Modern Day Judaizers – 6/6/15

Those who espouse the same doctrine, that is, those who insist on the law’s equality with grace or supremacy of the law over grace, are modern-day JUDAIZERS and they remain with us today. Indeed, modern JUDAIZERS often avoid using the name “JESUS” which is the Anglicized form of the Greek “IESOUS” used by Paul. Incidentally, “IESOUS” has been verified in a plethora of ancient manuals, the earliest manuscripts dating c.125. Instead, these JUDAIZERS refer to Jesus as YAHSHUA or Yahoshua Hamashiach.

Now if a Messianic Jew or Christian who is Judaized seeks to identify Jesus with his Hebrew name, most non-Jewish Christians are not bothered or offended. However, the offense comes when a Messianic Jew or a Judaized Christian insists on the Hebrew name for Christ and blatantly declares that others who know him as Jesus Christ are false Christians, antichrist or destined for the great tribulation,hell, etc. Beloved, this is pure ASKENAZIM influence and derivation, and is therefore not valid. What do I mean by the ASKENAZIM? Before I explain allow me to introduce and cite my primary source. I humbly suggest that a reading of Arthur Koestler’s, THE THIRTEENTH TRIBE might provide an understanding to the origin this misguided theology. In the 1950s Koestler was a world famous and highly awarded Jewish author who exposed modern day Jews as neither Jewish nor Hebrew in origin. This volume, THE THIRTEENTH TRIBE, was Koestler’s last work. Shortly after publication of this work his body and his wife’s body were found in their London home after they allegedly ended their lives in joint suicide.

In any event, by examining ancient documents Koestler effectively argues that modern day Jews or the ASKENAZIM are descendants of the Khazars who originated from the steps of Russia and who converted to Judaism under the mandate of their King, Bulan the Magnificent shortly after the rise of Islam. Essentially, there is no evidence to support the notion that modern Jews are descended from the Jews of the Bible.

Nonetheless, Koestler’s point is irrelevant to the Grace-Faith-Christian who acknowledges that “In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond or free, male or female [Gal 3:28].” In other words, even though Arthur Koestler may be correct and modern Jews probably are not the Jews of the Bible, to the Christian “Koestler’s fact” is meaningless where GRACE is the ACCEPTED HIGHER ORDER. Indeed, even Christians with a surface understanding of the Old Testament are aware of Ruth the Moabite and Rahab the Canaanite who became Jews and were assimilated. So, in this sense the ASKNAZI Jews are assimilated Jews, but Jews nonetheless.

Of course to the Judaized Christian a lineage that links the Jews of the Bible to modern day Jews is paramount because the law is paramount (or at least equal to the order of grace). Incidentally, Paul considered a Judaized Christian a non-Christian. To him the term Judaized Christian was essentially an oxymoron. According to Paul, if a Christian clings tenaciously to the power of the law, then they have “fallen from grace.”

Moreover, Paul mitigates the authority of Jews from ancient Palestine or those who became known as SEPHARDIC Jews. In Romans 11:28 we read: “As concerning the Gospel, they are enemies for your sakes.” The occasional claim of a modern-day Jews who links himself or herself to a SEPHARDIC heritage is dubious at best. Most historians agree that the SEPHARDIM 1) assimilated into European, Middle Eastern or African societies, 2) converted to other religions or 3) were annihilated in various purgings like the one conducted by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain

CONCLUSION:
In 1Timothy 1:4 Paul admonishes us “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” Hence we are encouraged to avoid these sort of contentions altogether. In this hour when “the love of many shall wax cold,” we are confronted on every side by those who further divide or deceive the Body of Christ. In addition to contentions over the “true-name of God” other Judaizers readily engage in arguments about where to worship, who to submit to and what day of the week worship should be conducted. Avoid these people and their issues like the plague. Know that your salvation is based on God-given faith in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Recall the Philippian jailer who begs of Paul and Silas, “Sirs, What must I do to be saved?” They simply responded, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house” [Acts 16:30-31]. Notice that they made no mandate that the jailer learn how Jesus is spoken in Hebrew, what day is the correct Sabbath, or even the need to become a Jew first before becoming a Christian. Again, legal mandates or rituals were not even mentioned when one of the malefactors crucified alongside the Savior said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom. To this individual Jesus simply replied, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” [Lk 23:42-43].

But how is the believer to know the truth? There are so many opinions; so many others who are so persuasive and have such strong convictions. In John 16:13 Jesus said, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.” This passage is a direct reference to the believer’s need to be BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY GHOST.  Without which the believer “will be ever learning, never coming to the knowledge of the truth” [2Tim 3: 7]. But even at this Pentecostal Feast we read of a great falling away that occurred in the Old Testament [Nu 16:32]. Hence Paul prays that the Ephesians receive the “SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION” in the knowledge of Him so that the “eyes of understanding can truly be enlightened [Eph 1:17-18]. “This experience of enlightenment correlates to the Feast of Trumpets that follows the Feast of Pentecost [Nu 10:35 & Ps 68:1].

Beloved, pull up your tent stakes, let God arise and move into the TRUTH by HIS SPIRIT. Do not hesitate. Ask God for His Spirit to reveal to you the mystery of the gospel that has been hidden for ages. Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ will not disappoint you.

God bless you in the name of Jesus,
Brother Jerry Turk