Who were those associates of Yeshua whom He appeared to after His
resurrection? The assumption by many is that they were the first Christians.
Oh yes, most people know they were Jews, yet today they are still often
labeled "Jewish Christians." For example, Wikipedia describes them
this way:
"Jewish Christians were the followers of a Jewish religious
sect that emerged in Judea during the late Second Temple period
(first century AD). These Jews believed that Jesus was the prophesied
Messiah and they continued their adherence to Jewish law."
(https://en.wikipedia[dot]org/wiki/Jewish_Christianity)
So which were they? Were they "Jewish Christians" or were they followers of
a "Jewish religious sect?" The fact that they continued to follow the
"Jewish law" i.e., the Torah, answers that question quite well. Here is
another source that attempts to explain the history while obscuring the
obvious conclusion.
"In the mid-2nd century CE, Christianity began a gradual process
of identity-formation that would lead to the creation of a separate,
independent religion from Judaism. Initially, Christians were one of
many groups of Jews found throughout the Roman Empire. The 2nd
century CE experienced a change in the demographics, the introduction of
institutional hierarchy, and the creation of Christian dogma."
(https://www.worldhistory[dot]org/article/1785/the-separation-of-christianity-from-judaism/)
So what does this quote really mean? "In the mid-2nd century CE,
Christianity began a gradual process of identity-formation that would lead
to the creation of a separate, independent religion". Put another
way, history tells us that by the mid-2nd century the overwhelming numbers
of Gentiles who professed faith in their version of Jesus broke away from
the original Hebrew followers of Messiah. Although the larger group, the
Gentile "Christians" were the schism who broke from the original Hebraic
believers - not the other way around. The quote acknowledges this as "a
change in the demographics, the introduction of institutional hierarchy, and
the creation of Christian dogma."
You will find that most reference works call the Acts believers "Jewish
Christians" and the like, even though Christianity as we know it broke off
from that original group to form their own separate religion. Calling these
first believers "Christians" as if of that religion, is wrong because it is
an anachronism.
Anachronism: chronological misplacing of persons, events,
objects, or customs in regard to each other. (https://www.merriam-webster[dot]com/dictionary/anachronism)
Despite the obvious history some will object because they have the word
"Christians" in their Bible translation, where it says: "...And the
disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." (Acts 11:26 NKJV)
Here is the Greek word from that verse:
G5546 - Christianos - khris-tee-an-os' - From G5547; a Christian, that
is, follower of Christ. - Strong's
This was not given by the Lord as a name of a religion. It was a
nickname by the people for anyone who professed belief in the Messiah.
Further, this was only one of a number of names such people were called.
From Hebrew the same word means "Messianic."
Why am I sharing all of this here? Because something amazing happened in
Acts 1. We need to be able to see it in it's true historical context to
fully appreciate its profound significance. It has to do with the Kingdom,
and we need to see that in its fresh reality, as Messiah and His emissaries
did.
Our theme for tonight for our special Yom
Teruah presentation will be: The King Ascends. Join me
tonight, September 4, 2024, at Tsiyon.Net at 8 PM, Central, for this
blockbuster first presentation of our Kingdom Foundations series.
