Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Answers to questions I received recently from a man who is seeking the truth of G-d and His Torah:
1.Why is G-d not spelled out or even spoken when the Bible spells it out
2.Do you believe in the five-fold ministry: Prophet, apostle, preacher, teacher, evangelist?
3.Do you believe you are Torah observant out of love for the L-rd or do you believe being Torah observant draws you closer to the L-rd?
4.Can a Gentile wear a tallit? I wear tzitzit but not all the time. I want to wear one all the time to be dedicated to the L-rd.
5 I found out or read the gospels didn’t have titles ie. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John until a few hundred years ago and there were no chapters or verses.
The first question indicates that this individual has learned or otherwise read a rabbinic Jewish devised law that prohibits speaking the Name of G-d or spelling it out in its entirety.
The individual asking the question is correct in stating that G-d’s Name is spelled out and there is no prohibition against speaking His Name. In fact G-d’s Torah states that there will be a day when we will no longer use Baal names (Hosea 2:16) for G-d which include the name Jesus which is translated from the Greek Yesous which in no way resembles any of G-d’s Names used throughout the Bible in the correct language of Hebrew or Aramaic and not English. The Tetragrammaton of G-d, YHVH, transliterates as “hand -behold-nail [or hook]-behold” from the paleo-Hebrew. In the Tetragrammaton of G-d’s Name which he declared Himself in Exodus 3:13-15 with the following statement in verse 15: “This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered generation after generation” should leave no doubt about using His Name. YHVH It is also found in Isaiah 42:8 and occurs more than 6,800 times in the Old Testament. As a sacred personal name, only the priests were allowed to say it in the Temple. Again, this prohibition was manmade, a tradition of men and placed in the Oral Torah, not G-d’s Torah. You will no doubt learn more of the difference between these two books as you continue your studies.
With an accurate transliteration of YHVH we can see that Yahshua’s identity/Oneness with G-d is revealed. Christian teaching that G-d exists as a trinity is not biblically supported. G-d is a compound/complex Unity whereby He manifests himself depending on the situation at hand. For example, when He came as Messiah to teach people how to live his laws/instructions with compassion. He did not invalidate or abrogate His laws/instructions. Th all of G-d’s laws were abrogated on the execution stake makes no sense when we realize that Yahshua is G-d and he gave the laws and instructions! He is known as Yahshua (G-d saves.) Indeed this is revealing showing us that He is the Messiah/G-d. Please read John 14 where Yahshua reveals his Messiahship. He teaches this truth in other scriptural verses, but this is one of the most succinct.
Another example of G-d’s “Oneness” or complex unity may be understood when we look at ourselves. We may be a brother, father, student, uncle, husband, etc. When are acting in the role of husband, we would not act as when we were in the role of a father. Such is G-d. He has the ability to manifest all or part of his “being’ to accomplish the purpose He has for that particular time. When we are told with Yahshua’s birth that his name would be “G-d with us,” this did not mean that the role of G-d in heaven was left vacant. Just as a man or woman continues to exist in one body no matter the role they may be involved in at any given time, they remain one person. This is a subject for more extensive teaching that I will not address at this time. However, you may submit any further questions which I will be happy to answer.
After the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D., the Name was not pronounced. Furthermore the involvement of the Council of Nicaea, within the Roman Catholic Church, and the influence of the English language into the biblical text, changed the use of “Yahshua” to describe the Savior into Jesus, which again means dawn deity god.” This was not by accident, but was an intentional change consistent with the Edomite origin of the Catholic Church. Again, there is much more to be learned with continued study.
With the above background information, I hope you understand that there is no prohibition against using G-d’s name with respect. Many people who want to use one of G-d’s names, and there are many, use the name HaShem which simply means “The Name.” The space placed between G-d or L-rd are also gestures of respect but are not mandated in G-d’s Torah/instructions/laws. What is included related to the use of His Name is that we are not using it in vain. This is the meaning of the third of the 10 commands.
2. The next question is whether I believe in the five-fold ministry.
The 5 -Fold Ministry is a Charismatic and Evangelical Christian belief that five offices found in the book of Ephesians remain valid and active offices in the contemporary Christian church. I do not subscribe to the 5-Fold Ministry as it is often used for the following reasons:
There are no more apostles. (See my teaching on this subject at http://www.rabdavis.org) under the “Teachings” link.
The role of “Prophet” is often misconstrued to mean one who predicts upcoming evens independent of G-d’s Word. The correct application of a prophet in modern times is one who teaches G-d’s Word, which includes anyone who wishes to further the kingdom of G-d by sharing His Torah/instructions/laws and dedicates much time to studying and learning G-d’s Torah from credible Torah teachers. Matthew 24:11 tells us that many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Amos 8:11 speaks of a famine will be sent across the land by G-d, which is not one of food, but of hearing the Word of G-d.
With the B’rit Chadashah (Refreshed, renewed Covenant), came the fulfillment of many prophecies made by the Old testament prophets. In Hebrews 1;1-2 we read “In the past, G-d spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son (Yahshua who is also G-d). Yahshua is the ultimate prophet who brought G-d’s (His) own message. Believers are guided by the Ruach HaKodesh, (Holy Spirit), who guides us through our study, and our personal growth in Yahshua to reflect His Word.
An Evangelist is not a role that is restricted to specific people. All true believers are instructed to share the truth of G-d’s Torah that includes both the Old Testament and the Refreshed, renewed Covenant (New Testament). We are not to hide our light under a bushel basket (Matt. 5:15-16). We are to let our light shine for everyone through our lifestyle testimony which includes our good dees so that others will praise G-d. We are told that we are the light of the world. In order to shine the light of YHVH/Yahshua that includes his love, grace, truth, righteousness, justice and what He expects of mankind, we must prayerfully “hear, “internalize and act upon G-d’s Word, all of which are commanded in Deuteronomy 6:4-11.
The role of a preacher or teacher is certainly not for everyone. However, pastors and teachers help guide and interpret scripture for those who seek their expertise/knowledge/guidance in G-d’s Word. It is critical that those seeking the truth of G-d’s Torah prayerfully search out credible teachers and preachers. Asking, seeking, and knocking as Yahshua instructed in Matthew 7:7-8 will always result in a credible response. We must make sure that our requests are in line with G-d’s Torah and not for selfish gain. In this context, anyone can and should teach what they have learned to be true of G-d’s Torah, for we never know who we may reach in our won sphere of influence. Again, we must let our “light” shine before men that G-d will be glorified, and His Name made known among the nations (wherever we may be).
The next question asks about my Torah observance, and do I believe that Torah observance takes me closer to G-d.
No one can ever claim that they are 100% Torah observant. However, I believe I am growing closer in my relationship to G-d every day because I live for His will, not mine. A true lover of G-d is described by Yahshua in Romans 2-3; John 14, and in the 7-Fold Witness in the Book of Revelation. * The 7-Fold Witness is found on our website http://www.rabdavis.org under the “teachings” link. It is entitled “Definition of a True Believer.” Deuteronomy 6:4-11 also tells us how we are to live for G-d, our families, and other human beings. I follow G-d’s Torah which is not the traditional rabbinic Oral Torah. There are also teachings on our website that teach this important distinction between the traditions of men and the oral law verses G-d’s Laws.
The next question asks about a Gentile wearing a tallit.
A Gentile who wants to wear a tallit tells me one of two things. Either they want to impress people and “look religious” which in these days could get one killed for “looking like a Jew,” or they are genuinely seeking to integrate a practice used by many of G-d’s people described in His Torah. I am sure there are other reasons a gentile may choose to wear a tallit, but these are the two main reasons with which I have had experience.
There are all sorts of rabbinic regulations on who can wear a tallit and when it may be worn. However, none of these regulations are in G-d’s Torah. The tallit is a prayer shawl that may be worn by anyone but should be worn respectfully. It is not a wrap to be tossed around or used as a prop in some sort of theatrical display. I consider the garment holy in that the tzitzit are commanded and mine are attached to my tallit. Personally, I do not wear the garment into a restroom which while rabbinically prohibited just makes sense to me.
G-d instructed the Israelites to wear garments with the fringes (tzitzit) on the four corners to remind them of who they were/are and that they/we are to live our lives accordingly (Num. 15:38-40). It is not mandatory to wear a tallit. G-d sometimes uses a physical object for his purpose, but the power comes from Him and not the garment such as described in 2 Kings 2:13-14. We should not wear a tallit expecting a specific outcome or think that we gain “brownie points” for wearing one.
So the answer to the question is that it is permissible for a Gentile to wear a tallit. Romans 1:16 reads: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of G-d that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentiles.” “Believes” used in this scripture means to follow, to emulate, to worship.
The final “question” is in fact a comment.
Yes, it is correct that the four Gospels did not have their current names early on. In the manuscripts of the Gospels, they have the titles we are used to such as “The Gospel According to Matthew, etc.) But the manuscripts with titles did not appear until around 200 C.E. There is much ore information that can be shared if you are interested. However, I want to get this posting out today, so I limited my response since this was a comment and not a question.
Shalom v’brachas,
Rabbi Tamah Davis-Hart