Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow YHWH will do wonders among you."
Joshua 3:5

God is dangerous, especially to the unholy. The closer he is to you and the deeper you are in your divinely appointed mission, the holier you need to live. Not because he is angry or capricious, but because he is more powerful than all the stars in the universe.

And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”
Exodus 19:15 ESV

There is nothing sinful about being with your wife, but sexual activity makes one tamai (ritually unclean) and unsuitable for close approach to God. The preceding warnings indicate that this prohibition was for their physical safety, not for an object lesson or abstract moral principle with no tangible effect on the real world.

Shalom, friends,

We invite you to join us live on YouTube at 4 pm Central Standard Time on this Sabbath afternoon, 02/15/2025, for scripture study and prayers.

The lesson for the day is titled: "The Hebrew Calendar - Part 3"

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Join the House Church Movement!

Meeting the 2nd Wednesday of each month
Next meeting: February 12 at 7:00 PM CT
Click to Connect through Zoom (Please do not click early): https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87212812688
This monthly meeting will focus on the structure, tools and skills needed to run an effective home church that keeps its focus on our Messiah Yeshua and the Word of God. Meetings will present a topic for discipleship each month and leave time for open discussion of ideas related to that topic.

The meetings will be led by Pastor Andrew Manuse, First Fruits Ministries (an affiliate of CFM).

Join the House Church Movement!

Meeting the 2nd Wednesday of each month
Next meeting: February 12 at 7:00 PM CT
Click to Connect through Zoom (Please do not click early): https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87212812688
This monthly meeting will focus on the structure, tools and skills needed to run an effective home church that keeps its focus on our Messiah Yeshua and the Word of God. Meetings will present a topic for discipleship each month and leave time for open discussion of ideas related to that topic.

The meetings will be led by Pastor Andrew Manuse, First Fruits Ministries (an affiliate of CFM).

Question 350: Is Justification The Same Under The Old And New Dispensation?

Answer:

Justification is the act of YHVH and has ever been so, under both the Old and New Dispensations. Under the Old, those were accepted who rendered a faithful and willing obedience; thus we read, in Galatians 3:6, that Abraham believed YHVH and this belief (i.e., faith) was accounted to him for righteousness. Under the New Dispensation, Yeshua "came to bring life and immortality to light," that is, to give us a spiritual illumination which would disclose to man the great scheme of redemption ordained from the beginning. The contention, therefore, that none save those who are in the New Dispensation can attain immortality is untenable. Besides, the evidence of Scripture itself is against such a conclusion. Moses and Elijah were seen at the transfiguration. Paul held that while the race, as a whole, died in Adam's sin, as a whole it received life through Moshiach's redemptive work.

Question 349: Will The Jews Ever Return To Palestine?

Answer:

Will the Jews return to the Holy Land and will they ever, as a nation, acknowledge Moshiach as the Moshiach, is often asked and again it is sought to be known how they can be YHVH's chosen people when they reject Moshiach. There is no doubt that the Jews were YHVH's chosen people and Paul says (Romans 11:1) that He has not cast them off. In that and the two preceding chapters the apostle fully discusses the question. The prophets assure us that they will return to the Holy Land. There are predictions, dating before and during the captivity in Babylon, which were fulfilled when they returned under the edict of Cyrus, but there are others indicating a later and permanent restoration. The passages in Isaiah 2:2-4, Jeremiah 3:18, 16:14, 15; Ezekiel 36:24, 37:21, 25, 39:28 and many others have not yet been fulfilled. They will probably return in unbelief but will be converted later (see Romans 11:26).

Question 348: Why Do Some Passages Of The New Testament Use The Neuter Pronoun In Referring To Ruach HaKodesh?

Answer:

In the New Testament references to Ruach HaKodesh the masculine form is used almost without exception. In John 14:26 and 15:26 the relative pronoun "which" is employed, a word that in present-day English is always neuter. At the time the Bible was translated, however, the form "which" was used of persons as well as things, for example: "Our Father which art in heaven" (Matthew 6:9) and "these… which have received Ruach HaKodesh" (Acts 10:47.) As a matter of fact it would not have been surprising if the neuter form had crept into the translation of some other passages, as the Greek word for spirit (Pneuma) is neuter. This makes it all the more remarkable that throughout the Greek New Testament the pronouns referring to this neuter word are masculine. The fact of the Greek noun itself being neuter has no bearing whatever on the question of personality or sex, as is well understood by anyone familiar, for instance, with German, in which the same thing is often true.

Question 347: Does Every Good Thing Come From YHVH?

Answer:

It is impossible to say just what impulses proceed from self and what is the direct influence of YHVH in the unconverted soul. Some impulses to kindness seem purely natural, such as the instinctive care of a mother for her child, which is found in beasts as well as in human kind. The affection of animals for people, like the affection of a dog for his master, is sometimes tremendously strong. While all these noble and beautiful things come from YHVH, they do not necessarily indicate the presence of YHVH in the soul He has planted certain admirable traits both in the instincts of animals and the minds of men; He also has of course, the power of communicating with men, speaking to their minds and consciences by His Spirit and by His Word. Reason is higher than instinct and conscience is higher than both, but even conscience may not mean that YHVH is dwelling in the soul. Only when it is enlightened or quickened by the divine power does it become a safe guide. Conscience therefore, is not so much the voice of YHVH as the human faculty of hearing that voice. But at conversion YHVH's Spirit comes into a man's soul. He is no longer outside, but within; mystically though actually linked to the man himself. The great change then is that a man finds himself loving YHVH, eager to get His messages, anxious to please Him. The impulses to do good, instead of being vague and weak, become definite and intense. The converted man feels that YHVH is within him, making suggestions, awakening holy, unselfish, beautiful desires and giving him power to carry out these good desires in vigorous and successful action.

Frequently asked questions and answers

Question 346: Is There Any Hope For The Backslider?

Answer:

See Hebrews 10:26-29; John 6:37; Hebrews 6:4-6 and 1 John 1:9. The passage in Hebrews 10 refers to those who sin after receiving "full knowledge" of the truth (see 1 Timothy 2:4) and who after having been "enlightened" and tasting a certain measure of grace and the Spirit of Truth (see John 14:17-29), apostatize to Judaism or infidelity. Such is not a sin of ignorance or error, but the result of moral wickedness or a deliberate sin against the Spirit - a presumptuous sin against Moshiach's redemption for us and the spirit of grace in us. Having fully known the one sacrifice for sin and having a certain experience of the efficacy of that sacrifice, they have now rejected it. In Hebrews 6:4, 6, the same idea is emphasized. Such sinners crucify Moshiach anew, instead of crucifying the world (see Galatians 6:14). The passage in John 6:37 express the glorious certainty of eternal life to those who believe and stand firm - those who are given Him of the Father and come to Him with full surrender. Not the simply willing, but the actually faithful; not the waverers, but the true and abiding, are to realize the promise. In the backslider there has been no complete dedication, otherwise there would be no apostasy. 1 John 19 emphasizes the assurance of forgiveness and acceptance of the faithful ones. Concerning the possibilities of a return to Moshiach on the part of a backslider, we can only assert that what to man may and often does seem impossible, is possible with YHVH and that His grace is boundless. Peter backslid in a most grievous way and yet was forgiven. By a miracle of divine grace, the backslider, although beyond human hope of recall, may in YHVH's abundant mercy find refuge and forgiveness.