I'M A HERETIC, LIKE JESUS
Addressing Messianic Judaism, Christianity, Paganism, etc
The following is from a Messianic Judaism website. Messianic Jews believe Jesus is savior, but they call him Yeshua or Yahushuah, etc. I'm a universalist Christian. I think we're all coming together despite temporary differences. Following is this one group's beliefs and my somewhat heretical comments.
ARTICLES OF FAITH
https://hopeofisrael.info/beliefs
We believe there is one G-d, eternally existent in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that G-d is all knowing, all powerful, ever present, and changeless. He is holy, righteous, faithful, merciful and loving (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11, 48:16).
LK: GOD = LOVE. Yes, there's one God. Leaving out the "o" in "God" is a tradition of Man. The idea of 3 persons in God is another tradition of Man. It likely comes from a time when there were 3 planets close to the Earth over the north pole, which were lined up with the biggest one in back, the littlest in front and the 3rd in the middle, so it looked like 3 beings in one, which was drawn as 3 concentric circles. Jesus advised to follow his commandments of Love for All instead of the traditions of Man. Paul said to obey the Spirit of the Law instead of the Letter of the Law. Truly God is universal consciousness and universal Love or caring.
We believe that the Father is all fulness of the G-dhead invisible. We rejoice that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of humanity, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all that come to Him through faith in Messiah Yeshua (Exodus 4:22; Matthew 3:17; John 1:12, 3:16, 8:24; Galatians 3:26).
LK: ALL ARE SAVED. Rejoicing is fun. Faith means Trust and comes from the word Faithful. Trust in God means trust in universal Love, which is the Messiah or salvation from unhappiness. All are saved.
We believe that Messiah Yeshua is the eternal and only begotten Son of G-d, conceived of the Holy Spirit, and born of a Jewish virgin, Miriam (Mary). He was sinless in His life and He made atonement for the sins of the world by the shedding of His blood unto death. We believe in His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension, His high priestly work in Heaven for us, and His visible pre-millennial return to the world according to His promise (Leviticus 17:11; Psalm 22:16, 110:4; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Daniel 9:26; Zechariah 12:10; Mark 10:45; Romans 3:24-26, 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 21; 1 Peter 3:18; Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Micah 5:2; John 1:1, 8:58; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:2-3; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Hebrews 7:1-25, 8:1; 1 John 2:1).
LK: FORMER SATURN WORSHIP. Jesus used the traditions of ancient philosophy to help the people understand his principles, because that's what the people were familiar with. The Israelites were longtime worshipers of the planet Saturn, or Moloch, which was due to the former conditions when Saturn, Venus and Mars were near Earth above the north pole. Mars appeared to come out of Venus and Saturn, so that's where the birth story likely came from. And Jesus was likely born in the sign of Virgo, the virgin. In the Book of Revelation the planet Mars in the sign of Virgo is used to represent Jesus in the womb of the virgin. Jesus is/was an angel of God who does appear to have resurrected after crucifixion, as evidenced by the shroud of Turin. I think it's possible for someone to be born of a virgin, but I think it's more likely that Jesus' birth of a virgin meant in the sign of Virgo, since Revelation uses Virgo to represent a virgin. And I do think Jesus will return, either in body or in spirit, more likely in spirit.
We believe the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) is a person of the G-dhead; and as such, He possesses all the distinct attributes of Deity. He is ever present to glorify and testify of Messiah Yeshua. We believe that according to the Brit Chadashah (New Covenant), the Ruach Ha Kodesh permanently indwells, regenerates and seals the believer. He empowers every believer, sovereignly imparting at least one spiritual gift to each for the purpose of edifying and equipping the Body of Messiah. He guides, teaches, sanctifies and fills believers, and convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement. We believe the immersion of Ruach Ha Kodesh is both initiatory and universal. Believers should therefore seek to identify, utilize and develop their G-d given gifts for service in the Lord (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 139:7-8; Nehemiah 9:20; 1 John 5:6; John 14:16-17, 15:26-27, 16:7-15; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, 12:4-31; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30).
LK: VENUS. In the former Saturn configuration of planets, bright Venus for a time spiraled outward away from Saturn, looking like a spirit leaving pale Saturn's body. So the idea of the holy spirit came from that event, where Venus became identified as a spirit that was the life of the body. God is unity. It's not very helpful to think of God as different "persons". IMO it's best to think of God as All-powerful Love for All. Jesus is our example and the body is considered as an example of members of the body working together for the well-being of the whole body. So it's just a way to help think of how people working together can improve the entire nation or the entire human race.
We believe that the Bible is G-d's completed Word, that it was inerrantly written in its original manuscript by divinely inspired men, that it is the supreme, infallible authority in all matters of faith and conduct, and that it is true in all that it affirms (Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 40:7-8; Jeremiah 31:31; Matthew 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).
LK: FALLIBLE. Everyone is both divinely and undivinely inspired. No person, or book, or idea is perfect. Only universal Love is perfect. We move toward perfection, but likely never attain full perfection while we exist in Time. A book is made of words and everyone's understanding of words is different, so it's meaningless to say a book can be without error. God needs no book to inspire us. Books and words can help inspire us, but God's direct inspiration is always necessary. Words alone are insufficient.
We believe that humanity was created in the image of G-d. We believe that because of the original sin that all men are by nature and choice sinful and alienated from G-d. Humanity has no possible means of reconciling itself to G-d and that, by persisting in the sinful state of unbelief, humanity is justly condemned by G-d to eternal punishment (Genesis 1:26-27, 2:17, 3:6; Isaiah 53:6, 64:6; Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:20-23; John 2:24-25; Romans 5:12-15; Ephesians 2:1-3).
LK: NO HELL. No one deserves eternal punishment. It's not possible for anyone to persist in a sinful state for long. Sin simply means immaturity and God's Love helps us all to mature morally, no matter how much resistance anyone may have. Everyone's resistance to moral maturity is weaker than God's All-powerful Love.
We believe that humanity is reconciled to G-d, being justified by grace through faith in the atoning work of Messiah Yeshua. Being reconciled, humanity has peace with G-d and direct access to Him through Messiah Yeshua, and has the hope of eternal glory in Heaven with G-d. Further, there is no way of salvation apart from faith in Messiah Yeshua for any person, Jewish or Gentile (Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4; John 1:12-13, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:28; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Timothy 2:5; Titus 3:5).
We believe that all who have truly trusted in Messiah Yeshua are kept eternally secure by the power of G-d through the new birth, the indwelling and sealing ministry of Ruach Ha Kodesh, and the intercession of Messiah Yeshua (John 10:28-30, 14:16-17; Romans 8:38-39; Ephesians 4:30; 1 John 2:1; 1 Peter 1:23).
We believe that all who have trusted in Messiah Yeshua, though forgiven, still have to contend with the power of sin in this life. Each believer has the ability to choose sin or righteousness. G-d has made full provision for believers to live in obedience to Him through the complete atonement of Messiah Yeshua and the indwelling of the Spirit of G-d (John 17:17-19; Romans 6:1-11, 7:15-25, 8:11-13; 1 John 1:8-2:2).
LK: SAVIOR. No one is required to know about Jesus/Yeshua in order to be saved from unhappiness. Jesus is our example of Love for All, but God's Love is able to come to our understanding without the physical example of Jesus. Jesus’ example helps many of us, but it's what his example references that's vitally important and that is God's Love. Jesus's life exemplifies God's Love.
We believe the Congregation is a living, spiritual body of which Messiah Yeshua is the head and all true believers are members. The body of Messiah Yeshua began at Shavuot (Pentecost) when believers were filled with Ruach Ha Kodesh after the ascension of Messiah Yeshua. It will be completed when the Messiah returns for His bride. The body of Messiah is distinct from Israel and is composed of both Jewish and non-Jewish (Gentile) believers made into one new man by faith in Messiah Yeshua (Matthew 16:18; Acts 1:5, 2:14-38; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 2:11-15, 5:23-27; Colossians 1:18-20, 3:14-15).
We believe that the local congregation is an organized body of believers in Messiah Yeshua who have been through Mikveh/Te'vilah (baptism) by immersion upon confession of faith and who associate for worship, fellowship, teaching, and service. We believe the local congregation is governed by its members through the Z'keinim (Elders) and is not ruled by any outside political authority. Its purpose is to glorify G-d through worship, instruction, accountability, discipline, fellowship and outreach (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:11-13; Hebrews 10:19-25). We believe Messiah Yeshua commands Zicharon (the Lord's Supper) and a believer's Mikveh/Te'vilah (baptism) by immersion for observation by the Congregation (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
LK: SYMBOLISM. Blah, blah. That's fine. But don't be exclusivists. Don't imagine that anyone has to believe exactly or nearly what you say in order to work together in God's Love for All.
We believe that Satan is the chief enemy of G-d and our souls, and that while he continues to rule this present world, Messiah Yeshua's atoning death and resurrection have defeated him. Satan will suffer eternal punishment by being cast into the lake of fire after the Messiah's one thousand year Messianic reign (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 2:15; Revelation 20:10). Satan is the father of lies and anti-Semitism and hostility toward Israel. Believers can, and should, resist him and his demons by faith, applying Spiritual truth. We believe that though believers cannot be demon possessed, they can be demon oppressed (Genesis 3:1-19; Luke 10:18; John 8:44; Ephesians 6:10-19; James 4:7-8; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Revelation 12:13).
We believe in the G-d ordained ministry of holy angels to bring about G-d's intended plans and purposes, and to minister to all believers (Isaiah 6:1-7; Daniel 10:10-21; Luke 15:10; Ephesians 1:21; Hebrews 1:14; Revelation 7:11-12).
LK: SATAN. Satan is just selfishness. As God's Love increases, Satan decreases. Israel is everyone who experiences and expresses God's Love for All. Angels probably exist, but we don't have to believe in them for them to help us.
We believe the people of Israel, comprised of the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, are chosen by G-d. The Abrahamic Covenant expressed G-d's choice of Israel and His irrevocable, unconditional covenant to the Jewish people. Jewish believers have a unique two-fold identity as both the spiritual remnant of physical Israel and as members of the body of Messiah Yeshua. Non-Jewish believers become adopted sons and daughters of Abraham, and partakers of the spiritual blessings of Israel, and are therefore grafted into the Jewish Olive Tree for service. We believe that it is the believer's duty and privilege to communicate the Good News of Messiah Yeshua to the Jewish people first, and also to the Gentiles, according to the Scriptures, in a clear yet sensitive way. It is also the believer's duty to support the G-d given rights of Israel to the land while opposing anti-Semitism according to the provisions of the Abrahamic Covenant. We believe G-d has a special purpose and role for the nation of Israel and the Jewish people. We believe in the full physical and spiritual restoration of Israel at the Second Coming of the Messiah as proclaimed in the Scriptures (Genesis 12:1-3, 17:7-8, 26:3-4, 28:13-15; Exodus 19:6; Amos 3:2, 9:8; Zechariah 12:10; 14:2-4; Matthew 23:39; John 4:22; Acts 3:19-21, 13:46; Romans 1:16, 9:3-5, 10:1-5, 11:2-5, 23-26, 28-29; Ephesians 2:14-19).
Believers are not under the jurisdiction of the Law of Moses (Torah), and therefore are not obligated to practice the Law of Moses. However, both Jewish and non-Jewish believers have the freedom in Messiah to enjoy those aspects of the Law of Moses (i.e., festivals, Shabbat), which are non-salvific (i.e., sacrifices) in light of New Covenant revelation. These aspects of the Law are not, nor ever were, a means of justification or sanctification, which are by grace through faith alone. For non-Jewish believers, such observances are a means of identifying with the Jewish community and expressing the Jewish roots of Biblical faith (Acts 21:24-25; Romans 6:14-15, 8:2-9, 10:4-9, 14:1-6; 1 Corinthians 9:20-21; 2 Corinthians 3:1-11; Galatians 3:3, 11; Colossians 2:16-17).
LK: ISRAEL. Again, Israel means all people. The Scripture, Bible, or Gospel is good news when it's understood correctly.
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_I found Midwest Messianic Center in St. Louis. At https://ncc-stl.churchcenter.com/pages/our-purpose they say "Our Values - how we do everything". Near the bottom of the list is this. "Submitting - obeying God's Word as final, and yielding to the judgment of biblically qualified elders. Heb. 4:12, 13:37
_Those verses don't say what's in quotes there. Even if it did say that anywhere in the Bible, I wouldn't accept to yielding to the judgment of elders. Nor do I believe in obeying what's called "God's Word", because the Bible isn't God's Word. It's probably the word of angels who call themselves God's messengers. Moses said God appeared to him in a burning bush, but Stephen in the book of Acts said an angel appeared to him in the burning bush. The story of Abraham and Lot has similar statements about God and angels. So angels were calling themselves God, meaning messengers of God according to their own ideas of what God is. Angels are capable of error, as is proven by contradictions in the Bible.
_The judgment of elders and everyone else in a "church" or "spiritual group" IMO needs to conform with the example of Acts 15, in which the "church" came to decisions by unanimous decision making.