By John Johnson
The issue of serving and worshiping Yahweh (merely god to some, albeit not the same “god” as Elohim Most High, GOD of ALL Creation) has been debated long before our 21st Century time, which present age now has more than 30,000 denominational factions that claim to be “Christian” (not to mention all the fragmented groups and cults), all of which think they are following the “WAY,” and add to that number the “Jews,” certainly at odds with “Christianity.” And, we must not forget the Pagan (Non-Biblical) religions that worship their own “gods.” Given this mixture of “religious” patrons, all who believe they are right, you would likely conclude, “there must be something wrong with this picture.” How is the “way” and what is the model for which this “way” should be defined? Very simply, ONLY THE HOLY SCRIPTURES can lead the “way” to the genuine model that Yahweh established from Moses to Yeshua AND through Paul, NONE of who’s teachings conflict with the SCRIPTURAL WAY, or with one another. “In the beginning was the WORD,” (the forever settled WORD), “John 1:1”, (Ps 119:89). If you are a true believer, ask yourself this question, “does it matter when, where, and how I worship Yahweh?”
Yeshua (Jesus) [Son of YHVH, God in the Flesh, Elohim Most High, Crucified and Risen King of Kings, bless and praise HIS NAME for ever] clearly settled this issue in His discussion with the woman at the well… who was discussing this very same issue with Him, and the context (for reference to Yeshua’s answer) must be taken into account from Genesis to Revelation (as Yahweh declared in the OT, Mal 3:6 “I am Yahweh, I CHANGE NOT...” and, in the NT, Heb 13:8 “Yeshua, the same yesterday, to day and for ever.” What WAS Yeshua’s answer to this vital question: “How is the “way” and what is the model for which this “way” should be defined?”
John 4:21-26 (Emphasis in bold and underlined mine for clarity of discussion)
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. KJV
The answer to the question is: One must Worship in spirit and in truth. The spirit part is not as difficult to define, as is the “truth” issue.
What is “truth” and where is it found? What does it mean to “worship in truth” and how would you do it? What would be your reference for “truth?”
I submit to you that to “worship in truth” one must think, say and do the things Yeshua and the disciples thought, said and did (be in agreement with what they believed and be an example of their example). Now what was their example? What did they believe, and what was the source of their belief? What Scriptures did they read, study and teach? What day did they have “church?” What foods did they believe were clean for us to eat? What “holidays” or “appointed times” did they hold as sacred and forever established by Yahweh? I also submit to you that the answers to these questions will not line up with your present day example of worship in most “churches” and you will need to very carefully find these answers in the Scriptures, not in the traditions and institutional “modern church model.”
You just heard (read) Yeshua say, “…I that speak unto thee am he.” Can we accept that the Scriptures are correct and that we have just been put on notice by Yeshua (The WORD, God in the flesh) that there is a WAY to worship Yahweh? It is called “in spirit and in truth.” Do you want to put your denominational, pastoral, institutional, traditional, self-appointed “opinion” (perhaps ignorance of the Scriptures) ahead of the Divine Response? I DO NOT. It says what it says and it means what is written. NOW, how will you deal with it?
In the book of Colossians, in the Apostle Paul’s opening comments to the saints, these powerful words (truth) are penned for ALL times:
Col 1:9-14 (Emphasis in bold and underlined mine for clarity of discussion)
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet [fitting] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: KJV
The “word” [power] NT:1849, GK “exousia,” is also translated [power] from “dunamis” in the Greek (GK 1411). Exousia, note carefully has its roots in the “seat” or place of authority, and is often translated as “authority.”
NT:1849
exousia (ex-oo-see'-ah); from NT:1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:
KJV - authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
This understanding is important to relate to what The Apostle Paul said in 2 Cor 4:3-4:
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are
lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them
which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who
is the image of God, should shine unto them. KJV
As a matter of Biblical
definition, “them which believe not,”
are ALL who DO NOT agree (obey) and walk in Bible Truth, by making it their
lifestyle. Calling oneself a “Christian,” and belonging to a “church” and doing
praise and worship the “church” way of the modern model, is NOT (in most
churches) any example of obedience to Yahweh’s version of “believing” Him. In
the original text (Hebrew) believe=obey… not simply have knowledge of his Word.
Yahweh interprets our lifestyle as what we are. If our lifestyle does not draw
its source of instruction from Torah, we are not considered to “believe” Him.
Now where would Paul get
such an idea; that there is a god of this world, who has power
[authority] to keep people in darkness (without truth, spiritual darkness)? How about the very words of Yeshua, whom Paul
encountered on the Road to Damascus… Acts 26:18
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from
darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may
receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by
faith that is in me. KJV
One of the most important truths for understanding the spiritual conflict of the ages, is that haSatan LOST the “power and authority” battle at Calvary. Yeshua, on that bloody hill, dealt him his fatal blow… and delivered ALL men from his “power and authority,” EXCEPT for those who DO NOT KNOW THE TRUTH (Unaltered Word of Yahweh). The LIE is the only power and authority left that haSatan can use against us. Yes, the LIE (opposite to, or any dilution of truth) has power and authority over those who are blinded under its influence. In my opinion, dilution of truth has done more damage than the blatant outright lie, because it has left many in a slumber and comfortable in their delusion. The term “delegated influence,” from the concordance meaning above, was orchestrated by haSatan by cunning and deception in the early “church," as confirmed by Yeshua in His Divine warning to the Seven Churches of Asia (Rev Chapters 2 and 3). The raging battle for the souls of mankind is about the LIE and the TRUTH. HaSatan is still yet today in the same business of opposing and distorting truth. Yeshua said he (haSatan) was a “liar” from the beginning. (For an excellent book: “The Law and Grace,” by Todd D. Bennett, www.amazon.com or www.shemayisrael.net ).
First, only the Holy Scriptures can be the “reference” to define “truth” and NO MAN NOR INSTITUTION HAS A DIVINE AUTHORITY TO CHANGE THE SCRIPTURAL MEANING OF YAHWEH’S WORDS AND THEIR “ORIGINAL” USE. (Although, the Roman Catholic Church has stated that they do; i.e., their changing “Sabbath” from the 7th day to the 1st day, and other similar acts, such as changing Passover to Easter, etc.). In the study of Scripture, you must go to the original use and foundation of the meaning of the words and how they were used in the culture and language of their established meanings. Translation into other languages, DOES NOT convey any authority to change the original meaning or way of “expressing” thought or action concerning one’s behavior and one must comply with the instruction of the intent of the words and their contextual value…because, YAHWEH’S WORD IS WRITTEN, AND FOR EVER SETTLED. To act or “approve” otherwise is to act and “endorse” (and condone) a LIE… whereby haSatan (the serpent/devil) began his earthly campaign, in the Garden of Eden, and “twisted and distorted” the TRUTH. Who will you believe and how will you worship in truth? ALL believers MUST come to grips with this issue. The word “truth,” is joined at the hip with “to believe” and “faithfulness.” The following concordance and commentary quotations are listed after the “first use” of the ORIGINAL words, “Yahweh defined” meaning (Hebrew Language), and the Scriptures that contained the Divine expression… be careful what you think and believe about Yahweh’s commandments, they are NOT out of relevance to our times or lives and will “…judge us in that LAST day,” as Yeshua said in John 12:48.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath
one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in
the last day. KJV
Yeshua has NOT
spoken a different word in the New (actually “renewed”) Testament than He WAS
(the WORD) in the Torah, (and entire Tenakh, OT). You MUST understand this LIFE and DEATH TRUTH. Please
study the following commentary, while thoroughly evaluating the comments above,
and then pray and seek the answer to the last question in this article.
First Used: Gen 24:27
27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his [truth]: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren. (KJV)
[OT:571]
'emeth (eh'-meth); contracted from OT:539; stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness:
(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
'emet OT:571, "truth; right; faithful." This word appears 127 times in the Bible. The Septuagint translates it in 100 occurrences as "truth" (aletheia) or some form using this basic root. In Zech 8:3, Jerusalem is called "a city of truth." Elsewhere, 'emet is rendered as the word "right" (dikaios) "Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly..." Neh 9:33. Only infrequently (16 times) is 'emet translated "faithful" (pistis), as when Nehemiah is described as "a faithful man, and feared God above many" Neh 7:2.
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
First Used: Gen 15:6
6 And he [believed] in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. KJV
[OT:539]
'aman (aw-man'); a primitive root; properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain; once (Isa 30:21; interchangeable with OT:541) to go to the right hand:
(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
B. Verb (See OT: 530, A. Noun, below, under FAITHFULNESS)
'aman OT:539, "to be certain, enduring; to trust, believe." This root is found in Akkadian, Ugaritic, and Phoenician. In the Old Testament, the word occurs fewer than 100 times.
Three words are derived from this verb: 'amen ("amen"-- 30 times; e. g., Ps 106:48), 'emet ("true"-- 127 times; e. g., Isa 38:18), and 'emunah ("faithfulness").
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
First Used: Ex 17:12
12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were [steady] until the going down of the sun. KJV
[OT:530]
KJV - faith (-ful, -ly, -ness, [man]), set office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily.
(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
A. Noun.
'emunah OT:530, "faithfulness." This word occurs in Punic as emanethi ("certainty"). In the Hebrew Old Testament, the noun occurs 49 times, mainly in the Book of Psalms (22 times). The first occurrence of the word refers to Moses' hands: "But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun" Ex 17:12.
The basic meaning of 'emunah is "certainty" and "faithfulness." Man may show himself "faithful" in his relations with his fellow men 1 Sam 26:23. But generally, the Person to whom one is "faithful" is the Lord Himself: "And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart" 2 Chron 19:9. The Lord has manifested His "faithfulness" to His people: "He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he" Deut 32:4. All his works reveal his "faithfulness" Ps 33:4. His commandments are an expression of his "faithfulness" Ps 119:86; those who seek them are found on the road of "faithfulness": "I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me" Ps 119:30. The Lord looks for those who seek to do His will with all their hearts. Their ways are established and His blessing rests on them: "A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent" Prov 28:20. The assurance of the abundance of life is in the expression quoted in the New Testament Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11 from Hab 2:4: "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith."
The word 'emunah is synonymous with tsedeq ("righteousness"-- cf. Isa 11:5), with chesed ("lovingkindness"-- cf. Ps 98:3, NASB), and with mishpat ("justice" cf. Jer 5:1).
The relationship between God and Israel is best described by the word hesed ("love"); but as a synonym, 'emunah fits very well. Hosea portrays God's relation to Israel as a marriage and states God's promise of "faithfulness" to Israel: "And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kind- ness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt [acknowledge] the Lord" Hos 2:19-20. In these verses, the words "righteousness," "judgment" ("justice"), "loving-kindness," "mercies," and "faithfulness" bear out the conclusion that the synonyms for 'emunah are covenantal terms expressive of God's "faithfulness" and "love." The assurance of the covenant and the promises is established by God's nature; He is "faithful."
Man's acts Prov 12:22 and speech 12:17 must reflect his favored status with God. As in the marriage relationship, "faithfulness" is not optional. For the relation to be established, the two parties are required to respond to each other in "faithfulness." Isaiah and Jeremiah condemn the people for not being "faithful" to God: "Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon [this city]" Jer 5:1; cf. Isa 59:4; Jer 7:28; 9:3.
Faithfulness will be established in the messianic era Isa 11:5. The prophetic expectation was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, as his contemporaries witnessed in Him God's grace (cf. checed) and truth (cf. 'emunah): "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" John 1:18. It is significant that John puts these two terms side by side, even as they are found together in the Old Testament.
The Septuagint translations are: aletheia ("truthfulness; dependability; uprightness; truth; reality") and pistos ("trustworthy; faithfulness; reliability; rest; confidence; faith"). The KJV gives these translations: "faithfulness; truth; set office; faithfully; faithful. "
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
To embrace “truth” is to stand faithfully, be steady, endure, believe and obey the meaning of an established, Yahweh given definition of anything (one could equally say, do things the way Yahweh commanded and instructed us to do them). His “Torah” is such an example, as it’s meaning is “instruction.” Torah is truth. To change it’s meaning (oppose or distort its purity, profane it) amounts to what the Scriptures call “lawlessness,” which could be called “Torahlessness.” To oppose any teachings of Moses [Torah] (cast stumbling blocks before the Children of Israel) is called the doctrine of Balaam by Yeshua in Rev 2:14. In Rev 2:15 Yeshua said, “he hated the deeds of the Nicolaitanes,” which means to “dilute” or “mix in” Non-Torah teaching with Torah teaching. Both these profane practices thrive in the modern church model, which does not follow Torah definition of worship “in truth,” and people go about doing their own thing. Yeshua said the Torah would not pass away until heaven and earth have passed away… look out your window, do you still see heaven and earth?
Now that you know how “truth,” “to believe,” and “faithfulness” are used and expressed and acted upon by example from the Scriptures, you will need to consider your “church” experience. You must decide how the “model” of your modern, 21st Century institution, compares to true Biblical examples of the original believers, not the “modernized” church example of our day, but like the Sabbath (7th day) believer’s who started out with Yeshua, known as “the people of the way,” the disciples and their followers, the first 75 years of believers “model” before Un-Biblical changes came into distort (profane) the “truth” (especially as greatly changed by Constantine and the Roman Church, which model nearly ALL modern Catholic and Protestant churches yet conform to today… all a distortion of the ORIGINAL assembly of believers). www.rev1467.org website has been set up to guide you through the “maze” of confusion on this issue... tell someone you know to take some time and study the articles and teachings on the website and carefully compare the teachings to the Bible to see if these things are not so.
The remaining question is, how will I “worship” Yahweh, will I search out the truth (Will of Yahweh in His Torah), and will I Keep His Sabbath (7th day of rest) and Festivals, and will I stop following UN-BIBLICAL (Pagan) worship patterns, i.e. SUNday, Easter, Christmas, and will I accept TRUTH as ONLY THE ORIGINAL WRITTEN WORD OF YAHWEH? A place to "start" learning and understanding how to "worship in spirit and truth" would be to simply "jump in" the practice of "keeping the Sabbath," the 7th day of the week as a rest and study day for "holiness" (sundown Friday thru sundown Saturday: YHVH's day runs from "evening to evening"). This is not to say you should "leave or quit" your present fellowship... the main issue is that IF you practice your "Sunday" as Sabbath priority over the Biblical Sabbath, that is sin... as "as all transgression of the Law (Torah) is sin," 1John 3:4 KJV... Now after you begin to "understand" and "learn" the truth and see its affects in your life, it may be that you simply keep a weekly "Sabbath" with other like minded believers and have no more desire to stay in a fellowship that disregards the truth of which day they are commanded to place as the priority Sabbath according to the Torah... after all, Proverbs 28:9 says, " he who turns away his ear from hearing the Torah (Law), (with agreement and compliance, as "hear" in Hebrew means to "do"), even his prayer will be an abomination." Of course, you will want to pray for YHVH to provide the Holy Spirit's leading you in these things... and after you sufficiently read Scriptures and basically understand in your heart (not necessarily with your mind's full support Prov 3:5-6) what Yeshua would have done... go and do likewise. One who never "jumps in" the pool can not learn to swim.
He is waiting for YOUR answer… by your behavior, actions and lifestyle. The time is NOW and it is short, as ALL of us are racing towards the grave.
Yeshua said, “you will know the truth and the truth will set (make) you free.” The conclusion one must draw from this remark is that we will be “free from the LIE,” if in fact we seek the truth. Pollster George Barna, back in the early to mid 1990’s, as I recall, reported that about 1% of “Evangelical Christians” read their Bibles regularly, such as daily. Is it any wonder that truth has been so badly profaned? Outside the Holy Scriptures, how else can you find real un-profaned truth? WE MUST go back to the “line upon line, precept upon precept” close study of Yahweh’s word… Genesis to Revelation, and NOT allow men, institutions, “churches” and modern day Pharisees to lead us from Torah’s Divine truth. Yahweh’s Holy Spirit “The Spirit of Truth,” will faithfully teach you. Trust HIM. DO NOT let anyone tell you the Bible is not for today, ALL 66 books. Start at the beginning, and do not fragment the text, keep it in context… it means what it says and it is truth.
May His Holy Spirit open your mind, heart, and your understanding (and may He lift every veil, as HE did for me); and may you Worship HIM in spirit and in TRUTH. My wife has said it wisely, “you have to be looking for the truth, with all your heart, and want it more than you want your tradition, peer approval, teachings and doctrines that you acquired by association with those things and people who yet hold to such convictions; and you have to want the truth more than you want to defend what may be a faulty practice, as truth will challenge anything that is opposed to it. And the Holy Spirit must do the work, we can’t make anyone agree with us.” Well said, ditto, because the scriptures tell us that we are to plant the seed (Word of Elohim) and water it, and that it is THE HOLY SPIRIT who will bring the increase. Truth will require you to “unlearn” some things… you will find it worth the struggle.
For more reading:
Christianity's Conflict With Divine Law
Shalom and May Yahweh’s Holy Spirit direct and protect you from the evil one.
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