The MESSianic/Hebrew Rot Movement

Acts 9:1-2 — And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Acts 11:26 — And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Acts 19:23 — And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.

Acts 24:14 — But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.

So …

What in the world are we supposed to call ourselves as believers in Jesus Christ/Yeshua Messiah? We (us Messianic folk) can’t even decide what to call Jesus or God, let alone our movement.

Have you ever noticed the different variations of the “correct” way to say these names? And woe unto you if you don’t say it, spell it correctly … in English, Hebrew or Greek?? I’m beginning to think it would take half a dozen of us to change a light bulb — only to find out the switch hadn’t been turned on. And we’re suppose to trust our “leaders” in this thing?

Not me … no more.

Personally, I’m super frustrated with labels. I know, I suppose, labels are necessary. But labels are … so unsatisfactorily unsatisfying. They never really do hit the nail on the head.

I’m kind of getting done with trying to say and do the “right” things subject to the approval of those that somehow have been elevated to a position of spokesmen for the whole. I’m ashamed to say this but … I’m ashamed, quite frankly, to be even remotely connected to the Mess called the Messianic/Hebraic Roots Movement.

The other day I got to thinking about the concept of calling/labeling something as a movement. Why a Movement? Why Messianic? Why Hebrew Roots? Do we really need a “new” anything to be called?

So …

I got to thinking about what the Bible might have to say about this topic. It seems to me that (at this point anyway) the Bible isn’t all that focused on designations. I wonder if it’s because we don’t really need to focus on it too much.

Let me explain.

Perhaps we should be living our lives in such a Way that those outside our family of CHRISTians would end up designating us/calling us by how they see us. It seems like that’s what might have happened in Bible times.

We should be less concerned with what we call ourselves and more concerned with what others might call us. I think we’re too concerned/worried (and perhaps rightly so) that people might use pejorative terms when referring to us.

Do we really need to worry about that though? I don’t think so. Rather, we should be more concerned that our observable lives are an accurate portrayal of what we say we believe.

I think that’s what happened in relation to Peter and John.

Acts 4:1-13

And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

A possible behind closed doors discussion:

First person: “Hey, who are these guys?”

Second person: “Not sure but … they seem to remind me of somebody??”

First person: “Yeah, me too.”

Second person: “I got it. They’re some of THOSE people that hung out with that guy … what was his name? Oh yeah … Jesus.”

It seems like Peter and John weren’t spending inordinate amounts of time right then trying to come up with a moniker to hang on their lapels. The situation took care of itself. It was blatantly evident how to designate them.

Conclusion:

If we have to work so hard to figure out what we should call ourselves … maybe we’re in worse shape than we realize??