To Take Unto Thee Mary Thy Wife

Posted on 10/09/2017 by Messyanic

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:18-21 KJV)

I believe there is a misconception of what the messenger was saying to Joseph, when he said “fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife” (KJV), or according to the YLT, “to receive Mary thy wife“. (Some translations even insert the word “as” between Mary and thy wife.)

Many understand this statement as speaking of Joseph and Mary coming together as husband and wife in holy matrimony, as in a formal ceremony.

I think this stems from two things:

  1. The reading of the preceding passage “before their coming together” as being a reference to marital relations or a ceremony of holy matrimony, and
  2. The expression “to take a wife“, used throughout the Bible.

But is this what the source text is alluding to?  Continue reading →

Posted in Jesus / Yeshua, Virgin Birth Doctrine, What About? verses | 5 Comments

What is Hell?

Posted on 09/30/2017 by Messyanic

A friend recently posted the following verse on Facebook, pointing to the reference to hell:

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  (Matthew 10:28 KJV)

This got me to ask the question, What is Hell?

I typically don’t rely on definitions of the English words translated to understand the meanings of the author, when they wrote in a different language. While definitions of the English words can be helpful, I think getting to the definition/meaning of the word used in the source language of the text is more beneficial.

Let me demonstrate…  Continue reading →

Posted in Precept Upon Precept, Walking in the Ways of the Creator, What About? verses | Tagged | Leave a comment

I Don’t Believe the Virgin Birth Doctrine

Posted on 09/24/2017 by Messyanic

For months now I have been compiling two Biblical Study Guides on “The Birth of Jesus Christ”, one according to Luke-Acts, and the other according to Matthew.

The intent of this project has been to encourage others to study the Bible for themselves regarding this subject. But I’ve been chomping at the bit to talk about what I’m personally seeing in the Bible as it relates to this matter.

I don’t believe the Virgin Birth Doctrine.

So many think the Bible puts forth the notion that Jesus was conceived and born of a virgin, without having been known by a man, but I firmly believe that is not the case at all.

Rather, I believe that it is a teaching of man that has been handed down over the centuries and that notion was worked into various English translations of a few key verses. But the source texts tell a different story.  Continue reading →

Posted in Jesus / Yeshua, John the Baptist, Virgin Birth Doctrine | 20 Comments

Nothing Shall Be Impossible With God

Posted on 09/14/2017 by Messyanic

Many in the Virgin Birth Doctrinal claim camp understand the statement, nothing shall be impossible with God in Luke 1:37 is specifically pertaining to Mary and the child she will conceive.

But is Mary to whom the messenger was referring?

Read Genesis 18:10-14 in the Septuagint:

And he said, I will return and come to thee according to this period seasonably, and Sarrha thy wife shall have a son; and Sarrha heard at the door of the tent, being behind him. And Abraam and Sarrha were old, advanced in days, and the custom of women ceased with Sarrha.

And Sarrha laughed in herself, saying, The thing has not as yet happened to me, even until now, and my lord is old. And the Lord said to Abraam, Why is it that Sarrha has laughed in herself, saying, Shall I then indeed bear? but I am grown old. Shall anything be impossible with the Lord? At this time I will return to thee seasonably, and Sarrha shall have a son. (Genesis 18:10-14 Brenton)

Given what the author of Luke has already revealed concerning Elisabeth earlier in chapter 1, in conjunction with the messenger’s reference to her in verse 36, to whom do you think the messenger intended this statement, “nothing shall be impossible with God”, to pertain: Elisabeth or Mary?

Would a virgin espoused to a man receiving news of a future conception and birth be considered an impossibility?

Why then, do you think the messenger draws Mary’s attention to Elisabeth’s condition?

[- excerpt from The Birth of Jesus Christ – According to Luke and Acts: A Biblical Study Guide to be released in October 2017]

Posted in John the Baptist, Virgin Birth Doctrine | Leave a comment

Before Their Coming Together

Posted on 09/13/2017 by Messyanic

So many English translations insist the phrase “before their coming together” in Matthew 1:18 applies to that which comes after it, but the Greek text tells a different story.

The application of this phrase to the latter part of this verse is needed to prop up the Virgin Birth Doctrinal notion of Joseph not being the biological father of Jesus.

However, an honest look at the Greek text demonstrates this phrase applies to the former part of the verse. See for yourself: http://messyanic.com/before-their-coming-together.pdf

So what’s the big deal?

Why would the author point this detail out?

Doesn’t everyone get betrothed before their coming together?  Continue reading →

Posted in Jesus / Yeshua, Precept Upon Precept, Virgin Birth Doctrine | Leave a comment

Free From the Calendar Debate

Posted on 07/10/2017 by Messyanic

I’m so glad to be free from the “calendar” debate!

Chasing after the sun, moon and stars to determine when to “appear before the LORD” is so last-year for me.

No offense is meant to those searching these things out now. Keep searching — don’t settle on doing what everyone else is doing just because everyone else is doing it. Be able to give a sound reason for why you do what you do.

I’ve shared some of my notes on my past calendar study for anyone who might be interested in comparing notes with me.

From time to time I go back and make revisions based on newer understanding, but they may not all be updated. So, please, continue to do your own homework on the matter.

Something Changed with Yeshua

It is my understanding that ever since Yeshua/Jesus came on the scene, the ceremonial calendar which was kept by the Levitical priesthood, meant for appointments with the Most High at the place where He placed His name, was taken away from the children of Israel — and anyone else who chose to enter covenant with them…for good reason.

As evidenced by the way so many behave, the “calendar” is used as a power mechanism by some to lord it over the laity, as well as being carried around as either a badge of honor or a heavy burden by others. 🙁

What can we learn from that system? <– That is the key.  Continue reading →

Posted in Appointed Times of YHVH, Day of Atonement - Yom Kippur, Day of Shouting - Yom Teruah, Encouragement / Advice, Feast of Tabernacles - Sukkot, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks - Shavuot, Jesus / Yeshua, Passover - Pesach, Sabbath Day - Shabbath, YHVH Elohim/God | Leave a comment

A Man In Whom The Spirit of God Is

Posted on 05/13/2017 by Messyanic

Several weeks ago when studying out the Holy Spirit in the Bible, I turned to the Old Testament to see what I could find. It seems to me that the Spirit of God is another way of saying Holy Spirit. Given that, this is what I found…

The Spirit of God Moved

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (Gen 1:1-3 KJV)

This is the first mention of the Spirit of God.

A Man In Whom The Spirit of God Is

The next mention in the Old Testament is found in Genesis 41.

And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. (Gen 41:37-40 KJV)

Joseph was identified as being a man in whom the Spirit of God is, being the most discreet and wise.

Discreet and Wise

The Hebrew word translated as “discreet” is “biyn” (H995) and means to discern, understand, consider, according to Brown-Driver-Briggs. And the word translated as “wise” is “chakam” (H2450), which comes from the verb that means to be wise.

I decided to do a quick search on these terms together to see who else is described as such, and this is what I found…  Continue reading →

Posted in 1-Day and Night, Holy Spirit, Jesus / Yeshua, YHVH Elohim/God | Leave a comment

The Birth of Jesus Christ Bible Study

Posted on 05/04/2017 by Messyanic

A Free Remote Round-Table Style Bible Study Class on:

“The Birth of Jesus Christ“

Starts at 8:00 PM EST each Thursday night starting May 11, 2017.
Classes are not in session presently; they will begin again in mid-October, 2017

I’ve put together Bible Study Guides for each person to download and work through independently over the course of the study, and I’ve secured a room through Zoom.us for us to meet each week to share what we’re learning.

Each week’s assignment will be made available the previous week. In order to participate in the following week’s round-table discussion each participant will be expected to complete that week’s assignment.

While I will be leading these meetings, the study is set up to encourage participation from all members.

Purpose of this Study

  • To learn what the Bible says, particularly as it relates to the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ and the virgin birth doctrinal claim.
    • Text being covered: Luke 1-4; Matthew 1-2; Isaiah 7-9

Purpose of this Class

  • To encourage you in the quest for Biblical knowledge and understanding.
  • To provide a safe forum for healthy discussion.
  • To share what you are learning with others.
  • To glean from others’ personal study and life experience.

Differing perspectives are welcome. Registration is required.

Please register in advance for these classes at Zoom.us.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Looking forward to meeting with those of you who desire to study the Bible with us!

EDIT 05/08/17 at 1:14 PM – Weekly attendance is not required, but it will be the only way to interact with one another and share what folks are learning on the subject for that week. (I will not be recording the sessions.) Of course, folks are welcome to interact with me on an individual basis anytime about any of the subject material as our schedules permit.

Certainly you can do the study guide on your own without attending all the sessions (or even if you can’t attend any of them), but I’d like those interested in the study to register for the class so I can keep track of who will have access to the study guide.

For now I want to limit the guide’s availability, with the expectation it may need to be revised as we go along based on feedback from the study participants. I hope to make it generally available online here later down the road.

My plan at this point is to make portions of the guide available on a roll-out basis. Those who don’t make the class but are registered will be kept up-to-date with each installment of the guide.

Posted in 6-Man and Woman, Encouragement / Advice, Jesus / Yeshua, John the Baptist, Virgin Birth Doctrine | Leave a comment

The Origin of Jesus Christ in Matthew

Posted on 04/12/2017 by Messyanic

Oftentimes people meld the accounts in Matthew 1 and Luke 1 to form the basis for the Virgin Birth Doctrine.

However, these accounts are speaking of two different episodes in time.

While the book of Matthew appears first in the Bible, the account given in Luke 1, which addresses a time before Mary conceives, precedes the account given in Matthew 1, which speaks of a time after Mary has conceived.

The Natural Origin

Matthew opens his book addressing the natural origin of the Messiah Yeshua, being the son of Abraham, by way of King David, through his father Joseph.

Then, the author gives an account of the visitation of the angel to Joseph, which takes place after Mary has conceived, but before she gives birth.

Although the Virgin Birth Debate tends to hone in on the idea that Mary “was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit” and that Joseph intended to send her away, I believe the first chapter of Matthew is telling a greater story.  Continue reading →

Posted in Israel, Jesus / Yeshua, Virgin Birth Doctrine | 2 Comments

Announcing the Virgin Birth in Luke 1

Posted on 03/22/2017 by Messyanic

lukeOftentimes people meld the accounts in Matthew 1 and Luke 1 to form the basis for the Virgin Birth Doctrine.

However, these accounts are speaking of two different episodes in time.

First Things First

Despite the fact that Matthew appears first in the New Testament, the first chapter of Luke describes events that happen prior to those described in the first chapter of Matthew.

Luke 1 lays out a visitation from the angel to the virgin Mary before she is pregnant. She is identified as being espoused to Joseph, and therefore attached to him. She is his woman, and he is her man.

Matthew 1 lays out a visitation from the angel to Joseph, the husband of Mary, after Mary is already pregnant.

Given these circumstances, I think it is necessary to consider these two accounts in chronological order.  Continue reading →

Posted in Jesus / Yeshua, John the Baptist, Virgin Birth Doctrine, What About? verses | Leave a comment