as being what grants you entrance into the Kingdom but rather a summation of the commandments of Jehoshua given in the sermon on the mount. Matthew 7:28-29 28And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:29For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. This is the end of the sermon on the mount and note that it says that the people were astonished at His doctrine (instructions). In other words the sermon on the mount is the doctrine of Messiah. This helps us then understand the apostle John's words in 2 John: 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: So if the doctrine of Messiah is His teachings from the sermon on the mount then John's warning here applies to that. John says that if anyone does not come to you with rhe doctrine (instructions) of Messiah they have not God. This agrees with Jehoshua's own words in John chapter 14 verse 21 "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." Jehoshua says that only those that have His commandments (know what they are) and keep them (actually do them) are those that love Him (Jehoshua) and are loved of the Father. We know that the Father loves even those who are against Him but this love refers to covenant relationship love. If you do not keep the commandments of Messiah then point blank you are not in covenant with the Father. Those who do abide, i.e. remain in covenant, in the doctrine (commandments) of Messiah thereby have relationship with both the Father and the Son. Verse 10 of 2nd John holds a very stern warning, in that those who come and do not bringing the doctrine (teachings) of Messiah are not to be welcomed into our homes neither are to bid them Godspeed (bless them). The evangelicals have used this passage in 2 John against Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons since those 2 groups are typically the ones that go door to door. However, this can eqaully be used against the evangelicals who teach that keeping the commandments of the Son of God outlined in the sermon on the mount aren't required. We are not to bless the efforts of evangelicals when they go preach or witness as they are not teaching people the doctrine of Messiah. It may sounds harsh, but we must submit to the word of God not what feels good. The Anabaptist method of understanding the bible is the truth because it steers clear of the antinomianism of evangelicalism but also stays away from the legalism of the Hebrew roots movement. For Anabaptists, the word of God is not the letters of the 66 book canon but rather it is a person, Jehoshua Messiah. This means that the Anabaptists interpret all of scripture through the lens of Jehoshua the Son of God. Matthew 16:24-26 24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For Anabaptists the cross is not just about the Messiah's death but also about denial of self and losing your life in this world which includes pursing wealth, status and demanding your rights. Jehoshua is clear in that those who pursue gaining those things will lose their soul meaning they will not inherit eternal life. On the other hand though, those who deny themselves by not pursuing these things and demanding their rights will inherit eternal life. Both the Hebrew roots movement and Evangelicals do not teach this but both systems engage in the culture wars to demand biblical laws be passed and when they are persecuted they seek their rights through civil lawsuits. Both systems of belief have no problem pursing wealth and being rich and moving up the corporate ladder due their ignoring of Jehoshua's literal commands. The Hebrew roots movement finds solace in going to Moses to justify themselves in not denying themselves and the evangelicals go to Paul. While the Hebrew roots movement believes in Rabbi's and the Evangelicals have their pastor's, Anabaptists believe in the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9). Both Hebrew roots and Evangelicals practice a one man leadership structure. Yes they also employ elders but for the most part they are just yes men who don't even teach much from the pulpit. The title and position of Pastor and Rabbi is unbiblical in the new testament church, especially that of a one man office who rules over the church. First of all, the leadership position in the church is called "Bishop" and they operate as overseers meaning they are not their to lord their authority as a one man leadership structure but rather they are to guide and shepherd (pastor) the flock. So while pastoring is a function that the Bishop is to perform, it is not a title unto itself. Also, this seems to be a plural position meaning there are to be multiple Bishops per congregation if possible. This was certainly true of the Jerusalem church in which all 12 apostles were Bishops. This does not mean that one of the Bishops does not take a lead role as it appears James did in the Jerusalem Church. In fact, there may be times in a congregation that only one man qualifies for the role of Bishop. Either way, the idea that a church fellowship is centered around the leadership of one man is unbiblical. While the evangelicals and Hebrew roots folks blast the Catholic Church where the priests operate as the sole mediators for members of the church, they themselves have a watered down version of this where the singular pastor or rabbi is looked at as the spiritual guru and be all end all. The truth of the priesthood of all believers when it is practiced levels the playing field. With this belief, the idea of a one man centered leadership structure is null and void. All believers, male and female, are expected to evangelize and preach, stand in the gap for the brethren in prayer, minister to the sick and visit those in prison. The priesthood of all believers encourages a full functioning church body rather than looking at special men who are more anointed than others and thereby it is up to them to lead and carry out the work of the ministry. The early Anabaptists practiced this "priesthood of all believers" concept and the result was a vibrant Kingdom community of believers rather than a church of lay people who go to church once a week to hear some specially anointed guy preach from a stage. This concept of the one man Pastor as the head has paralyzed the church & made them largely ineffective in the real world outside of Sunday mornings. This leads us to discuss the concept of "what the church is" i.e. ecclesiology.
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