New Testament Anti-Semitism

Here is another great article by Andrew Gabriel Roth. Read it carefully as it contains much truth.

http://netzari.org/

“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).