Zion's Voice

Brit Hadashah Reflections   43

Torah portion           Deuteronomy 16 : 18  – 21 : 9

Haftarah portion     Isaiah  51 : 12 – 52 : 12

Brit Hadashah        Acts 6 : 1  - 8 : 40

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

The number of disciples was ‘multiplying’. To put the correct “Hebraic” understanding here, we must remember that, whilst it is now commonly taught that this relates to ‘church growth’ (and we mostly,  incorrectly, relate that to the building on the corner of our local High Street), it is in fact a growth of what is known today as Messianic Judaism ( ‘ekklesia’ in Greek). It was part and parcel of the local Synagogue. (The Apostle Paul would later describe them in Acts 24:14 as a sect of Judaism known as “The Way”). That community had begun to attract Gentiles into their number. And it was still in the era of “having all things in common”. Then dispute arose about a degree of favouritism to Jews in the “daily” food distribution.

The result was the appointment of ‘deacons’, charged with the daily responsibility of ensuring that the “ekklesia” were organised in an orderly manner, and with fairness to all its members.  The Apostles, the original 11 plus Matthias, giving themselves to the most important responsibility of prayer and teaching the Word. We are also told that following the appointment of these seven deacons “the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith”. Let us remind ourselves again that all this evangelism and spectacular growth took place within the boundaries of Judaism. Our foundations as believers is rooted and firmly grounded in Judaism. Gentiles were not excluded but were very much a minority group within the “ekklesia”. However, the deacons were also engaged in ministry duties and we are told that one of them, Stephen, “did great wonders and signs among the people”.

We are then introduced to the “Synagogue of the Freedmen (Libertines)” from which a small group of troublemakers arose. This Synagogue is believed to be a Greek speaking Synagogue comprising of mainly diaspora Hellenists who had made Aliya and sundry other Greek speaking proselytes. They conspired to bring false charges of blasphemy and false teaching against Stephen. They were certainly ‘anti-Christ’ by persuasion and determined to have nothing to do with Yeshua. Similar charges were later laid at the Apostle Paul’s feet. Specifically, the charge at that time being that he was teaching AGAINST the “Law of Moses”, the Torah, which, of course, he was NOT.

I find it interesting to see how much things have changed. Today the charge laid at the feet of Messianic Judaism (“the ekklesia”) is that they ARE teaching that the “law of Moses”,(the Torah), is alive and well and has never been abrogated. The REAL issue today is no different to that which was present in the days of Acts 6. It is what Yeshua described as “the traditions of men”, the teachings of Rabbinic Judaism which deny the deity of Messiah Yeshua.

As Stephen spoke in defence of his teaching, it was his charge against his accusers that they were not keeping the Torah as it had been revealed to them, by angels, and more recently by Yeshua, the living Torah, which “cut them to their heart”. In their rage they stoned Stephen to death. One of the witnesses, consenting to this action, was none other than a young Rabbi Sha’ul. He became a fervent activist in the persecution of the “ekklesia”. We are told that he “made havoc of the “ekklesia”” entering homes, and by the authority he was given by the ruling body, committed many to prison. But the hand of God was in this too, because this persecution caused the faithful to scatter across the land, and wherever they went, they preached the good news of the gospel of salvation in Yeshua.

One such was Philip. He went to the city of Samaria (not far from modern day Nablus, originally the biblical Shechem). He preached Messiah to them and using the gifts with which he was anointed he proclaimed healing to the sick and cast out demons from those possessed by unclean spirits. Thus he brought great joy to the city. One of the converts was a man, Simon, who had previously practised sorcery. BUT, Simon observed that by the laying on of hands, the apostles were able to impart supernatural gifts to others, so he sought to BUY that gift with the prospect of making money out of it! There is not enough money in the whole world to BUY anything from God. His gifting is freely preserved for those whom He chooses to anoint, but it is perfectly proper to ask God for such anointing. One is never left wondering whether or not that gift is present. Its evidence in a person’s life cannot be mistaken  ..  and neither can the counterfeit. God requires that He, and He alone, receives the glory for our gifting. By such is the Kingdom of God extended.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections   42

Torah portion           Deuteronomy 11 : 26  – 16 : 17

Haftarah portion     Isaiah  54 : 11 – 55 : 5

Brit Hadashah        Acts 3 : 1  - 5 : 42

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

Possibly the most exciting and certainly a most challenging passage of Scripture this week as we begin to learn of the extraordinary ministry of the disciples of Yeshua in the early days of their empowered lives. Talk about boldness? Fearless in their exploits. The prophet Daniel said “they that know their God shall be strong, and do great exploits” (Daniel 11:32) And the ‘Preacher’ said “whatever your hands find to do, do it with your might.” (Ecclesiastes 10:9) Well these men became living proof of the life of faith. Why? Because they KNEW their God.

A man, lame from birth, carried to the same spot each day to beg alms of those entering the Temple. Can you hear him? “Spare a mite sir?” How many times each day would those words have passed his lips? Eyes cast down not wanting to look at the faces of those who rejected him. How many people (like me!) hurried on without a glance? But on this day, Peter and John stopped. “look at us” Peter demanded. And a short time later, this elated man walked with them, leaping and praising God, into the Temple. They were soon surrounded by a large crowd. Only a short few weeks earlier Peter had denied even knowing Yeshua. Now, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, he preached a message of repentance to the expectant crowd. What a change. It often amazes me, but it ought not to, that we barely recognize that his audience was entirely Jewish. For that reason Peter was able to show them, from the Scriptures how Yeshua was the fulfilment of God’s promise to raise up for them “a prophet like Moses”. He was, and He still is, the fulfilment of that promise. (“To the Jew first, and also to the Greek”)

If that were the end of their day witnessing to the love of Yeshua they would have thought they had a good day, wouldn’t they? But it was not. Because as they spoke to the large crowd assembled in Solomon’s Porch, the Captain of the Temple, no less, together some priests and Sadducees turned up. (Note here that the Sadducees do not believe in ‘resurrection’) They were incensed and threw Peter and John into jail!  Who says God is not in control? Most of us would say “How terrible”. But God WAS in control then, and He is in control now.

The very next day “their rulers, elders, scribes, Annas the High Priest, Caiaphas John, Alexander and all the family of the High Priest gathered to see ‘justice done’.” But what they heard was the gospel of Yeshua, preached boldly, clearly and without compromise, and that in the presence of the man, now walking, who only one day earlier was crippled, begging in the Temple. The outcome was staggering in its manifestation. The text makes clear that they all ‘marvelled’ at what they heard. They were truly convinced that Peter and John had been with Yeshua in His resurrected form. BUT they thought their standing in the community was being threatened if they made that confession. So they chose their rank and status above the truth. Dear friends, can you see, as I can, that the same obstinacy prevails today? And that not only in the hierarchical community of Judaism. It is costly, in this life, to confess Yeshua as Lord. It cost these Apostles their very life later on, but it did not stop them from being fervent witnesses to the saving grace of God which was wrought by the death and resurrection of Yeshua.

The work of the Kingdom continued and those who were now enjoined to the “ekklesia” shared things in common. Several decided to sell such land possessions as they had and present the proceeds as gifts to their community. It was a voluntary act of love. There was no pressure upon anyone. BUT, we are told of a couple, Ananias and his wife Sapphira who also sold a land possession but only gave a portion of the proceeds to the community. There was nothing wrong in doing that, except that their offering was presented in a manner which portrayed that they were giving ALL the proceeds, as others had done. It was a devious, insincere, act on their part and the Apostle Peter was aware of their deception. He pronounced it to be “lying to God”. Ananias fell down dead, on the spot, before Peter.  Sapphira, his wife, unaware of this, turned up three hours later and she too confirmed by her declaration that she had co-conspired with Ananias to hold back part of the proceeds of the sale. She too dropped dead at the Apostle’s feet.

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” Hebrews 10:31

May you find peace and joy in faithfully serving Him who alone is worthy of our praise. To Him be all the glory.

Shabbat Shalom

RS