A Disclaimer from the "Profit": Since a few readers/haters like to make sure my work is "original"... this one isn't. I added quite a bit more research to information I compiled from around the internet. Are you offended that I study and pull pieces from other people's research to compile what, in my mind, is a more accurate teaching?? I didn't think so, but some do... get over it, right!!!
I KNOW I am also going to get in trouble by some mainline thinkers over this post, but I feel so strongly that we will not see personal nor corporate blessing until we do things the way we are taught in the Word of God minus ALL the trappings and traditions men have added for centuries... read with an open heart toward the Kingdom of G-d!!! Here goes:
Professing a faith in Yeshua Ha'machiach was not meant to be a whole new religion called "Christianity". And in doing so the focus is more on the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" the the Gospel proclaimed by Yeshua! "Christianity" is comprised of many groups and endless schools of thought. But does the picture today reflect the early Believers of Yeshua's Message of 2,000 years ago? The comparisons will surprise you!
Two billion people on earth profess to be "Christian". In other words, nearly every third person believes he is following Yeshua and the Bible.
Dominant in Western nations, Christianity is the world’s most popular religion, appearing in all sorts of shapes, sizes, varieties and flavors.
Huston Smith, author of The World’s Religions, described the world of Christianity this way: “From the majestic pontifical High Mass in St. Peter’s to the quiet simplicity of a Quaker meeting; from the intellectual sophistication of Saint Thomas Aquinas to the moving simplicity of spirituals such as ‘Lord, I want to be a Christian,’ from St. Paul’s in London, the parish Church of Great Britain, to Mother Teresa in the slums of Calcutta—all this is Christianity.”
Was he correct? Is this the picture of true Christianity?
The Traditional Churches
Have you ever wondered why there are so many different groups? Have you ever thought to yourself: “Is this what Yeshua meant when He said, ‘I will build my Church’?” Additionally, have you asked, “What is the difference between these groups?”—“Which one is the exact continuation of the first-century Believers?”
If you are religious, then your beliefs are important to you—religion is a central part of your life.
However, have you ever examined the traditional view of followers of Yeshua's teachings? Have you compared it with your Bible? Or do you simply assume that the church you attend is correct?
If religion is an important part of your life, then you should not take the answers to these questions lightly. On the other hand, if you do not consider yourself religious, this article will change your perspective of those who call themselves Christian.
What Did the Church Look Like?
Suppose you are living during the first century, and you are asked what you think Christianity will look like in 2,000 years. The only item you have to determine your answer is the Bible. What picture would you paint? Would it look similar to what exists today? Since the Holy Bible is supposedly Christianity’s foundation, it must hold the answers to the religion that comes from it.
Why, therefore, are there so many groups today claiming to be "Christian"? The simplest answer is that they all teach different things. If they taught the same doctrines, they would be united under one Church government—in one group.
The book of Acts begins with the birth of the New Testament Church. Therefore, this would be the place to begin. Notice how the Church was described after 3,000 people were baptized in one day: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship” (Acts 2:42).
Why is this significant? The two most defining features of G-d’s Church are evident: steadfast continuation in (1) the apostles’ doctrine (teachings), and (2) fellowship. Then, after verse 43 explains that the fear of God was apparent in “every soul,” verse 44 adds, “…all that believed were together.” Verse 46 also states that they continued to be of “one accord [agreement],” meeting together “daily” in various houses in “singleness of heart.”
The Church of G-d was unified!—not divided in varying and disagreeing groups all calling themselves "Christian".
One Church or Many?
Professing Christianity believes that G-d’s Church is split into different branches. Perhaps the Methodists best explain the common position of Christianity: “Nourished by common roots of this shared Christian heritage, the branches of Christ’s church have developed diverse traditions that enlarge our store of shared understandings. Our avowed ecumenical commitment as United Methodists is to gather our own doctrinal emphases into the larger Christian unity, there to be made more meaningful in a richer whole” (emphasis mine).
While this sounds honorable, is it what Yeshua intended? Were there to be many groups of “diverse traditions” all with their own “doctrinal emphasis”?
Even the Roman Catholics, who, for the most part, believe that G-d’s Church cannot be divided, say this: “Those [outside the Roman Catholic Church] who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church” (Catech 838). (GAG- my commentary)
Again, are all these differing groups what Yeshua intended?
The Bible is clear that the Church—Yeshua’s Body (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18)—is unified. Notice:
• I Corinthians 1:10: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
• I Corinthians 12:25: “…there should be no schism in the body.”
• Ephesians 4:16: “From whom the whole body fitly joined together [Moffat translation: “welded together”] and compacted by that which every joint supplies.”
Do these scriptures describe modern so-called followers of Yeshua? The answer is clear!
The world is filled with all sorts of different groups professing to be "Christian", and most profess that the other competing groups are also Christian. Yet, notice Yeshua’s words: “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). The Greek word for “stand” can also mean “abide, continue, be established, hold up.” A house or any organization cannot stand—abide, continue, hold up—if divided. Yet, the world of Christianity is divided!
Would Yeshua have built His Church to contradict His statement in Mark 3:25? Of course not.
Simply put, Yeshua said, “I will build My Church” (Matt. 16:18)—not churches! This is the first of many differences that you will discover as this article continues.
Is G-d a Trinity?
When researching the statements of belief of various "Christian" denominations, invariably, the description of G-d is listed first. Of course, since our beliefs should be based on following the G-d of the Bible, it is understandable that G-d is central.
Notice the common view of mainstream Christians: “The most distinguishing belief of Christianity is the doctrine of the Trinity, which views the one G-d as consisting of three Persons: the Father, the Son (Christ) and the Holy Spirit” (religionfacts.com).
Yet, nowhere in the entire Bible is the trinity mentioned, even if one combines a number of verses to try to prove it! (One scripture does mention this triune relationship in the King James translation, but biblical scholars admit that this verse was not part of the original text.) The convoluted, confused picture of G-d that professing "Christianity" presents is simply not there. Another reason for the confusion is the inaccurate belief that the "Old" Testament has been superseded by the New Testament. Another poor doctrinal stand taken by an anti-Semitic belief system that crept into Church around 325 AD with Rome's announcement that this NEW RELIGION of CHRISTIANITY was now the State Religion, and was further supported by "noble" King James' personal anti-Semite's which led to a literal re-write of the New testament removing all the flavor and Jewish meanings.
Of course, the true nature of G-d cannot be explained in a few short statements. Nevertheless, G-d’s Word is clear on who and what G-d is. There are only two G-d-beings—the Father and Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is not a person. G-d, the Father, is the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who has been sort of "recreated" in the image of "Christianity" and has been stripped of all Jewishness. This has caused a total lack of understanding of who he is, what Yeshua's role is, who should we be directing our prayers to, what we celebrate and even when we celebrate it! Our "Christianity" has, for the most part, become a man made "religion" full of un-Biblical traditions, celebrations and festivals that have been born out of appeasement and compromise. Hence we are engulfed in a virtually powerless, anemic survival that is not making near the impact for justice, brotherhood, love and support he intended at all!
The True Gospel
Another common emphasis among modern Christian churches is the mission of spreading and teaching the gospel. But how do all these groups define Yeshua’s gospel?
The word “gospel” means “good news.” Yeshua was a Messenger who preached a message of good news. Yet, almost every church believes and teaches that the gospel message is about Yeshua Himself—in effect, the message is about the Messenger. They focus on teaching and spreading stories about His life to new believers.
Yeshua does play an extremely important and central role in Christianity; however, He is not the gospel. Though the Bible clearly shows that Yeshua should be preached in conjunction with the gospel, it also clearly shows that He Himself preached the gospel—and He did not talk about Himself when He did so! He focused on the Father- modern Christianity focuses on the SON!
The Methodists believe the following: “Gospel has a number of distinct meanings. It refers to the Good News concerning Christ, the Kingdom of God, and salvation. It also refers to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.”
As can be seen from this definition, Christianity takes a vague approach to this basic, most fundamental teaching—the actual mission of Christianity is watered down, confused and simply taught incorrectly.
How does the Bible define the gospel? Notice Mark 1:14: “…Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.” This is the gospel that Jesus preached. It was in this same context that He said, “Repent you, and believe the gospel.” Which gospel? “…of the kingdom of G-d.”
Holidays and Holy Days
Central to modern Christianity is its many holidays: “The most important Christian holiday is Easter, a spring holiday that celebrates Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Easter is immediately preceded by Holy Week, which includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. The 40 days prior to Easter form the Lenten season, a time of fasting and repentance. Another holiday that came to be important is Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Jesus on December 25. Saints’ days are also important. Some of these, such as St. Patrick’s Day and St. Valentine’s Day, have come to play a prominent role in popular American culture” (religionfacts.com).
These are commonly observed days for both the religious and non-religious—but they are not taught in the Bible! Neither will you find that New Testament Believers kept ANY OF these worldly holidays- including the day Yeshua was born (which was NOT Dec 25th). Plus only once does the word “Easter” appear in the Bible. However, upon closer examination, the Greek word actually should be translated “Passover.”. Another one of King James' efforts to rid the Word of God of anything "Jewish".
So then, we must ask: What days, if any, did the New Testament Church observe?
The Old Testament describes the Holy Days instituted by God millennia ago. Physical Israel kept those days as did the early Believers- for almost THREE CENTURIES AFTER Yeshua rose and ascended to Heaven.
Notice that Paul mentioned the Days of Unleavened Bread: “And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days” (Acts 20:6).
Also, in Acts 2, we find the Church keeping the Feast of Weeks (or Pentecost). Because it was a Holy Day, the Church was “all with one accord in one place.”
Then there are the other Holy Days established by G-d—Passover, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day.
These Holy Days picture God’s Plan for mankind.
The Seventh-Day Sabbath
Another common trait of traditional Christianity is Sunday worship: “Christian practices vary by denomination, but common elements include a Sunday worship service…” (religionfacts.com). The vast majority of professing Christians claim that Sunday is the “Lord’s Day,” and that those who believe in G-d are to keep this day.
Many also believe that Yeshua did away with the seventh-day Sabbath. Then why did Yeshua say to His disciples, “Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:28)? His Disciples and all those who came under His teachings met together on Saturday for nearly 300 years after Yeshua's resurrection and ascension.
Notice this astonishing admission on whether Yeshua authorized the change from the Sabbath to Sunday: “For example, nowhere in the Bible do we find that Yeshua or the Apostles ordered that the Sabbath be changed from Saturday to Sunday. We have the commandment of G-d given to Moses to keep holy the Sabbath day that is the 7th day of the week, Saturday. Today most Christians keep Sunday because it has been revealed to us by the [Roman Catholic] church outside the Bible” (Catholic Virginian).
The Bible commands G-d’s people to have a “holy convocation” (or assembly) on the Sabbath and Holy Days (Lev. 23:3). Our book Saturday or Sunday – Which Is the Sabbath? explains that Yeshua kept the Sabbath, first-to-third century Believers kept that day, and God’s people are still required to observe the seventh day.
By keeping Sunday instead of G-d’s Sabbath, modern Christianity differs from what the Bible teaches and from what New Testament Believers 2,000 years ago observed.
A Little Flock
Could so many of these large, well-established churches—with hundreds of millions of people—be wrong?
Society, especially in Western cultures, stresses, “Bigger is better.” More money, more friends, larger cars, bigger houses and so on are all seen as a better way of life. The more people one can find to support this or that group, idea, or cause, the better. This way of thinking is prevalent in professing "Christianity". People feel safe in numbers; therefore, large congregations are more popular, and thus grow faster than small ones. Accountability and personal choices (responsibility) is not needed in large group settings where one is entertained, comforted and appeased for an hour or less, rather than being sharpened, made new, having your mind renewed, seeing HOLINESS come into your life washing out the filth of self and carnal choices!
But just because the majority follows a certain way, does that make it right?
Yeshau calls His Church a little flock (Luke 12:32). Only when Yeshua returns will G-d’s way of life prevail throughout the world. Until that point, Yeshua is only working with a few—called “firstfruits”—to rule with Him after His Second Coming.
“The god of this world”
Although we have looked at a few of the major differences between today’s Christianity and the Church that Yeshua established, let’s also look at how Yeshua described counterfeit Christianity: “Howbeit in vain do [they] worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, [they] hold the tradition of men. Full well [they] reject the commandment of G-d, that [they] may keep [their] own tradition” (Mark 7:7-9).
This blog post has briefly touched upon several common beliefs to which the majority of so-called Christians adhere.
So what happened within the last 2,000 years? How could so many today be so deceived?—and so wrong?
The Bible reveals that the whole world is deceived (Rev. 12:9) by the “god of this world” (II Cor. 4:4)—Satan the devil. The world is cut off from God, and Satan has deceived a large part of it into thinking they are following Christ. But, they are following “another Jesus” (11:4)—and, in fact, are not part of true Biblical System we are all called to who follow the Father and His Messiah.
Will you put forth the effort to first become, then find the true Church? I am trying!!
