Hebrew Roots

This article refers to the modern religious movement. For the Hebrew language grammatical structure, see Semitic root

Hebrew Roots is a movement that advocates the return and adherence to the first century walk of faith and obedience to the Torah ^[1] by seeking a better understanding of the culture, history, and religio-political backdrop of that era which led to the core differences with both the Jewish, and later, the Christian communities.^[2]

Joseph Good provides a good summary of religio-political history:

“During this time [after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.], congregations in the Diaspora (dispersion) scattered throughout the Roman world, experienced radical changes. To support the Jewish people, or even Jewish customs, was interpreted to as not being loyal to Rome...

"In spite of this, Jews were still becoming believers, so much so that in 90 Common Era (C.E). Rabbinical leaders who did not believe in Yeshua took steps to bar the Jewish believers from the synagogues. A benediction was added to the Amida...known as the Birkat haMinim. This benediction was a curse directed against the Jewish believers in Yeshua. This benediction was a curse directed against the Jewish believers in Yeshu, with the idea that this would put an end to the rapid growth among the people. Still, more Jews accepted Yeshua as their Savior. Now pressure was being put on Jewish believers from three sides: first, from the non-believing pagans who hated anything Jewish; second, from the non-believing Jews who feared their power among the people; and third, within their own congregations by the new gentile believers who were entering the faith already affected by the rampant anti-semitism.” ^[3]

Pastor Matthew Vander Els affirms that the term Hebrew Roots does not indicate a denomination, but a mindset of a non-denominational Christian seeking to "emulate Christ as much as humanly possible". ^[4]

Web sites such as Torah Babies ^[5] produce easy to follow teachings designed to educate people who are not familiar with Hebrew Roots about the Torah and its role in 1st Century Christianity and the life of believers today.

History

Since the early 20th century, different religious organizations have been teaching a belief in Yeshua as mankind's redeemer and savior from man's own sinful nature and a lifestyle in keeping with the Torah, the Sabbath and the annual Feasts (or moedim, Holy Days). These include Messianic Judaism (to a very limited degree) in 1916, the Sacred Name Movement (SNM) in 1937, and the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) in the 1930s, and, later, the Hebrew Roots Movement. Thus far, the WCG has had the greatest impact on all organizations which teach these beliefs, including obedience to much of the Old Testament law, both nationally and internationally^[6] until about 1994-95. Within a few years after the death of its founder, Herbert W Armstrong, in 1986, the succeeding church administration modified the denomination's doctrines and teachings in order to be compatible with mainstream evangelical Christianity, while many members and ministers left and formed other churches that conformed to many, but, not all, of Armstrong's teachings. Consequently, the WCG spawned numerous splinter groups,^[7] with most of these new churches adopting names bearing the term "Church of God" (COG) and retaining the belief system developed by Armstrong.^[8]

In contrast, Hebrew Roots (or sometimes, Hebraic Roots) is a grassroots movement without an ecclesiastical superstructure and it does not adhere to the COG belief system, nor does it adhere to Messianic Judaism, or to the SNM, although there are commonalities. A number of their founders began teaching about the need to keep the 7th Day Sabbath, to observe annual Feasts, and to obey Old Testament commandments years before these topics were taught and accepted by some in the Christian churches. These early teachers include William Dankenbring (1964) and Dean Wheelock (1981) (both of whom had prior associations with different Churches of God), Joe Good (1978), and Brad Scott (1983). Batya Wootten's curiosity about the Gentile majority in many Messianic-Jewish congregations resulted in her first book about the two houses of Israel in 1988. This was later followed by her 1998 book entitled Who is Israel (now renamed in its 4th edition as Redeemed Israel). ^[9]

In 1994, Dean and Susan Wheelock received their Federal Trademark ^[10] for the term Hebrew Roots®, after which they began publishing the Hebrew Roots® magazine in April/May 1998, and later a website: http://www.hebrewroots.net/. The goal of this group is “Exploring the Hebrew Roots of the Faith Once Delivered,”-“roots” which go back to not only Yeshua and the Talmidim (Apostles), but to the Nazarenes ^[11] of the first century and, ultimately, the original Hebrews (Ivrit), Abraham and his offspring, who were the first to "cross over" (which is what "Hebrew" means in the Hebrew language). Those who continue in this Hebraic walk seek out the history, culture, and faith of the first century believers who, like Abraham and Moses obeyed God’s voice, charge, commandments, statutes, and laws (Gen 26:5). The 41,000,^[12] denominations of Christianity commonly believe that such obedience (viz, to the 613 Torah Mitzvot) is no longer required. This is largely due to a number of statements by the apostle Paul.^[13]

The Hebrew Roots movement began emerging as a distinct phenomenon in the mid-1990s (1993–96).^[8] In 1997, Dean Cozzens of Open Church Ministries (Colorado Springs, CO) published a prophecy titled "The Hebrew Movement", which revealed that God had foreordained four major moves for the 20th century, Pentecostalism, Faith-healing, the Charismatic Movement and finally the Hebrew Roots Movement. In this prophecy, the Hebrew Roots Movement is the "final stage of empowerment" before Christ returns. Several Hebrew Roots ministries are now preferring to use the term Awakening instead of the term "movement" which has been used widely since the 1960s to define politically oriented movements.^[8]

The movement / Awakening has accelerated in the last few years,^[14] mainly because of a shift within the Messianic Jewish community. ^[15] The Hebrew Roots movement and a few Messianic Jewish groups diverge on the issue of One Law theology (one law for the native born and the sojourner, c.f. Numbers 15:16)^[16] which Hebrew Roots subscribes to, but which some Messianic Jewish groups deny. One Hebrew Roots teacher, Tim Hegg, responded to this issue by defending what he believes to be the biblical teaching of "One Law" theology and its implications concerning the obligations of Torah obedience for new Messianic believers from the nations.^[17] The Two-House and One Law differences have affected musicians who are welcomed by Hebrew Roots fellowships notwithstanding their beliefs: "...many Messianic Jewish artists who are heavily influenced by organizations like the MJAA and the UMJC have been told by their leadership that if they ever appear at an MIA event they will not be able to play with them again".^[18]

Theology

Hebrew Roots theology includes at least seven distinct core differences from Protestantism, Seventh-day Adventism, Rabbinic Judaism, and Messianic Judaism.^[19]

• Both the Old and New Testaments are held as holy books. The Torah serves as the foundation to all subsequent understanding and interpretation of Scripture. A foundational distinction of the Hebrew Roots movement is the manner in which Scripture is translated and interpreted so that later testimony (particularly the New Testament, or "Brit Chadashah") does not conflict with Torah commandments. It is believed by those in the Hebrew Roots movement that Yeshua the Messiah did not come to establish a new religion or to “do away” with the law.
• Salvation derives from the belief in Yeshua the Messiah as personal savior, not from commandment/Torah keeping; however, believers are rewarded according to their fruits, works, and obedience. Hebrew Roots followers believe that sin is breaking the Torah (cf. 1 John 3:4), all of the purity laws such as dietary restrictions and sabbath keeping are in the Torah, thus it is sinful to not keep the sabbath and to eat forbidden animals, among other social and religious observance laws. It is also true, according to some Hebrew Roots followers, that those who are truly born of God will not continue in sin (cf. 1John 3:9), therefore, if you are not moved to keep the sabbath or to keep dietary restrictions, you must not truly be born of God.
• The Jewish Oral Law (the Talmud) does not represent Scriptural requirements to be obeyed, but can provide deeper understanding as to how some have applied the Scriptures to practical life. Traditions considered to have Pagan origins, such as Christmas, adopted by Judaism and/or Christianity are to be avoided.
• Old Testament/Torah Laws and the teachings of the New Testament are to be obeyed by both Jews and Gentiles (proselytes). (See Numbers 15:15-16 for the explanation).
• The Hebrew language is generally studied because it amplifies an understanding of the Scriptural text.
• Unlike traditional Americans,^[20] followers of the Hebrew Roots movement actively study the Scriptures as well as the history, faith, and culture of the first and second century, to understand how traditional Christianity diverged from its Hebrew roots. Generally speaking, however, they do not recognise the work of modern first century historians outside their own viewpoint, such as Craig Evans, George Nickelsburg, Jacob Neusner, James D. G. Dunn, E. P. Sanders et al.
• The moedim or appointed times listed in Leviticus 23, including the 7th day Sabbath and the Feast days, foreshadow the 1st and 2nd comings of the Messiah and the Creator's plan of salvation for the world.

The Feasts of the LORD (Lev 23:2)—“My Feasts”

Hebrew Roots adherents teach that the seven Torah annual Sabbath Holy Days (sometimes called High Sabbaths) reveal the Messiah Jesus Christ and His plan of salvation. “In the festivals, God explains, defines, demonstrates and reinforces Himself and His plan”.^[3]:15 They believe that the feasts were ordained at creation (Gen.1:14—seasons = moedim in Hebrew (mow-eh-deem'--which is the plural of the singular [moed]): appointed times or rehearsals), and are YHVH’s (God’s) feasts—not Jewish or Israeli holidays or 'our' feasts (Lev 23). They also abide by the instructions given in Lev. 18:1-3; and Lev. 20:23 prohibiting pagan customs (e.g. Christmas and Easter).

The feasts in Hebrew are termed chag “which comes from the Hebrew root word chagag, which means "to move in a circle, to march in a sacred procession, to celebrate or dance."^[21] Although it is commonly stated there are seven (7) feasts, it is perhaps more precise to state that there are seven appointed times which include the three (3) feasts (chags). The weekly 7th day Sabbath is also considered an appointment.

Scripture indicates that these chags are to be observed at the Temple in Jerusalem—which is not possible today. In a more profound fulfillment, however, believers have now become the spiritual temple in which the Holy Spirit (Ruach Ha’Kodesh) dwells and His name is now placed within the believer to determine the place of observance (e.g. Rev 22:4). Believers rejoice and rehearse the meaning of these days when they gather to meet.

The two seasons (spring and fall) of the appointments and their feasts form both a history and a prophetic picture of things to come (Col 2:16-17; Heb 10:1). They portray the two comings of Jesus Christ, in as much as the two daily Temple sacrifices are also types. In the first century the Jewish people debated whether there would be two comings (the Suffering Servant or the Conquering King) of the Messiah which precipitated John the Baptist’s question (Matt 11:3).^[3]:2–5

1 & 2. Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover) | Chag haMatzot (Chag haPesach)

Unleavened Bread is a seven-day firstfruits of barley harvest festival where unleavened bread is to be eaten during this time. Believers dispose of all yeast laden bread products (it is not called the feast of unleavened beer). Yeast is a fungal spore which is present in the air and can infiltrate bread dough and make it rise through the process of fermentation—not by induced chemical reaction (e.g. baking soda). Symbolically, unleavened bread contains no yeast. Leaven is a symbol of false doctrine (sin) that is spread through the air and of which believers must be aware (Matt 16:6-12).

Historically, this festival has been commonly called the Feast of Passover and the festival separated into two festivals by some Messianics: Passover and Unleavened Bread since there is a Sabbath (moed=appointment) on the first and last days of the Feast. Technically it is only one festival with only the first day of the Feast commonly termed Passover (named for the lamb (Ex 12:21) eaten that night and also refers to YHVH (i.e. the LORD in the KJV) passing over the Israelite homes (Ex 12:23). Over the centuries the term Passover in the Gospel accounts has become somewhat clouded: e.g. Did the term begin the season on Nisan 10 when the lambs were chosen? Did it only refer to Nisan 14? Or did it refer to the entire seven day festival? One might see a similar situation with Christmas and the Christmas season.

There is no record of the Jewish people changing their observance of the Passover date. Both John 4:6 and 19:14 are offered as evidence that the traditional observance of the “Lord’s Supper” (also called the "Christian Passover") was not held the night before the “Jewish” Passover. John was a Jew and, therefore, used “Jewish” time of day in both verses. Christ’s placement on the cross at 9 AM and death at 3 PM fulfills the dual typology of temple sacrifices, the slaying of the Passover lambs at 3 PM, and the setting of the sun (according to Jewish culture began at the noon hour— i.e. “between the evenings”). (See Quartodecimanism and Passover (Christian holiday). Consequently, some Hebrew Roots adherents follow the Jewish time of observance—not the Roman time, and are aware that a Passover meal is not plausible where leavened bread is used in a meal as a “sop” (John 13:26-30) along with other timing inconsistencies with Roman time such as John 13:1 and 18:28. Others in the movement may still observe the traditional Last Supper Passover the night before.^[22] and offer the similar Gospel accounts of Mark 14:12-26; Matt 26:17-30; and Luke 22:70 as evidence to the contrary. Although the issue is more complex than this quite brief summary, the observing of either of the two different times, whichever one chooses, thus far, has not been a serious dividing issue in the movement. The Jewish Seder may or may not be followed as a general outline, but the inclusion of the Messiah’s life and events into the evening’s observance is always addressed.

Meaning: The festival is rich in many meanings as traditionally taught and for the Torah pursuant Hebrew Roots believer in Christ.

3. Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) | Chag Shavuot

Pentecost is a Greek word meaning “fiftiest (day)”. Shavuot (Shah-voo-oat') is the Hebrew word. The day is also called by other names, such as the Feast of Harvest (Ex. 23:16), Feast of Weeks (Ex. 34:22), and Day of Firstfruits (Num. 28:26). The main Shavuot ritual involved the "new meal-offering" which was the main ritual of that day and consisted of two loaves of leavened bread. Scripture does not directly reveal the meaning of the two loaves and various conjectures have been made: e.g. the two Houses of Israel, Israelites and Gentiles, etc. Many begin the count to Pentecost on the first weekly Sabbath following the Passover day, while others begin the count on Nisan 15 following the Jewish tradition and interpretation of which constitutes a "sabbath". This difference in counting is not a dividing issue. People observe either the one day or the other according to their conscience and knowledge of Scripture and still gather to meet on the weekly Sabbath and other annual Sabbath days.

Meaning: The day pictures the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, the Holy Spirit given to the Apostles, and a type of Jubilee (biblical) since it occurs 50 days after the Wave Sheaf Offering during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The meaning of the day has also been compared to the Bride of Christ: “It signifies the completion of the cleansing and preparation of the Bride of Messiah (that's us!) for her wedding day.”^[22] Jewish tradition indicates that the Torah was given on Shavuot. It was the acceptance of Torah which bound ancient Israel to God in a marriage contract. “All ancient Israelite marriages required a marriage contract, or covenant document, called a Ketuvah (Keh-too'-vah). The Torah constitutes the Ketuvah between God and the children of Israel. The bride was required to accept the terms of the Ketuvah (covenant) so they could be fully married. Israel, as the bride, did this when she said:"... 'All that the LORD [YHVH] has spoken we will do.'" (Ex. 19:8).^[23] Shavuot has also been linked as a type of “Eighth Day” to the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

4. Trumpets | Yom Teruah (Rosh HaShanah)

Jews call this day Rosh Hashanah—but it is nowhere so termed in Scripture where it is commanded to be kept. Instead it is found in Ezk. 40:1 and translated as “the beginning (or head) of the year” since the Jews consider this the start of their Civil New Year Calendar.^[3]:45 Interestingly enough, the Hebrew word for trumpets is also not used where the command to be blown is found in Lev 23:24. An exact translation of the term would be 'Feast of Clamor' or 'Feast of Acclamation' or, the 'Day of Blowing'—as the Jews sometime name it. Instead, the day is most commonly known as Yom Teruah (Yohm Teh-roo-ah') and is translated into English as 'Feast of Trumpets”.^[23] It is not clear whether a trumpet or shofar is to be blown on this day. The ancient Jewish tradition, however, was to blow a shofar.

Meaning: This day is also known as the 'Day of the Awakening Blast.' with at least four meanings. 1) Tradition holds that loud blasts are connected to this day when the Messiah will be crowned King over all the earth (Num 23:21); 2) when the people of the earth hear the sound of the shofar they are to repent of their sins, and 3) the resurrection of the dead at the return of the King, and 4) a battle cry of the King’s vengeance which that rehearses the coming of the "Day of the Lord." The Jews also call Trumpets the “Day of Judgment”.^[23]

5. Atonement | Yom Kippur

In Hebrew yom means "day" and kippur is from a root meaning "to atone". On this day the Great Shofar (the Shofar haGadol) is blown to signify the “Day of Judgment”—another name for Yom Kippur.

Meaning: The general meaning of this appointed day of [Yom Kippur] is a generally similar to those in both the Jewish and Christian faiths: it is a day of fasting, repentance, and acknowledgment of the covering sacrifice of Jesus the Christ (Yahushua HaMashiach) for sin. It is commonly understood that the Messiah is the first goat. It is not so commonly understood that He is the second goat that is set forth to go into the wilderness—into the world—to fulfill His purpose in two comings. Some recognize this understanding in Hebrew Roots, some do not. The Feast Days are all about the Messiah and His Plan of Salvation for mankind.

6. Booths (Tabernacles) | Chag haSukkot (Sukkot)

Sukkot is a seven-day autumn harvest festival where believers are instructed to dwell in temporary dwellings (Lev 23). Although no specific harvest crop is noted in Scripture, Jewish tradition associates wine and water with festivals at Temple rituals. The Hebrew word Sukkot is usually translated as "tabernacles," or "booths" and is the plural form of sukka (sue’-kah)— a Hebrew word meaning tent or (temporary)booth that one lived in–not the Tabernacle (which was used for worship and was the portable sanctuary in the wilderness). The sukka symbolizes man's need to depend upon God for food, water, and shelter. Other translations translate the word more closely to its intended meaning of a tent or booth; hence the name “Feast of Booths”. “This feast is also known by other names, such as, the Festival of Ingathering (Ex. 23:16), the Feast of the Nations, the Festival of Dedication, the Festival of Lights, and the Season of Our Joy.^[21]

Meaning: Anciently the feast represented the wandering in the wilderness and the physical harvest. For the believer, today, Sukkot has additional manifold spiritual meanings: it is the church’s journey; the harvest of souls at the end of the age (Olam Hazeh=”this world”) (Matt13:39; Rev.14:15; Joel 3:13),^[21] while the 7 days and the Feast being the 7th appointment also foreshadow the millennial reign of Christ in the 7,000th year with His Bride. These seven days especially represent a time to place the cares of our life aside for a time, to fellowship, to learn, to recreate, and, perhaps have the opportunity to travel to beautiful areas of the nation where more than 110 festival locations (including Church of God) are located and share in meaning of the festival. It has a far deeper meaning and expression than Christmas. The last day of the feast is known as Hoshana Rabbah.

7. Eighth Day | Shemini Atzeret

The Hebrew word means "Eighth [day of] Assembly" and immediately follows the Feast of Sukkot. Hebrew Roots adherents view this day in a different light than those in the Jewish faith in which the day is “characterized as a day when the Jewish people "tarries" to spend an additional day with God at the end of Sukkot”.

Meaning: There is no direct Scriptural indication for what the day means; however, clues may be determined in the use of the number 8 in Scripture. The number 8 is widely accepted as meaning “a new beginning”. It is prophetic of the time after the 7000 year millennium when the White Throne Judgment is held. A new beginning, termed the “World to Come” (Olam Haba in Hebrew) will occur with the establishment of a new Heavens, new Earth, and a new Jerusalem as described in Revelation 22.

Messianics and some in Hebrew Roots combine this appointment with the Feast of Sukkot and, therefore, do not recognize it as the special day that it is made to be.

Jewish Feasts

The Feast of Dedication | Hanukkah and Feast of Lots | Purim can be recognized as being more of a national holiday (such as the American 4 July Independence Day) and are generally explained in-season. They may or may not be observed since they are not commanded in the Torah.

Other Beliefs

Hebrew Roots teachers emphasize the adoption of all Christians into the faith of Abraham,^[24] often referred to in the Bible as the unified "House of Israel" (Leviticus 10:6), (Jeremiah 37:11), (Ezekiel 39:25), (Romans 11:13-26), (Ephesians 2:10-14). This unified "House of Israel" consists of Jews and Non-Jews who maintain faith in the Messiah and a Spirit-led adherence to the Torah, God's teaching and instruction, as a lifestyle of faith and love.^[25] Hebrew Roots followers believe that Christians have the "testimony of Jesus," but are often found innocently to be keeping fewer commandments than they are intended to (1John 1:9) according to the erroneous idea that Yeshua died to do away with the Torah, thus abolishing it and any requirements to "guard" or "keep" it, which is contrary to Scripture.^[26]

The Hebrew Roots movement emphasizes the completion of the unified "House of Israel" in Yeshua, which includes both Jews and non-Jews. Its followers believe that they are co-heirs and equal members of the chosen people of the God of Israel through the blood of Messiah, and that returning to a 1st-century mindset provides deeper and more authentic insights into the Hebrew idioms of the New Testament (which are often garbled after their translation to Greek),^[27] which provides deeper cultural understanding of Scripture.^[26] Also of importance is a greater understanding of the dispersion of tribes of Israel, and the future regathering of those tribes according to prophecies of Scripture.

Some Hebraic Roots congregations encourage the use of Hebrew-based forms of the sacred names, but this is generally a minor emphasis.

Christian Hebrew Roots Movement

The Hebrew Roots movement is related to a subgroup known as "Christian Hebrew Roots." This subgroup follows the Ten Commandments (Ex 20:3-17) and the feasts of the Lord (Lev 23:1-44), but like mainstream Christianity it believes that all other Old Testament requirements have been "done away with".^[28]

The Christian Hebrew Roots movement rejects many of the same practices of many Protestant sects that the Hebrew Roots movement rejects. In particular, they reject the Roman Catholic Church's "transubstantiation" doctrine, and instead follow what it sees as the biblical teachings set forth in the New Testament regarding the "nature of Communion" as a symbol of Christ's body instead of the literal body and flesh of Jesus. This, they deduce from the words Jesus spoke to describe what they call an "amendment" to the Passover service being symbolic and not literal (in accordance with how they interpret the New Testament Greek).^[29]

The Christian Hebrew Roots movement does not teach a return to the law as dispensed by the scribes who Jesus rebuked as hypocrites. They interpret the "law" as pertaining to the Torah, and not the Jewish Oral Law, as the Hebrew Roots movement interprets it.^[30] Instead, the Christian Hebrew Roots movement follows what it claims is the worship pattern of Jesus, whom they claim freed mankind from the yoke of the letter of the law; and, in fulfilling the law, Jesus taught Christians to practice only the Ten Commandments and feasts of the Lord which make up "the acceptable year of the Lord"^[31] in his speech inaugurating his personal earthly ministry.

This main distinction between the two groups is that followers of the Hebrew Roots movement understand the word "fulfill" (playroo G4137), found in Matthew 5:17, to mean "fill up" specifically with meaning. This is in contradistinction to "destroy" (kataluo G2647) with which it is contrasted earlier in the same verse. Fulfill is also found to mean to place the commandments of God "on a firmer footing by interpreting them correctly in terms of God's ultimate will as He originally intended for His commandments to be obeyed",^[32] and not dispensing with them as something that has been "done away" by the atoning work of Jesus Christ, as Christian Hebrew Roots followers define it.

Both movements include adherents who are of Jewish heritage as well as Gentile heritage. The Christian Hebrew Roots movement is completely nondenominational, consisting of persons from many different religious backgrounds^[33] and teaches adherence to the health laws of the Torah but not the portions of the Torah which it believes were abandoned by Jesus. As such, they function as a sort of "bridge" between true Hebrew Roots theology and mainstream Christianity.

Criticism

The Hebrew Roots movement has been called a group of heretical, non-Christian, and non-Jewish cults:^[34][35][36]

Non-Christian because it accepts Jesus Christ as Savior and accepts the Torah as the spiritual authority and believes that the New Testament teaches that as well; Non-Jewish because Hebrew Roots accepts Jesus Christ as Savior and rejects the Talmud as a spiritual authority. All religious bodies from local Bible Studies to mega-churches have a leader. Because the indications are that the Hebrew Roots movement is generating from the grass-roots ("There isn't a church, there isn't a leader." ^[37]), the question arises as to when leaders of only numerous small, local and, for the most part, disconnected home Bible study groups qualify as a leader of a world-wide cult. Home fellowships are growing and they are not just Hebrew Roots.^[38][39] Although there are a number of Hebrew Root teachers with their own ministries, there is no Hebrew Roots college or seminary to attend. This is not to exclude the fact that there are relatively few HR ministries that have a formal congregation and/or ministry of which such the leader directly presides over and can direct its membership as he wishes. People gathering in their homes to explore and learn Scripture on their own where one is free to come and go, and where someone has to organize and lead a group is far different from a cultic leader seeking a name on a national stage and wishing to establish a large membership.

• Hebrew Roots repeats the heresy of the Judaizers.

Hebrew Roots adherents do not follow the Oral Law. “Probably the best description of Judaizers is in Acts 15:1: "And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, and said, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.'… Circumcision performed for the purpose of being "saved" meant a full, formal conversion to Judaism, complete with a baptism into Judaism and an embracing of the rabbis' entire Oral Law (probably the law that Peter had in mind when he referred to "a yoke...which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear)...The Judaizers believed that this conversion process would turn the Gentile believer into a full-fledged Jew, and that without this the Gentile could not be saved. Without a complete, formal conversion to Judaism, the Gentile believer could not become a full-fledged member of the saved Messianic Community, the Judaizers said...No Scripture-loving Jew could describe the written Torah as an unbearable yoke. See Psalm 19 and Psalm 119." ^[40]

• Gentile believing Christians only need to obey the 4 commandments given at the Council of Jerusalem and the New Testament commands—not the Torah.

“The main question of the so-called Jerusalem Council was not ‘How Should Gentiles Behave?’ The question was ‘What Do Gentiles Need To Do In Order To Be Saved’ ”. At the time of the Jerusalem Council, the New Testament was not yet written. Paul instructs Timothy (II Tim 2:15 and 3:15-16) to study the Word of Scripture. The only Scripture available at that time was the Old Testament. Are we to “conclude that it is permissible for Gentile believers to covet, steal, dishonor their parents, and dabble in the occult, for none of the commandments forbidding these things are specified here. [In Acts 15]. And to say that commandments against coveting, stealing, etc. appear on other pages of the New Testament is just evading the issue, for there was no "New Testament" book yet in existence to instruct these believers….Obviously James' words cannot mean that none of the Torah's commands are valid except for these four things, for the writers of the New Testament epistles, when writing years later, constantly quoted from the Torah to instruct Gentile believers. The confusion begins to clear up when the rest of James' statement is read: "For Moses of old time has in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogue every Sabbath day." (Acts 15:21).^[40] In other words, this is similar to what one hears from TV evangelists today (paraphrased): “Go to a Bible believing church to hear the Word of God after one accepts Jesus Christ as Savior”.

• Colossians: 2:13-17. These verses and many others give clear evidence that the Mosaic Covenant laws and ordinances have ended...and have already been fulfilled by Christ.

Eddie Chumney, one such HR teacher, addresses Colossians as follows:

v13-15 "This passage is not that difficult to understand if we have an understanding of our Hebraic roots in Messiah. However, many church leaders ignorantly teach that these verses mean something that it doesn't say (the Torah was nailed to the cross) when this verse and the rest of the Bible does not say this. When we sin (violation of the Torah), we bring a curse upon ourselves.(Deut 28:15) When we obey God (keep the Torah), we bring blessing upon our lives.(Deut 28:1-14). So, what was nailed to the cross was the PENALTY for sin (which is VIOLATING the Torah) (I John 3:4). The curse was for BREAKING the Torah (Deut 28:15-67). The BLESSING was for KEEPING the Torah (Deut 28:1-14). He [Christ] cancelled the written code with its regulations, that was against us and stood against us (the curse of God and eternal separation from Him for sinning—violating the Torah—and not repenting of our sins) nailing it (the penalty for our sins—violating the Torah), to the cross. However, in traditional Christianity, we have been taught that the curse comes by keeping the Torah when the Bible says exactly the opposite. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 5:17-19 that those who BREAK the Torah/commandments of God and teaches others to do so (most of historical Christianity for the past 2,000 years) will be called LEAST in the Kingdom of God but those who KEEP the Torah / commandments of God, will be called GREAT in the Kingdom of God.^[41]

v16-17 "Let no man therefore judge you <(discern correct ways), in meat, or in drink <(offerings/observance), or in respect of an holyday <(Feasts/seasons), or of the new moon <(times/cycles), or of the sabbath [days] <(rest/obedience, understanding times), Which are a shadow of things to come <(teaching what to look for); but the body [is] of Christ <(others who are also walking in obedience).

"Question: What is still coming, when Paul is writing this letter [Colossians] to Believers? Answer: The Second coming of Messiah...So in this passage the Apostle Paul instructs Believers that: the Sabbath, New Moon,[and] Holy Days/Feasts are pictures of something to look forward to—foreshadows: this is what it means: “shadows of things to come”

"All these things are to prepare and teach Believers about [the] 2nd coming of Messiah! (we will not understand, without these things!) So what do we need to be learning, doing, understanding, in order to discern the 2nd coming? [We] Need to be following Torah, The Sabbath, The New Moon, [and] The Annual Holy Days."^[42]

Hebrew Roots teachers address these Scriptures and many other controversial ones (which will not be further discussed here) on their internet sites.

See also

• Christian Torah-submission
• Christian views on the old covenant
• Early Christianity
• Ebionites
• Judaizers
• Nazarene (sect)
• New Perspective on Paul
• Paleo-orthodoxy
• Restorationism

References

External links

• Pam Dewey, Hebrew Roots Movement (Field Guide to the Wild World of Religion)