Yes. Also Christianity has censored many of the writings of men they claim as spiritual fathers by either not publishing or editing out topics that do not comform to the Christian church consensus. I attended a university with a library of original journals and writings of many historically famous "preachers" or "pastors" from a couple hundred years ago. As a new believer in Yeshua with no church indoctrination or bias, although I primarily read the Bible, I was curious and read these old writings by spiritual and intellectual giants and discovered that for example Sunday and Christmas and Easter were not honored by them but considered pagan holidays, and that Saturday was considered the Sabbath. There were hand written sermons by people such as John Wesley on keeping the sabbath and on it being sunset to sunset on Saturday. These books could not be checked out but had to be read with gloves on in the attic of the university library. In my ignorance I decided to buy "best of" books by some of these preachers from a Christian bookstore and discovered the censorship. Thankfully I was attending a church that emphasized getting fed from the Word on your own, and never relying on someone else to tell you what it says, but know for yourself what it says. Hearing the sermon or teaching at church should only confirm to you what the Holy Spirit already showed you in the Word at home. So I studied Hebrew and became proficient enough to translate the scriptures myself and receive academic honors for it. There is no church or Messianic congregation or Hebrew Roots fellowship I have found in my region that is teaching this way and discerning the lies.
First, thank you for taking the time to read this. Second, there’s so much truth in what you said, others need to hear it! I’m genuinely thankful to know others are digging for truth!
The Truth is a joy. It's all about the Holy Spirit in us, writing the Torah on our heart. The institutional church is not Biblical. The priesthood of all believers erases the seminary-trained clergical elite. A spectator church is anathema.
I am a Protestant believer but whole heartedly agree with everything you wrote. Certain Christian leaders- Andy Stanley for one- who advocated for “unhitching” the Old Testament from the New Testament are, in my opinion, entirely missing the big picture. I see the Bible as one contiguous story line, beautifully portraying, anticipating, and fulfilling the purpose of the Law in Jesus.
I have been following after messiah all my life. He is all i want. Even at 5 years old i knew what I wanted.
He led me closer to Himself, in spite of the teachings of christianity.
(maybe i should say, 'churchianity' ?)
I understand Him better in this context, in the context of "walking out torah".
and yet... I have been married almost 43 years now, messianic for almost 20; and my dear husband is still not won over. It's lonely!
He is deeply involved in our local Christian church. I am somewhat involved, because messianics in our area are rare; fellowship is rare. But i ache for truth to be taught.
(a major problem is how some passages in our bibles were wrongly translated, whether from Hebrew or greek. Add in the wrong teaching, & there's real problems!)
Abba Elohim comforted me with a precious comfort years ago, and with some humor... so I know eventually we will all be on the same page. But some will be so reluctant, He will indeed have to use the tire iron on them ("He will rule them with a rod of iron"). And meanwhile, I speak and live the truth and am ignored. It's hard. Indeed, i know 2 families who were walking torah and turned back to just being christians.
It's easy to fall into the ditch on the other side, too: i know several couples who fell into judaism and now don't Yeshua in any regard. It breaks my heart.
Thank you for your comment. We share the same ache :) It took me a long time to break out of the "matrix" and see that God's Word had been severely manipulated by human hands with the enemies prodding. Now that I see it, I feel obligated to share, and your comment made the time writing worth it!
Share what you see so others can break free. (my new slogan)
“24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”
Matthew 13:24-30, KJV
The wheat and the tares shall grow together.
Church leaders may not be doing a perfect job, but then again we are supposed to study to show ourselves approved unto God.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15, KJV
This just means we can’t really point and blame others, but rather study and encourage others to study for themselves.
Going to church serves the function of bringing believers together, but it cannot replace personal time spent with God.
Maximilian, you’re absolutely right that fellowship matters but here’s where many have missed the point. The word translated church in most English Bibles is ekklesia (ἐκκλησία), and it doesn’t mean a building or an institution. It means “the called-out ones.”
In Greek civic life, an ekklesia was an assembly of citizens called out to govern and make decisions. In the Hebrew context, it mirrors qahal, the assembly of Israel, those set apart by covenant.
So when Yeshua said, “I will build my ekklesia,” He wasn’t talking about an organization with programs and titles. He was talking about a community of people called out of the world to live under God’s rule and reflect His Kingdom.
Gathering together is vital, but not to maintain a system. It’s to strengthen the called-out ones so they can live faithfully in the world while belonging fully to Him.
OUTSTANDING!! I’ve yet to find ONE church where I live that teaches this. Doctrine has been replaced with “Christian” concerts replete with coffee bars and therapy for the 3D world. It is precisely why I believe the Church Age is nearing its end. I wrote a poem about it:
I was brought up as a church going Lutheran. As a young adult I was searching for "The Truth," and started reading through the Bible. I began to visit various protestant denominations, Catholicism, and non-denominational churches, also listening to many of the TV and radio preachers. All seemed to vary from the Holy Word. I cannot understand why the entirety of organized Christianity has rejected the true Sabbath, ignored the God ordained Feasts (Holy Days), and in its place, instituted "Holidays" originating from Paganism.
Currently I follow Baruch Korman and his LoveIsrael.org and teachings/studies on YouTube.
That’s the same way I felt after I started reading it for myself, I have a great resource if you’re interested, a Rabbi who does zoom Bible studies and he is an awesome teacher if you want I’ll PM it to you :)
George Fox and his Quakers realized this centuries ago when the recognized the inner light and our responsibility to nurture and follow it. Most American churches use the Spirit as feel-good entertainment, helped along by a worship band and eight vocalists fed through a 300 watt sound system.Most churches are are just social clubs and the building the clubhouse. Jesus never promised a New Testament of 27 books. He did promise the Spirit. Over and over, the Spirit and this Kingdom within our hearts. We have strayed so far.
The word anathema has two main meanings. One is to describe that something or someone is being hated or avoided. The other refers to a formal excommunication by a church. These meanings come from the New Testament, where an anathema was a person or thing cursed or condemned by God. In the Old Testament, an anathema was something or someone cursed and separated from God because of sin. These represent two types of settings, one for devotion, the other for destruction.-
I see many of these themes presented, albeit less graciously, in a book called Pagan Christianity.
While I do think the modern church structure can have some benefits, I agree the power structures and hierarchical organization is not biblical.
That being said, I don’t NECESSARILY have a problem with pastors teaching, if they are rightly dividing the word of God.
For a time, I was interested in participating in a “house church” but these are hard to find… so our family has settled in with a traditional church, but actively involved in some of the small group/home fellowship offerings that meet outside of Sunday service. But it takes time to build intimacy, openness and true fellowship.
Thank you for posting this.
I recently came across your posts and am enjoying your content thus far.
Your sentiments are very similar to ours. We have a close-knit group of friends from different churches who meet every week. We actually celebrated Shabbat together last week. Honestly, we go to the big church mostly to see people and sing.
I have read the Torah and it is worth reading. A little bit different wording but still similar to the Bible. Thank you for sharing your wonderful work 🙏🏻
After a terrible experience with a church, I have for twenty years periodically asked God for a church to attend. I have never felt lead to one. Fellow Christians still worry about my salvation, which I always find curious. After reading your post, I feel a little sense of conviction that I’m free.
Yes. Also Christianity has censored many of the writings of men they claim as spiritual fathers by either not publishing or editing out topics that do not comform to the Christian church consensus. I attended a university with a library of original journals and writings of many historically famous "preachers" or "pastors" from a couple hundred years ago. As a new believer in Yeshua with no church indoctrination or bias, although I primarily read the Bible, I was curious and read these old writings by spiritual and intellectual giants and discovered that for example Sunday and Christmas and Easter were not honored by them but considered pagan holidays, and that Saturday was considered the Sabbath. There were hand written sermons by people such as John Wesley on keeping the sabbath and on it being sunset to sunset on Saturday. These books could not be checked out but had to be read with gloves on in the attic of the university library. In my ignorance I decided to buy "best of" books by some of these preachers from a Christian bookstore and discovered the censorship. Thankfully I was attending a church that emphasized getting fed from the Word on your own, and never relying on someone else to tell you what it says, but know for yourself what it says. Hearing the sermon or teaching at church should only confirm to you what the Holy Spirit already showed you in the Word at home. So I studied Hebrew and became proficient enough to translate the scriptures myself and receive academic honors for it. There is no church or Messianic congregation or Hebrew Roots fellowship I have found in my region that is teaching this way and discerning the lies.
First, thank you for taking the time to read this. Second, there’s so much truth in what you said, others need to hear it! I’m genuinely thankful to know others are digging for truth!
Try One New Man Jews and Christians together! Based on boarders of East/West Sussex, UK.
If interested I can provide further contact details. H
Is that a book?
Good for You …
Study to show
“ YOURSELF APPROVED “
The Truth is a joy. It's all about the Holy Spirit in us, writing the Torah on our heart. The institutional church is not Biblical. The priesthood of all believers erases the seminary-trained clergical elite. A spectator church is anathema.
Love your word choice David - anathema fits perfectly!
I am a Protestant believer but whole heartedly agree with everything you wrote. Certain Christian leaders- Andy Stanley for one- who advocated for “unhitching” the Old Testament from the New Testament are, in my opinion, entirely missing the big picture. I see the Bible as one contiguous story line, beautifully portraying, anticipating, and fulfilling the purpose of the Law in Jesus.
THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!
thank you for writing this.
thank you for telling the truth.
oh, heaven.... where do I start ???
I have been following after messiah all my life. He is all i want. Even at 5 years old i knew what I wanted.
He led me closer to Himself, in spite of the teachings of christianity.
(maybe i should say, 'churchianity' ?)
I understand Him better in this context, in the context of "walking out torah".
and yet... I have been married almost 43 years now, messianic for almost 20; and my dear husband is still not won over. It's lonely!
He is deeply involved in our local Christian church. I am somewhat involved, because messianics in our area are rare; fellowship is rare. But i ache for truth to be taught.
(a major problem is how some passages in our bibles were wrongly translated, whether from Hebrew or greek. Add in the wrong teaching, & there's real problems!)
Abba Elohim comforted me with a precious comfort years ago, and with some humor... so I know eventually we will all be on the same page. But some will be so reluctant, He will indeed have to use the tire iron on them ("He will rule them with a rod of iron"). And meanwhile, I speak and live the truth and am ignored. It's hard. Indeed, i know 2 families who were walking torah and turned back to just being christians.
It's easy to fall into the ditch on the other side, too: i know several couples who fell into judaism and now don't Yeshua in any regard. It breaks my heart.
Please be faithful to our dear Messiah!
Thank you for your comment. We share the same ache :) It took me a long time to break out of the "matrix" and see that God's Word had been severely manipulated by human hands with the enemies prodding. Now that I see it, I feel obligated to share, and your comment made the time writing worth it!
Share what you see so others can break free. (my new slogan)
Shalom my friend!
“24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”
Matthew 13:24-30, KJV
The wheat and the tares shall grow together.
Church leaders may not be doing a perfect job, but then again we are supposed to study to show ourselves approved unto God.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15, KJV
This just means we can’t really point and blame others, but rather study and encourage others to study for themselves.
Going to church serves the function of bringing believers together, but it cannot replace personal time spent with God.
Maximilian, you’re absolutely right that fellowship matters but here’s where many have missed the point. The word translated church in most English Bibles is ekklesia (ἐκκλησία), and it doesn’t mean a building or an institution. It means “the called-out ones.”
In Greek civic life, an ekklesia was an assembly of citizens called out to govern and make decisions. In the Hebrew context, it mirrors qahal, the assembly of Israel, those set apart by covenant.
So when Yeshua said, “I will build my ekklesia,” He wasn’t talking about an organization with programs and titles. He was talking about a community of people called out of the world to live under God’s rule and reflect His Kingdom.
Gathering together is vital, but not to maintain a system. It’s to strengthen the called-out ones so they can live faithfully in the world while belonging fully to Him.
OUTSTANDING!! I’ve yet to find ONE church where I live that teaches this. Doctrine has been replaced with “Christian” concerts replete with coffee bars and therapy for the 3D world. It is precisely why I believe the Church Age is nearing its end. I wrote a poem about it:
https://substack.com/@kayanneriley483280/note/c-134312170?r=h1bh8&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
I was brought up as a church going Lutheran. As a young adult I was searching for "The Truth," and started reading through the Bible. I began to visit various protestant denominations, Catholicism, and non-denominational churches, also listening to many of the TV and radio preachers. All seemed to vary from the Holy Word. I cannot understand why the entirety of organized Christianity has rejected the true Sabbath, ignored the God ordained Feasts (Holy Days), and in its place, instituted "Holidays" originating from Paganism.
Currently I follow Baruch Korman and his LoveIsrael.org and teachings/studies on YouTube.
That’s the same way I felt after I started reading it for myself, I have a great resource if you’re interested, a Rabbi who does zoom Bible studies and he is an awesome teacher if you want I’ll PM it to you :)
Yes, Thanks.
I didn’t put two and two together, but I like that guy too the one that you put a link to..
Done ✔️
YES ... YES ... & YES ...
AGREED
George Fox and his Quakers realized this centuries ago when the recognized the inner light and our responsibility to nurture and follow it. Most American churches use the Spirit as feel-good entertainment, helped along by a worship band and eight vocalists fed through a 300 watt sound system.Most churches are are just social clubs and the building the clubhouse. Jesus never promised a New Testament of 27 books. He did promise the Spirit. Over and over, the Spirit and this Kingdom within our hearts. We have strayed so far.
Amen - you nailed it.
An excellent ,even life changing article.
That the gospel starts with Jeremiah is a real insight.
Thank you.
Watchman Nee says the same thing in his way. So vital to grasp it.
Thank you for taking the time to read it and comment :) I will have to look up Watchman!
Top notch excellent.
Thank you 🙏
The word anathema has two main meanings. One is to describe that something or someone is being hated or avoided. The other refers to a formal excommunication by a church. These meanings come from the New Testament, where an anathema was a person or thing cursed or condemned by God. In the Old Testament, an anathema was something or someone cursed and separated from God because of sin. These represent two types of settings, one for devotion, the other for destruction.-
What version of the Holy Bible is the best to read?
I love the Complete Jewish Study Bible and the Tree of Life Version. Both handle the text well.
‘You are Peter, and on this rock I build my church’. Not a building, not an organization, but a church of men. You nailed it, Serg.
Amen!
I see many of these themes presented, albeit less graciously, in a book called Pagan Christianity.
While I do think the modern church structure can have some benefits, I agree the power structures and hierarchical organization is not biblical.
That being said, I don’t NECESSARILY have a problem with pastors teaching, if they are rightly dividing the word of God.
For a time, I was interested in participating in a “house church” but these are hard to find… so our family has settled in with a traditional church, but actively involved in some of the small group/home fellowship offerings that meet outside of Sunday service. But it takes time to build intimacy, openness and true fellowship.
Thank you for posting this.
I recently came across your posts and am enjoying your content thus far.
Your sentiments are very similar to ours. We have a close-knit group of friends from different churches who meet every week. We actually celebrated Shabbat together last week. Honestly, we go to the big church mostly to see people and sing.
I have read the Torah and it is worth reading. A little bit different wording but still similar to the Bible. Thank you for sharing your wonderful work 🙏🏻
After a terrible experience with a church, I have for twenty years periodically asked God for a church to attend. I have never felt lead to one. Fellow Christians still worry about my salvation, which I always find curious. After reading your post, I feel a little sense of conviction that I’m free.
Thank you.
And you’ll be free, indeed, my friend. 🙏