Torah Class - Day 5: Statutes 388-394 & Commandment 6

Today we finished our study of the Statutes relating to the Fifth Commandment, which pertains to the honoring our Heavenly Father, by honoring figures in authority.

We specifically looked at the Deuteronomy 17 commands for a godly king, which applies to us all (priests and kings).

Additionally, we started our in-depth look at the 6th Commandment: Thou shalt not kill...

Here are a few highlights from class today:

What does it mean, “Thou shalt not kill?” Does Yahweh kill? This question goes right to the very Character of God…

In Judges we read a strange story about Jael, who under the unction of the Holy Spirit, slew the wicked Sisera with a nail! One popular Christian viewpoint is the teaching that God can't kill - indeed taking life is against His Character. So, let us take a moment to examine Jael's strange act, which was foretold by the prophetess Deborah and was used of God to deliver Israel. And as we do, we must look at a root issue - the Character of God.

Let's begin with the commonly held assertion about God:

Assertion: God does not kill

Arguments to support this assertion:  
“How can a "killing" God tell humans "Thou shalt not kill" and yet to pattern their character after His own? Wouldn't killing be going against His own Character?” 

·  If we don't obey God, He will kill us. How would that lead to a loving relationship? If God kills the lost in the end, isn't He essentially saying: If you disobey Me, I will kill you?”

At first glance, these assertions get one's attention. It certainly appears that God cannot kill, nor command someone to kill, lest He break His own Law. But here's where this conclusion starts to get a bit dicey, as we will soon see more clearly: If God cannot take life under any circumstances, what does He do with the wicked at the end? Indeed, what does he do with the devil himself? 

Those who believe the teaching that God cannot kill under any circumstance often answer these questions by stating that God merely turns His back and the devil actually does the killing, while God looks the other way. This idea is increasingly popular. But is it Scriptural?

It certainly makes the story of Jael all the more difficult to explain. Let's start at the beginning and carefully address this subject. Since the very Character of God is demonstrated in this doctrine, it is vitally important that we get it right, according to the Word.

In Deuteronomy, God plainly states that because He is God, He not only makes all life, but He has the right to take it also:

Deuteronomy 32:39 "See now that I, even I, Am He, and there is no god with Me. I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of My Hand."

But what about the Sixth Commandment? Yahweh plainly says, "Thou shalt not kill". How can He be a just God if He makes Laws that He doesn't keep?

To answer this, we need to look at the original Hebrew word for "kill" from Exodus 20:13. We are looking to find the deeper meaning. Does "thou shalt not kill" mean that taking any life for any reason is unLawful? Actually, no! The word "kill" means to commit "unlawful murder", or to take life "with malice":

Kill = 7523 ratsach – “to kill a human being, murder” 

LEXICON – “This verb occurs in one of the Ten Commandments, referring to an unlawful killing of a human being with malice...”
Notably, in Scripture we can quickly discern that God did not mean that taking human life is always against His Law. In fact, there were times when God told His people to take life - and He blessed them in doing it! God never blesses for breaking His Law (Deuteronomy 7:11-14, Psalm 119:1, James 1:25).

Deuteronomy 30:16-20 - "...I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in His Ways, and to keep His Commandments and His Statutes and His Judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away... I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call Heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey His Voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days: that  thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."

Clearly, Scripture states that when we obey God's Commandments, we are blessed. And when we break the Law of God, we are not blessed. Considering this, it is compelling to note that the Bible says Jael was blessed for driving a nail through Sisera's skull! Not only was Jael blessed for this slaying, but she was blessed so greatly that her blessing exceeded that of all other women around her! Wow!

Judges 5:24-26   "Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.  He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish. She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples." 

 Since the Bible tells us that we can never be blessed in disobeying God's Law, we can only conclude that Jael's slaying of Sisera didn't break the Sixth Commandment! She had not committed unjust murder by taking his life. In fact, she was acting under the unction and direction of God, according to the account in Judges. 

And Jael wasn't the only child of God who was divinely empowered to dispatch a wicked person - David honored God by slaying the giant Goliath. In the slaying of Goliath, David was blessed. He is even eulogized in the faith chapter of Hebrews 11:

Hebrews 11:32-34 "And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens."

But there was a clear distinction between David's "valiant" act in slaying Goliath and in David's unjust and unrighteous slaying of Uriah, the Hittite. Taking Uriah's life was shedding "innocent blood", which is one of the highest crimes, bringing the Judgments of the Almighty upon David's life and family. Scripturally, we can clearly see a distinction between taking a wicked life, under the direction of God Himself, and committing unjust murder.
Another Scriptural example of God commanding His faithful people to take life was the story of Israel and the golden calf. In this account, all the tribes except Levi participated in this idolatrous worship. Because Levi remained faithful to God, they were commanded to slay the worst of the idolaters. In so doing, God blessed them:

Exodus 32:26 "Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? Let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.  And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour. And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that He may bestow upon you a blessing this day."

Another example of a time when God commanded His people to take life was in the story of Elijah. After the dynamic showdown on Mount Carmel, this prophet of God led in the slaying of some 850 prophets of Baal.

·   Yahweh commanded Israel to slay the men and women of Midian - Numbers 31:7-17

·  Samson slew a thousand men, with only a jawbone, after the Spirit of God came upon him, empowering him to do so - Judges 15:14-15

The bottom line is this: Yahweh never commands His people to break His Law.

Malachi 3:6 "For I Am the LORD, I change not..."

Psalm 89:34 "My Covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My Lips."

It is sin to break the Law of God (1 John 3:4). And God does not ever tell anyone to sin, nor tempt anyone!

James 1:13 "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man."

Already we can see that God told many people to take life. Since He never commands evil, we can be certain that it was not breaking God's Law for these people to take life in these cases. Clearly, these slayings were not "unjust murder". But it goes yet another step, according to Scripture. There are cases where God Himself slew someone.  

·  The Bible tells us the Uzzah was slain by the direct Hand of God - 2 Samuel 6:6-7

·  In the destruction of Jericho, God fought with Israel, commanding them to slay every citizen (except Rahab and her house). God brought down the city walls and fought with Israel in this battle - Joshua 6:2-21

·  Nadab and Abihu, two priests who were the sons of Aaron, disobediently brought "strange fire" into God's House. As a consequence, He slew them for it, in the Tabernacle - Leviticus 10:1-2

·  To believe that God merely turned His back on the firstborn of Egypt, and Satan moved in like God's mafia hitman, is to believe something which is counter to Scripture. The Bible plainly states that God Himself slew the firstborn of Egypt - Exodus 12:29 

·   Finally, Yahweh Personally rained Fire from Heaven down upon Sodom and Gomorrah. He is the one who slew the people of these cities of the plains - Genesis 19:24-25 

 The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a shadow-picture of God's Final Judgment upon the wicked and planet earth. It is the Work of Yahweh, Himself, to destroy the wicked. He, Who is not willing that any should perish, but has done all that Heaven could do to save everyone, will ultimately destroy those who continue in rebellion against Him (Revelation 11:17-19, Ezekiel 33:11, Isaiah 28:21).

How can a loving God take life? How can a righteous God slay people without breaking His Own Law?

"Unjust Murder" is against God's Law. God does take life, but He never commits murder. The word "kill" found in Deuteronomy 32:39 means to justly slay someone who is "worthy of death". Therefore, according to Scripture, it is not against God's Character, nor breaking His Law to take the life of someone who God has deemed to be wicked and worthy of death.

How can we reconcile the ultimate destruction of the wicked with the loving Character of God? First, I must point out that the Love of God is irrevocably established, having been portrayed and played out at Calvary to such a degree that it is forever beyond question! God desires the Salvation of every man, woman, and child. It does not give Him pleasure to need to destroy anyone (Ezekiel 33:11, Isaiah 55:6-7, Ezekiel 18:31-32). In fact, so great is the provision and price which has been paid for our Salvation, that God has made it unnecessary for anyone to be destroyed.

Whether we accept Yahshua's Sacrifice and partake of Salvation, or rebel against God and bring down Eternal Death upon ourselves - the choice is now ours to make. But, in the end, for those who choose rebellion, God Himself will take their lives, purging the world of wickedness and evil - once and for all...

We will continue our thorough study of this topic on Wednesday...

Completed worksheets from this class (previous year, as no worksheet for this year is completed yet) are viewable and printable at the following link:

 

TORAH CLASS 24-25:

As we all know, the hour is late. As a result, none of us knows how long internet classes can be continued... But, bearing this reality in mind, the following is our schedule for this year:

From the start of September, 2024 to the end of May, 2025, we are scheduled to meet online from 10-11 AM (PST) on Mondays and Wednesdays.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The following is our upcoming class schedule for September, 2024:

Wednesday, September 18 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom.

Monday, September 23 - No Class -There will not be a Torah class on this day, as announced in class. We will seek to make up this class at a later time.

Wednesday, September 25 - No Class -There will not be a Torah class on this day, as announced in class. We will seek to make up this class at a later time.

Monday, September 30 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom. 

Wednesday, October 2 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom.

Torah Class - Day 4: Shema vs Trinity concluded

Today we concluded our in-depth look at the Shema - specifically, how the Shema shows that there is one God.

View-Print the Completed Worksheet: Week 1-Statutes 1-3: Oneness of God 

Here are a few highlights from class today:

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 “Hear (Shema), O Israel: Yahweh our God is one Yah: And thou shalt love Yahweh thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” 

Today in class, we addressed the following reasons why theologians teach a trinity doctrine, which we have seen is entirely pagan...  The questions we addressed in our study today include:

Questions: 

What does it mean that Yahshua is the Son of God? 

The title "son of God" applies to every being that is indwelt by the Spirit of Yahweh. 

·     Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

The following are called "sons of God":

• Unfallen beings (non-human) - Job 38:1-7; Job 1:6; Job 2:1
• Saved people - 1 John 3:1-2; John 1:12; Philippians 2:15
• Adam, the first human before the Fall was called "the son of God" - Luke 3:38
• Yahshua is called "the Son of God", not because He was literally a "son", but rather because He came as the Second Adam, and was filled with the Spirit of Yahweh - 1 Corinthians 15:45; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Why did He pray?

Yahshua came to demonstrate the steps of "sonship". He is our Example in all things. We, as "sons and daughters" of Yahweh cannot live in "sonship" without prayer and continual abiding in Yahweh. Thus, Yahshua could not demonstrate the steps of sonship without prayer. 

Sons of God rely on Yahweh. They do not possess their own power, but accomplish all things through Him. Yahshua modeled relationship with God by His habits of prayer and solitude with the Father. He set aside His Divine power, which He obviously did still have – since the devil tried to tempt Him to use it in the wilderness. Yahshua lived as the Son of God in order to show us how to be the sons of God.

Why was He baptized?

According to the Bible, the purpose of baptism is "the remission (forgiveness/cleansing) of sins" (Acts 2:38), but Yahshua was sinless. In the account of Yahshua’s Life, we know He was directly tempted (See Matthew 4:1-11), but did not give into sinful impulses (Hebrews 4:15). When Yahshua asked John the Baptist to baptize Him, even John was surprised. Yahshua explained the reason for His baptism to John. He was to be baptized because He would be our example in all things, fully demonstrating every step we must take to become the sons of God. And baptism is a necessary step:

Matthew 3:15 “And Yahshua answering said unto him (John the Baptist), Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered Him.” 

1 Peter 2:21 “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His Steps.”

Why is He also called the Son of Man? 

In Scripture, Yahshua is both called the Son of God and the Son of Man. After the Fall, the only way for Adam or His descendants to become sons of God was through accepting Yahshua as their substitutionary Sacrifice. Yahshua was the Second Adam being both Ben adam (Son of man, who legally can then redeem man) and the Son of God.

In summary…  we can reconcile all the Scriptures together regarding Messiah and the Shema, without joining the Spirit of Antichrist and undermining Yahshua’s Divinity, as follows (a short summary):

·        There is only one God – Yahweh

·        For the ages of Eternity past, Yahweh existed as a single Being – one God.

·        Yahweh created a command structure under Him, giving His created beings authority and areas of dominion. Since His command structure included many godly beings, including the first man, beings with jurisdictions of authority are called “elohim” (a plural word). Yahweh is the supreme Elohim, which can also mean God (singular).

·        For the Redemption of fallen mankind, Yahweh divided off from Himself and manifested Himself in the Flesh. This is the closest explanation to what it means that Yahshua was “God manifest in the Flesh”, “the Everlasting Father”, “the Great I AM” and the “only begotten of the Father” (brought forth from the same Life-Force, or Being).

·        Yahshua manifested as the Son of God, which indicates a being that is Holy Spirit filled, as Adam was before the Fall.

·        Yahshua holds 72 titles in Scripture, including “Bread of Life”, “the Door”, “Lamb”, “the Vine”…  Only one title is mistakenly applied literally: “Son of God”. But this title isn’t literal, anymore than are the other 71 titles that He holds. Yahshua is God and has always been.

·        Yahshua lived to demonstrate “sonship” to us all, and He died to pay for our sins, making it possible for us to be adopted as “sons of God”.

·        The trinity doctrine is entirely pagan.

·        The Shema states that there is one God. And there is! And Yahshua is a manifestation of Him, not a separate God. 

Thus we find that the Trinity Doctrine is failing the "Light-test" for the following critical reasons:

1) The Trinity doctrine is against the Shema, which is the heart of the Bible.

2) The Trinity doctrine is of pagan origin.

3) The Catholic Church - Bible translators added "trinity-supporting" pronouns ("us", or "our") or the words "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" to verses, which were not present in the original texts.

4) The Father and Son do not have separate "Roles", as is commonly thought. Every "Role" held by the Father is also held by the Son and vice versa.

We will continue our thorough study of this topic on Wednesday...

Completed worksheets from this class (previous year, as no worksheet for this year is completed yet) are viewable and printable at the following link:

 

TORAH CLASS 24-25:

As we all know, the hour is late. As a result, none of us knows how long internet classes can be continued... But, bearing this reality in mind, the following is our schedule for this year:

From the start of September, 2024 to the end of May, 2025, we are scheduled to meet online from 10-11 AM (PST) on Mondays and Wednesdays.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The following is our upcoming class schedule for September, 2024:

Monday, September 16 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom. 

Wednesday, September 18 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom.

Monday, September 23 - No Class -There will not be a Torah class on this day, as announced in class. We will seek to make up this class at a later time.

Wednesday, September 25 - No Class -There will not be a Torah class on this day, as announced in class. We will seek to make up this class at a later time.

Monday, September 30 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom. 

Wednesday, October 2 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom.

Torah Class - Day 3: Shema vs Trinity continued

 

Today we continued our in-depth look at the Shema - specifically, how the Shema shows that there is one God. Here are a few highlights from class today:

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 “Hear (Shema), O Israel: Yahweh our God is one Yah: And thou shalt love Yahweh thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” 

Today in class, we addressed the following reasons why theologians teach a trinity doctrine, which we have seen is entirely pagan...  The first question we addressed in our study today is:

Question: But, doesn't the Bible teach that God is more than one Being, since Elohim is a plural word?

Jews, and believers until the 2^nd Century AD, all understood that the Shema meant there is only One God. Today, theologians and teachers claim that the meaning of echad allows for a trinity, because it also means “united”. But, Scripture repeatedly states that there is only one God – numerically and in supremacy. Consider the following, which are in addition to the Shema:

· Deuteronomy 4:35,39 — Unto thee it was shown, that thou mightest know that Yahweh He is God; there is none else beside Him. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that Yahweh He is God in Heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.  

The idea that Yahweh is a part of a trinity is also “supported” by the Hebrew word “Elohim”. But Elohim is not a name. When Yahweh created people and angels, He appointed them to have authority – dominions (Genesis 1:26-28). All beings with a dominion are classed as “elohim”. Because Yahweh has the supreme dominion and is Ruler over all, He is the Elohim, with a capital E. 

The reason Elohim is a plural word, is that Yahweh has appointed beings He created to positions of authority. An elohim is someone who holds a position or authority, or an area of dominion. Biblically this applies to human rulers and magistrates, angels, and ultimately to Yahweh Himself, for His is the supreme Dominion.

• Romans 13:1-2 “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”
• Colossians 1:16 (NKJ) For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. All thrones, dominions, principalities and powers were created for Yahshua, through Him and by Him - to serve Him and His purposes.”

The "plurality" of Yah is "supported" in Genesis 1:26 because of the word "Elohim", translated as God, refers to the Supreme Being. But because elohim indicates someone who holds a position of authority, "elohim" means two things: 

1) it can refer to the Supreme Authority, in which case it is Elohim with a capital E - God; 

2) it can refer to the authority of angels or human magistrates, which should be dominions held in subjection to Yahweh's Supreme Authority. When elohim refers to authorities under Yahweh, it is plural, because there many leaders, appointed by Yahweh.

Ephesians 1:19-23 (NKJ) “And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJ) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

When a leader rejects the supreme Authority of Yahweh and becomes rebellious against His Highest dominion, they are called "no gods". 

Since Yahweh-appointed dominions become invalid when they are held in rebellion to His ultimate Authority, all elohim of rebellion are called “no gods” (Galatians 4:8).

Because Genesis 1:26 used the term "Elohim" to refer to Yahweh, and because the Bible translators believed in a trinity doctrine, they ignored the fact that Elohim can refer to God, singular, when it refers to Yahweh. And they translated it as plural, adding plural pronouns "us" and "our", which are not present in the original text.

With this understanding, let us revisit Genesis 1:26, to get a better understanding of what was originally being said (crossed out words are missing from the original Hebrew, for there are no pronouns in the original Hebrew.... Note: words present in the original text all have Strong's Concordance numbers after them):

Genesis 1:26  And God H430 (Elohim-the highest Authority, under whom all righteous dominions are submitted) said, H559 (proclaimed) Let us make H6213 (“to do” or “make) manH120 in our image, H6754 after our likeness: H1823 and let them have dominion H7287…” 

In direct translation, it says, “God proclaimed to make mankind in resemblance to and modeled after Himself…” 

·     Genesis 1:26 "And God said, Let us (added) make man in our (added) image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion…"

The justification for a plurality of God is not in the original Hebrew of Genesis 1:26, as the pronouns were added – and elohim, while plural is a title for a member of Yahweh’s Command Chain. When it refers to the Supreme Authority, it is singular.

Question: But doesn’t the Bible mention the Trinity, by listing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

There have been changes made to the King James (and subsequent versions) Bible version to support a Trinity doctrine. But these changes were not in the original. Specifically, the names of the Trinity was added to 1 John 5:7-8 and Matthew 28:19.

1 1 John 5:7-8 – Trinity was Added

"Out of one hundred and thirteen copies of the New Testament manuscripts, the text listing "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" (1 John 5:7-8) is wanting (missing) in one hundred and twelve. It occurs in no manuscript before the 10^th century. And the first place the text occurs in Greek, is in the Greek translation of the acts of the Council of Lateran, held in AD 1215.” Bible Commentary on 1 John 5

Matthew 28:19, aka the Gospel Commission – Trinity was Added

•      As it reads today in the KJV: Matthew 28:19 – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

But we have strong evidence to show that this verse didn’t originally mention Three in both the Scriptures and in the writings of the early believers, who quoted this verse as it originally appeared.

•      Eusebius quoted Matthew 28:19 eighteen times in his work, always quoting it without mentioning the Three, as follows:

“Go ye and make disciples of all nations in My Name, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you.” Eusebius, Article in Beauties of the Truth, January 1991 edition.

•      Eusebius was the Church historian and Bishop of Caesarea (275-339 AD). He quoted (18x) the early book of Matthew that he had in his library in Caesarea. According to this eyewitness of an unaltered Book of Matthew that could have been the original book or the first copy of the original of Matthew, Eusebius informs us of Yahshua‘s actual words to His disciples in the original text of Matthew 28:19:

•      "With one word and voice He said to His disciples: "Go, and make disciples of all nations in My Name, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." That "Name" is Yahshua. The Demonstratio Evangelica by Eusebius, p 152

•      Additionally, the Baptism Name is also mentioned in Acts 2:38, where it appears without a trinity:

•      Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Yahshua Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (See also Acts 8:16, 10:48, 19:5)

Question: So, if the Baptismal Command was originally written without referencing a Trinity, how did the Father, Son and Holy Spirit part get added to it?

"The baptismal formula (in Matthew 28:19) was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words ‘Father, Son, and Holy Spirit’ by the Catholic Church in the second century." The Catholic Encyclopedia, II, page 263.

•      Catholic Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (aka Pope Benedict) made this confession about the origin of the chief Trinity text of Matthew 28:19. "The basic form of our (Matthew 28:19 Trinitarian) profession of faith took shape during the course of the second and third centuries in connection with the ceremony of baptism. So far as its place of origin is concerned, the text (Matthew 28:19) came from the city of Rome."

•      “The mystery of the Trinity is the central doctrine of the Catholic Faith. Upon it are based all other teachings of the Church.” Handbook for Today’s Catholic, p 12 (March 1994)

Question: But don’t the Father and Son have different Roles?

Who Holds the Role as Creator?
Yahshua	Yahweh
John 1:1-3, 14 “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 anything made that was made…  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”	Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Revelation 4:8-11 “Holy, holy, holy, Yahweh God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come… thanks to Him that sat on the Throne, who liveth for ever and ever…Thou Art worthy, O Yahweh, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things...”

Who Holds the Role as Redeemer and Saviour?
Yahshua	Yahweh
John 4:42 “…This is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” Philippians 3:20 “For our conversation is in Heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Yahshua Christ.” Isaiah 12:2  “Behold,H2009 GodH410 is my salvation;H3444 I will trust,H982 and notH3808 be afraid:H6342 forH3588 the LORDH3050 JEHOVAHH3068 is my strengthH5797 and my song;H2176 He also is becomeH1961 my salvation.H3444”	Psalm 78:35 “And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their Redeemer.” Isaiah 44:24 “Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things… by Myself.” Luke 1:46-47 “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,  And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”
Who Holds the Role as Shepherd?
Yahshua	Yahweh
John 10:7-11 “Then said Yahshua unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you… I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His Life for the sheep.” 1 Peter 5:4 “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”	Psalm 23:1 “Yahweh is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 100:3 “Know ye that Yahweh He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.”

Who Holds the Role as King?
Yahshua	Yahweh
Revelation 19:11, 13 & 16 “And I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war… And His Name is called The Word of God... And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a Name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”	Zechariah 14:9 “And Yahweh shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Yahweh, and His Name one.” Jeremiah 10:10 “But Yahweh is the true God, He is the living God, and an everlasting King: at His wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide His indignation.”
Who Holds the Role as the “I AM”?
Yahshua	Yahweh
John 8:58-59  “Yahshua said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I Am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Yahshua hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.”  Revelation 1:17-18 “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I AM the first and the last:  I AM He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I AM alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”	Exodus 3:13-14 “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His Name?... And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM…” Isaiah 43:11 “I, even I AM Yahweh; and beside Me there is no Saviour.”

Who Holds the Role as the First and Last – (aka Alpha & Omega)?
Yahshua	Yahweh
Revelation 22:13 “I AM Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Revelation 1:17 “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I AM the first and the last:  I AM He that liveth, and was dead…”	Isaiah 41:4 “Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I Yahweh, the first, and with the last; I AM He.” Isaiah 44:6-8 “Thus saith Yahweh the King of Israel, and his redeemer Yahweh of hosts; I AM the first, and I AM the last; and beside Me there is no God… Is there a God beside Me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any.”

Thus we find that the Trinity Doctrine is failing the "Light-test" for the following critical reasons:

1) The Trinity doctrine is against the Shema, which is the heart of the Bible.

2) The Trinity doctrine is of pagan origin.

3) The Catholic Church - Bible translators added "trinity-supporting" pronouns ("us", or "our") or the words "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" to verses, which were not present in the original texts.

4) The Father and Son do not have separate "Roles", as is commonly thought. Every "Role" held by the Father is also held by the Son and vice versa.

We will continue our thorough study of this topic on Wednesday...

Completed worksheets from this class (previous year, as no worksheet for this year is completed yet) are viewable and printable at the following link:

 

TORAH CLASS 24-25:

As we all know, the hour is late. As a result, none of us knows how long internet classes can be continued... But, bearing this reality in mind, the following is our schedule for this year:

From the start of September, 2024 to the end of May, 2025, we are scheduled to meet online from 10-11 AM (PST) on Mondays and Wednesdays.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The following is our upcoming class schedule for September, 2024:

Monday, September 9 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom. 

Wednesday, September 11 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom.

Monday, September 16 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom. 

Wednesday, September 18 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom.

Monday, September 23 - No Class -There will not be a Torah class on this day, as announced in class. We will seek to make up this class at a later time.

Wednesday, September 25 - No Class -There will not be a Torah class on this day, as announced in class. We will seek to make up this class at a later time.

Monday, September 30 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom. 

Wednesday, October 2 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom.