New Testament Anti-Semitism
Here is another great article by Andrew Gabriel Roth. Read it carefully as it contains much truth.
“New Testament” devices that breed hatred against Jews are
plentiful; a very key phrase was even deleted from all Greek texts that clearly
renounced anti-Semitism. But, it should be of no surprise that the Greek “New
Testament” became the tour de force behind anti-Semitism when we
consider the impact of individuals like Constantine, the Emperor of Rome and
his mother Helena Augusta, who were champions of Christianity and also rabid
Jew haters. The Nicene of 325 AD was inked under their watchful eyes as they
placed “government issued” edicts in official Christian documents that
legislated acts of hatred toward Jews.
Gentile Christian Churches each had their own unique New
Testament “holy books” with a wide variation of readings. As time went on,
interpretive schisms between these assemblies widened in places like Antioch,
Alexandria and Rome itself, breeding divisions within Christianity that would
later motivate Constantine to standardize the “New Testament” throughout the
Roman Empire. The cultural and religious animosity between Jews and Romans
wound their way into nearly all the Greek Christian texts and their
interpretation.
Many Christian scholars and theologians still consider Constantine
as one of the all-time greatest Christians in history, despite the fact that he
murdered his own son, his nephew and many of his own family members, and wasn’t
baptized until he was on his deathbed. Other historians suggest
that Constantine was simply a shrewd politician who saw Christianity on the
rise, jumped on board, and used it as a platform to gain the much needed
support that put him into “public office.”
Shabbat
“For from ancient generations in all cities Moshe had
preachers in the synagogues that on every Shabbat they read him.” Acts
15:21
Although Acts 15:21 indicates a direct fulfillment of Isaiah 56:1-9
showing that Gentile converts are observing Shabbat and learning about Torah
and Mashiyach along with Jews, such things angered both the Pharisees and
anti-Semitic Christians. The Shlichim (Apostles) fully expected Gentiles to be one
with Jews in lifestyle and observance which is clearly seen in Acts 13:42-49; 16:12-15;
17:1-5; 18:4; and in Colossians 2:16, Paul even exhorts the Body of Mashiyach
to refrain from allowing outsiders to judge them regarding Shabbat and Feast
day observance.
Mashiyach is the “middle pillar” (Revelation 22:1-2) who
establishes universal common good, but there had to be give and take on both
sides. Jews from traditional backgrounds would have to let up on imposing
their traditions; Gentiles would have to eliminate their pagan lifestyles.
For most Christians the Shabbat is thought of as a “Jewish thing”
and as a major inconvenience, especially since the Church adopted Sunday,
despite Scriptures like Isaiah 56, 58, 66 that foretell observance of Shabbat
by Gentiles. On the other hand, because of Jewish rebellion against
Torah, many Gentiles feel they are not called to observe Shabbat at all. To
justify this, Christians quote Scriptures like Isaiah 1:13 and Hosea 2:11 to
show that YHWH was displeased with Israel’s observance of Shabbat; and
therefore many feel that they don’t need to show honor or respect for the sign
that YHWH gave between Him and His people (Exodus 31:13).
“But when the Pharisees saw them, they said to him,
“Behold, your disciples are doing something that is not lawful to do on the
Shabbat” (Matthew 12:2).
Mashiyach never subscribed
to rabbinical “Shabbat traditions.” However, most Jews and Gentiles don’t
realize there are marked differences between oral tradition and Torah
observance. For instance, using oral tradition, the Pharisees in
Matthew 12, above, wrongfully accused Y’shua and his disciples of being guilty
of “working” on the Shabbat. They didn’t seem to realize there was no intent to
work; rather, the disciples were merely putting grain in their mouths
while walking together on Shabbat. Nowhere does Torah prohibit the picking and
eating grain while on a Shabbat stroll!
Unfortunately, the traditions of the Pharisees often stand as final
authority for many Christians. How ironic, then, that most Christians
inadvertently continue the condemnation ministry of the Pharisees, but
simultaneously also level their guns at other Christians who choose to observe
Shabbat….
However, in contradistinction to the Pharisees’ oral
traditions, the original followers of Mashiyach recognized that Gentiles are
called to observe Shabbat along with the House of Israel, as mentioned in
Isaiah 56:6; 66:23; Zechariah 8:22, 23; Micah 4:2; Malachi 1:11. Shabbat is for
everyone; it is not an exclusive Jews only Commandment. (See Exodus 20:10;
Leviticus 25:6; Deuteronomy 5:14)
Sadly, the rabbinical “Jewish Shabbat” became the measure of how
Christians viewed Shabbat; and, rather than entering into the Joy of Shabbat, most of
the Gentile world has chosen to reject Shabbat, which fueled yet more “New
Testament” anti-Semitism. YHWH and His Mashiyach delight in Shabbat; but the Christian theology
that taught against Shabbat was clearly initiated by Greco-Roman post-apostolic
Gentile Church founders and then fueled by early anti-Semites like Constantine who
had Christians executed for observing the Seventh Day Shabbat.
Traditional observant Jews have concocted a series of “loopholes”
to get around certain Shabbat Commandments. For instance, the
tradition of Shabbat Goys (Gentiles) doing small tasks (work) on Shabbat, so
that they themselves do not break Shabbat. The Gentile enters the home or property
of the Jew to perform these little tasks – which is a direct violation of
Shabbat according to Torah: No work is to be done within our gates (Ex. 20:10;
Deut. 5:14).
Another traditional “loophole” that violates the intent of
Torah is the religious tradition of selling one’s Chametz (leavened foods) to a
Gentile before Passover – although Torah clearly states that the Ger Toshav (sojourner
who lives among Jews) is to be instructed in the Pesach and invited to
participate if certain conditions are met (Ex. 12:49; Nu. 15:16).
These kinds of rabbinical traditions have helped nurture
anti-Semitism by posturing Torah observance as being exclusive to Jews. Not
only is Torah broken by these traditions, but the harmony between nations and
peoples is only worsened because, instead of upholding a universal standard for all souls, Gentiles
are given opposing messages which separates them from entering into YHWH’s
Shabbat. Unless Christians are given opportunity to learn and do
Torah and experience the bond of Love within YHWH’s Covenant, it is impossible
for them to understand YHWH’s perfect will in Mashiyach, and that the Kingdom
of Elohim is a continuum that began in Genesis.
Pertaining to the “law”
Mis-translations in the Greek New Testament texts were used
to bring accusation against all Jewish people. Here’s an example: “But
avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and pertaining to
the law (nomikos- nomikov), because these are unprofitable
and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second
time. After that have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such
a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned” (Titus 3:9-11 NIV).
The Greek word nomikos is derived from nomos, and
certainly translates as “pertaining to the Torah.” However, Aramaic very
clearly exposes a Hellenistic redaction here: “But avoid foolish questions
and genealogies and contentions, and the theological arguments of the scribes,
for they are unprofitable and vain. After you have admonished the heretic once
or twice, shun him, knowing he as such is corrupt; he sins and condemns
himself” (Titus 3:9-11 Lamsa).
The word sapra,
clearly designates “scribe” as opposed to Torah (nomikos, namusa). Here again is
a prime example of how addressing a small faction of heretics was misapplied to
Torah and the entire Jewish people! “The scribes and the Pharisees” denied
Y’shua’s claims outright. These scribes are also rebuked in Galatians 3 and 4
for putting fences around Torah.
But another type of “scribe” that clearly fits this rebuke
includes the Evyonim or Ebionites (the poor ones). These were Pharisees who
accepted Y’shua as Mashiyach but ultimately rejected all divine claims about
him. Their dispute began with the famous circumcision controversy in Acts 15,
where they ended up losing the debate. Twenty years later, the
Evyonim broke off from the mainstream Netzarim movement and disposed all of the
early books of the Renewed Covenant Writings except for a mutilated version of
Matthew, which was heavily edited.
Circumcision
As shown in the Appendix entitled “Circumcision,”
Greco-Roman Greek New Testament writers twisted Rav Shaul into an
anti-circumcision Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul of course levies no arguments against circumcision itself, but
against the rabbinical traditions (fences) surrounding circumcision that would
pressure an individual to conform to rabbinical traditions that make void faith
and the voluntary intentions of the heart. One can
easily imagine the acute nature of the conflict because at its very heart are
issues of identity and belonging.
Those who were pressuring Gentiles to become circumcised were doing
so to appease their own religious flesh. Rav Shaul on the other
hand very definitively asserts that the faith component, Torah written upon the
heart and trust in Y’shua as Mashiyach is what defines a disciple of Y’shua,
not whether he is immediately circumcised after accepting Y’shua as Mashiyach.
The post-apostolic Church founders used circumcision as a “New
Testament” doctrine to divide Gentiles against Jews. Modern
secular society is also divided whether circumcision is a good or bad thing and
those who hold doctrines against circumcision are quick to side with whatever “scientific
evidence” they can find to suggest that it is bad. But again, it was the Spirit
of Mashiyach who Commanded Awraham and all his males to be circumcised!
Make no mistake about it, circumcision is a pain in the
flesh and something that all adult individuals will not soon forget. The
lessons within circumcision apply equally today as they did in Awraham’s,
Moshe’s or Joshua’s day and even more so for those who know Y’shua and who
intend to put away the carnal flesh to live according to the spiritual man.
But of course Rav Shaul was doing battle against religious
pride and he never pulled any punches: “Oh that those who are also troubling
you would be expelled!” (Galatians 5:12) As noted in the footnote, the
Aramaic literally means would be “cut off” which, given the subject
matter, clearly indicates that Rav Shaul was very strongly defending the position that trust
in Y’shua is the essential ingredient to spiritual life, not the forces of
tradition.
Rav Shaul makes a very critical distinction that following
Y’shua is not about making a broad sweeping turn back under the authority of
a religious hierarchy, but to allow the Ruach haKodesh to write Torah upon the heart and be
conformed into the Image of Elohim. And yet circumcision was painted as a “bad Jewish
thing” which of course is a very low level religious assessment of the matter,
when in fact it portrays an immutable spiritual component.
Rejection of “the Gospel” breeds Anti-Semitism
Paul said: “But all of them have not obeyed the
proclamation of the Good News. For, Isaiah said: My Master, who has believed
our report?” (Romans 10:16)
“All of them,” refers to Jews as a race of people.
Obviously, Y’shua was born the Jewish Mashiyach and myriads of Jews believed in
him; but as a race the Jews did not. Paul lamented: “But I say: Have they
not heard? And, lo, their proclamation has gone out into all the earth; and
their words to the ends of the world. But I say: Did not Israel know? First,
Moshe said thus: I will awaken your emulation by a people which is not a
people; and by a disobedient people I will provoke you. And Isaiah was
bold, and said: I was seen by those who sought me not; and I was found
by those who inquired not for me. But to Israel, he said: All the day have I
stretched out my hands to a contentious and disobedient people” (Romans
10:18-21).
Unfortunately, it seems as though most Christians stop
reading here, as though Paul had left the Jewish people in eternal condemnation.
However, he went on to say: “But I say: Has Elohim cast off His
people? May it never be! For I also am of Israel, of the seed of Awraham, of
the tribe of Benjamin. Elohim has not cast off those His people whom He
before knew…So also at the present time a remnant is preserved by the
election of grace. But if by grace, it is not by works: otherwise, grace
is not grace. And if by works, it is not by grace: Otherwise, work is not work.
What then?...But I say: Have they so
stumbled as to fall entirely? May it never be! Rather, by their stumbling, life
has come to the Gentiles for (awakening) their jealousy” (Romans 11:1-11).
Certainly as an entire race, the Jews did stumble; yet today
there are more Jews who feel that Y’shua “was more than likely” Mashiyach than
those who follow Orthodox Judaism. “(For I want you to know this) mystery,
that blindness of heart has in some measure befallen Israel until the
fullness of the Gentiles shall come in” (Romans 11:25).
Paul expected the “blindness of heart” to be a finite period
of time – and, of course, he took this from both Prophecy and personal
revelation of the Ruach haKodesh. But then he went on to say: “…in the Good
News, they are enemies for your sake: but in the election, they are
beloved for the fathers’ sake” (Verse 28).
Although many traditions of the Pharisees oppose Y’shua as
Mashiyach, this doesn’t rule out the rest of the Jewish people. Not all Jews
are Pharisees, but all Jews are “beloved for the father’s sake.” During the wicked
crusades against Jews, the vast majority of Christians never had access to
Bibles; they simply followed what their evil Popes and Priests instructed. It
would have shocked many Christians to read: “…beloved for the father’s sake” while witnessing the satanic “Christian”
hatred against Jews.
The irony of Christian anti-Semitism is that the Renewed
Covenant was made with the Jewish people. “This is my blood of the renewed
covenant, which for the sake of many is shed for the forgiveness of
sins.” (Matthew 26:28) YHWH revealed the Renewed Covenant in
Jeremiah 31:31-37 that He would, “make a Renewed Covenant with the house of
Israel, and with the house of Judah” (and) “put my Torah in their
inward parts, and write it in their hearts... (and that) the seed
of Israel also shall never cease from being a nation before me for ever…says
YHWH.”
Dogs and Pigs
“You should not hang earrings on dogs and you should not
place your pearls before pigs that they should not trample them by their feet
and they overtake and wound you.” Matthew 7:6
The symbolism of the two animal groups could not be clearer: Dogs
represent apostate Jews (Phil 3:2, 3) while pigs represent apostate Gentiles
who rebel against the Almighty. The Kingdom of Elohim was never
exclusive to Jews any more than it is to Christians. Whether Jew or Gentile, everyone
gets to make individual choices regarding YHWH and His Mashiyach, who is no respecter
of persons.
We are all ultimately responsible to the Master for how we live,
regardless as to whether we wear a Jewish or a Christian label. Hatred
against others because of their labels or their race is simply the work of
unclean demon spirits; only apostate souls exhibit this hatred. Those who are
spiritually regenerated according to the Spirit of YHWH will bear no hatred
towards another race of people.
Aristocrats Losing Control
“By the Jewish (authorities), five times was I scourged,
each time with forty stripes save one. Three times was I beaten with rods: at
one time I was stoned: three times I was in shipwreck, by day and by night; I
have been in the sea, without a ship.” 1 Corinthians 11:24, 25
Often when Paul refers to “the Jews” he is referring to a specific
faction of people within the religious ruling class. Here, he
indicts the religious authorities for their dirty deeds against him; he is
neither charging a specific Jewish person or all Jews in general, which many
mistakenly believe.
In Jerusalem the religious elite used the corruptible Sanhedrin to
enforce their religious authority. Unfortunately, the ruling “elite” of most
ethnicities are notorious for self-promotion at the cost of their own people;
this isn’t just a Jewish problem.
“And when it was morning, several of the Jews assembled
together, and bound themselves by oaths that they would neither eat nor drink
until they had slain Paul” (Acts 23:12).
Although Rav Shaul took severe beatings from religious factions,
this never stopped him from pouring his heart out with love for his people: “I say
the truth in Mashiyach, and do not misrepresent; and my conscience bears me
witness in the Ruach haKodesh; That I have great sorrow, and the sadness
of my heart is unceasing. For I have prayed that I myself might be
accursed from Mashiyach for my brothers and my kinsmen in the flesh: Who
are sons of Israel to whom belonged the adoption of sons, and the glory, and
the covenants, and Torah, and the ministration, and the promises, and
the fathers” (Romans 9:1-4).
Paul offers his place in the Kingdom of Elohim in exchange
for Jewish souls, so it’s not likely that anti-Semites and anti-Torah
Christians would fare well with the real Paul. But, this is also why religious
Gentile “aristocrats” steeped in Constantinian tradition invented their own
hybrid versions of “Paul the Apostle.”
“Then the soldiers of the governor took Y’shua to the
Praetorium and assembled against him all of the company of soldiers” (Matthew
27:27).
Anti-Semites would have you believe that a massive mob of
angry Jews put Y’shua to death, but in reality the Praetorium only had a
maximum capacity of about 200 people. The traitor and false witnesses had been
arranged beforehand and the crowd had been stacked against Y’shua to unfairly
influence the outcome. Roman soldiers were likely the largest contingent in the
Praetorium, followed by a religious element of fanatics who where “yes men” for
the religious elite. The religious element that was present did not represent all the
Jewish people; these were men who wanted Y’shua dead because he threatened
their political and religious strongholds.
Y’shua’s Fame
Y’shua knew from the start of his ministry that he had one
objective, which was to fulfill the office of Mashiyach ben Yoseph (the
suffering servant). The spiritual forces that collided resulted in a violent
cataclysmic impact that will not subside until Mashiyach returns. Through
Mashiyach, YHWH openly staked his claim to all His Creation, and it is through
belief in Y’shua for good or for evil that YHWH will set forth judgment toward
the inhabitants of Earth. It’s not difficult to imagine what would happen to
any people group if a standard of Perfection was brought into their midst.
There would be love for and hatred against the man and the Standard, but
nothing would remain the same.
Y’shua walked among a people who were filled with every bit
of reaction and emotion that was common to man. Imagine the contrasts between
those who loved him and those who rejected him and wanted him dead. Jews had
been waiting for Mashiyach for more than a thousand years, and no prophet, before
or since, produced the number of miracles or spoke with authority like Y’shua did.
Therefore, it is no wonder that he is the most talked-about soul who ever
walked on the face of this Earth. No other Jew begins to come close to his
fame, and yet some “religious” people insist on believing that he died in
relative obscurity.
The Netzarim community (followers of Mashiyach) was growing so
rapidly in the months leading up to his torture and death that the status quo
feared for their very survival because the Pharisees recognized that multitudes
of Jews were turning to Y’shua. Witnesses record
that as he rode up to Jerusalem the people couldn’t restrain themselves. Tens
of thousands of Jews were shouting
“Hoshiana” (save us or deliver us) and when he went into
the Temple, the children inside cried out: “Ushanna to the Son of Dawid” (Matthew
21:15). The religious status quo wanted desperately to wipe him out, but they
couldn’t because they feared the crowds (see verse 46).
A seed had been planted in the minds of many Jews that
Mashiyach was coming when Herod set out to slay the newborns of Bethlehem
(Matthew 2:16). And just as Herod was threatened by the coming of Mashiyach, so
were the religious and political elite who feared losing control over the people.
As a race, the Jewish people did not accept Y’shua as Mashiyach, but there were
myriads (tens of thousands) that did.
Even before this event, Renewed Covenant writings indicate
in numerous places that “large crowds” gathered around Y’shua. Because the crowds
pressed against him (Matthew 13:2), on one occasion Y’shua was forced to “sit
himself on a boat, and all the crowd was standing on the shore of the
sea.” Luke 12:1 states, “And when a multitude of many
crowds gathered, so that they trampled one another…”
indicating they couldn’t begin to count the numbers of people who came
to listen to him; yet traditional anti-Semitic lore teaches that very few Jews
accepted Y’shua as Mashiyach.
Confirmation of Y’shua’s fame is also evident when Paul went
up to Jerusalem to meet Ya’akov; we read that “myriads in Judaea believed
and are all zealous for Torah!” (Acts 21:20) Why would anti-Semites
suggest that Y’shua died in obscurity when Scriptures confirm the opposite? Why
would Christians “trash” the Torah when a myriad (which means at least 10,000)
were zealous for Torah and following Y’shua under the direction of Ya’akov?
Who dun it?
Peter didn’t mince words about who was responsible for
Y’shua’s death: “...he, Y’shua, whom you delivered up and denied before the
face of Peelatos after he saw it fitting to let him go. But you denied the Set
Apart and Just, and you requested for yourselves a murderous man to be given to
you. And that Prince of Life you killed whom Elohim raised from the dead, and
we are all of us his witnesses” (Acts 3:13-15). (Peter knew who committed
the crime see also Acts 10:39.)
HaSatan put the plot into the minds of the religious elite,
but Peter continues: “But now our Brothers I know that you did this in
ignorance, as did your leaders. And Elohim, according to that which beforehand
He preached by the mouths of all the prophets, that His Mashiyach would suffer
has fulfilled (it) in this manner” (Acts 3:13-18).
Peter had a very close personal relationship with Y’shua. If
anyone had reason to accuse Jews it would have been Peter; but instead, he
looked at the very souls who participated and said: “I know that you
did this in ignorance” – so it is extremely odd that for nearly 2,000 years
many Gentile Christians have held hatred in their hearts toward Jews. Many who
have harbored hatred in their hearts towards Jews weren’t even aware of it
until they met a Jewish person and found themselves feeling defensive or
uncomfortable without knowing why.
To indict a race of people for killing Y’shua is merely a diversion
from the real purpose of Y’shua’s life and death. Anyone who willfully commits
transgression has, in fact, had a hand in putting Mashiyach ben Yoseph (Y’shua)
to death. Mashiyach Y’shua’s sufferings will, for all time, validate
love or hatred within the soul for our Creator and toward all other souls who
are alive now, who lived before us and who will live after we’ve passed on.
Mashiyach epitomizes one solitary soul who can come before YHWH and be true to
himself without transgressing against perfection, or accepting the status quo
as the measure of a man. Who killed moral Perfection? Only a fool would point
their finger at someone else.
One Lost Phrase
“Behold, therefore, how much he suffered from sinners,
for they were adversaries of their own soul, that you may not be discouraged
nor your soul become remiss.” Hebrews 12:3
Here the Greek redactor dropped an entire phrase! Greek
reads: “Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from
sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3,
The Greek-English Interlinear New Testament, UBS 4th Edition, Nestle-Aland 26th
Edition).
Aramaic reads: “Behold, therefore, how much he suffered
from sinners, for they were adversaries of their own soul, that you may
not be discouraged, nor your soul become remiss.” Obviously, this
is not just some small omission! Consider also the poetry that was lost
in Greek. Here are the original sounds: 1) kma saybar min
khatayeh hanun 2) d’hanun hawu saqubleh l’naphshayhun 3)
d’la teman l’khun 4) w’la tethrapa naphshkhun. A
beautiful message lost in all Greek versions. Y’shua states “they”
were adversaries of their own soul. Perhaps if the translators would have
retained the entire verse, there would have been less impetus for the
evil Crusades against Jews!
Conclusion
Y’shua Mashiyach’s life personified his Father YHWH, he
said; “But I say to you to love your enemies and bless those that curse you
and do that which is pleasing to those who hate you. And pray for those that
take you by force and persecute you. So that you may be the sons of your Father
who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:44, 45). Clearly, anyone who uses a “holy
book” about Jesus to provoke anti-Semitism or bigotry towards another
race of people are adversaries of the stake of Y’shua; “For there are
many who walk otherwise; of whom I have often told you, and I now tell you with
weeping that they are adversaries of the stake of the Mashiyach; whose end is
destruction; whose Elohim is their belly and their glory their shame; whose
thoughts are on things of the earth” (Phil. 3:18, 19).
Regardless whether a person feels justified according to a
government (nationalistic) or religious mandate, no hate-monger or bigot will
enter into the Kingdom of Elohim (Psalm 24:3-4; Matthew 5:22; Galatians
5:18-21).
Therefore, by their fruits you will know them. It will
not be that just anyone who says to me “My master, my master.” Will enter the
Kingdom of Heaven, but whoever does the will of my Father who is in
heaven” (Matthew 7:20, 21). Anti-Semitism among Christians or “Believers”
is evil; “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries unto
me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10).
