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The Jewish roots of Christianity has become a much sought after teaching from Pastor Adams. Over the past year, this Seminary level class has been taught in South Korea, China and India. Many people are being blessed to understand their true biblical heritage and discover just who Jesus is. This class has challenged layity, pastors and even doctoral level students to re-think their view of the Bible, especialy the New Testament in light of its Jewish context.
Over the past number of years, NLC has spent a considerable amount of time studying the Jewish roots of Christianity. Jesus was Jewish and there are those who believe that He belonged to the sect of the Pharisees. As strange and radical as this may sound, there is nothing in the teachings of Jesus to suggest that he disagreed with anything the Pharisees taught. He did, however, greatly disagree with their failure to live what they proclaimed. One can only correctly understand the New Testament teachings of Jesus and the disciples when they are framed in their Jewish context. This past April, NLC once again, celebrated and observed the Passover complete with Matzoh balls and roasted chicken. Of course, we went through the entire Seder meal as well. Jesus, our passover lamb has been slain for us in bringing us out of bondage to sin to the freeedom of life with Him!! We should all be thankful for this time of year and what it means to us. For certain, it is not about "eggs and bunnies!"
While we believe it is incorrect to say that we must return to following the ways of Judaism, it is interesting indeed to know that the vast majority of the early Christians, for the first decade or so continued to attend the Synagogue and practice Judaism. We learned about the Jewish practice of wearing Tefillin (phylacteries) and the proper use the Tallit (prayer shawl). We learned the purpose of the Mezuzah, which is affixed to the doorposts. We also studied the early church's departure from its Jewish roots and what we can learn from Judaism today. NOTE: Visit the Pastor's Reading List for a "host" of books on this topic
Shema Yisroel, Adonai elohenu, Adonai echad! (Deut. 6:4) Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one The above is know in Judaism as the "Shema." Shema is the first Hebrew word, meaning hear and is read from right to left. The meaning of the Shema *"These words enshrine Judaism's greatest contribution to the religious thought of mankind, They constitute the primal confession of Faith in the religion of the Synagogue, declaring that the Holy God worshiped and proclaimed by Israel is ONE; and that He alone is God, Who was, is, and ever will be. That opening sentence of the Shema rightly occupies the central place in Jewish religious thought; for every other Jewish belief turns upon it; all goes back to it; all flows from it." *The Penteteuch and Haftorahs, pg. 920, edited by J. H. Hertz, Soncino Press 1936
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