Category: Apostolic Writings

These studies cover the writings by the closest shelakhim (apostles) of Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ). Commonly called the “New Testament,” this standard canon includes the four Gospels, the letters and the Apocalypse (Revelation).

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Clearing the ‘sins of the fathers’: How repentance breaks generational curses (Leviticus 22; 1Kings 2; 1Samuel 21–22; Matthew 12)

"Clearing the 'sins of the fathers': How repentance breaks generational curses." Brass balance scale has one round stone on one side but nothing on the other side. Two stacks of flat round stones are behind the scale.

God has a grand design unfolding over eons and generations, using even flawed individuals to fulfill prophecy. This study explores how through King Saul’s massacre of the priests who gave fugitive David some of the retired Bread of the Presence, God removed Eli’s sinful priestly line as foretold years earlier. Though Saul faced due punishment, God first used his wickedness to kill Eli’s descendants as promised.

Generations after that promise and hundreds of years after the instructions given in Torah reading אָמַר Emor (“say,” Leviticus 21–24), David felt convicted for the priests’ and neighboring villagers’ death but not for what might be considered a minor Torah breach. Yet Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) affirmed that God held David guiltless. God’s plan surpassed surface events, working through personalities with long-term consequences.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Ancient wisdom for modern boundaries: Immigration, identity and loving your neighbor (Leviticus 19; Matthew 18)

Ancient wisdom for modern boundaries: Immigration, identity and loving your neighbor (Leviticus 19; Matthew 18). Adobe AI artwork of a sad looking woman with a broken heart next to her.

Though 3,500 years separates us from the instructions of Heaven to Israel in the Torah reading קְדֹשִׁים Kedoshim/Qedoshim (Leviticus 19:1–20:26) and 2,000 years from Messiah Yeshua’s (Christ Jesus’) counsel in Matthew 18, the message is the same today as before: respect God and others. This study explores the surprisingly relevant principles for today’s society include the dangers of Moloch worship, which at its core is the pursuit of personal benefit at the expense of future generations (infants presented as offerings).

Among the parallels between the Ten Commandments and the “Holiness Code” of Leviticus 19 is the tie between the Golden Rule (Lev. 19:18) and the Sixth Commandment, particularly the role of empathy in addressing conflicts and corrections in relationships in the body of believers.

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Apostolic Writings Atonement Discussions Torah

Heaven’s firewall: How Yom Kippur teaches us to filter thoughts through Yeshua (Leviticus 16–18; 1Corinthians 5–6)

Heaven's firewall: How Yom Kippur teaches us to filter thoughts through Yeshua (Leviticus 16-18; 1Corinthians 5-6). Adobe AI artwork of a woman with exposed brain divided between dark and bright hemispheres.

This study of Torah reading אַחֲרֵי מוֹת Acharei Mot (“after the deaths,” Leviticus 16–18) with 1Corinthians 5–6 explores complex modern moral issues, including organ donation, gender identity and spiritual decay. The seemingly paradoxical dual character of God as “high and lifted up” and “God with us” helps us understand the Messiah’s role as high priest and the two covering-removing offerings of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).

These passages emphasize the need for spiritual discernment. Like a firewall against cyberattacks, we must filter thoughts and experiences through God’s words and recognizing whose voice we are listening to as we navigate the complexities of life, be they ancient or modern.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Renewing our taste: Messiah transforms our desires to crave God above all else (Leviticus 11; Genesis 2–3; Acts 10)

Renewing our taste: Messiah transforms our desires to crave God above all else (Leviticus 11; Genesis 2-3; Acts 10). AI artwork by Adobe Firefly showing a woman's hand grasping fruit on a tree.

The distinction between “clean” and “unclean” animals in Leviticus 11 and Acts 10 echoes the choice between the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad/Evil in Genesis 2–3. By eating from the Tree of Knowledge, Adam and Eve sought to determine good and bad for themselves, instead of trusting in God’s provision and boundaries.

In this study of Torah reading שְׁמִינִי Shemini (“eighth,” Leviticus 9–11), we’ll see that learning the underlying lesson of distinguishing clean from unclean teaches the commonwealth of Israel to accept God’s designations rather than relying on their own understanding. Those who “eat” what God deems “unclean” place themselves outside of His blessing and life, just as Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden. But by obeying God’s instructions on diet and ritual purity, Israel can enjoy communion with the holy God and partake continually of His life-giving presence, prefigured by the Tree of Life.

Peter’s vision in Acts 10 teaches this fundamental lesson of how “cleaned” believers in Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) are elevated/separated from the “unclean” way of the world.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Yeshua our Red Heifer: Who is worthy to bring in the Messianic age (Numbers 19; Ezekiel 36; Numbers 9)

Yeshua our Red Heifer: Who is worthy to bring in the Messianic age (Shabbat Parah: Numbers 19; Ezekiel 36; Hebrews 9). Artwork shows a red cow with horns on the Mount of Olives with modern Jerusalem and the Dome of the Rock mosque sitting on the site of Israel's Temple.

The biblical offerings of Israel always were intended as shadows of heavenly truth (substance), teaching eternal lessons through rituals subject to the ravages of temporal humanity. As the Temple Institute now aims to resurrect the ancient offerings, starting with the red heifer, this study of Torah reading צו Tzav (“command,” Lev. 6:8–8:36) and of readings for Shabbat Parah (Sabbath of the Red Heifer) explores how only Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ) perfectly “fleshes out” — fills full — what these patterns prefigured.

While some view restoring Temple worship as contradicting the gospel, others understand these shadows simply are a continual memorial to Messiah’s ultimate atoning work. When the time comes to reinstitute the prophesied Temple service, the Messiah’s key role in consecrating and offering the pure red heifer may resolve the two-millennia dilemma of who can inaugurate God’s eternal kingdom.

Categories
Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Discussions Prophets and Writings Purim Torah

Tree of Knowledge and Haman’s gallows: Esther shows us how to overcome our desire to replace God

Tree of Knowledge & Haman's gallows: Esther show us how to overcome our desire to replace God. Artwork shows a fruit tree on the left side of the image.

Bible prophecy often talks about widespread persecution against the people of God in the “latter days.” But that seems so far removed from today’s society, where we have global human rights watchdog groups, U.S. First Amendment protections for religious freedom, the International Court of Justice and the United Nations.

This study of the Torah reading וַיִּקְרָא Vayikra (“and He called,” Levicus 1:1–6:7) plus readings for the Sabbath of Remembrance (Deuteronomy 25:17–19; 1Samuel 15:2–34; 1Peter 4:12–5:11) and the Book of Esther reminds us why we keep seeing outbreaks of perplexing violence throughout history, in spite of attempts to legislate away evil.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Moses shows us why Yeshua is a greater priest than Aaron (Exodus 38–40; 1Peter 2; John 5; 1Corinthians 15)

Moses shows us why Yeshua is a greater priest than Aaron (Exodus 38–40; 1Peter 2; John 5; 1Corinthians 15). Mosaic of Aaron as the high priest is shown at the left, holding an incense censer and the almond rod that budded.

Moses prefigured the role of Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah through their similar leadership styles and tasks given by God. This study of Torah reading פְקוּדֵי Pekudei (“accounts,” Exodus 38:21–40:38) examines how both were chosen directly by God, had authority over the priesthood, delegated work while overseeing God’s house, and turned the house over to God once completed, demonstrating their shared purpose in fulfilling God’s plan of salvation. Studying Moses helps Christians better understand Yeshua.