July 2001 Issue - Why the Church teaches that Jesus Christ is NOT the Messiah

Do you recall Yeshua's particular complaint against the church of Pergamum?

But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. REV 2:14

In particular, Yeshua speaks of a teaching of Balaam that is a stumbling block before the sons of Israel. What exactly is the teaching of Balaam and how is it a stumbling block before the sons of Israel. Who exactly are the sons of Israel He is referring to?

If you recall, Balaam was a prophet hired by Balak to curse the children of Israel under the leadership of Moses. The children of Israel were approaching the promised land and Balak didn't want Israel to be around. So, he hired Balaam (a real prophet of God) to set up altars and speak a curse from God upon Israel. Balaam tried to explain to Balak that he could only speak what God said. On several occasions, Balaam spoke, but only blessing came forth. Balak was angry that a curse was not spoken. It was at this point that Balaam offered a different counsel.

If you want to harm Israel, Balaam counseled, you can do it another way. The teaching of Balaam was to get the sons of Israel to marry foreign daughters. This would cause Israel to loose their distinctive definition as being the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This would mix other customs with theirs and thus diminish the value of their heritage. This would change the teaching so that Moses was just one of their teachers and move them gradually to a different point of view. In the end, the counsel was to assimilate Israel and make them just like anyone else, by separating them from one another and removing their identity.

The teaching of Balaam is to tell the sons of Israel that they no longer have a covenant with God through Moses. The teaching of Balaam diminishes and removes the Torah (the teaching of Moses).

Today, the teaching of Balaam is rampant in the church. It comes in the form of the following precept: Jesus Christ came with the purpose to do away with (fulfill) the temple service, the Torah (Law), and alter the customs of Moses. The teaching of the church is to replace (at a minimum to diminish) Israel's  identity as the chosen people, the teaching of Moses in the Torah, and to alter the customs of Sabbath and Biblical holidays. The church has done a pretty good job of doing this. Today, a new Messianic believer will run right into these stumbling blocks with churchmen disputing Sabbath, holidays, and the idea of keeping the Torah. In fact, this is the focal point of discussion for many new Messianic brethren as they wrestle with the disappointment and shock of being rejected by church brethren for the sin of seeking the truth.

The spiritual reality is that holding to Moses and the Torah is in direct conflict with the teaching of the church (the teaching of Balaam). It follows that the church's dispute even takes issue with the Messiah when He speaks of Moses and the Torah.

Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. MAT 5:17-18

The Messiah has said that the Torah is still with us and valid. However, this is not enough to convince the church, because of the teaching of Balaam. They dispute the meaning of the word fulfill.@ However, it is clear from the context and any basic dictionary that the word fulfill@ is not a synonym for abolish.@ The church teaches the opposite of Messiah Yeshua and forms new meanings for words on this point.

Yeshua emphasized that not one part, down to the letters and strokes of letters, would diminish prior to heaven and earth passing away. I would remind everyone that heaven and earth are still with us, therefore, every part of the Torah is still valid and with us. All has not been accomplished yet. That is clearly evident with the subject of the second coming. There is more Scripture about the second coming in the Old Testament than in the New Testament. All has not yet been accomplished.

Clearly, the church has failed to understand and reconcile completely the teaching of Yeshua. Yeshua is the pinnacle and focus of our New Covenant faith. Yeshua was emphatic that His purpose was not to do away with the teaching of Moses and the Prophets. But what does this have to do with denying the Messiahship of Yeshua? Before we answer, let's deal with those brethren who assert the teaching of the Apostle Paul.

It is the Apostle Paul and his letters to the Romans, Colossians, and Galatians that serve as the primary reference material for the church's teaching against Torah. The church contends that Paul took issue with Sabbath (promoting first day worship). They argue that the Galatians were told not to circumcise and not to keep the commandments of the Jews. Selected verses from Romans and Colossians are used to fend off Sabbath and holidays. With Paul leading the charge, they claim that other writers join in to say that Yeshua said, All foods are clean and Peter had a vision to eat non-kosher foods. Finally, they interpret that the writer of Hebrews flatly says the New Testament has replaced the Old Testament.

There is an obvious conflict here. You can't have Yeshua saying the Torah will not pass away until heaven and earth pass away, and then have the Apostle Paul say it was all nailed to the cross, or when the resurrection happened, or when the Holy Spirit came, or when the New Testament was written, etc. Moses, Yeshua, and the Apostles must all be in agreement or our faith is corrupt and self-destructing in itself. A house divided against itself will not stand.

The irony of all this is that the Apostle Peter addresses this controversy in his final letter. There he comments how some men take the words of Paul and twist them.... as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 2PE 3:16

Peter says that there are some hard (difficult) things said by Paul that are twisted by unstable and untaught men. What things do you think Peter is referring to?  Remember when Yeshua made the outrageous statement about hating fathers and mothers.

If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. LUK 14:26

Isn't Yeshua teaching us that the fifth commandment (honor your father and mother) of the ten commandments is now done away with? Isn't He teaching us to hate our fathers and mothers, the opposite of the commandment? Of course not! We all recognize that Yeshua is making a superlative comparison between God and man. God takes priority, even over family members such as fathers, mothers, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and even our own lives.

If we can see this teaching example in its proper context, then why do we say Paul was doing something else when he disputed the Galatians who elevated circumcision, and legalism above the grace and sacrifice of Yeshua. Surely, we can see that anything put in priority above the Messiah is wrong. Like Yeshua's teaching, that doesn't mean that Paul is teaching that the other things are bad or done away with.

It is the Apostle Paul's testimony that he is a bond servant of Messiah Yeshua (bond servants and their commissioning is the Torah). Paul asserts his identity as being an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin, circumcised the eight day, trained in the Torah by Gamaliel, a keeper of the Torah to Pharisaic standards, and observing Sabbath and Nazerite vows. Acts 17:2 clearly states it was Paul's  custom to keep Sabbath. How can the Apostle to the Gentiles be a keeper of the Law (Acts 21:24) and teach anyone something different from it?

I can show you how. You have to twist Paul's words while he is teaching the priority of the Messiah and use them against Moses. This is not a new idea; this is the ancient teaching of Balaam. Render the teaching of Moses as null and void.

Back to our original question and discussion point. The church teaches that Jesus came to do away with temple service, the Torah (Law), and alter the customs of Moses. Interestingly enough, this very statement is in the New Testament but not in the way the church teaches.

At the trial of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, a group of men conspired to bring false evidence against him that would shut him up. Acts 6 describes the conspiracy and the charges brought against him.

But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. And yet they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly induced men to say, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.  And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and dragged him away, and brought him before the Council. And they put forward false witnesses who said, this man incessantly speaks against this holy place, and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us. ACT 6:9-14

Please note the false charge of blasphemy made against Stephen. This man speaks against Moses and God. This man teaches that Jesus of Nazereth came to destroy the temple, do away with the Torah, and alter the customs of Moses (like Sabbath and holidays). This is the same teaching of the church today. How is it possible that the church teaches as truth the very same false charge made against Stephen? Obviously, the New Testament (the reference for church teaching) is in conflict with the church of today. So, which is it? Is the New Testament inaccurate here, or is the teaching of the church incorrect? Before we answer, consider this final piece of evidence. Paul was one of the leaders in this conspiracy against Stephen. He is the one who gives us this testimony in the book of Acts.

And Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him [Stephen] to death. And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison. ACT 8:1,3

Saul (the Apostle Paul) was part of the leadership to persecute Stephen. As a result of his involvement with Stephen's death, he was given letters of authority to arrest others believers and put them in prison. Saul was well known among the believers for being their enemy and using false charges to arrest them. So, how can the Apostle Paul confess to a falsehood against Stephen and then teach the same falsehood bringing the Gentiles to a proper faith in Yeshua the Messiah?  Something is very wrong here. Obviously, Paul did not teach this falsehood to the Gentiles or anyone else.

Some churchmen have suggested that Paul said one thing to the Jews and another to the Gentiles (for the unity of the faith). I act as a Roman with the Romans and as a Jew with the Jews. I disagree. I do not believe that Paul was a liar and manipulator against his own brethren. To suggest so is slander against Paul. In fact, this very slander against Paul is given in the New Testament, again by unbelievers with the purpose to sow discord among brethren.... and they [Messianic believers ] have been told about you [Paul], that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses in order that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law. ACT 21:21-24

Paul conspired with other Jews to falsely charge Stephen. Now, years later, other Jews have tried to bring false charges against Paul by accusing him of the same things said of Stephen.

The New Testament clearly says that the charges against Stephen and Paul were false. To say anything differently is to perpetuate falsehoods. But this falsehood is the teaching of the church today. They hold Paul as the principle teacher against Moses, the Torah, Sabbath, and the commandments of God. They throw out verses written by Paul like stumbling blocks before other believers, in an effort to trip people up and cause them to stumble in their walk.

Now, let's answer the real question and issue of this article. The church really does teach that Jesus Christ is NOT the Messiah. I'll prove it. The issue of whether Yeshua is Messiah is measured by the requirements given by Moses and the Prophets. The Messiah must fulfill the prophetic requirements given by Moses. Moses has given us many prophecies to identify the Messiah. In fact, this was the basis of belief used by the earliest disciples.

Andrew said to his brother Simon Peter, We have found the Messiah! Philip told Nathanel, We have found Him spoken of by Moses and the Prophets! Later, after the crucifixion, men on the road to Emaeus were confused and concerned about Yeshua's death. They were comforted and encouraged in their faith by having Yeshua speak from Moses and the Prophets.

Moses has also given us instruction for the identification of a false prophets, teachers, or messiahs.

If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them, you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has counseled rebellion against the Lord your God who brought you from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, to seduce you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from among you. DEU 13:1-5

According to Moses, God would permit false brethren to enter the fellowship to test us. He said that some of these countrymen would have the power to show signs and wonders. Yeshua came to us as one of our countryman and He had the power to show signs and wonders. Moses said that the false prophet, teacher, or messiah would attempt to seduce us in a way different from God and Moses. He said that this false person would give another definition of God, tell us not to keep God's commandments, nor listen to His voice, serve Him, or cling to Him. The basic teaching of Torah is to love, obey, and cling to the Lord.

Now, you will need to be sitting for this next statement. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly.

By the church teaching that Yeshua came to do away with the temple service, the Torah (Law), and alter the customs of Moses, they just proved that He was a false messiah in accordance with Deut 13:1-5. They just denied the Messiahship of Yeshua. Therefore, the church teaches that Jesus Christ is NOT the Messiah. If He is Messiah, it must be in accordance with definition given by Moses and the Prophets.

I believe that Yeshua IS the Messiah. I believe He was sinless and perfect. The standard for sin and perfection is the Torah (Law). Yeshua did not violate the Torah in the slightest, therefore, Yeshua did not come to give us a different definition of God; He did not tell us to not follow the teaching of Moses, and He did not tell us not to keep Sabbath, Holidays, or other customs. Had He done so, He would have disqualified Himself as Messiah, according to Moses.

What has happened to the church?  How is it that they find themselves in blatant opposition with God, the Scripture, and the Messiah Himself?  How in the world did such things come to be in our day?

The answer is simple. We have made the same mistake ancient Israel made. We departed from the teaching of Moses. Some would say that we took up the teaching of Yeshua instead, but the evidence and teaching is clear. Yeshua was saying the same thing that Moses said. That is why the religious leaders took issue with Him in His day. And brethren, that is why our own church brethren are going to take issue with you. You will be giving testimony of both Moses and Yeshua.

The churchmen who dispute your walk of obedience to God are unstable and untaught. They don't even know what the ten commandments are and can not list them correctly. Ask any churchman what the first commandment of the ten commandments is. You can safely bet that they will say, Make no idols is the first. In fact, I have yet to see a plaque of the ten commandments in any church or Christian bookstore that doesn't say it.

Make no idols is the second commandment. The first commandment of the ten is, I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the house of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. The commandment is believe in Me. But, because Churchmen are not taught what Moses said, they make serious mistakes in understanding what Yeshua the Messiah said and what Paul, a Torah scholar, said. Yeshua drew the comparison this way.

For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote of Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?" JOH 5:46-47

A failure to understand and teach Moses will result in a failure to understand and teach Yeshua properly. It is stunning to me that the church is the supplier of the best argument why Yeshua is not Messiah even better than the Rabbis and my fellow Jews. What is wrong with this picture???  Shouldn't the Rabbis argue that Yeshua was a false prophet proving that He was against Moses and altering the customs? They know He didn't teach against Moses. They quote Matt 5:17 against churchmen all the time. Shouldn't the church be arguing that Yeshua was in agreement with Moses and did not take issue with his teaching, to prove that He was the promised Lamb of God sacrifice?

We must be at the end of times brethren. Everything is backwards. The believers have the best arguments for unbelief and the unbelievers have the best arguments for belief. What is wrong with us? The answer is as strange as the question. It is just like Balaam; he can only speak a blessing, but he teaches the best way to destroy Israel. Yeshua said that the teaching of Balaam must end in His church before His return. He said that it causes harm to the sons of Israel.

But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. REV 2:14

So, who are the sons of Israel that are led to eat things sacrificed to idols and commit acts of immorality? Ezekiel, the prophet, saw a day coming when the two houses of Judah and Israel would be re-united as one. This has not been fulfilled yet. The evidence of the House of Israel coming forth from the nations would not be their ethnicity or physical descendency. (Even Jews can't prove their physical descendency). The House of Israel would do three things: cease from idols, stop transgressing the commandments, and cease from eating the detestable. In the simplest of terms, those three things are the teaching of Moses (the Torah).

The Messianic Movement is diverse, confusing, and bewildering at times. In fact, I emphasize that the Messianic Movement is very messy right now. Praise God that He is faithful to His word and accomplishes His work despite the efforts of us. The Messianic Movement is made of more non-Jews than Jews. So, who are these people? The prophet said it would be the sons of Israel returning to the teaching of Moses and their heritage. The teaching of Balaam is a stumbling block to the sons of Israel.

How does the church cause the sons of Israel to eat meat sacrificed to idols? By getting believers to compromise their testimony of the Lord with the idols of this world. Take another look at a Christmas tree and the Easter Bunny. I'm sure you'll see what Yeshua is referring to. What acts of immorality are caused by the teaching of Balaam? How about slandering Paul and saying that Yeshua didn't do the will of His Father (He changed what His Father said). How immoral do you want to get?

Messiah Yeshua promised to make us new creatures by believing in Him. Many of us would say that He has made us new creatures in Him. While we say that, we know that doesn't mean that He threw away our created eyes, hands, and feet. Instead, we understand that the same body parts are to be transformed and used for His purposes. The same can be said for the New Covenant. It did not replace the eye for an eye or the teaching of the walk (halakic). The New Covenant has transformed His instructions for us and filled them up with meaning.

As a final word, I encourage my new Messianic brethren struggling to learn and grasp Torah in the midst of brethren casting stumbling blocks in your path. The next time that our well meaning brethren dispute your observance of God's commandments, sit back, listen, and consider this.

When God spoke His commandments, take Sabbath for example, his voice came from the mountain and shook the entire mountain. Rocks were split asunder, animals gave birth, and everyone was sorely afraid. Even Moses was full of fear and trembling, the Scripture says. The people begged Moses to go up on the mountain and receive God's instruction because they feared the sound of His voice. Today, many of our brethren dispute the very words spoken by God at the Mountain. They are not afraid of what they are saying. They should be afraid. They should be very afraid. They are not afraid because they have never heard the voice of God, but there is a day coming when they will. Remember the warning written in Hebrews.

Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. HEB 10:28,31

Moses and Paul instructed us that faith comes from hearing. Moses said, Hear O'Israel. And Paul said that the faith that is counted for righteousness is modeled after our father Abraham. The base teaching of our New Covenant faith is the Torah. Without it, we have no basis for Messiah Yeshua. The prophets have said that the Messiah will teach us Torah in the kingdom. It has not been set aside or done away with by Him.

And many nations will come and say, Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us about His ways and that we may walk in His paths. For from Zion will go forth the law, even the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. MIC 4:2

I believe the church is teaching Balaam and denying the teaching of Moses. I believe they are misrepresenting Paul and the purpose for Yeshua’s coming. I do not believe that the church understands what they are saying. The reason for my understanding is supplied by the Apostle Peter. They are unstable and untaught. If they continue, they will twist the teaching to their own destruction.

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