CHRISTIANOS and THE RISE OF MULTIPLE CHRISTIANITIES

Arch of Titus at Rome

A brother writes:
in your comparison of yourselves vs Christians you are very uninformed and to be trueful in your opinions and observations you need to make the distinction of possibly using the term "most" modern day Christians and not make "allness" statements. i am a 7th day adventist Christian. i do not adhere to any of the definitions that you use in describing Christians. i do not observe any pagan holidays or sunday worship or any of the other "generalized" statements you make on your websites. please do your research and be clear and truthful in what you post. be careful that pride doesn't lead you to make false or erroneous statements.

Reply from Lew:

Thank you for your comment, I could not agree more. One of the main reasons you may have taken offense is because there is prerequisite information necessary before you can receive some of our commentary. Coming across pure, unadulterated truth is a shock to the wineskin that holds old wine, which represents the teachings of men. The yeast / doctrines we warn against are not intended to apply to every single person, only those who are engaging in practices invented by men. The information I am going to reveal to you here needs to be independently searched-out, otherwise you will dismiss it because it will sound absolutely ridiculous at first. The 3 stages of Truth, according to the German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860):

First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.

The term christianos is a foreign Greek term to the first-followers of Yahusha that was, at first, applied to them in scorn. Christianos meant a simple person, or cretan, in that day. Another meaning for it in that day is smeared ones (as with oil), or idiots. Later, it came to be redefined, or reinvented, just as so many other formerly pagan practices have been.
Lets look at the use of the two terms, christianos, and Natsarim, from both Scripture and their context in the days of the emissaries, or apostles.

christianos
Web definitions Greek title, applied to the 1st century Messianic Believers, by the pagan populace. It means "the smeared ones", the English... www.angelfire.com/ill/hebrewisrael/Lessons/glossary.html Act 24:5: For having found this man a plague, who stirs up dissension among all the Yahudim throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Natsarim, . . . In the above text, Paul was being accused of being a ringleader, as in a circus, by a hired sophist (Tertullus). The ruler Felix understood the term Natsarim. Paul did not deny the term used for him and his hairesis, or sect. This is, in itself, quite revealing. The first-followers held the prophetic label Natsarim, Acts 24:5, from the prophecy of our appearing in the future at YirmeYahu / Jer. 31:6. The first Christian sect worshipped Serapis at Alexandria, Egypt. From this, a syncretism or blending occurred, from which the Catechetical School of Alexandria later developed (first headmaster Pantaenus, 180-190 CE). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantaenus This early school is the source of many adopted patterns from pagans, blended together by the circus patriarchs that taught there. These men are held to be church fathers today.

MULTIPLE CHRISTIANITIES

Even while the first-followers of Yahusha lived, various teachings began to appear that began to form the beginnings of multiple christianities later on. There were those who separated under the influence of Gnosticism, believing all physical matter was intrinsically evil, and that special knowledge or enlightenment was necessary for salvation (enlightenment such as the Trinity, prayers to the dead, and other Gnostic affectations). 1 Yahuchanon chapters 3 & 4 addresses this spiritual danger. This error further fragmented into a diverse array of new errors, ultimately bringing into existence a variety of groups holding distinctions from one another. By the fourth century, the teachings of Marcion had sufficiently divided the old Writings from the new Writings, creating a new playing field entirely, with new players, by that time called christians. The Natsarim had essentially left the pages of history, and only mentioned in passing as heretics in the writings of the circus fathers at Alexandria. There were multiple forms of Christianity by this time, and disputes over Passover and the Sabbath were developing to crisis levels. Constantine convened the Council at Nicaea in 325-326 to settle matters such as when to observe Easter, the Trinity (a Gnostic affectation), and other details. One form of christianity emerged from this to become much more powerful than all others, backed with state support. The Sunday rule formerly established in 321 CE by Constantine had become accepted by most. The elders that didnt agree fled from this first council of the Roman Circus, so their voices have been unrecorded for us.

NATSARIM RESTORATION
If you identify with any sect associated with the term Christian, you may not have come all the way out yet. We can see the effects of the reformation, knowing that Martin Luther, Ellen G. White, and many others continued to come out of the darkness of many centuries. We should investigate, on our own, the origins of the labels people use. No prophet has all the information at their disposal. It will quickly become obvious that Yahusha was not a Christian, and neither were any of His followers. The division between the groups (Yahudim & Natsarim) occurred after the destruction of the Hekal (Temple), during the years following the installation of the emperor Vespasian. Because of the rebellion of the zealots in the land of Yisrael, Rome came down with an iron fist on all the fortresses in Yisrael. Yerushalayim was destroyed, and the booty from the Temple of Yahuah was used to fund the construction of the Roman Colosseum:

The former Temple tax every Yisraelite had been paying to support their Temple was diverted to support the temple of Iupiter/Apollo at Rome. Vespasian enacted the Fiscus Judaicus, or what is today known as the Jewish Tax. A parting-of-the-ways occurred. The believing Israelites and former Gentiles began meeting separately from the unbelieving Yahudim, and later on Gentile doctrines began to be embraced to further distinguish the two from one another, due to this taxation. The tax began around 74 CE, and continued for centuries. The booty from the destruction of Yerushalayim was used to build the Roman Coliseum, and two enormous arches were erected, one for Titus, and one for his father, Vespasian, who became emperor after the destruction of Yerushalayim. The greatest way to avoid this Fiscus Judaicus was to take on a new label, one that didnt sound like it was associated with the Yahudim, and practices that disassociated them from their roots. Thus, the Hebrew roots of the faith were severed, caused by this attempt to avoid taxation. The Greek label served the purpose of distinguishing them very effectively. We can stop this charade now, and be restored to the Hebrew roots without fear of being taxed. Google the words Fiscus Judaicus, and Catechetical School of Alexandria. It will cause you to experience a paradigm shift that you will be ever-so-grateful to have gone through. We will certainly strive to be sensitive and loving, and we accept your kind advice and will apply it. Love is our highest goal as we spread the Name and the Word, brother Lew A second reaction based on an Aramaic translation:
Lew, I must take issue with you from the Scriptures concerning the word "Christian" You attempt to make this a bad word, yet the apostle Peter in 1 Peter 4:16, in both the Aramaic (which I have) and the

Greek uses the word Christian, and makes it a good word used for the disciples of Yahshua Messiah. I think that a re-think is in order here.

Dear brother, Your copy of the Aramaic contains the Greek word, christianos? This would actually support my case if this foreign, Greek term of scorn were found in the original written text. Please send me a picture of this Aramaic text with a few surrounding verses for context. Surely, if the Aramaic was the earlier, original written record, and the Greek came from it sometime later, the Greek word christianos would indicate that outsiders were using the term scornfully. Etymology shows the word cretan traces back to christianos. In the context of 1Peter 4:16, we see that several terms of reproach, shame, and even evil are used, then the word yet precedes the idea of suffering as, or persecuted for being a christianos. All the other terms, including christianos, are understood to be negative words used against the believers by outsiders. Peter is obviously saying, let none of you suffer AS a murderer, thief, evildoer, or busybody; then the word DE is the adversative continuance device, in contrast to these other terms, if any of you suffer being labeled christianos (an idiot), then dont be ashamed of it. Notice Peter realizes that the word christianos is an ugly, shameful label, one that a person would normally be ashamed of. But Peter says not to be ashamed of being labeled an idiot (christianos), rather render honor to Yahuah. My point here is to show that Peter is contrasting the other negative terms of scorn with a similar (but lesser) term of scorn, christianos, teaching us that to be labeled idiots is fine, but that we must not suffer AS murderers, thieves, evildoers, or busybodies. I didnt have to attempt to make christianos a bad word; it is a bad word. All the words with their Greek concordance numbers are below, I dont have an Aramaic concordance. Notice the idea in this section concerns reproachful labels, and among those labels is one Peter equates with shame: 1Pe 4:14 IfG1487 ye be reproachedG3679 forG1722 the nameG3686 of Christ (xristos, anointed, epithet/translation in Greek for Mashiach) G5547 happyG3107 are ye; forG3754 theG3588 spiritG4151 of gloryG1391 andG2532 of God (theos)G2316 restethG373 uponG1909 you:G5209 on their partG2596 G846 he(G3303) is evil spoken of,G987 butG1161 on your partG2596 G5209 he is glorified (doxazo)G1392 1Pe 4:15 ButG1063 let noneG5100 G3361 of youG5216 sufferG3958 asG5613 a murderer,G5406 orG2228 as a thief,G2812 orG2228 as an evildoer,G2555 orG2228 asG5613 a busybody in other men's matters.G244 1Pe 4:16 YetG1161 ifG1487 any man suffer asG5613 a ChristianG5546 let him notG3361 be ashamedG153 butG1161 let him glorify (doxazo)G1392 God (theos)G2316 onG1722 thisG5129 behalf.G3313 The Greek word christianos is very important to most people, and not many realize that it is the etymological source for our modern word cretan. Knowledge truly causes suffering, as Shlomo said: Ecc 1:18: For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases suffering. It is not my intention to divide, but rather restore our Hebrew roots. You are certainly entitled to have your beliefs, and my love toward you is not contingent on whether

you can accept what Ive come to discover. Knowledge, to me, only confirms my own beliefs with better understanding. If it interferes with the goal of love, we should put the other person above ourselves even while there are differences in understanding. The bottom line is, we must keep our priorities and not dispute over words. The object of our deliverance is not in the word christianos, but in Yahushas blood. On that Im sure we agree, and are most thankful for. love always, brother Lew

The same brother responds:

Lew, I cannot read the Aramaic Language, I am only able to read the English Translation (I did study a little Greek in Collage) George Lamsa (a speaker of Aramaic by birth) uses the word Christian in 1 Peter 4:16. James Murdock (a Translator of the Aramaic) uses the word Christian in 1 Peter 4:16 The Rev. Glenn David Bauscher in his Aramaic-English Interlinear uses the word Christian in 1 Peter 4:16. Having said all of that, In my Aramaic-English New Testament by Andrew Gabriel Roth uses the word Kristianay in 1 Peter 4:16 and in his footnotes says: "Kristianay was the label given by Gentiles for Gentile followers of Mashiyach. Although in one place Gentiles in Antioch referred to the Shlichim as Kristianay , the Shlichim/Apostles themselves never adopted this label. This contrasts the title that Netzari (Nazarenes) adopted (Acts 24:5) Like the citation in Acts, Peter also employs the term used by and for Greek followers, rather than the Aramaic Mishkhanee, indicating that he is specifically encouraging the Greek followers of Y'shua." (Aramaic-English New Testament. Andrew Gabriel Roth. 2008 by Netzari Press LLC. pg. 450 Footnotes) Never once does Mr. Roth give any indication that the word Kristianay/Christian is used as you and others of your opinion suggest. I don't think we can lightly treat Mr. Roth's reasoning here. He is quite clear that the word adopted by the Apostles was Netzari/Nazarenes, but also says that the Apostle uses Kristianay/Christian to encourage "the Greek followers of Y'shua." Thus we need to obtain all data, (not just one side of the story) in order to make a complete & wise conclusion of the matter. The proverb cautions us to do so.

Reply from Lew: Two more noteworthy observations: 1. The more ancient, or original prophetic word for the name of our sect is the best and weightiest of any that may follow afterward, since the law of first occurrence (the simple precedes the complex) assures us of an authentic foundation on which to form our belief. To take the latest form would be to embrace all the errors picked up over time. An example of this is the Name of our Mashiach, Yahusha. At ZecharYah 3, we find His Name in prophecy, spelled with the Hebrew letters yod-hay-uau-shinayin. In the same way, we find the name / word for our sect in prophecy at Jer / YirmeYahu 31:6: Jer 31:6 For there shall be a day when the watchmen cry on Mount Ephrayim, Arise, and let us go up to Tsiyon, to our Elohim. Here we see the first mention of our sect, Natsarim, but it is concealed in the English translation in the word watchmen. I respect brother Andrew of course, but we need to work to restore our authentic label as much as we can. Its been wrinkled through time. Few know it, but over time there have been multiple forms of christianity; the one that was strongest survived the rigors of the ages. It is riddled with adopted Paganism, and false teachings concerning Torah. They even promote lawlessness by using non-Scriptural terms like legalism. I love them, but not their doctrines.

2. The original term for our sect, Natsarim (meaning watchmen, branches, or guardians) has been the consistent word for followers of Yahusha by all Yahudim for the last two millennia, right up to today. If you go to the land of Yisrael, and walk up to an orthodox rabbi, or any random person, ask them what they call christians. They will say, Notsrim. Although this is slightly slurred, you can easily see that the original term for our sect is known by unbelievers, yet is rare among those who believe. Im one of those working to change that, and hope you will join me and others that are abandoning the errors embraced by our fathers: Jer 16:19 O , my strength and my stronghold and my refuge, in the day of distress the gentiles shall come to You from the ends of the earth and say, Our fathers have inherited only falsehood, futility, and there is no value in them. Notice that I use Scripture to support my position, it is our source for correction. Surely there is no Scripture stating that we are to disobey Torah, or Gentiles will replace Yisrael and keep Sun-day and eat pork, or that Natsarim is not the true name of our sect. The fact we have been deceived in so many other ways should put all of us on high-alert, and cause us to prove everything carefully. Many deny that Paganism has infiltrated the original faith, even while they give their children colored EGGS and chocolate RABBITS. These symbols of fertility used by Pagans are in Christian programs and newspapers right now. They will decorate their meeting places this Sun-day with the emblem of the Earth Mother (Ishtar, Eostre, Easter) -- the LILY. Our mission will not fail, as long as we work together under our Head, Yahusha. He will guide us with love, not a spirit of condemnation for those we are sent to. Google the word NOTSRIM - it will rock the Casbah. Copy and paste, or click on this link: http://torahzone.net/blog/category/videos-from-torah-institute/

www.torahzone.net

Torah Institutes Facebook page:

Lews Facebook page:

All truth passes through three stages.

First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher (1788 - 1860)

THE ABOVE LIST OF COMMANDMENTS ARE AVAILABLE AS BOOKMARKS OR POSTING ON DOORPOSTS OF EACH ROOM OF YOUR HOME PUT A LITTLE LOVE IN YOUR HEART! You can comment on the BLOGS! Torah Institute Latest VIDEOS:

http://www.torahzone.net/blog/category/videos-from-torah-institute/ New AUDIO archive link: http://archive.org/details/TORAHTALK By request Mark has uploaded 18 short videos to a more `secular looking' channel for anyone who wants to share videos with non-believers: PlanetEschaton Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSF6QNxUfhhxUx15rJMAMng?feature=mhee Also, every TorahTalk and Live Seminar is available for free mp3 download @ http://www.torahinstitutemedia.com/EnterTheZone/AUDIO.html Torah Institute MTV 01: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPQKLsW3JYU&feature=em-uploademail Copy and paste, or click on these links: http://www.fossilizedcustoms.com http://www.youtube.com/user/FOSSILIZEDCUSTOM

Torah Institute
POB 436044, Louisville, KY 40253 Check for videos from Torah Institute:
THE WORK GOES ON IN SPITE OF THE JESUIT DISSEMBLERS! TORAH INSTITUTE, POB 436044, LOUISVILLE, KY 40253