The Didache

I touched very briefly last week on the issue of abortion and presented a verse from the Didache (aka Hora’ ah, or Lessons of the Master For all the Tribes by the Twelve, or The Teaching of the Twelve for the Nations, etc. This is a vital text to any who wish to present the clear cut, unequivocal, prohibition against abortion by YHWH. However, if you are like most folks, you have never even heard of the Didache. I find this very sad although I am not surprised. I have never heard a preacher or priest speak of the Didache. I have watched numerous TV programs such as The Lost Books of the Bible, Banned from the Bible, etc., on the History and Discovery Channels - the Didache was never mentioned. I have also watched many programs on both secular and religious channels that discuss how the Bible came to be in its present form - the Didache was never mentioned. Until a few years ago I had never seen or heard anyone ever even mention the Didache. The author of the website JesusWordsOnly.com is the only person I have ever communicated with that is familiar enough with the Didache to discuss its history and importance.

          Many scholars believe the Didache, though “lost” to the “West” for centuries, may have been written long before any other book in the modern New Testament. (Just as Deuteronomy - and possibly more - was lost for 300 years [read from 2 Kings 22:8 onward or 2 Chronicles 34:14 onward] so too was the Didache lost to us for a time.) The Didache is cited by many of the “apostolic fathers” and is a part of the Bible in some parts of the world. There are many translations available on the web as well as in the Free Downloads section of this website - browse a few since some contain the background and historical data about the Didache itself too.

Briefly, the Didache has no specified author - it is believed to have been written by one or all of the Twelve Apostles as a means of communicating the teachings they had learned from Jesus. This is the only “book” outside of the Original Scriptures believed to have been used by the earliest followers of Jesus; and, it is more concerned with real life application and how we should act rather than with how we should think - sort of a how-to manual.

          If you are sincere in wanting to develop and grow your relationship with YHWH then I highly recommend that you read the Didache. I have yet to have a person that followed this recommendation that did not deepen their relationship with YHWH as well as gain a deeper insight and appreciation for the writings in the modern accepted version of the Bible. Please take the time to at least glance it over - you will be glad you did. This truth is so pervasive that I am currently working with another (more well-known) author on a study Bible that includes the Didache and excludes the writings of the false apostle Paul.

                    There are two paths; one belongs to life and one to death, but there is much difference

between the two paths. The path of life is surely this: first love your God who created you. Next, your neighbor as yourself. And all things that you would not want to happen to you, likewise do not do to others.

                    (Didache 1:1/2)

Walking a Fine Line

As worshippers of YHWH and followers of Jesus we walk a fine line in this world. On one hand we are “set apart” and know that the kingdom we await is not of this world. One the other hand we are to spread the truth and to help others in need as much as we can. This can be tricky when trying to decide how much, and in what ways, we are to try to influence our current society and current affairs. We try to balance our endeavors to reflect both our dedication to YHWH as well as try to influence those around us.

          Consider that as a true follower of YHWH and an American I strive to serve YHWH as well as strive to protect and promote the freedom for others to serve Him as well. This freedom is more important than many realize. For example, in 386 Priscillian was executed by other “so called Christians” for denying the trinity and honoring Saturday as the Sabbath. I do both today in the US and have not been killed for it - just ridiculed. I am even allowed to help spread the truth about the trinity and the Sabbath. With the internet I can do so worldwide. These actions still carry the death penalty in many parts of the world.

          To ignore the secular dangers to freedom within society is to endanger our ability to spread the truth. Citizens in the US (and many other parts of the world) have become so complacent about our “type of freedom” that we are sliding toward Satan and dictatorship more and more every day. We have gained the “freedom” for homosexuals to teach their perversions in our schools to our children while we have lost the freedom to teach our children to pray in school. We have gained the “freedom” to kill our unborn children while we losing the freedom, in most cases, to defend ourselves and others.

Under Obamacare we are even being forced to pay for others to kill their children. It was bad enough when our government forced us to pay taxes that indirectly paid for these State sanctioned murders; but, now we are being forced to pay for them with “fees” that are designated for the sole purpose of murder.

                    . . .  thou shalt not murder a child by abortion nor kill them when born.

                    (The Didache [The Teaching of the Twelve]:  Chapter 2, Verse 2)

I have heard folks who actually say they wonder how this could happen in our great democracy. Wake up folks! Even though our ignorant politicians try to force feed democracy to the world the USA has never been, nor was intended to be, a democracy! We were a constitutional republic. The US forced Israel to help the PLO form a Palestinian state that has a democracy. The Palestinians are opting for a regime that is based on terrorists that want to destroy Israel and the US! The US  Constitution demands that the Federal Government guarantees States will even have a republican form of government: Article Four, Section Four, Clause 1 - The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government.

          Our forefathers knew the dangers and limitations of a democratic government:

“Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.” -- John Adams

          It wasn’t just Americans that saw this either:

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can exist only until the voters discover they can vote themselves largesse out of the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always to be followed by a dictatorship." -- Alexander Fraser Tyler, a British contemporary of George Washington,

          Folks today scream about democracy and demand equality. These demands, by citizens, businesses, and the government itself, have led to laws that are a Marxists dream - serious crimes under Marxism include “exploitation of labor”, "price gouging," "price fixing," violating “civil rights”, etc. Consider what Wilfredo Pareto said: "The demands for equality are always demands for special privileges."

          The US is not a democracy. We have become primarily a plutocratic oligarchy* that has a secondary agenda based on whoever screams the loudest (an ochlocracy**). It is not even recognizable as a constitutional republic anymore:

"Once political freedom is eliminated, the instruments of democracy can be so used to multiply the power of the tyrannical state. This constitutes the essence of fascism, that is democracy without freedom." -- Alex Ascoli

          If you still think you are safe consider that Executive Order number 11490 allows the president of the United States to assume dictatorial powers after declaring a national emergency. This was long before more constitutional rights were usurped by the federal government via the Patriot Act, etc.

Some folks are probably thinking I am paranoid. Paranoia has been defined as "an irrational fear." Is there a word in the English language for a "rational fear." I once read something along the following lines, “Modern humans are not free. They are like tethered dogs: as long as they keep their heads close to the stake, they do not feel the leash. They prefer comfort to freedom.” The USA has troops all over the world “defending freedom”. These troops swear an oath to defend the Constitution of the US. We need them here at home to defend us from our own government!

Teach me Your way, Yahweh; and lead me on a level path, because of them that lie in wait for me.

(Psalms 27:11)

          If we are not free to share the Gospel then we have no freedom at all. Stand and be heard, for your own sake and the sake of our children. If you do not stand up for Christ and stand against abortion, homosexuality, etc., then do not be surprised when Christ will not stand up for you:

Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of heaven — only those doing the will of my Father in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?' Then I will declare to them, I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!

(Matthew 7:21-23)

 

*PLUTOCRACY = Rule by the wealthy. OLIGARCHY - Rule by the few.

**OCHLOCRACY - Rule by the mob.

The Supreme Court gets One Right

 

It’s hard to believe in this era of President Pinocchio and his Sup-press secretary Carney that anything good could come out of the US government - but it has. Enough members (not all) of the Supreme Court have actually bothered to read AND apply the US Constitution to do something right for a change. I speak of the First Amendment, and more specifically the “free exercise thereof” concerning religion.

          In an era that is typified by an administration that bypasses the checks and balances built into our political system, that uses hundreds of armed agents to round up cattle, and that uses lies and deception to abuse the American people, it is a small and subtle victory to be told we will at least be partially allowed our right to prayer at least some of the time.

          I am first and foremost a worshipper of YHWH. Still, I am an American citizen and a veteran of two branches of our armed forces; and, for far too long I have seen our government ignore our Constitution and trample our rights - both those that are “God given” and those “guaranteed” by our Constitution.

          The LGBT-loving-Left, and the ACLU, need to learn that prayer is not exclusively a Christian practice - it is a practice employed by every major religion in the world AND is an “exercise” of the very religious practices the government is forbidden from interfering with. (For those that do not know the term “separation of church and state” is not even in the Constitution.)

          I said long ago I can no longer say “God Bless America”. America no longer deserves His blessing. I do however, like many others, continue to pray for our country. I pray for the USA not because we are better than anyone else, but because what we do, right or wrong, good or bad, impacts so much of the rest of the world.

          If only this small victory could be the beginning of a new trend instead of the fluke I fear it is. Wherever you live, regardless of country, only thru YHWH will this world be truly healed; and, the Bible is full of examples of Him responding to the pleas of those who truly follow Him. Note too though the Bible is also full of examples of what eventually happens to the nations that reject Him.

Arise, O YAHWEH! Do not let man have strength; let the nations be judged before Your face. O YAHWEH, put fear in them; let the nations know they are but men. Selah.

(Psalms 9:19-20)

false teachers - then and now

The Bible mentions false prophets almost a dozen times, mostly in the New Testament. Jesus himself warned of false prophets numerous times. He warned us that the false ones would appear to be true:

But beware of the false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inside they are plundering wolves.

(Matthew 7:15)

The worshippers of YHWH have always had a duty to examine those who would speak to them about matters concerning YHWH - whether we call them prophets or teachers or even apostles. We see why this is true from the Original Testament:

Then YHWH said to me, "Those prophets are prophesying lies while claiming my authority! I did not send them. I did not commission them. I did not speak to them. They are prophesying to these people false visions, worthless predictions, and the delusions of their own mind.

(Jeremiah 14:14) (Also see Jeremiah 23:32, etc.)

          The Apostle John reminded us of this duty to test those that speak concerning YHWH:

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

(1 John 4:1)

We see, in Scripture, this duty being carried out:

And these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the Word with all readiness, daily examining the Scriptures if these things are so.

(Acts 17:11)

We even see Jesus himself complementing the church at Ephesus for testing those calling themselves apostles that were not:

I know your works as well as your labor and steadfast endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have even put to the test those who refer to themselves as apostles (but are not), and have discovered that they are false.

(Revelation 2:2)

          Can you think of anyone, past or present, that has called themselves an Apostle that were not part of the 12 Apostles? Do you, like so many today, follow a thirteenth Apostle? Have you “tested” this so called Apostle? Do you “test” those today that speak of YHWH? Test all who speak concerning YHWH - even my words brothers and sisters.

The Destruction of the USA - Are We Defeating Ourselves

If a person were to look at documents that have had a profound impact on the world, outside of writings dealing with religion, there are few that can compete with the USA Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the USA. One of the most famous lines, within these writings, pertains to the fact that all men are created equal. For the last 50+ years this is also one of the most abused lines - at least in the USA.

Whether you rightly know that you were created by YHWH or mistakenly think otherwise most would say that we are all equal at conception. I say conception because to deny that being born into a given situation can confer certain advantages or disadvantages is to deny the realities of life in a fallen world. There is a vast difference between being born in perfect health as the child of an American billionaire and being born as an AIDS infected child of a destitute prostitute in a “third world” country.

To temper this reality there are various schools of thought. If one studies the issue from the point of view of the Declaration of Independence you find a tendency toward the concept of equality of opportunity. Essentially everyone is entitled to the same opportunities. At the other end of the spectrum you find what has become the more modern version in the USA of “equality”.

This modern version means that no matter how stupid you are you can force your way into higher education classes anyway - often at tax payer expense. This is made possible by lowering the intelligence standards. This modern version means that no matter how immoral you are you can force a company to serve you or even hire you. This is made possible by lowering moral standards. The list could go on ad naseum.

These seeds began to be sown decades ago and we are reaping what we sowed - a growing population that is dumber and immoral. I do not single out a “generation” because our youth is not to blame for what their parents are doing to them; most only repeat what they are taught.

In the USA too many women have already learned to milk the system just by popping out kids and dumping the father. They are guaranteed welfare as well as whatever the government can force from the father. Roll up all your “protected” classes and imagine a couple of clever young, black, lesbian, Muslim, females - they will never have to work a day in their life. They can both have kids and then bill the men for child support as well as draw a ton of cash each from welfare. If they want more they can apply for jobs they are not qualified for and threaten to sue if not hired.

Only one of these so called “protected” classes are mentioned in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution - religion. In the modern USA this class is no longer protected though if you are a Christian. There is no longer the ability for the “free exercise thereof”.

If this situation bothers you look in the mirror. The Muslim and LGBT communities are very small in numbers yet are beginning to operate with the powers of the Gestapo with the force of government behind them. Why? Because folks are too scared to speak up and do something.

          The Muslims and the LGBT are being allowed to push their sinful ways onto our children in schools paid for with taxpayer money; yet, Christians are not allowed the “equality” to present their viewpoint.

          Jesus said we would suffer for following him. Do you have the guts to truly follow Him and speak out before it is too late (if it is not already)? Muslims and the LGBT have the right to go to Hell if they want - they do not have the right to drag us and our children down with them!

You must not hate your brother in your heart. You must surely reprove your fellow citizen so that you do not allow sin on account of him.

(Leviticus 19:17)

The Sober Truth

I recently saw a news program on a book called The Sober Truth. The main focus of the program was on the fact that AA and programs like it only have about a 1 in 15 success rate - and why hardly anybody knows about this dismal failure. I formerly worked in the field of psychology as a “behavioral specialist” with emphasis on youth. Having worked in areas ranging from “tough love” programs like Boy’s Ranch to assistance programs like Crossroad’s youth crisis centers I can vouch from firsthand experience for facts the program presented on the failure rates of secular programs.

As to why the high failure rate is so unknown I would point to two factors - one spiritual and one secular. First, Satan loves human weakness and failure and will always try to prevent people overcoming their weaknesses; and, if he can he will always direct them to a path that ensures his victory and not theirs. I have written on this before concerning AA. Folks should always remember that satan too is a higher power; but, YHWH our Creator is the highest power. The more people count on AA type programs instead of on YHWH the happier satan is. Satan is AA’s biggest supporter. Second, AA and programs like it are a huge financial boon to many industries. Many of these industries are built around, and dependent on, court enforced treatment centers. The focus is on getting your money - not getting you better.

          So don’t count on AA and the like from going away any time soon. They have the support of satan, the backing of big money, and often the unconstitutional use of government force behind them. Don’t count on those programs doing you any lasting good either. If you need help try finding someone who will hit their knees in prayer with you instead of someone who wants to hit your wallet. This includes so called “christian based” programs that still want your money, your insurance, or your information for a government subsidy.

Jesus warned us that discipleship will cost us; but, the love of YHWH does not come with a financial price tag and you can’t have an insurance company or a government pay the cost for you. Repent, love, honor, and obey.

True Christian Diet

There is an old saying that says, “You are what you eat” (See Note¹). In general this means that if you eat healthier you will be healthier. I have travelled to over 40 different countries and few have the hang-ups that plague the food culture of the USA. We label everything - by forced government mandate no less - with warnings that keep the lawyers busy and calorie counters desperate. All to no avail it appears because people will “always” eat either what they like best or what they can afford. I qualify the “always” in the last sentence because Uncle Satan, uh . . Sam, is trying very hard lately to encroach on yet one more freedom by telling us what we must eat!

Sadly, many “churches” have become little more than a means for the spiritual sanction of a nanny welfare state led by a secular environment more concerned with saving an “endangered species” than saving a soul. Too many would rather share a smile with a sodomite rather than risk a frown (or worse) for witnessing about Christ. Coming soon to a church near you this Passover: a Eucharist with a grape juice that is alcohol free, certified organic, non-genetically modified, fair trade practice, FDA and AHA approved, and sugar free; and, a wafer that is made from quinoa (wheat gluten is out) that is certified organic, non-genetically modified, fair trade practice, FDA and AHA approved, and sugar free. Both blessed by the Feds.

Alas, I digress. What do you feed on in your spiritual diet? Do you even have a spiritual diet? Do you primarily feed on the processed food shelled out by others or do you actually go for the raw organic stuff straight from the Word? Does your source teach, preach, and practice what the Word says or is there a faint aroma of a biased agenda from the bureaucracy of a state approved, man-made “church”.

Just as you cannot blame your poor health on a doctor if you have lousy eating practices you cannot blame your poor spiritual health on someone else either. It is up to you to know if you are feeding your soul on junk food or the latest food craze from the “experts”.

When Jesus comes again it will be too late to change your diet:

Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of heaven — only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did not we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?' Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!

(Matthew 7:21-23)

See Note^{1 --} In an essay titled Concerning Spiritualism and Materialism, 1863/4, Ludwig Andreas Feuerbach wrote: "Der Mensch ist, was er ißt", which in English translates as 'man is what he eats'.