| WHO IS YOUR AUTHORITY? | |
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TEACHER Firstly there is NO command in Scripture that a believer needs any "authority" over them of any religious system be it Pastor or Priest or Rabbi! Many genuine believers are witheld from fulfilling their role in the body of Messiah by leaders in their assembly or inherited lies from Catholicism/Christianity. CHRISTIANITY: “It is therefore only right that the people listen to the bishop. The L-rd did nothing without the Father and so should you do nothing without the bishop or the presbyters. The old is gone away and all is renewed.” Ignatius (A.D. 30-107) THE WORD: “And He put all under His feet, and gave Him (Yahushua) to be head over all, to the assembly, 23 which is His body, the completeness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:22-23 Sadly, many Messianic congregations have shadowed the image instituted by the Popes and meet together under the leadership of one individual who usally has the most knowledge. While this may seem to be a good idea at first, more often than not the individual gets a head swell and tacks on the title of "Rabbi". The danger comes when these "Rabbi's" start teaching that certain Scriptures don't mean what they say and start adding "hidden meanings" to the Word. This is no different than the Scribe and Pharisees of Yahushua's time and that of the history of Christianity with its false doctrines Scripturally unfounded! "Rabbi" is a word of Hebrew origin and simply means "teacher". Sounds pretty harmless... Let's examine the Scriptures to see what Yahweh thinks of this practice... Matthew 23:8 “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi,’ for One is your Teacher, the Messiah, and you are all brothers.” These are the words of Yahushua Himself ! You can't get any plainer than that... No idioms, no hidden meanings here! Just in case it wasn't clear enough, the writers of other books in the B'rit Chadash reafirmed this truth: 1John 2:26-27 “I have written this to you concerning those who lead you astray. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him stays in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as the same anointing does teach you concerning all, and is true, and is no falsehood, and even as it has taught you, you stay in Him.” The Anointing spoken of is the Ruach haQodesh (Set-Apart Spirit) mentioned in verse 20: 1John 2:20 “And you have an anointing from the Set-apart One, and you know all.” Notice verse 26:"...concerning those who lead you astray." This is EXACTLY why we are not to have man teach us! Man's traditions and inherent theologies lead astray whereas there is ONE truth: John 17:17 “Set them apart in Your truth – Your Word is truth.” It is the Ruach haQodesh that teaches us through the Word. Shaul instructed Timothy that Scripture is the source of teaching... 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of Elohim might be fitted, equipped for every good work.” BEWARE! One of the most heinous crimes against the Name of Yahweh is being perpetrated by some of the most well known Messianic leaders... Many continue to refer to the Almighty in their studies and audios with the Pagan titles of "Lord" and "God"! These titles are blasphemous and are derived from the names of false gods (demons). Many even write extensive articles about the importance of the Name of Yahweh then proceed to profane His Name and trample the Commands in Torah to NOT do this. If these "teachers" have been warned about this and continue to do so then they are guilty of "maintaining a lie" and will be cast outside the gates with the dogs and adulterers (Rev 22:15). THERE IS NO EXCUSE! In light of the fact that Yahushua warns against Rabbi's; how can one possibly sit under the teaching of someone who continually and wilfully transgress the Third Commandment? Shaul writes, concerning the wisdom of Elohim: 1Corinthians 2:10-16 “But Elohim has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all matters, even the depths of Elohim. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man that is in him? So also, the thoughts of Elohim no one has known, except the Spirit of Elohim. 12 And we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from Elohim, in order to know what Elohim has favourably given us, 13 which we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Set-apart Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual matters with spiritual matters. 14 But the natural man does not receive the matters of the Spirit of Elohim, for they are foolishness to him, and he is unable to know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual discerns indeed all matters, but he himself is discerned by no one. 16 For “Who has known the mind of YHWH? Who shall instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Messiah.” Shaul gave some insight into how an assembly ought to function in his first letter to the Corinthian Assembly: 1 Corinthians 14:26 “What then is it, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all be done for upbuilding.” Note: EACH ONE has somewhat to add to the upbuilding of the believers. The danger in following man's teaching is obvious and even following prepared studies and thematic commentaries is riddled with hazards. While you may be learning a good deal about a certain topic or Torah portion you may in fact be missing out on what Yahweh's Spirit is trying to reveal Some ask, "What if we don't understand what we are reading?" The answer is simply: carry on reading! Maybe your heart is not ready to understand till a later date or you may reach another Scripture further in that will illuminate the first. In short. TRUST THE WORD be wary of man's teachings... |
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Scriptures quoted are taken from “The Scriptures – 1998” |
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