The Positive Aspects and Hidden Dangers of the Jewish Roots Movement (Pt. 2)

The Positive Aspects And Hidden Dangers
of the Jewish Roots Movement (Pt. 2)

Rock of Offence Special Commentary

Examining a Problem that has Plagued
the Church Since the First Century

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This is Part 2 of a seven-part Bible study.
Click on the links below for the next part
or return to the homepage.

Pt. 1 --- Pt. 3 --- Pt. 4
Pt. 5 --- Pt. 6 --- Pt. 7

Return To Home Page

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The Deity and Humanity of Christ

In the Bible, Jesus is referred to as both 'the Son of God and the son of man' which speaks of his unique 'dual nature' as both God and man. Before His birth, Scripture reveals that Jesus existed as 'the Word'. The Apostle John said it this way;

(Speaking of Christ) "In the beginning was the Word ... and the Word was with God … and the Word was God ... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.'"

And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (Read the entire account in John 1:1-14)

Jesus preexisted as God (also called "the Word"). Yet, at Mary’s conception, God took on human flesh in order to live and walk among us. He came into the world to make eternal life available to the fallen human race. To accomplish His mission Jesus had to bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humans ... a separation that was caused by Adam's sin in the garden. The task required a unique individual that was both fully man (human) and fully God (Divine). Jesus had to be human to represent all those on earth who desire salvation. Yet, Jesus also had to be God in order to complete the union to our Heavenly Father (the source of eternal life) on the other side. We see this 'union and oneness' in Jesus’ prayer recorded in John 17:

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word (Christian believers living today); that they all may be one, as you, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as you have loved Me." (John 17: 20-23 – Emphasis Added)

This Divine union, a necessary part of Christ’s salvation, is something no earthly man or woman can achieve on their own - regardless of how righteous and holy they try to live. It requires a Divinely qualified mediator that can bridge the gap.

The Apostle Paul said it this way:

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all ..." (1 Timothy 2:5-7)

(Notice that Paul emphasizes that this mediator is 'the man Christ Jesus'. It is a function that Jesus can only fulfill by being … both God and man.)

Dangerous religious misconceptions occur when we fail to keep Christ’s ‘dual nature’ in perspective. Some claim that Jesus was a good man, a mighty prophet and a teacher of the Holy Scriptures ... but is not God. However, if this common belief is true (and it isn’t) – then Jesus is only a man regardless of how godly he appears to live. He stands condemned, like everyone else, under the curse of Adam’s sin. Such an individual has no ability to provide eternal life, since he lacks the authority that only God Himself possesses. On the other hand, some focus so much on Christ’s Deity that they ignore (and even reject) His human side. Contrary to popular opinion, this brand of theology unknowingly cuts us off from salvation – by denying Christ’s human connection as “the one mediator between God and man – the man Christ Jesus”. This is why it’s crucial to understand that Jesus Christ is ‘the God-man’ as the Scriptures teach.

In an attempt to keep things in balance
and not allow Christ’s Deity to be
ignored, the Apostle John states ;

"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." (1 John 5:20)

The Statement that ‘Jesus is Jewish’
is Directed at His Human Identity

Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph, but received his human genetic makeup only from Mary; a Jewish woman. In this unique situation the Bible reveals that Mary was the only source of Christ’s humanity. According to the New Testament description of ‘The Virgin Birth of Christ’, Mary became pregnant with Jesus without having sexual relations with any man, which included Joseph her future husband. Mary was not married to Joseph at the time Jesus was conceived. This naturally caused him to think that she had been unfaithful. If an angel had not appeared and revealed to him what was happening … that Mary was carrying in her womb the Son of God and the promised Messiah of Israel - Joseph, being an honorable and righteous man would have sent her away.

Mary had doubts about what was happening until the Angel of the Lord provided the details.

Then Mary said to the angel, “How
can this be, since I do not know
a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:34-35)

The Bible reveals that God’s Holy
Spirit was the one who provided
the seed for Mary’s conception.
This is why she is the mother of
Jesus … and God Himself is Jesus’
Heavenly Father. We can clearly
see the dual nature of Christ as
‘the God-man’ beginning with His
birth.

The Messianic Prophecies from
the Old Testament Concerning
the Birth of Jesus Christ

“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son." (2 Samuel 7:12-14 – Note: God is speaking here to King David through Nathan the prophet)

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Jeremiah 23:5-6)

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)

The ‘human flesh of Mary’ from which Jesus was born was Jewish with a linage that is traceable back to king David who is also Jewish and from the tribe of Judah … and ultimately to Abraham who was the Father of the Jewish race.

The Apostle Paul states this fact in Romans 1:3-4; “...concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead."

Paul repeats this fact in 2 Timothy 2:8; “...Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel"

The Apostle Matthew states this fact in his genealogy of Matthew 1:1; "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham." "

The Apostle John states this fact in John 7:42; “Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”

The Apostle Luke states this fact in Luke 1:32-33; "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

The Attacks on Christ’s
Messianic Bloodline

It is not the goal of this study to examine such a complex subject except to make some important comments. Beginning in the first century various critics, including Orthodox Jewish Rabbis, attack the legitimacy of Christ’s bloodline in order to disprove His Messianic claims. Their argument is based on the rule that the bloodline travels through the men, according to the laws of Orthodox Judaism. They argue … since there are no human males involved in the ‘Virgin Birth of Christ’ who provide ‘the seed’ – then Christ can make no claim to the linage of King David. Yet, what is often not mentioned - are the special exceptions to this rule allowing the bloodline to be carried through the mother. With some in-depth Bible study, it can be proven that Mary satisfied these exceptions. In the Scriptures previously quoted, we find additional proof … where Matthew, John, Luke and Paul - all agree that Christ’s Messianic bloodline is indeed valid.

We should also remember that Paul, before his salvation on the Damascus road, was trained under the famous Pharisee Gamaliel who was ‘a Doctor of Jewish Law’ (Acts 22:3). This means that Paul was thoroughly schooled in all the laws of Judaism. If there was any doubt about Christ’s genetic relationship to King David, he most certainly would have said something. Yet, in 2 Timothy 2:8 Paul writes;

“Remember that Jesus Christ rose
from the dead and was descended
from David."

Concerning the miraculous conditions involving the Virgin birth of Jesus Christ, all these things prove that Mary was indeed the legal carrier of this all-important Messianic bloodline.

In order for Jesus to qualify as the true Messiah of Israel and ultimately redeem the entire human race – this all-important bloodline through King David had to be intact. If Jesus truly continues to be ‘the God-man’ after His resurrection and ascension (as revealed in the New Testament Scriptures) ... then He must also continue to possess these human characteristics in his new resurrected and glorified body today. This includes the genetic proof of His Messianic bloodline. This fact was clearly established at a meeting in Jerusalem that took place after Jesus appeared to some travelers on ‘the road to Emmaus’. Christ’s resurrection had already taken place, meaning that He now possessed His new resurrected body. The gathering included the remaining eleven disciples … where one of the attendees made the following proclamation :

“The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence.

Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

(Luke 24:35-46)

We should remember that ‘flesh and bone’ consists of genetic material that Christ claimed to possess as a part of his new glorified body. If Jesus appeared today and took a simple genetic test (not available a few decades ago), it would show that He still belongs to the same Jewish bloodline that His mother Mary, King David and Abraham all share in common. This is proven, once again, by Jesus’ own words to unbelieving Thomas following His resurrection ... that the nail-prints from His crucifixion remain in his physical hands and feet ... along with the massive spear wound in His side.

And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

And Thomas answered and said
to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:26-29)

Many within Christendom believe that Jesus Christ, after His resurrection, possesses a body similar to a ghost or spirit and has shed all physical characteristics connected to His earthly existence. Yet Jesus, from the accounts in Luke 24 and John 20, exposes the falsehood behind this popular belief when He says;.

“Behold My hands and My feet, that
it is I Myself. Handle Me and see,
for a spirit does not have flesh and
bones as you see I have.”

This is why some evangelists correctly point out that all Christian believers living today have a Savior who is both ‘fully man and fully God’ representing them at the right hand of the Heavenly Father – who “ever lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

This ‘God-man’ is Jesus Christ the Son
of God who is the Second Person of
the Godhead in Heaven – and continues
to belong to the Jewish bloodline of
King David.

Think about that.

The Positive Aspects of the
Hebrew Roots Movement

The Hebrew Roots movement was birthed in response to this purging of Israel and Jewish culture from Christian teachings. It's objective is to re-educate the Church about her Jewish heritage.

All modern-day Christians should study the Hebrew roots of their faith. According to the Bible, Jesus Christ operates in a 'dual role'. He is not only the Lord of the New Testament Church, but also 'The Messiah of Israel'. During His famous encounter with the woman at the well in John 4:25-26 - the woman said to Jesus;

“I know that Messiah is coming”
(who is called Christ). “When
He comes, He will tell us all
things.”

Then Jesus said to her ...

“I who speak to you am He."

The English word 'Messiah' is
actually derived from a Hebrew
word that means 'anointed or
chosen one.' In order to qualify
as the 'Messiah of Israel'
Jesus had to be Jewish.

The Bible confirms that Jesus was
indeed born a Jew - and will
continue to have this racial
identity at His Second Coming.

This also means that the Savior
of the Christian Church - is a Jew,
despite the efforts of those who
ignore or attempt to remove this
fact from Scripture.

Israel is Christ's native country - and Jerusalem is its spiritual capital. This is why Bible prophecy reveals - at the time of His Second Coming - that Jesus 'touches down or lands' at a specific location in the city of Jerusalem. He does not return to New York, Washington, London, Paris, Berlin or Hong Kong. The teachings of the New Testament and Bible prophecy concerning end-time events are couched in Jewish culture and terminology. Understanding this unique frame of reference is necessary to accurately interpret various Biblical sayings, teachings and future prophetic events.

Appointed Times

Christians should study the seven primary Jewish feasts, which are also correctly called, “the feasts of God”. Some Bible prophecy teachers claim (and we agree) that they carry important insight, especially about the nature of our salvation and the events surrounding the Second Coming of Christ. Here are some examples:

Passover was the time of year when the blood of an unblemished
lamb was splashed over the door-post of the house and caused the
angel of death to “pass over” the Israelites living in Egypt (Read
Exodus chapter 12). The blood of this lamb allowed God to exempt
the Israelites from the judgment that fell on Egypt (a type of the
world). Centuries later, Jesus - who is often called the “Passover
Lamb” of the Church - was crucified at the same time of year, on
the Jewish Feast of Passover.

During the Feast of Unleavened Bread Jesus was buried.

During the Feast of Firstfruits, God raised (resurrected)
Jesus from the grave.

During the Feast of Pentecost, God sent the Holy Spirit
to indwell believers, which officially started the Christian
Church.

The feasts listed above represent the first four in a series of seven. All seven provide important insight into the Hebrew roots of the Church. Some Bible scholars say (and we agree) that the last three Jewish feasts (Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles) apply to the Second Coming of Christ - just as the first four applied to 'Christ's first coming'.

God required all Jewish men (Note: not Christian men) to attend the following three feasts (known as 'the pilgrimage festivals' in Jerusalem each year;

Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles

All seven feasts occur during the year as follows:

Three in the spring (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First-fruits)

One in the spring/summer (Pentecost - middle of the year)

And three in the fall (Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles)

These feasts are also described by the Hebrew word “Moediem”, which means “God’s appointed times”. An honest study of Scripture will show that God is known to do important things on or around these “appointed times”.

The faith of the Christian Church is
established on Christ's crucifixion,
burial, resurrection - and the coming
of the Holy Spirit on the day of
Pentecost.

Each of these four events occurred on
the exact day of a corresponding
Jewish feast.

This is not a coincidence.

Due to their relevance to end-time events,
these truths should never be omitted
from the Bible teaching of the New
Testament Church.

However, a danger does exist. The
Christian Church must learn to
study its Hebrew roots - without
becoming ensnared in its religion
known as Judaism. This danger
takes us into the next part of
our study.

In the following sections we address the problems and misconceptions found in most expressions of the Hebrew Roots movement. However, the Internet ministry of Zola Levitt (now deceased) and the 'Behold Israel' ministry of Amir Tsarfati (a native Israeli Bible teacher and Messianic believer in Christ) are notable exceptions - along with a few others. On the Rock of Offence website we reference both Zola and Amir, whose stated goal is to educate the Christian Church, from the Scriptures, concerning its Jewish roots. What sets these ministries apart is that both embrace New Testament Grace-based salvation taught by the Apostle Paul ... and not the conditional law-based salvation of Old Testament Judaism taught by a majority within Christendom. One of the purposes of this Bible study is to help believers understand the differences between these two radically different systems of faith ... and why this knowledge is important.

Once again, the next part of this Bible Study is designed to expose the problems connected to the Hebrew Roots movement ... along with a New Testament response. Yet, the information supplied by this study also applies to many abberant Judaized Christian doctrines taught within Christendom - because they are connected to the same error.

The Gospel Often Taught
by Many (But Thankfully Not
All) in the Hebrew Roots
Movement is an Old Heresy
with New Names

In the book of Galatians, Paul exposes an internal assault against the truth of Christ's gospel. Originally, the attack came from a group of Jewish evangelists that preached a counterfeit gospel of Christ. Some Bible scholars and church leaders refer to these false evangelists as “Judaizers”. Paul reveals that their doctrine is “a different gospel that perverts the true Gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-8). Today, this 'different gospel' is now mainstream and travels under various names and labels such as; 'Biblical Christianity' and 'the original theology of the Bible'. Both Roman Catholicism and Protestantism (and nearly every thing in between) are infected in varying degrees with this same error. This brand of evangelism is referred to as 'counterfeit' because it's taught from the pages of the Bible ... but uses its verses and teachings 'out-of-context'. Whenever Scripture is lifted from its divinely inspired context - its meaning changes into something God never intended.

Christians inexperienced in spiritual matters find it difficult, if not impossible to discern this problem. As a result, they convince themselves that the Judaizers are teaching the real Word of God - and embrace them with open arms. All of the ministers and evangelists who handle the Bible in such a way have good intentions. We have never witnessed a situation where an attempt is deliberately made to deceive anyone. They believe, with all their heart, that they’re preaching God's Word. Their sincerity becomes a powerful persuasive force, which is why it's so important to understand this unpopular subject. Yet, sincerity never equates to truth. It's important to remember that the Scribes and Pharisees were sincere and claimed to 'love God'. But these same religious leaders later convinced Pontius Pilate to crucify God's Son.

It is often stated that the Judaizer's ultimate goal is to persuade Christians to become Jews. However, this statement is terribly misleading - since a true Jew or Israelite is someone who belongs to the linage of Abraham. The Judaizers direct their message almost exclusively at the Gentile side of the Church who are mostly from a non-Jewish race of people ... and therefore can never satisfy this genetic requirement. As a result and contrary to some church teachings, the Judaizers are not trying to convert Gentiles into Jews. They are attempting to corrupt (the Apostle Paul used the word 'pervert') the gospel of Christ by mixing it with the Old Testament program of Judaism based on the Torah (more on this later).

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This is Part 2 of a seven-part Bible study.
Click on the links below for the next part
or return to the homepage.

Pt. 1 --- Pt. 3 --- Pt. 4
Pt. 5 --- Pt. 6 --- Pt. 7

Return To Home Page

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