Posted on 10/01/2003 12:52:39 PM PDT by missyme
As we enter the Messianic Age we see that the Roman Church is declining, as the Penecostal and Messianic movements are growing, this being the case should we ask ourselves Who is the True Christian Church?
During the first six decades of the first century CE, Judaism was composed of about two dozen competing factions: Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, Zealots, followers of John the Baptist, followers of Yeshua of Nazareth (Iesous in Greek, Iesus in Latin, Jesus in English), followers of other charismatic leaders, etc. All followed common Jewish practices, such as observing dietary restrictions, worshiping at the Jerusalem temple, sacrificing animals, etc.
Yeshua of Nazareth (a.k.a. Jesus Christ) conducted a short ministry (one year, in the Galillee according to the synoptic gospels; three years, mainly in Judea according to the Gospel of John). His teachings closely matched those of Beit Hillel (the House of Hillel). Hillel was a great Jewish rabbi who lived in the second half of the 1st century BCE one or two generations before Yeshua's birth.
Yeshua was charged with what would be called "aggravated assault" under today's law, for his attack on merchants in the Temple. This was apparently considered treason or insurrection by the occupying Roman forces. (Crucifixion, when used on a non-slave such as Jesus, was restricted to these two crimes.) He was executed by a detail of Roman soldiers, perhaps during the springtime, sometime in the late 20's or early 30's CE. Most historians date the event in April of either the year 30 or 33. According to the Gospels, his disciples initially returned to their homeland of Galilee immediately following their leader's death.
Four decades later, in 70 CE the Roman Army attacked Jerusalem and destroyed the central focus of Jewish life: the temple. This was an absolutely devastating blow at the time; Jewish life was totally disrupted. Jews were no longer able to worship at the Temple. Out of this disaster emerged two main movements: rabbinical Judaism centered in local synagogues, and the Christian movement.
There was great diversity within the Christian movement during the first few decades after Jesus' execution. Some of Jesus' followers (and those who never met Jesus but who were inspired by his teachings) settled in Jerusalem. But others spread across the known world, teaching very different messages. "Even in the same geographical area and sometimes in the same cities, different Christian teachers taught quite different gospels and had quite different views of who Jesus was and what he did." 1
During the latter part of the first century CE, there were three main groups within the primitive Christian movement:
Jewish Christian movement: Jesus disciples appear to have regrouped later in Jerusalem under the leadership of James, one of Jesus' brothers. The group viewed themselves as a reform movement within Judaism; they viewed Jesus as a prophet and rabbi, but not as a deity. They organized a synagogue, worshiped and brought animals for ritual sacrifice at the Jerusalem Temple. They observed the Jewish holy days, practiced circumcision of their male children, followed Kosher dietary laws, and practiced the teachings of Jesus as they interpreted them to be. They are frequently referred to today as the Jewish Christians. 2 (These should not be confused with followers of modern-day Messianic Judaism who generally follow an Evangelical Christian theology and who are sometimes also called Jewish Christians.) Many were killed, enslaved, or scattered during the Roman attack on Jerusalem in 70 CE. Pauline Christianity: Saul, a Jew from Tarsus, originally prosecuted the Jewish Christians on behalf of the priests at the Jerusalem Temple . He experienced a powerful religious conversion, after which, he departed for places unknown for three years. Later, having changed his name to Paul, he became the single most active Christian missionary, from about 36 CE until his execution by the Romans in the mid-60's. He created a new Christian movement, containing elements from many forms of Paganism: Greek, Roman, Persian, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, etc. He included the concept of Jesus as "The Word", as a god-man -- the savior of humanity, the product of a virgin birth who was executed, resurrected and ascended into heaven. There are dozens of points of similarity between the life of Jesus and that of Krishna, the god-man and second member of the Hindu trinity. Paul abandoned most of the Laws of Moses and rejected many of the Jewish behavioral rules that Jesus and his disciples had followed during his ministry. Paul taught that God had unilaterally abrogated his covenants with the Jews and transferred them to the Pauline Christian groups.
What is the factual basis for this statement?
the First Self-Righteous Church In that sleepy little town of Pascagoula
But where does that leave the IFBBs?
I can get you a good deal on a beanie. Wholesale. ;o)
No
just as the Ordiantion of a homosexual bishop is hurting the Anglican Church.
Entirely different issue. The former is an example of the failure of man to control his impulses and own up to his sins, the latter is telling God that his rules don't apply any more.
Jesus was crucified for our sins, but the immediate circumstances were that the Jewish leaders claimed that Jesus had come to make Himself a king. It had nothing to do with the cleansing of the Temple. The Romans wouldn't have cared about that as long as it didn't spill out into Jerusalem proper.
Four decades later, in 70 CE the Roman Army attacked Jerusalem and destroyed the central focus of Jewish life: the temple. This was an absolutely devastating blow at the time; Jewish life was totally disrupted. Jews were no longer able to worship at the Temple. Out of this disaster emerged two main movements: rabbinical Judaism centered in local synagogues, and the Christian movement.
The Christian "movement" was around before 70AD. There were many churches in existence, Paul's letters had been written and were in circulation, and three of the Gospels were circulating.
During the latter part of the first century CE, there were three main groups within the primitive Christian movement:
Jewish Christian movement: Jesus disciples appear to have regrouped later in Jerusalem under the leadership of James, one of Jesus' brothers. The group viewed themselves as a reform movement within Judaism; they viewed Jesus as a prophet and rabbi, but not as a deity.
What do you believe Missy? Is Jesus God?
They organized a synagogue, worshiped and brought animals for ritual sacrifice at the Jerusalem Temple. They observed the Jewish holy days, practiced circumcision of their male children, followed Kosher dietary laws, and practiced the teachings of Jesus as they interpreted them to be.
And your proof for that is.....?
Pauline Christianity: Saul, a Jew from Tarsus, originally prosecuted the Jewish Christians on behalf of the priests at the Jerusalem Temple . He experienced a powerful religious conversion, after which, he departed for places unknown for three years. Later, having changed his name to Paul, he became the single most active Christian missionary, from about 36 CE until his execution by the Romans in the mid-60's. He created a new Christian movement, containing elements from many forms of Paganism: Greek, Roman, Persian, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, etc. He included the concept of Jesus as "The Word", as a god-man -- the savior of humanity, the product of a virgin birth who was executed, resurrected and ascended into heaven. There are dozens of points of similarity between the life of Jesus and that of Krishna, the god-man and second member of the Hindu trinity.
You're sure that the Krishna belief preceded that of Christianity?
Missy, if you believe the things taken from this website or book, whatever it is you didn't source it or provide a link, you have a lot more to worry about than what is going on with the Roman Catholic Church.
I remember a while ago that you posted about a conversation with a Jewish friend of yours and he was mad you were trying to proselytize him. Well, it looks like he has proselytized you.
Take care Missy.
I never forget a pretty screen name. ;^)
Oh No I am not converting, But I am on a mission to un-cover so to speak on the truth of the Christian Church....
Ok, what do you think there is that needs uncovering?
...do I believe everything in this article I posted of course not, but I do agree with the Paganism I see in some Christian doctines....
Which doctrines are those?
I used to be a big believer that a lot of Paganism had crept into Christianity, but I am wondering if instead it is elements of the True Faith that have been perverted which make up what passes for Paganism.
So instead of Christianity stealing from Paganism it is probably more like taking back what is rightfully ours in the first place.
I am a staunch beleiver in Jesus and no-one can take that away from me as well as as my desire to worship him in a way that I seek in truth.
That's great to hear. ;^)
So.....who is Jesus?
God Bless You
Missy
And you Missy.
Which elements? And what evidence is there that those elements postdated Christianity?
Until the time of Constantine, Christians typically celebrated the resurrection of Jesus on the date of Passover.
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