faq...

Q: Why do you use the name of Yahweh?

A: The heavenly Father has a personal, proper name. This name is not a generic term such as Lord, God, Father, etc. All evidence from the Hebrew Masoretic text of the Old Testament, as well as from the Dead Sea Scrolls shows our Creator’s name to be YHWH, or Yahweh. Every place we find the words LORD, GOD, or Jehovah in Scripture, the underlying Hebrew text reads – YHWH. You can find the short, poetic form of this name (Yah) in a King James Version at Psalm 68:4. This same short form is world renown in the word Hallelujah.

This name was taken out of common use beginning in the 2^nd century B.C. The reasons for its removal from the lips of men stem not from Scriptural precedent, but from traditions of men. This is seen in the fact that nowhere in inspired Scripture do we find a command or approved example that this sacred name is too holy or set-apart for speech. Instead we find passages in Scripture telling us to call upon His name (Psalm 105:1; Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13). Even English versions of the Bible, such as the Jerusalem Bible, Holman Christian Standard Bible, and Rotherham Version have placed the name Yahweh into certain texts of Scripture where it belongs. For a detailed study concerning this please consult our online publication, Hallowed be Thy Name.

Q: Is the name of Jesus pagan?

A: Although many in the “sacred name movement” have opted for believing that the name “Jesus” is of pagan origin, they are mistaken. The name Jesus is a derivative of the original name of our Hebrew Messiah, Yeshua. The name Yeshua, transliterated from Hebrew to Greek and from Greek to English, produces the name Jesus. The differentiation comes from the lack of correlating sounds between the Hebrew and Greek languages.

While the name of Jesus is not a pagan name, we at Ministers of the New Covenant believe we should show our Messiah respect by referring to him by his original, given name. This name is in the Hebrew language Yeshua, meaning he will save, stemming from a longer variation of the name, Yehoshua, meaning Yahweh is salvation. For a detailed study concerning this please consult our online publication, Is the Name of Jesus Pagan?

Q: Do you believe salvation is by works?

A: Absolutely not. This is a question I often receive because of the strict position I take concerning obedience to Yahweh’s law. The truth of the matter is, the Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, and these items (grace, faith, salvation) are not of us, but rather a gift of Yahweh (Ephesians 2:8). It hath been granted to us to believe in Messiah (Philippians 1:29). We believe in Messiah because of the sovereign grace of an omnipotent creator (Acts 13:48). Those that have first been given by the Father to the Son, come to the Son (John 6:37). The Scriptures make it abundantly clear that if righteousness comes by the law, Messiah died needlessly (Galatians 2:21).

What this does not mean is that salvation is unconditional. The Bible makes it very clear that we must believe, repent, confess, and be baptized in water for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 8:26-39; 10:47-48; 22:16; Romans 10:9-10). These conditions are able to be carried out by a person because the calling or election of Yahweh is upon an individual. Salvation by grace through faith does not mean that we are permitted to live a life of sin and lawlessness. Grace teaches us to deny worldly desires (Titus 2:11-12). Yeshua came to save us from our sins (1 John 3:4-7). The chosen, elect of Yahweh obey and revere Him, His Son, and His commands. If we truly love the Father we will keep His commands (1 John 5:3; John 15:9-10). For further information please consult our online publication, Has the Law of Yahweh Been Abolished?

Q: Why do you not believe in the Trinity or the Deity of Christ?

A: This is a tough hurdle for most as people are generally taught it as a cardinal doctrine of the Christian faith. I do not believe the slogan “Jesus is God” for the simple fact that the Scriptures when studied contextually, exegetically, and in their entirety do not teach the doctrine. The emphasis in the New Testament is on Yeshua being the Son of Yahweh (Matthew 16:13-18; John 20:31). Yeshua stated that the Father was greater than he (John 14:28) and Paul proclaimed that the Almighty was the head of the Messiah, just as Messiah is the head of man (1 Corinthians 11:3). The subordination of the Son to the Father is also taught in Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). There are even certain things the Father knows that the Son does not (Mark 13:32).

The intent of the above is not meant to degrade the person and work of Yeshua our Messiah, the Son of Yahweh. He is the way to the Father (John 14:6), the very mediator between man and the Almighty (1 Timothy 2:5). The Father uses His begotten Son to carry out His work in the ultimate salvation of His elect people (John 3:16-18; 1 John 4:14; 5:1).

I am very familiar with both Trinitarian theology and Oneness Pentecostalism. I have read books on both sides from well educated, scholarly men defending their position. However, I feel that both sides fall short from cogent harmonization of the totality of Scriptures. For a detailed examination of the person of Yeshua please consult our online audio section with the sermon entitled, Who Do You Say That I Am? There is also a book in progress on the subject that will be offered by this ministry.

q: how do you know which laws are to be kept under the New Covenant?

A: The Bible lets us know what is and what is not binding under the New Covenant. Any law given under the Old Covenant that is not in clear and specific fashion abrogated under the New Covenant is still binding or applicable. For instance, bestiality is specifically prohibited in the Old Covenant (LEVITICUS 18:22-23) but is not specifically prohibited under the New Covenant. This does not make the practice permissible because nowhere do the New Covenant scriptures abrogate that law.

On the other hand, the Bible makes it very clear (HEBREWS 7:1-21) that there has been a change in the law (HEBREWS 7:12). In context, this law is specifically dealing with the fleshly commandment of a Levite priesthood along with the entirety of this priesthood’s duties. Anything concerning the Levite priesthood would thus not be binding under the New Covenant.

The contention on the issue of law with this ministry and other ministries is that we believe things such as keeping the sabbath, new moons, and annual festivals are still binding under the New Covenant (ACTS 2:1; 13:42-44; 15:19-21; 18:21; 20:16; 24:11; 27:9; COLOSSIANS 2:16-17). We also believe the dietary laws of LEVITICUS 11 and DEUTERONOMY 14 are still binding as well (ISAIAH 66:15-17; ACTS 10:14; 15:20; GALATIANS 5:19; REVELATION 18:2). In the future we will post written discussions and/or oral discussions on this site for you to examine both sides of these issues.