ABOUT

This site was inspired by the Words of our Messiah Yahushua to Peter in the Gospel of John chapter 21 verse 17:

 He said to him the third time, “Shimʽon, son of Yonah, do you love Me?” Kĕpha was sad because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Master, You know all, You know that I love You.” יהושע said to him, “Feed My sheep”.

and…

1 Corinthians 5:6-8
Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Matthew 16:12
Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

 It is through the inspiration of these passages that I feel led to feed you with Unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth in the pages of this site.

About the author

The person behind the compilation of this site is Chris Whitby. Although I accepted Y’shua as my Messiah in my late teen years, I drifted very quickly from the life of faith and spent most of my years thereafter in the secular ‘pig pen’ like the Prodigal Son.

I heard the Fathers voice again at the age of 42 and returned home. I spent two years in an Anglican church environment before discovering that much of what was being preached did not align with Scripture.

 My initial prompting to step away from mainstream Christianity resulted from my discovery of the true Biblical Sabbath and the Feast days which were ignored in the Christian church. I live with my wife and two daughters and we continue the search for the Fathers heart.

It is not my intention to condemn or criticise any individual but rather the religious system and it’s hierarchy which continues to mislead the sheep.

 I understand full well that as a ‘body’ of Messiah we may all have differing functions and callings and therefore embrace all believers in Messiah Y’Shua as ‘brothers’.

There is however a message of Truth that I feel is my duty to share with those who will hear.

 

Am I a Christian

– why I choose not to embrace being labelled a ‘Christian’ – 

Why I do not refer to myself or my faith with the label ‘Christian’.

It is strange how the minute you challenge this labelling that  most automatically assume that you must surely reject parts of the New Testament. Well, this is certainly untrue. I believe the Words contained in all 66 Books of Scripture – The Bible.

I only prefer not to be labelled as a ‘Christian’ as I embrace a different set of understanding of Scripture to that of the mainstream religion of Christianity.

Our Messiah Yahushua taught a message and interpretation of Scripture that was almost totally rejected in His day. He stood virtually alone. We must not repeat this same error.

mIf I must accept any label then I consider myself a Messianic Yisra’elite (Israelite). 

Please hear what Y’Shua’s words imply in the following verses:

But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Matthew 15:3

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Matthew 15:8-9

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Mark 7:7-9

The religion of mainstream ‘Christianity’ has for the best part of two thousand years now replaced the Word of the Almighty with the ‘Traditions of men’ i.e. the interpretations and teachings of theologians.

The Christain Church rejects the Biblical Feast days and Sabbaths and has replaced them with the ‘traditions of men’ e.g. Christmas. Easter, Lent, Sunday Sabbath etc

It is for this reason that I do not embrace the label of being called a ‘Christain’. If I stand alone because of this then so be it. But please read on to understand what the term Christian actually means and where the term originated.

More reasons why I reject the label ‘Christian’:

If being a Christian means accepting and believing the following, as most Christians do, then I can not identify with the label of being a  ‘Christian’:

◊ Our Messiah has changed his divinely appointed name from a meaningful Hebrew title to a Greek meaningless one i.e. Jesus 

There are thousands of ‘church’ styles, types and doctrines to satisfy my desires. Not one called out ‘ecclesia’ (Greek Ekklēsia,’gathering of those summoned’) as mentioned in Scripture.

 Paul’s teachings are regarded as more significant than James – the brother of our Messiah and leader of the first body of believers following Yahushua’s departure.  

 My Priest/Pastor is my leader/teacher. I listen to him – the one who has the ‘calling’ and authority. Even though the Scripture states that the Spirit is our teacher/guide – John 14:26, John 16:13 

◊ I can now, as believers, freely eat pork and any other ‘Biblically’ unclean foods such as shellfish etc. 

◊ Changing our lifestyle and removing ‘leaven’ from our life/house is no longer a requirement  

 All our sins – past, present and future, are automatically forgiven and unseen by God. 

◊ Jesus has done everything for us. We can now just ‘believe’, relax and carry on. Picking up our cross and following him is just optional. 

◊ That the commanded 7th day Sabbath is now obsolete or only for the Jews 

 ‘Holy’ days have now become non-Biblical, pagan rooted, traditions of men  e.g. Christmas, Easter and Lent ◊

 I reverence and display a symbol of torture and death i.e. the cross and believe that the Menorah is ‘Jewish’.  

 All non-believers in Jesus will be tormented in an eternal fire i.e. a place called Hell 

◊ Our Heavenly Father is a ‘three in one’ trinity and not ‘One’ as He states in Deuteronomy 6:4 

 Jesus is ‘God’ who came to earth in a flesh suit as a man to die for us  

◊ Our Heavenly Father has changed His rigid approach and ways since the obsolete ‘Old Testament’. Even though He states that He does not change his mind – Numbers 23:19, James 1:17.  

◊ Believing that Mary became impregnated with a supernatural seed without the involvement of a man (Joseph) – as would be according to the creation pattern/design. 

◊ We ignore the critical Biblical requirement to ‘overcome’ the trappings of the ‘flesh’ and resist this world with all of its carnal attractions. ◊ 

◊ We must mimic secular music, films and other activities and produce our own equivalent for the Kingdom – with a more Christian flavour. This we call ‘worship’ music 

◊ We must praise ‘God’ when our favourite sports team scores points while playing on the Sabbath. 

 ‘Worship’ is when you raise your arms in the air and sing along to ‘rock’ music as a replacement for ‘obedience’ as portrayed by Abraham in the book of Genesis chapter 22. 

◊ All of my evil deeds can be blamed on a cosmic being called ‘Satan’. It is not my doing but the influence and fault of a powerful, external enemy force. 

◊ There is a war going on in Heaven between this powerful cosmic entity called ‘Satan’ and the Almighty Creator of the universe. ◊ 

 Our supposed sinful nature prevents us from ever achieving righteousness. ◊ 

◊ We, as believers, will soon be ‘raptured’ up from this evil world to a place called ‘heaven’ before the wrath of almighty God is poured out. ◊

◊ Being dunked and rising out of a body of water makes one ‘born again’. Even if the sea or a dirty river is used as this body of water.  

◊ Wealth and general prosperity in this world is a blessing from God. Even though the Scripture reveals that the life of the true believer will include much suffering and persecution 

 

This list and my issues with Christianity could go on and on for pages.

 

The term ‘Christian’. 

‘Christian’ is the name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were “brethren,” “the faithful,” “elect,” “saints,” “believers.” But as distinguishing them from the multitude without, the name “Christian” came into use, and was universally accepted. This name occurs but three times in the New Testament ( Acts 11:26 ; 26:28 ; 1 Peter 4:16 ).

(Easton’s Bible Dictionary)

 

The disciples, we are told, ( Acts 11:26 ) were first called Christians at Antioch on the Orontes, somewhere about A.D. 43. They were known to each other as, and were among themselves called, brethren, ( Acts 15:1 Acts 15:23 ; 1 Corinthians 7:12 ) disciples , ( Acts 9:26 ; 11:29 ) believers , ( Acts 5:14 ) saints , ( Romans 8:27 ; 15:25 ) The name “Christian,” which, in the only other cases where it appears in the New Testament, ( Acts 26:28 ; 1 Peter 4:16 ) is used contemptuously, could not have been applied by the early disciples to themselves, but was imposed upon them by the Gentile world. There is no reason to suppose that the name “Christian” of itself was intended as a term of scurrility or abuse, though it would naturally be used with contempt.

(Smith’s Bible Dictionary)

 

The term ‘Christian’ is only listed three times in the New Testament and was never a term assigned  by Y’Shua to his followers. The English word ‘Christian’ comes from the Greek word Christianos (Strongs G5546) and means a follower of ‘christ’ or ‘anointed’. I highly doubt that the word ‘christian/christianos’ would have come out of the mouth of Peter either – one of the three occurrences being in the book of 1 Peter. 

It does seem rather ludicrous to me that the term ‘Christian’ was adopted and accepted, seemingly without objection, by the believers/followers of the Messiah Yahushua both in the early ‘New Testament’ time and still today. I say this due to the origin and little use of the word – and by the Greeks in Antioch. Why have the Church embraced this label? 

Names in Scripture have enormous meaning and significance. People of knowledge should be very careful to use the correct names due to the significance of the meanings.

There was a time when the word ‘gay’ meant ‘happy and joyful’. Well things have changed and the word holds a completely different meaning in todays world. 

Well, considering the above comments and what Christianity has evolved into ( with the decay starting from as early as the first century), I can not associate with the term or call myself a Christian. 

I am, however, a Bible believing student. An attentive Berean. One who is listening out for the voice of the ‘Good Shepherd’ – to follow wherever He leads. I am not against, neither do I criticise any individual but I do reject the institute of organised religion and the traditions of man.

 

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.  I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.  And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

 

John 10:11-16

 

Our belief

Followers of our Messiah Yahushua. In search of the ‘The Way, The Truth and The life’.

What is ‘Messianic Yisra’el

Messianic Yisra’el is merely a label to identify who we are as a set-apart ‘faith group’ – or ‘sect’.

We subscribe to a set of beliefs which undertakes to embrace the beliefs and ways of the first century ‘called-out’ believers, who were the followers of the Messiah Yahushua and his teaching . This set of beliefs falls in the middle ground between Old Testament Judaism and New Testament Christian theology.

We believe that our faith and understanding is more closely alligned to that of the first century Ebionites (also Nazarenes) who were the earliest followers of the Messiah Yahushua (Jesus). After the death/resurrection of Yahushua they continued to follow the leader of the first ‘church’, which was James the brother of Yahushua, and also Peter.

The Ebionites were persectuted as heretics by the newly converted Pauline Christians (followers of Paul’s teaching). The Ebionites soon dissapeared off the scene into obscurity as ‘Pauline Christianity’ grew in popularity and spread amongst the first century non-Jews .

‘Pauline Christianity’ eventually morphed into the mainstream Christian religion of today.

It is not possible to explain the meaning contained in the label ‘Messianic Yisra’el’ in a short paragraph here in fact I am in the process of completing a book which provides this detail. The basis for this label comes from an interpretation of Biblical patterns as they pertain to who/what Yisra’el (Israel) is, the ‘overcomers’, the ‘Sons of God’ and Bride of the Messiah. 

I will include a link to this book here when complete.

We  believe that all believers  form part of one body in Messiah and should all take personal responsibility for our individual relationship with YHWH our Elohim – Creator and King of The Universe. It is however unfortunate that theology doctrines have introduced thousands of segmented groups mostly with differing interpretations of Scripture. Having said that, a body is made up of may distinct parts which perform vastly different functions within the body. As an example, the mouth speaks, the arms reach out, the legs go forth etc

We believe that the ‘Bride’ for the Messiah Yahushua will be taken out of the (his) body according to the Genesis pattern and is not the whole body of believers.

We have found it necessary to create the label, ‘Messianic Yisra’el‘ to be able to identify who we are as a separate group from both Christianity and Judaism. The content of this website will provide material pertaining to our interpretation of Scripture.

As a broad statement , we believe from The Scriptures (the Tanakh) and the ‘New Testament writings’ that:
 ◊ YHWH is One (Deuteronomy 6:4) ◊
 
◊ YHWH does not change (Hebrews 13:8) ◊

◊ All Scripture is breathed by YHWH Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness ( 2Timothy 3:16) ◊

◊ We are saved by favour, through belief, and not of ourselves. It is a gift from YHWH Elohim (Ephesians 2:8) ◊

◊ Repentance is an essential, initial step in salvation (Mat 4:17, Acts2:38, Mark 6:12, Mark 1:15, Luk 13:3) ◊

◊ If we love Yahushua Ha Mashiach, we will guard/keep His commandments (John 14:15) ◊

◊ We are to remain faithful to the work in which He has called us, which is to “Love YHWH your Elohim with all of your heart, and with all your being, all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27). We do this by studying His Word and obeying His Commandments and Instructions (Torah) as the Spirit teaches us in our individual journeys ◊

We believe that one should study and understand The Word within the framework from which it was written without reading into it 1800 or so years of ‘church’ tradition and man-made doctrine. We believe that reading and interpreting the Scriptures from a Hebrew perspective (the language and culture of the day) presents a different message to the popular doctrines of today. Yahushua is a Jew (from the tribe of Judah) and lived the ‘Torah’.

Yahushua tells us to follow Him and in Matthew 28:19,20 He instructs us to teach all nations to observe/guard all that He commanded.

We believe that one can not and should not be forced into ‘opinion’ but should be presented with guidance and left to the work of the Set-apart Spirit of YHWH

We have been so blessed with the Truth of The Word and the Torah, as revealed by YHWH to us, that we would like to share this with as many as have an ear to hear. We were part of mainstream Christianity but our desire to find the truth, which started with questions pertaining to the True Sabbath, led us to the discovery of the original message of the Good News and an insight into the deception which has been part of the church for the best part of 2000 years.

We are not part of or members of any religious organisation, whether it be the Christian Church (Christianity), the Messianic or Hebrew Roots movements. 

We are merely students of Scripture and earnest followers of the Messiah Yahushua.

Site objective

Firstly allow me to state here that this site is not an attempt on my part to get you to follow my views or for me to boast about my supposed understanding of Scripture.

 It is rather due to my view that most believers today have become complacent in their belief and have allowed their ‘qualified’ and ‘renowned’ leaders to  steer them into an erroneous  theology, rooted in the ‘traditions of man’, that I feel the need to share what I have uncovered.

The primary intentions then for structuring this site are two-fold:

◊ to stimulate your thinking by providing alternative interpretations of Scripture, based on my research, on the understanding that you will personally question your long held beliefs and seek the Truth through personal prayer and meditation – approaching the Almighty Father in this regard and not your ‘church’ leaders/associates  ◊ 

◊ to draw you into the foundational and structured weekly study of Torah (the teachings of Moses), which was the method of study envisaged by the desciples for the converts – Acts 15:21 

(read article – Acts 15:21

………………………..

I want to convince you through the material on this site that we have been misguided and sold short by the church leaders and will be found wanting when it really matters.

All that we have been taught through mainstream ‘religion’ is either falsehood or not the full message of Scripture.

The information contained in this site is by no means the last word on any subject. We can only share what has been revealed to us – for we know only in part (1 Corinthians 13:9). 

Like us, most believers have listened intently to the ‘theology of man’ in the church and have believed that the teaching delivered is true to the Word. When one assumes responsibility for ones own study, in close relationship with The Almighty, we find that the Scriptures state much more than what is traditionally preached and a lot of the time something completely different. YHWH is faithful to reveal Truth to those that seek (Jeremiah 29:13).

 Some, in ignorance, may probably say that we belong to a cult (the Messianic/Hebrew Roots movement or the sect of the Natsarenes – Acts 24:5) – I suggest you read this article before forming an opinion.

Through this site we would like to provide answers and material to address the following contentious issues – and many more:

  Does it matter what name we use for The Creator Of the Universe and The Messiah

 What Is The Creators Law/Torah and the purpose Of Torah? 

 Is The seventh day Sabbath for believers today 

 The Appointed Scriptural Feasts – what is their meaning and are they for believers in Messiah 

 Does it matter that religion, specifically Christianity, is filled with pagan traditions and beliefs 

◊ Who Is The Church, Who Is Israel and Who Are The Two Houses Of Israel ? 

 What is missing from the popular message of Salvation? What did the early disciples teach? 

◊ Who Is The Bride Of The Messiah? 

 What are the dietary laws outlined in the Torah and are they valid for us today? ◊ 

 Hell – is it what the church leaders teach and what Christianity believes it to be 

 The Trinity – is the mainstream teaching of the Trinity true to Scripture. What are the origins of this blasphemous teaching 

 Satan – is satan ( the satan) really a cosmic ‘fallen angel’ at war with our Heavenly Father. Someone to be feared by believers as is taught in christianity

 The deity of Y’Shua – is our Messiah really ‘God’ in the flesh as believed by Christians? Or is he just the ‘firstborn’ son through whom we are redeemed

Most teaching contained in this site may appear somewhat challenging or controversial at first. We ask that you pray for wisdom and just bear with your feelings for a while. Our intention is not to divide the body but Truth must prevail. Let prayer be your guide. 

We must recognise that man’s carnality (ha satan) is the master Deceiver and that we have fallen prey to a flood of deceipt and lies which are the result of Religious traditions and erroneous teachings that have accumulated over many centuries .

Contact Us

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Scripture portions taken from ‘The Scriptures’, Copyright by Institute for Scripture Research. Used by permission”.