Questions

A. 101

From that one verse it might seem so. Let us not be mislead. One must not take scripture out of context. First of all, note the words "A new Covenant" in scripture is in italics. This means that those three words were not in the original scriptures but rather assumed by the translators. (added note, some modern versions no longer put added words in Italics such as the NIV)

The writer of Hebrews was talking about the then existing Levitical priesthood. Read Hebrews - Chapters 7,8 and 9.

The Temple was destroyed in 70 AD and the Levitical Priesthood did end. The Melchizedek priesthood now exists, however, it appears this Levitical Priesthood will be re-established in the future. (Exodus 29:9, and Ezekiel chapters 40-48.)

A. 102

In the beginning was the Word, He was with God and He was God [John 1:1-4] and He (The Word) became flesh (Yeshua) [John 1:14]. The Word is the Creator [John 1:3] [Colossians 1:13-16]. It was the Word then that appeared to Moses and gave him the Ten Commandments and the rest of YHVH's instruction (Torah) (see Acts 7) [1Corinthians 10:1-4]. The words that Yeshua spoke were the Father's words. [John 14:24]

It should be evident that the instruction, commandments given by the LORD (YHVH) of the Torah is what Yeshua is referring to in John 14:15.

[1 John 2:3-7] We are told to keep His commandments.

Yeshua is the Word.
What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life- (1 John 1:1 NAS) (underline added)

He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. (Revelation 19:13)

Conclusion:
Yeshua was the God of the old Testament so all the commands that were given in the old testament were given by Yeshua. So in the New Testament, when He says "Keep My Commandments" He was referring to the Old Testament.

A. 103

     
(talmid, pl. (talmidim), connective pl. (talmidei-...)

An apprentice under discipline (hence the de-Judaized "disciple"). In modern Hebrew, talmid means simply "student."

Source: http://www.netzarim.co.il/Shared/Glossary/Glos_T.htm

A. 104

Yes! [Matt 12:40] [Matt 28:6]

A. 105

We certainly believe that Yeshua existed with the Father Yahweh before the earth was formed.  Remember that both Yeshua and Yahweh have many names.

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

v14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)full of grace and truth.

Also see Colossians 1:13-20 for another example.

Before His role as Savior, He was Creator.  Another evidence is found in the very first verse of the Bible.

Genesis 1:1  In the beginning God Aleph-Tav created the heaven and the earth.

In this verse we find in the original Hebrew the first and last letters of the Hebrew language.  These letters are not translated into our English Bibles.  This is a sign showing that the being who became known as Yeshua, was also the being who created the heavens and earth as shown in John 1.  By looking at Revelation 22:13 (And other places)  Yeshua says he is the Alpha and Omega, which is the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet.  Of course this is what we have in the Greek manuscripts.  It most likely was said in the Hebrew: Aleph-Tav.

Re 22:13  I am Alpha and Omega , the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

A. 106

[Acts 1:8] [Matthew 24:14]

You can use the free program Online Bible to do searches, or go to the following web site to get your answers as well.

http://www.biblegateway.com/
http://bible.crosswalk.com/

A. 107

[Deuteronomy 23:14]

This verse is saying that YHVH (the Lord) will leave the camp of Israel if He sees anything unclean.

A. 108

>How do we know something is true?
We don't always know. Some things are evident - the Law of Gravity. Some are not - the Big Bang Theory or Evolution.

>Why does Jesus (Yeshua) claim He is truth?
We need some authority to base our lives on. Yeshua is the Creator - He has all the right answers - right answers are true. If He is the Loving Creator (an element of Faith) then surely He knows how we are to properly live.

>How does knowing the truth make you free?
Knowing the right thing to do is freedom. If you know the right thing you must follow through and do the right thing.

>What are the consequences of believing there is no absolute truth?
Believe what you might - that does not make it right. If you throw a ball into the air and stand directly under it - you will feel the impact of gravity working on that ball. You must step aside to avoid the inevitable result. Not obeying the Supreme Truth (Yeshua)is sin which will lead to death.

There is an old joke about two people who were arguing about absolute truth. One contended there are many absolute truths, while the other contended that there are not. The one who believed there is absolute truth finally said, are you sure there are no absolute truths. The other said, yes I am positive. So the first said, well if you are absolutely sure then you believe in absolute truth.

Our entire arguments in any of the articles on our website are based on the acceptance of one belief, which is that the Bible is God's Word. If there is no agreement on that, then how can one even argue? However there is the case when someone in not antagonistic toward the matter, but just not sure. Not sure if the Bible is truth, not sure if the words written in the bible are true or not. Of course there is the element of Faith that is required (some things are un-provable at this time). God wants you to have faith in Him; he also wants to bless those who put their trust (faith) in Him. There are many scriptures that repeat such things, yet if you do not believe it, and have no faith, what good is God's Word? Now there are still truths even if someone does not believe in them. An easy to understand example is fire. If you put your hand in a fire, you will get burned. The truth here is; if you put your hand in a fire, you will get burned. Now if you do not believe it, it does not negate the truth. God created heaven and earth. Without Him nothing would exist. God also says that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Yeshua (Jesus Christ). This last statement is not talking about physical life, but rather spiritual. One who does not believe nor understand the statement says, Ha, I have "sinned" many times and yet I am still alive. This person is speaking foolishly because he does not consider the future. Everybody dies, so what then? If you do not care then why trouble yourself with the Bible? Many people hold this same attitude, and yet they are still miserable. Why? Because not only does God give instructions about spiritual life, but instructions on physical life. All the law and the prophets can be narrowed down into the two great commandments. 1) Love God with all your heart and soul. 2) Love your neighbor as yourself. The Bible is filled with examples that teach us how to treat one another so we all can have a successful (and happy) physical life. Yes we are set free when we obey these physical laws as well. What are we set free from? Well from the penalty of the truths (or law). An example of this is a law in the Old Testament that says to put a fence around your roof top. In those days everyone had flat roofs and did activities on the roof. Well, if you did not put a fence around your roof, someone could fall off and get hurt or die. You would then be responsible for that and have to be under the law to make restitution. In America there are many many laws yet most feel we are the freest nation. With Gods laws, we are set free from the penalty of the law when we obey them. We are set free from the penalty of the physical laws when we obey them. We are set free from the spiritual law (eternal death) when we have faith in and accept Yeshua as our Messiah. So it is more than just knowing the truth, it is also doing and believing in the truth.

A. 109

My direct and simple answer is yes. Yeshua (Jesus) gave an example of this in John 13:3-15. Here we see Yeshua, the son of God, stooping down and washing the disciples feet. In verse 15 Yeshua plainly tells us what He expects: "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet." (John 13:14) In other words, be humble enough to serve one another. If we are to serve one another, how much more should we serve our creator? This is so hard to do as we must constantly battle our selfish prideful desires. We all want to serve ourselves, and make ourselves feel better. Even the media contributes to this. There is an old slogan "You deserve a break today". People believe they deserve so many things, people demand their rights. However from our Creators point of view, we deserve only death. Yet out of his Mercy we have life through Yeshua, (See Romans 6:23). Yeshua said, if you love Me keep My commandments. Yeshua expects us to love one another, to serve one another, and to serve Him. So my answer is Yes, all believers need to be bond servants. If the answer is yes to the first question, then the second question no longer applies. I have read the Bible from beginning to end many times and nowhere does is say that you cannot enter heaven unless you are a bond servant. However God desires us to be in servitude to Him. Yet He loves us so much that He allows us to decide for ourselves if we want to or not.
See our online article Being a Bond Servant for more information.

A. 110

Yeshua (Jesus) was asked this same question. 2 The Pharisees came and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" testing Him. 3 And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?" 4 They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her." 5 And Jesus answered and said to them, "Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 "But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.' 7 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 'and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." (Mark 10:2-9)

Yeshua also mentions this in the "Sermon on the Mount". 31 "Furthermore it has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 "But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. (Matthew 5:31-32)

Paul also addressed this topic: 10 "Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. 12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy." (1 Corinthians 7:10-14)

Also see Malichi 2:14-16 14 "Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 "But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring? Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. 16 "For I hate divorce," says the LORD, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with wrong," says the LORD of hosts. "So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously."

A. 111
No we are not saved by works. This is clearly brought out in the following verse.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV)

However we are appointed to do good works as brought out in the very next verse in Ephesians
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV)

What are good works? This article is trying to bring out that the good works we are supposed to be doing are really the commandments of God. David says in Psalms
"My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness." (Psalms 119:172 NKJV)

If God's commandments are righteousness, then doing God's commands makes us righteous. This article goes on to point out that there are two kinds of righteousness, one by having Faith, one by doing good works.

God wants us to obey Him. By obeying Him we become righteous.

Also note that we will be rewarded for our works: See Jeremiah 17:10 and 32:19 for reference.

A. 112
No there is no scripture proof, nor do I believe a person will loose his salvation if they call God by the wrong name. There are some who would disagree with me. I do believe Yeshua or Yahshua is closer to our saviors name than Jesus is. Anybody familiar with the Hebrew language will tell you that. As to which one is more right? I do not know. As far as I know we have no scriptural proof of what Yeshua's name really is or how it is spelled or pronounced. The important point is not that we know exactly how to pronounce His name, but how we live our lives in representing Him.

A. 113
This is a good question and we have posted an article to help explain it. See our article entitled A Message from Simon. for an answer to this question.

A. 114
Obviously there are many who believe each way. I myself tend to believe that a full immersion baptism is good practice, if for nothing else than following the example of the apostles. Is God limited to giving his Holy Spirit to only those who have been baptized? No of course not, in fact there is an example in Acts 10 about Cornelius who received the Holy Spirit before he was baptized, note however that he was still baptized afterward (acts 10:47). However the normal pattern in the new testament was immersion baptism (this pictures dying to the things of this life, the old man), then being resurrected (brought up out of the water, this pictures being born again, as a new man). Then after baptism, there was laying on of hands, at which time the Holy spirit normally fell.

A. 115

In responding to this question, I think it is appropriate to first ask the question, what was the purpose for tongues in the Bible? If we can answer that question, then we should be able to "explain" the proper use of tongues today.

We first hear of "speaking in tongues" is Acts

"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Ac 2:4 NKJV throughout unless specified)

Now let’s try and figure out the use for tongues in this passage.

"And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? "And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?" (Ac 2:5-8)

We see a practical need filled. Peter now could preach a sermon and all men of all languages could hear him in his own tongue. Is there another purpose?

"Cretans and Arabs——we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." (Ac 2:11)

Here we see tongues was used to proclaim the "wonderful works of God".

Is there another purpose for tongues?

"And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied." (Ac 19:6)

Tongues also became a sign of the Holy Spirit being received, and tongues were used to prophesy.

The next mention of speaking in tongues is from Paul and in reference to the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues." (1Co 12:7-10)

A couple of things to note in these verses; One is that the spiritual gifts are for the profit of all. Another is that one person does not receive all gifts; therefore there are some who do not speak or interpret tongues. This message is also brought out in verse 30.

 

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal." (1Co 13:1)

In 1 Cor. 13:1 we see that tongues are worthless without love.

"I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?" (1Co 14:5-6)

Here we see that speaking in tongues is of no value unless there is interpretation and it is "either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching".

"In the law it is written: "With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me," says the Lord. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all." (1Co 14:21-24)

This passage is very important, and many seem to overlook this in discussions about speaking in tongues. What it says is that speaking in tongues is a sign to an unbeliever, but prophesy will tend to convince and convict an unbeliever.

Conclusion:

From scripture we see the following purposes for tongues.

• To teach many people from different languages at the same time.
• To proclaim the gospel (this ties with the above point, the audience must be able to understand what is being said).
• As a sign of the reception of the Holy spirit.
• Used to give a prophecy, but only in the context of having an interpretation.

As a final point, all things must glorify YHVH. If tongues are being used in a manner that exemplifies self or sect, then this gift is being used in a wrong spirit. If tongues offend someone then it is not done out of love. However tongues can be used to strengthen ones own faith or the faith of another, and to glorify YHVH.

A. 116

It is very understandable,if you have been asking several peoples opinion about this question, myself included. If I merely give you my opinion, you may well be even more confused. So my first statement is, do not listen to the teaching of men. Instead, listen to the scriptures. Secondly, listening to several separate segments of scripture can be confusing. On Seeking the Truth website, the article authors try to present the subject on one particular topic or word. We go into the bible study of all the scriptures pertaining to the topic. Then a very few scriptures are used in the actual article. Basically, I am saying that the articles are based straight out of the Bible; hopefully with very little confusion.

At this point, I doubt that I have helped you at all. What I can say is bury yourself in the Bible. What does the Bible say about this subject?

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," (2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV)

When this letter was written to Timothy by Paul, the New Testament was not yet canonized. This means that the Old Testament was the only thing considered scripture at that time. Unfortunately, many people today believe that the Old Testament is done away with. Look at what Yeshua (Jesus) said about this subject.

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." (Matthew 5:17-18 NKJV)

Again, Yeshua is talking about the Old Testament here. Many people think Yeshua did away with the Law. Look at the beginning of verse 17 again.

God promises understanding if we put in the effort.

Ask. Search. Knock. "Ask, and it will be given [to] you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8 UKJV)

How much of an effort are you willing to put into seeking God? I suggest that if you put the effort in to read the entire Bible, and before you read each day pray and ask God to help you understand what you are reading. If you are sincere in this, God will honor your request. You can read through the entire Bible in a year by only reading about five pages a day on average. You can search the web for a schedule of reading the Bible through in a year. (Here is an example reading schedule)

It is possible to go through the scriptures much faster but the point is to read at a pace you are comfortable with, taking in the meaning as best you can.

Another question you had was how you repent. The word "repent" means to stop doing what is against God's way and turn from that path; actually turn and walk the other way. The problem many have with this is that they do not know what to repent from. A person's own idea of morality does not mean it is the correct Biblical perspective. It seems that everyone has a different set of "personal morals". One person may think that homosexuality is okay while another does not. One thinks that divorce and re-marriage is okay while another does not. What is right? Certain ideas may not seem that bad, but are they biblically sound?

"There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 16:25 NKJV)

The proverb here says that man's way leads to death.

So who is right? We need to seek God and His definition of morality; what does He say about right and wrong; that is the correct way. It is this way that we need to return to. If we are walking in any other path, that is what we need to repent (turn away) from, and then return (turn back) to God's way.

Obviously, I am commenting in some generalities. Your question was worded somewhat vaguely so if you have a more specific question, I will be happy to comment further on what God's word says.

A. 117

Thank You for your question. To answer your question directly, no I do not know if it is literal or symbolic (figurative). You may search and find opinions which support both viewpoints. However it appears as symbolic because it is representative of spiritual Israel. This group of people appear to be spared from God's wrath,

Rev 7:4 And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God. There were 144,000 who were sealed from all the tribes of Israel:

It appears that this group of people are spared (sealed) from what the angel was about to release on the earth Rev 7:1-3 now after this time (how long after is not determined), there are an uncountable multitude of saints who were washed by great tribulation and were dressed in white. See Rev 7:9-17, note verse 14

Rev 7:14 ..."These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.

For this group needed to go through a great tribulation and have their robes washed by the blood of the Lamb, (Kind of blows a hole in the rapture idea).

Back to the 144,000, are they the Bride of Christ? I don't know. are these 144,000 physical descendants of Israel? After all Rev 7:5-8 speaks of individuals from various tribes. We all need to understand that all Christians are spiritual Israel. We are all adopted into the family. Note Galatians 3

Gal 3:29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and now all the promises God gave to him belong to you.

This wording is very plain, if we belong to Christ, then we are the true children of Abraham, the children of Abraham is Israel.

We all have many "ideas" of what the future holds, yet many are based on mis-conceptions and traditions. Many things are symbolic in Revelation. Time will tell what is, but it will all become crystal clear when Christ returns. May we all look forward to that day.

The point being we should strive to be like the description from Rev 14:4 of what the 144,000 are like:

Rev 14:4 ...These are those who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were bought from among men, being the first fruits to God and to the Lamb.

Thank you for your question, may YHVH bless you as you seek Him.

A. 118

God is Spirit and we of course are physical. Relating physical to spiritual is at best difficult. We see scripture relating to God the Father and God the Son as two separate beings. John 1:1-14 describes this. Yet also in Deuteronomy 6:4 describes God as one.
Deut 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

So how can we say God is Two if He is One? Well one way to define this is to look at a physical example. When two people get married they are considered one, yet they are two.
Gen 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Another example from scripture showing oneness:
John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: (KJV)

We see Yeshua, (Jesus), as in perfect agreement with the Father.
John 8:19 Then said they to Him, Where is your Father? Yeshua answered, you neither know Me, nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.
John 14:7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. And from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.
John 12:49 For I have not spoken by Myself; but the Father who sent Me, He gave Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

Hebrews shows us that Yeshua is at the right hand of the Father interceding for us.
Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum. We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;