Sunday, March 7, 2010

Returning to Antiquity

I was recently asked why I place so much focus on the rabbinic ministry of Jesus, and why I reference Hebraic tradition so often. They continued, "Why listen to rabbis when we have the Messiah?" So, I figured I'd take the time to explain my passion for 1st Century ethos.


First, while it's a very good educational practice to question modern rabbis, it would be a huge mistake to follow any of them. The only Rabbi that we should follow is Jesus. For this to make any sense you have to first understand that Jesus lived His earthly life and conducted His earthly ministry according to the rabbinic tradition. He gathered disciples, He traveled around Judea and the Decapolis interpreting the Torah and the Nevi'im and He commissioned His disciples with His yoke (or doctrine) at the end of His earthly ministry. Throughout the four Gospels Jesus is referred to by His followers as Rabbi (or Master: KJV; or Teacher: ESV and others). It is important to note that He came in the ministry of interpreting the Torah, and thus fulfilled the Torah with His sacrifice. Denying His rabbinic ministry denies an integral aspect of His Mission.


The next reason why I focus on the 1st Century Community is because of Diaspora. Diaspora loosely refers to the spread of the Good News that occured after the Day of Pentecost. Diasporic Communities sprang up all across the known world—as far even as the Brittanic Islands—almost overnight. Luke reference this in the second chapter of his Acts, where he says that GOD added to the Community daily... Before Paul's Illumination, and even before he wrote his first letter to the 1st Century Community, there were thousands of Diasporic Communities in homes who had already dedicated themselves to following their Rabbi, Jesus Messiah (Jesus Christ, or Jesus the Savior, or Jesus—YHWH's Salvation). Not since the 1st Century has there been such a vast and rapid dispersion of the Good News; no, not even Azusa.


The next reason why I focus on the 1st Century is because of the advent of 4th Century cath holos (Roman Catholicism) that perverted and merged GOD's Community with human religion. Far too much of what we call Church Tradition has it's genesis in cath holos rather than in the Missio Dei (Mission of GOD). As a result I am calling for a return to biblical antiquity, a return to the 1st Century ethos that is dedicated and sold out to our Rabbi, Jesus—GOD's manifested Salvation.


I believe that GOD has called me to rip the facade off of denominationalism and religiosity so that the Light of His Illumination can shine again in the hearts of His Community, so that we return our focus to His Mission and His Kingdom. GOD didn't commission us to construct organizations and fellowships that are more akin to humanistic religion; He baptized us with His Spirit and Essence so that we would spread His Yoke, shining His Identity, building His Kingdom.


I wholeheartedly believe that the time has come to lay aside the trappings of denominational religion and return again to biblical antiquity; primarily 1st Century antiquity. When GOD's people today allow themselves to have all things in common, and to live in common unity, as the Ekklesia did in the 1st Century, we will begin to see a 1st Century outpouring of GOD's Spirit.


I've dedicated my life and the lives of my family to this return. We welcome you to join us on the journey.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

8 comments:

  1. Thoroughly enjoyed this. Ready for the Journey.

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  2. There's purpose in and on a Journey with Jesus, I'm going!!

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  3. This has been one of my favorite areas of study also. I've always been intrigued with Jesus the Rabbi... can't get enough!

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  4. Albert Villanueva3/09/2010

    another good post monte...im enjoyin da whatnot.

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  5. Kevin Knudson3/09/2010

    Monte, great post. I see and understand the truth in what you are saying, I am (due to age and frontal lobe damage ;) ) still fuzzy on what this new community looks like, how it acts or governs itself in today's world. In any change - the real heavy lifting is done when we remove man-made tradition or expectation to uncover the actual foundation. I am serving you softballs here - but tell me in your mind, what does a 2010 NT church(community) Look like?

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  6. @Kevin:

    i don't think it's up to us to determine what GOD's Community looks like in any generation. in my opinion, that's GOD's responsibility. i am assuming you're referencing clothing; if not let me know, but i'll respond as you are.

    if we go back to the Garden (a definite return to antiquity) we find GOD clothing Adam and Eve, because the coverings they fashioned didn't measure up (so to speak). i do believe that we make a mistake when we attempt to play the role of GOD by assuming that we call the shots. let's let GOD lead us, He'll determine how we should look.

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  7. Anonymous3/09/2010

    And everyone will be right in their own eyes......

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  8. @ Anonymous: if you're inferring that i'm advocating that we ignore GOD's leading, you've missed my point. GOD clothed Adam and Eve, and did a good job; i think He can do a good job with all of us.

    i'd rather be right in GOD's eyes than in man's eyes. i'm glad i haven't arrived and learned everything. i'm still on the journey discovering more about GOD every day.

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