I believe among others, that Christianity is the oldest “religion” known to man. There are many religions that were way before Christianity that came along about 2000 years ago. Did Christianity begin 2000 years ago with a man named Jesus? Let me begin with saying that Jesus did not come to bring something completely new, He did not start a new religion and new doctrines. God’s truth is never-changing. Jesus did not just suddenly appear and brought a new message or believe to the people. The Old Testament is all about Jesus and the promise of a Savior was given long ago, long before Jesus came to the earth. The first gospel message can be found in Genesis: “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” Gen 3:15.
It is widely understood that this verse is a Messianic prophesy. This prophesy was given by God in the Garden of Eden, you can not go any further back as the Garden. Throughout the Old Testament God gave progressive prophesies concerning the Messiah. In the old the new is concealed, in the new the old is revealed. When we get to the New Testament, and we look back at the Old Testament, it’s all clear. In the Old Testament the gospel was there from the early beginning. The Bible is a book of redemption. The Bible does contain history like the creation and the beginning of mankind, kingdoms, people and places, but the main purpose of the Bible is redemption, God’s plan of salvation for fallen man.
Jesus is all over the pages of the Old Testament, there are many prophesies concerning His first coming and many allegories that pointed to Christ. Abraham offering up Isaac on Mount Moriah which is the temple mount today, a picture of what God would do 2000 years later. Joseph in Egypt, he was not recognized by his brothers at the first meeting, but they recognized him at the second time they met. A picture of the first coming of Jesus and He was not recognized as Israel’s Messiah, which will happen at His second coming. Moses lifting up the bronze serpent in the wildness on a pole, and everybody that looked up to it was healed, a picture of Jesus lifted up on the cross dying for the sin of the world and giving healing and life to those who would look upon Him and believe. He was the Rock in the wildness bringing forth water, He was the Bread that came from heaven and so much more.
The 70 weeks of Daniel given by the angel Gabriel gave the exact time and day when the Messiah would ride into the city of Jerusalem. Zechariah prophesied that the King would come riding lowly on a donkey. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on what we now know as Palm Sunday. Nothing was by coincidence, God had a divine plan and time schedule and Jesus came at the appointed time, His hour. The day the Lord has made. There are over 300 prophesies concerning the first coming of Christ, and He has fulfilled them all. Jesus was nailed the cross at the time of the morning offering on passover, He gave up His Spirit at the time of the evening sacrifices. This day was also predicted long ago and God had a certain day in mind and Jesus died on that exact appointed day. Old Testament believers were looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, they believed God, thus it was accounted to them as righteousness.
Today we look back at the cross and the finished work of Christ and because we believe by faith we are accounted righteous before God through Christ who is our righteousness. The gospel i.e the good news is therefore much older than 2000 years, the gospel and the coming of the Messiah goes all the way back to the beginning. There are many religions today and in the past, but they are all man-made and they are all man centered. The Christian faith is not really a religion per say, it is a relationship with the true and living God. Christians worship and serve the God of creation, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The God that is truth and His word which is sharper than a two-edged sword. If you read this and you are of another faith, like Islam or maybe Hinduism etc. consider Jesus and the claims He made. He came to die in our place, God did what we could not do for ourselves. He gave His only begotten Son. Jesus said that He came to set us free from bondage. Are you in bondage to sin or religion? Do you want to be forgiven of your sins and have eternal life? Jesus promised that those who would believe will never die. He died for us and rose from the dead to overcome death and give eternal life to those who would believe. Jesus is God and only God can forgive sins, all other gods are impostors and they do not exist.
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. “You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.” Exd 20:2-5
Many religions have made their own gods made out of wood, metal, in the likeness of man, they worship the creature rather than the Creator. These gods do not move, they can’t hear or speak. They are dead, they cannot give life eternal, only the true and living God of the Bible can. There is only one way to be reconciled to God the Father, and that is through His Son Christ Jesus. May you find Him and feel His peace and His love. May you realize how much He loves you.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Media 4 Life Ministries 
The serpent is not Satan the Serpent is Lilith Jesus first wife. Remember there were 3 Adams…And the reason she did not go to Jesus and went to Eve instead is because Jesus would recognize her. And yes woman have seed. And he cursed the seed of the serpent. And the seed of Eve… That is why women are the only ones able to give her child mitochondrial DNA. Where as a male can only give his son his Y chromosome but not his daughter. But a mother gives her DNA to both but only the female will be able to pass it to her offspring. And Lucifer and Satan is not the same. Lucifer is not in the Hebrew text……
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I am already a Senior Citizen.,but my seniority is not the topic.,The TOPIC is, what is the TRUTH about the HOLY BOOK which is The Bible.,Who is telling the TRUTH.,which is WHICH to BELIEVEd “IN” becaused we’ve got the PROBLEM about for each TRANSLATION.There are so MANY Translator.People in our world is SERIOUSLY COMPLICATED.,who,they are BELIEVEd into.
ALL I WANT TO SAY.,LET’S BE UNITE to be ONE WE LOVEd.,thru FAITH ourselves for GOD
YAHWEHJESUS or ALLAH.
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nothing os religion but have your faith in christ…
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this page was very useful to understand about oldest religion
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Most biblical creationists say the world is about 6,000 years old. Some say ‘the earth is no more than 10,000 years old, max’, but that is due to rounding off the number to an order of magnitude.
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Most biblical creationists say the world is about 6,000 years old. Some say ‘the earth is no more than 10,000 years old, max’, but that is due to rounding off the number to an order of magnitude.
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I agree. Although more than a “religion”, faith in Christ (and by definition the entire whole word of God, including the Garden that Jesus referenced as a fact), originated at Creation.
The writings came later, and Moses probably compiled his from antediluvian records.
This has immense implications for Christians and Jews, though. We must keep in mind that when Israel followed “the law and the prophets”, they were within the kingdom of God. The descendants of Abraham who followed the idolatries and sorceries of their neighbors and went elsewhere, these were assimilated into paganism.
Until the prophet and son of God, one greater than Solomon, came along. The Pharisees knew Jesus was talking about them (and the entire Jewish religious leadership) when he told the parable of the wicked servants who kept killing all the servants that the Lord of the manor sent from his trip and finally killed his son. What is the master of the house going to do when he comes back? Jesus told them: “cast into outer darkness”. “The kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof”, albeit it’s not a kingdom “of this world”.
There was no split between the Jews following the Old Testament and now the Jews following the New Testament. Who were the true followers of God and who was it obeyed the law and the prophets, lived according to the Tanukh, it was the apostles!
Nicodemus told Jesus that “we” (the rulers of the Jews) “know thou art of God”, so yes, they knew Jesus was their Messiah. They just refused to go along with it, and just quickly sublimated it, pushed it out of mind. Some parts of the Talmud, the Babylonian Talmud I think, even recognizes that Jesus did miracles and repeats the calumny that it was sorcery.
So in truth, the rulers of the Jews pushed off into another direction and started their own religion. Saul of Tarsus became Paul when he “saw the light”, and the Jews that preached Jesus Christ and salvation “turned the world upside down” and “came hither also”, and before long the Gentiles outnumbered the “Jews according to the flesh” among believers.
Now it’s the sons of Abraham by faith just like the Rahabs and the Ruths and all those Ammonites and the rest of David’s Mighty Men, and “Jews according to the flesh” who continue coming to Jesus today.
http://www.trutherator.wordpress.com
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It was not neededQuote from anethor Comment I made: it is a question of understanding biology. What are the effects of fertilization on the female egg. Cell multiplication starts after it.The only thing needed was to trigger that multiplication. A simple switch in a DNA structure could do that in the presence of the proper enzymes that are always available. I don’t think that this is the place to go into all these details. You can do a search on the net about fertilization, cell multiplication or mitosis, self-fertilization and autogamy if you want. What I am saying is that God did not need to inseminate Mary but just produce some “small” chemical changes in her egg. Now, was just that how Jesus was born, or that a spiritual force (God’s breath Gen 2:7) operated on Mary’s egg to produce a new life. What is really the key to a new birth? What is the source of any healing miracle?
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I enjoyed your article and agree with the message you are trying to get across. I personally believe that Jesus is my savior (not that it means much to anyone else). But I do see and recognize the other point of view by the other participants. I think they are valid points that need explanation like Jesus being of the blood line of David but having God as a father how is his earthly father involved in the prophecy. I also would like to know why so much of Christianity still stems from the catholic church. why and how do they get to say which book should be in the bible or not what about the other 50ish gospels that are known to exist? I’m in the military and i’m excepting of peoples decision to believe as they wish I do agree that the details not black and white. As for me and my house we shall serve the Lord.
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Thank you very much Becca, glad to hear that. Lean on Jesus and He will never disappoint. Many blessings to you and your sister.
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That Was truly amazing, it touched me and my sisters heart, whenever we feel sad were going to read this, because its uplifting and it strenghtens our faith.
Thank you xo
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So?
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jesus was a jew
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Hi Visssssh, apparently you did not read or understand my article. Please read it carefully and you may understand why I wrote “Christianity; the oldest religion in the world.” It all began in the garden and the promise of a savior. Gen 3:15.
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u r mad plse stop this madness . first learn some or little thinks about other religion n come . u r not expert u r only christian religion expert not others mad person
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you r crazy
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That is typical Rabbinic teaching. The Jewish Rabbis did not have a spiritual understanding of scriptures, yesterday and today. They all believe in the promised Messiah (Genesis 3:15) but did not hear the prophets, neither did they recognize that there are two comings of the Messiah. First as the suffering servant and at His second coming as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. They have completely missed the first coming that was prophesied in the Holy scriptures. I could write much more, but I will post some verses from an earlier post I wrote about Yashuah being the Messiah. The day will come and in fact is very near when the Jewish people will recognize Yashuah as their Messiah. That will happen at the second coming which is near, considering the signs.
There are over 300 prophesies in the Old Testament concerning the first coming of the Messiah. They were all fulfilled in Christ Jesus . Here are just some of OT prophesies and the NT fulfillment of them:
The Son of God, Ps 2:7 Luk 1:32, 35. The seed of the woman, Gen 3:15 Gal 4:4. Seed of Abraham, Gen 17:7, 22:18 Gal 3:16. Seed of Isaac, Gen 21:12 Heb 11:17-19. Seed of David, Ps 132:11 Jer 23:5 Acts 13:23 Rom 1:3. Coming at the appointed time, Gen 49:10 Dan 9:24, 25 Lk 2:1. Born of a virgin, Is 7:14 Mat 1:22, 23 Lk 2:7. Called Immanuel (God with us) Is 7:14 Mat 1:22, 23. Born in Bethlehem of Judea, Mic 5:2 Mat 2:1 Lk 2:4-6. Great persons coming to adore Him, Ps 72:10 Mat 2:1-11. The slaying of the children of Bethlehem, Jer 31:15 Mat 2:16-18. Called out of Egypt, Hos 11:1 Mat 2:15. Preceded by John the Baptist, Is 40:3 Mal 3:1 Mat 3:1, 3 Lk 1:17. Anointed with the Spirit, Ps 45:7 Is 11:2, 61:1 Mat 3:16 Jh 3:34 Acts 10:38. Prophet like to Moses, Deut 18:15-18 Acts 3:20-22. Priest after the order of Melchizedek, Ps110:4 Heb 5:5, 6.
Entering public ministry, Is 61:1, 2 Lk 4:16-21, 43. Ministry in Galilee, Is 9:1, 2 Mat 4:12-16, 23. Entering publicly into Jerusalem, Zec 9:9 Mat 21:1-5. His coming into the temple, Hag 2:7, 9 Mal 3:1 Mt 21:12 Lu 2:27-32 Joh 2:13-16. His poverty, Is 53:2 Mk 6:3 Lk 9:58. His meekness, Is 42:2 Mat 12:15, 16, 19. Tenderness and compassion, Is 40:11 42:3 Mat 12:15, 20 Heb 4:15. Without guile, Is 53:9 1Pe 2:22. His zeal, Ps 69:9 Jh 2:17. Preaching in parables, Ps 78:2 Mat 13:34, 35. Working miracles, Is 35:5, 6 Mat 11:4-6 Jh 11:47
His bearing reproach, Ps 22:6 69:7,9, 20 Rom 15:3. Rejected by his brethren, Ps 69:8 Is 63:3 Jh 1:11 7:3. Stone of stumbling to the Jews, Is 8:14 Rom 9:32 1Pe 2:8. Hated by the Jews, Ps 69:4 Is 49:7 Jh 15:24, 25. Rejected by the Jewish rulers, Ps 118:22 Mat 21:42 Jhn 7:48. Jews and Gentiles combine against Him, Ps 2:1, 2 Lk 23:12 Acts 4:27. Betrayed by a friend, Ps 41:9 55:12-14 Jhn 13:18, 21 Disciples forsake Him Zec 13:7 Mat 26:31, 56. Sold for thirty pieces silver, Zec 11:12 Mat 26:15. His price being given for the potter’s field, Zec 11:13 Mat 27:7. Agony of his sufferings, Ps 22:14, 15 Lk 22:42, 44. Sufferings for others Is 53:4-6, 12 Dan 9:26 Mat 20:28. Patience and silence under suffering, Is 53:7 Mat 26:63 27:12-14. Smitten on the cheek, Mic 5:1 Mat 27:30. Visage being marred, Is 52:14 53:3 Jhn 19:5. Spit on and scourged, Is 50:6 Mk 14:65 Jhn 19:1. Hands and feet being nailed to the cross, Ps 22:16 Jhn 19:18 20:25. Forsaken by God, Ps 22:1 Mat 27:46. Being mocked, Ps 22:7, 8 Mat 27:39-44. Gall and vinegar being given Him to drink, Ps 69:21 Mat 27:34. Garments being parted, and lots cast for His clothing, Ps 22:18 Mat 27:35.
Numbered with the transgressors, Is 53:12 Mk 15:28. Intercession for His murderers, Is 53:12 Lk 23:34. His Death, Is 53:12 Mat 27:50. No bones would be broken, Ex12:46 Ps 34:20 Jhn 19:33, 36. Pierced, Zec 12:10 Jhn 19:34, 37. Buried with the rich, Is 53:9 Mat 27:57-60. Flesh not seeing corruption, Ps 16:10 Acts 2:31. His resurrection, Ps 16:10 Is 26:19 Lk 24:6, 31, 34. His ascension, Ps 68:18 Lk 24:51 Acts 1:9. Sitting on the right hand of God, Ps 110:1 Heb 1:3. Exercising the priestly office in heaven, Zec 6:13 Rom 8:34. The chief cornerstone, Is 28:16 1Pe 2:6, 7. King in Zion Ps 2:6 Lk 1:32 Jhn 18:33-37. Conversion of the Gentiles to Him, Is11:10 42:1 Mat 1:17, 21 Jhn 10:16 Acts 10:45, 47. His righteous government, Ps 45:6, 7 Jhn 5:30 Rev 19:11. Universal dominion, Ps 72:8 Dan 7:14 Phl 2:9, 11. Perpetuity of His kingdom, Is 9:7 Dan 7:14 Lk 1:32, 33.
https://media4lifeministries.com/2011/11/25/jesus-christ-the-man-who-changed-the-world-and-divided-time/
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This is a fascinating discussion. I’d like to add my perspective as a Jew. Rabbi Shraga Simmons, addressing why Jews don’t believe in Jesus, provides a historical perspective that puts some context to this discussion. It is well referenced to the Old Testament.
It is important to understand why Jews don’t believe in Jesus. The purpose is not to disparage other religions, but rather to clarify the Jewish position. The more data that’s available, the better-informed choices people can make about their spiritual path.
JEWS DO NOT ACCEPT JESUS AS THE MESSIAH BECAUSE:
Jesus did not fulfill the messianic prophecies.
Jesus did not embody the personal qualifications of the Messiah.
Biblical verses “referring” to Jesus are mistranslations.
Jewish belief is based on national revelation.
At the end of this article, we will examine these additional topics:
Christianity contradicts Jewish theology
Jews and Gentiles
Bringing the Messiah
What exactly is the Messiah?
The word “Messiah” is an English rendering of the Hebrew word “Mashiach”, which means “Anointed.” It usually refers to a person initiated into God’s service by being anointed with oil. (Exodus 29:7, I Kings 1:39, II Kings 9:3)
Since every King and High Priest was anointed with oil, each may be referred to as “an anointed one” (a Mashiach or a Messiah). For example: “God forbid that I [David] should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s Messiah [Saul]…” (I Samuel 26:11. Cf. II Samuel 23:1, Isaiah 45:1, Psalms 20:6)
Where does the Jewish concept of Messiah come from? One of the central themes of Biblical prophecy is the promise of a future age of perfection characterized by universal peace and recognition of God. (Isaiah 2:1-4; Zephaniah 3:9; Hosea 2:20-22; Amos 9:13-15; Isaiah 32:15-18, 60:15-18; Micah 4:1-4; Zechariah 8:23, 14:9; Jeremiah 31:33-34)
Many of these prophetic passages speak of a descendant of King David who will rule Israel during the age of perfection. (Isaiah 11:1-9; Jeremiah 23:5-6, 30:7-10, 33:14-16; Ezekiel 34:11-31, 37:21-28; Hosea 3:4-5)
Since every King is a Messiah, by convention, we refer to this future anointed king as The Messiah. The above is the only description in the Bible of a Davidic descendant who is to come in the future. We will recognize the Messiah by seeing who the King of Israel is at the time of complete universal perfection.
1) JESUS DID NOT FULFILL THE MESSIANIC PROPHECIES
What is the Messiah supposed to accomplish? The Bible says that he will:
A. Build the Third Temple (Ezekiel 37:26-28).
B. Gather all Jews back to the Land of Israel (Isaiah 43:5-6).
C. Usher in an era of world peace, and end all hatred, oppression, suffering and disease. As it says: “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall man learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4)
D. Spread universal knowledge of the God of Israel, which will unite humanity as one. As it says: “God will be King over all the world—on that day, God will be One and His Name will be One” (Zechariah 14:9).
The historical fact is that Jesus fulfilled none of these messianic prophecies.
Christians counter that Jesus will fulfill these in the Second Coming, but Jewish sources show that the Messiah will fulfill the prophecies outright, and no concept of a second coming exists.
2) JESUS DID NOT EMBODY THE PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS OF MESSIAH
A. MESSIAH AS PROPHET
Jesus was not a prophet. Prophecy can only exist in Israel when the land is inhabited by a majority of world Jewry. During the time of Ezra (circa 300 BCE), when the majority of Jews refused to move from Babylon to Israel, prophecy ended upon the death of the last prophets—Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.
Jesus appeared on the scene approximately 350 years after prophecy had ended.
B. DESCENDENT OF DAVID
According to Jewish sources, the Messiah will be born of human parents and possess normal physical attributes like other people. He will not be a demi-god, (1) nor will he possess supernatural qualities.
The Messiah must be descended on his father’s side from King David (see Genesis 49:10 and Isaiah 11:1). According to the Christian claim that Jesus was the product of a virgin birth, he had no father—and thus could not have possibly fulfilled the messianic requirement of being descended on his father’s side from King David! (2)
C. TORAH OBSERVANCE
The Messiah will lead the Jewish people to full Torah observance. The Torah states that all mitzvot (commandments) remain binding forever, and anyone coming to change the Torah is immediately identified as a false prophet. (Deut. 13:1-4)
Throughout the New Testament, Jesus contradicts the Torah and states that its commandments are no longer applicable. (see John 1:45 and 9:16, Acts 3:22 and 7:37) For example, John 9:14 records that Jesus made a paste in violation of Shabbat, which caused the Pharisees to say (verse 16), “He does not observe Shabbat!”
3) MISTRANSLATED VERSES “REFERRING” TO JESUS
Biblical verses can only be understood by studying the original Hebrew text—which reveals many discrepancies in the Christian translation.
A. VIRGIN BIRTH
The Christian idea of a virgin birth is derived from the verse in Isaiah 7:14 describing an “alma” as giving birth. The word “alma” has always meant a young woman, but Christian theologians came centuries later and translated it as “virgin.” This accords Jesus’ birth with the first century pagan idea of mortals being impregnated by gods.
B. CRUCIFIXION
The verse in Psalms 22:17 reads: “Like a lion, they are at my hands and feet.” The Hebrew word ki-ari (like a lion) is grammatically similar to the word “gouged.” Thus Christianity reads the verse as a reference to crucifixion: “They pierced my hands and feet.”
C. SUFFERING SERVANT
Christianity claims that Isaiah chapter 53 refers to Jesus, as the “suffering servant.”
In actuality, Isaiah 53 directly follows the theme of chapter 52, describing the exile and redemption of the Jewish people. The prophecies are written in the singular form because the Jews (“Israel”) are regarded as one unit. The Torah is filled with examples of the Jewish nation referred to with a singular pronoun.
Ironically, Isaiah’s prophecies of persecution refer in part to the 11th century when Jews were tortured and killed by Crusaders who acted in the name of Jesus.
From where did these mistranslations stem? St. Gregory, 4th century Bishop of Nazianzus, wrote: “A little jargon is all that is necessary to impose on the people. The less they comprehend, the more they admire.”
For further reading on the “suffering servant”:
jewsforjudaism.org/ss
4) JEWISH BELIEF IS BASED SOLELY ON NATIONAL REVELATION
Of the 15,000 religions in human history, only Judaism bases its belief on national revelation—i.e. God speaking to the entire nation. If God is going to start a religion, it makes sense He’ll tell everyone, not just one person.
Throughout history, thousands of religions have been started by individuals, attempting to convince people that he or she is God’s true prophet. But personal revelation is an extremely weak basis for a religion because one can never know if it is indeed true. Since others did not hear God speak to this person, they have to take his word for it. Even if the individual claiming personal revelation performs miracles, there is still no verification that he is a genuine prophet. Miracles do not prove anything. All they show—assuming they are genuine—is that he has certain powers. It has nothing to do with his claim of prophecy.
Judaism, unique among all of the world’s major religions, does not rely on “claims of miracles” as the basis for its religion. In fact, the Bible says that God sometimes grants the power of “miracles” to charlatans, in order to test Jewish loyalty to the Torah (Deut. 13:4).
Maimonides states (Foundations of Torah, ch. 8):
The Jews did not believe in Moses, our teacher, because of the miracles he performed. Whenever anyone’s belief is based on seeing miracles, he has lingering doubts, because it is possible the miracles were performed through magic or sorcery. All of the miracles performed by Moses in the desert were because they were necessary, and not as proof of his prophecy.
What then was the basis of [Jewish] belief? The Revelation at Mount Sinai, which we saw with our own eyes and heard with our own ears, not dependent on the testimony of others… as it says, “Face to face, God spoke with you…” The Torah also states: “God did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us—who are all here alive today.” (Deut. 5:3)
Judaism is not miracles. It is the personal eyewitness experience of every man, woman and child, standing at Mount Sinai 3,300 years ago.
See “Did God Speak at Mount Sinai” for further reading.
5) CHRISTIANITY CONTRADICTS JEWISH THEOLOGY
The following theological points apply primarily to the Roman Catholic Church, the largest Christian denomination.
A. GOD AS THREE?
The Catholic idea of Trinity breaks God into three separate beings: The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19).
Contrast this to the Shema, the basis of Jewish belief: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is ONE” (Deut. 6:4). Jews declare the Shema every day, while writing it on doorposts (Mezuzah), and binding it to the hand and head (Tefillin). This statement of God’s One-ness is the first words a Jewish child is taught to say, and the last words uttered before a Jew dies.
In Jewish law, worship of a three-part god is considered idolatry—one of the three cardinal sins that a Jew should rather give up his life than transgress. This explains why during the Inquisitions and throughout history, Jews gave up their lives rather than convert.
B. MAN AS GOD?
Roman Catholics believe that God came down to earth in human form, as Jesus said: “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).
Maimonides devotes most of the “Guide for the Perplexed” to the fundamental idea that God is incorporeal, meaning that He assumes no physical form. God is Eternal, above time. He is Infinite, beyond space. He cannot be born, and cannot die. Saying that God assumes human form makes God small, diminishing both His unity and His divinity. As the Torah says: “God is not a mortal” (Numbers 23:19).
Judaism says that the Messiah will be born of human parents, and possess normal physical attributes like other people. He will not be a demi-god, and will not possess supernatural qualities. In fact, an individual is alive in every generation with the capacity to step into the role of the Messiah. (see Maimonides – Laws of Kings 11:3)
C. INTERMEDIARY FOR PRAYER?
The Catholic belief is that prayer must be directed through an intermediary—i.e. confessing one’s sins to a priest. Jesus himself is an intermediary, as Jesus said: “No man cometh unto the Father but by me.”
In Judaism, prayer is a totally private matter, between each individual and God. As the Bible says: “God is near to all who call unto Him” (Psalms 145:18). Further, the Ten Commandments state: “You shall have no other gods BEFORE ME,” meaning that it is forbidden to set up a mediator between God and man. (see Maimonides – Laws of Idolatry ch. 1)
D. INVOLVEMENT IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD
Catholic doctrine often treats the physical world as an evil to be avoided. Mary, the holiest woman, is portrayed as a virgin. Priests and nuns are celibate. And monasteries are in remote, secluded locations.
By contrast, Judaism believes that God created the physical world not to frustrate us, but for our pleasure. Jewish spirituality comes through grappling with the mundane world in a way that uplifts and elevates. Sex in the proper context is one of the holiest acts we can perform.
The Talmud says if a person has the opportunity to taste a new fruit and refuses to do so, he will have to account for that in the World to Come. Jewish rabbinical schools teach how to live amidst the bustle of commercial activity. Jews don’t retreat from life, we elevate it.
6) JEWS AND GENTILES
Judaism does not demand that everyone convert to the religion. The Torah of Moses is a truth for all humanity, whether Jewish or not. King Solomon asked God to heed the prayers of non-Jews who come to the Holy Temple (Kings I 8:41-43). The prophet Isaiah refers to the Temple as a “House for all nations.”
The Temple service during Sukkot featured 70 bull offerings, corresponding to the 70 nations of the world. The Talmud says that if the Romans would have realized how much benefit they were getting from the Temple, they’d never have destroyed it.
Jews have never actively sought converts to Judaism because the Torah prescribes a righteous path for gentiles to follow, known as the “Seven Laws of Noah.” Maimonides explains that any human being who faithfully observes these basic moral laws earns a proper place in heaven.
For further study of the Seven Laws of Noah:
The Seven Laws of Noah
7) BRINGING THE MESSIAH
Maimonides states that the popularity of Christianity (and Islam) is part of God’s plan to spread the ideals of Torah throughout the world. This moves society closer to a perfected state of morality and toward a greater understanding of God. All this is in preparation for the Messianic age.
Indeed, the world is in desperate need of Messianic redemption. War and pollution threaten our planet; ego and confusion erode family life. To the extent we are aware of the problems of society, is the extent we will yearn for redemption. As the Talmud says, one of the first questions a Jew is asked on Judgment Day is: “Did you yearn for the arrival of the Messiah?”
How can we hasten the coming of the Messiah? The best way is to love all humanity generously, to keep the mitzvot of the Torah (as best we can), and to encourage others to do so as well.
Despite the gloom, the world does seem headed toward redemption. One apparent sign is that the Jewish people have returned to the Land of Israel and made it bloom again. Additionally, a major movement is afoot of young Jews returning to Torah tradition.
The Messiah can come at any moment, and it all depends on our actions. God is ready when we are. For as King David says: “Redemption will come today—if you hearken to His voice.”
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons
Largely adapted from Aish.com
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Thanks for your advice, I never stated that I am an expert, neither am I preaching. I am writing from a biblical perspective and nothing else. I am not forcing my beliefs on anyone, they are what I believe God has shown me and others. I’m not the only one that holds that view and if you studied the Bible you would know that Jewish scholars and Christian scholars alike consider Genesis 3:15 as a messianic verse. When God gave the promise of a Savior to come to Adam and Eve, that promise was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Christ is not His last name, Christ means the Anointed one or Messiah. Jesus was the One, the Messiah who crushed the head of Satan on the cross.
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It’s kind of obvious that your literacy on the subject matter is questionable. A piece of advice, a coin has 2 sides. Having intimate knowledge of one particular face does not make you a coin expert. Before you preach, please know what it is you’re preaching about exactly. I’m sure your intentions are just but you’ll just end up misleading innocent people.
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I understand what you are trying to say, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Adam and Eve sinned by disobedience. That sin brought spiritual death, thus the promise in Gen 3:15. All the religions that we have in the world now, originated with Nimrod and the tower of Babel. Nimrod, led people to worship other gods and made idols that they bowed down to. When God dispersed them they took the different man made religions with them, thus there are some similarities in other religions. Not to take Genesis literal is your opinion, I for one believe it to be literal because Jesus believed it. He is the Creator of all things. The question is, who do I believe, man’s opinion or Jesus? I choose Jesus, He believed it and confirmed it and that settles it for me. Wishing you a blessed day.
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@Anonymous: Technically, I think that Zoroastrianism is the oldest religion in the world.
@Media 4 Life Ministries: I appreciate your zeal, but the Genesis 2-3 account was written in the first millennia BCE, much later than other religions. The historicity of the account is not a sure thing; many of us interpret the Genesis account to not be literal at all.
I agree with what you say about salvation and eternal life only coming through Jesus, but there are other religions that are simply older.
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With all due respect, it appears that you did not read my article. The first gospel message was given by God to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, to send a Savior i.e. Jesus Christ. You cannot go further back than that. Hinduism came much later. Salvation and eternal life is only found in Jesus Christ. Buddhism, Hinduism etc. are man made religions. How can you know 330 million different god’s as Hinduism does? There is only One true and living God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
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With all due respect. Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world.
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First we have to remember that before the fall the world was very different, perhaps animals were able to communicate with people, thus Eve was not astonished that the serpent spoke to her. Lucifer is an angel, who rebelled and became Satan or the accuser. He is a fallen, but he has powers to a certain extend. It may be that Satan used the serpent to seduce Eve. If I’m not mistaken some of the Jewish Rabbi’s look at the passage as a messianic one as well. Regarding the seed, a women does not have a seed, she has the egg and man has the seed. Thus many scholars believe that this refers to the virgin birth. God’s seed conceived by Mary through the Holy Spirit, thus many believe that the sin nature get’s passed on through the seed of man and that Jesus was sinless because of the virgin birth and He is the only begotten Son of God. Satan is the ruler of this earth, everyone is born with a sin nature and Satan has dominion over them until people receive Christ as Lord and Savior which will break the curse. That’s what we call “born again” of the Spirit. So in a sense all people that are born are children of the Devil as John writes in his letters. Sin separated mankind from God, sin caused death (spiritual death) and Jesus broke the curse by defeating Satan on the cross. He died for the sin of the world and He rose from the dead, defeating spiritual death and sin. Because of the finished work on the cross, people can be free from sin (not sinless) and a life of darkness doing the work of Satan (most people are unaware of this) and serve the true and living God. Ultimately Jesus will return and reign from Jerusalem and after the millennial reign He will restore all things as they were meant to be. Jesus never predicted the end of the world as many say, but He spoke of a re-birth. I hope this will help, I’m not a theologian, but I do study the word and commentaries. Blessings to you.
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Interesting. I guess my question would be this: If one had not ever read the gospels, would one read this as a prophecy of the future.
Also, I find the connection between the Hebrew character, ha-satan, whom we refer to as Satan (as seen in the prologue to Job and the story of Balaam’s donkey), with the serpent in Genesis 3 to be a very interesting one. Why do we connect the two? Ha-satan is not mentioned anywhere in the Genesis 3 narrative.
Also, if we read “her seed” as being Christ, how do we read “your [the serpent’s] seed?” Does this mean that it is not the serpent in the Genesis 3 narrative who “bruises the heel” of Christ, but instead the children or descendants of the serpent?
I am not trying to be antagonistic, but instead I just enjoy engaging in conversation with others. Thank you for your responses, and I look forward to reading your next response.
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“He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel: In this, God prophesies the doom of Satan, showing that the real battle is between Satan and the Seed of the Woman.
i. There is no doubt this is a prophecy of Jesus’ ultimate defeat of Satan. God announced that Satan would wound the Messiah (you shall bruise His heel), but the Messiah would crush Satan with a mortal wound (He shall bruise your head).
ii. The heel is the part within the serpent’s reach. Jesus, in taking on humanity, brought Himself near to Satan’s domain so Satan could strike Him.
iii. This prophecy also gives the first hint of the virgin birth, declaring the Messiah – the Deliverer – would be the Seed of the Woman, but not of the man.
iv. Genesis 3:15 has been called the protoevangelium, the first gospel. Luther said of this verse: “This text embraces and comprehends within itself everything noble and glorious that is to be found anywhere in the Scriptures.” (Leupold) David Guzik commentary in the Blue Letter Bible.
“Herein is the first promise of God for salvation that shall come. And the hint is that the salvation will come through a virgin born child. For God is speaking of the woman’s seed which she does not have. The woman has an egg that is fertilized by the male seed. But God speaking of the woman’s seed is indicating and hinting of a virgin birth. Later God speaks of it more clearly in Isaiah, “Behold, I shall give you a sign, a virgin shall conceive, and bring forth a son, call his name Immanuel, which means, God with us. And he shall be great” (Isaiah 7:14). And it speaks about His kingdom and His throne.
And so God’s promise back at the beginning of the sorrows and the calamity from sin is that the day will come when the woman’s seed will bruise the serpent’s head. The head always being spiritually a symbol of authority and power. The seed of the woman to destroy Satan’s power, the authority of Satan. And so Jesus Christ has destroyed the power of Satan over our lives and the authority of Satan over our lives.
However, “thou shalt bruise his heel,” a reference no doubt to the cross of Jesus Christ.” Pastor Chuck Smith (Calvary Chapel). There are many more, like John MacArthur and others who believe that Gen 3:15 is the first messianic promise, a Savior that was promised to come.
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” Gen 3:15. It is widely understood that this verse is a Messianic prophesy.”
I am just curious; I have never heard of this referred to as prophecy at all, let alone a Messianic prophecy. Can you point me in the direction of some books or scholars who have made this claim? I would be interested in reading them. Thanks.
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Fascinating reflections on “religion,” “idolatry,” and the polyvalent meaning of “theism.” If you truly proclaim Christ as Lord, you may be interested in some of the teachings on a blog that my research colleague and I have put together. It’s called Lupus-Cain. We’d appreciate any feedback you might have to share.
lupuscain.wordpress.com
– J.
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