by Samual Yoder
(Greenville, SC)
Seems Bob and I went somewhat the same route in finding the narrow gate that leads to life. I suppose it is natural when one feels "something" is amiss and can not put their finger on what that "something" is is to start searching. Hind sight is a wonderful thing for seeing how one screws up. That "something" feeling that was amiss is or was the spirit of YHWH. Not knowing that at the time caused me to start examining other denominations thinking maybe they could dispel this "something is not right" feeling. I knew at the time that we walk by faith not by sight or feelings. It did not matter which organization I attended, that feeling kept bugging me. YHWH's spirit finally opened my eyes in giving me the first clue when I read the letters to the 7 churches Yahushua expounded to them. The deed or doctrine of the Nicolatians. Yahushua hated that doctrine, so if Yahushua hated it then as a follower of his I am to hate it, but when the spirit showed me that my immediate response was, what the heck was the doctrine of the Nicolatians exactly?
After research I came to the conclusion with the spirit's help that it was the exact model of American Christianity! A lone pastor or a committee dictating or spoonfeeding their flock their interpretation of YHWH's and Yahushua's word. The flock merely sat in the pews and listened and agreed to follow the dictates of this lone Pastor or committee. It was the structure of what Most "Churches" in America followed. One man controlling or "Lording" over the flock, or a committee or consistory controlling or "Lording" over the flock.
So, what is the problem with that type of assembly structure? Simple, who is the head of the assembly? Yahushua Messiah! The most important reason for not getting involved with that type of worship structure is Yahushua Messiah states he hates it, another is it stifles the leading of the spirit in that flock. There is no leading of the spirit in that flock, there is only the leading of the Pastor or the committee.
For me, the spirit showed me that type of structure is Babylon, and I was to come out of Babylon.
I was to worship YHWH and Yahushua in spirit and in truth. The spirit will lead me into all truth and the scriptures are where I will find that truth.
That is the narrow gate, following Yahushua and YHWH according to the instructings and teachings of the scriptures. Nothing more, nothing less.
Reply from Watchman Bob: Good insights.
Common English translations of Hebrew and Messianic terms used in this commentary:
Yehovah - the LORD or GOD
Yah - I Am (the short form of Yehovah)
Elohim - God
El - God (the short form of Elohim)
Adonai - my Lord or Master
Yeshua - Jesus
Followers of Yeshua -
Christians
Messiah - Christ
Assembly of Followers of
Yeshua - the Church
Antimessiah - Antichrist
BBM - Before the Birth of
the Messiah (rather than
BC or BCE)
ABM - After the Birth of the Messiah (rather than AD
or CE)
For a complete explanation of Hebrew terms used, go to Important Terms and Concepts.