Lecture on the Hebraic Roots of Christianity

Introduction

• Speaker: Eddie Chumney, Hebraic Heritage Ministries
• Focus: Understanding the Hebraic roots of Christianity with a focus on Yeshua the Messiah.
• Key Scripture References:
  • Psalm 40:7: "Lo, I come in the volume of the book it is written of me."
  • Hebrews 10:7 and Luke 24:44: Yeshua states the Hebrew scriptures are about Him.

Understanding Torah

• Definition of Torah:
  • Torah means "teaching" or "instruction" from God.
  • Torah and Word of God are synonymous.
• Yeshua and the Torah:
  • Yeshua gave the Torah at Mount Sinai.
  • Matthew 1:21: Yeshua’s name means salvation – He saves people from their sins.
  • Luke 2:11: Yeshua is our savior.
• James 4:12: There is one lawgiver who is able to save.

Following the Commandments

• John 14:15: "If you love me, keep my commandments."
• Related to Exodus 20:6 where loving God is linked to keeping His commandments (the Torah).

Salvation by Grace through Faith

• Common Christian belief: Saved by grace through faith.
• Exodus 3:21: God's grace in delivering Israel from Egypt.
• Faith: Displayed by putting the blood of the Lamb on doorposts (Exodus 12:3, 7).
• Ephesians 2:8: Affirms salvation by grace through faith.
• Romans 3:28: Justification by faith without deeds of the Torah.

Establishing the Torah

• Post-salvation: Christians should establish the Torah.
• Common misconception: Torah and Word of God are different.

The Meaning of Torah

• Strong’s Concordance: Torah is numerically assigned as 8451.
• Yara (Strong’s 3384): Means to teach, instruct, lay foundation.
• Psalm 103:20 and Isaiah 1:10: Torah is equivalent to the Word of God.
• Isaiah 2:3: Torah and Word of the Lord are synonymous.

Yeshua and the Hebrew Scriptures

• John 10:34 and 1 Corinthians 14:21: Psalms and Isaiah are referred to as Torah.
• Luke 24:44: Torah, Prophets, and Psalms are written about Yeshua.
• John 5:46: Belief in Moses (Torah) is belief in Yeshua.
• Acts 28:23: Paul teaches Yeshua from the Torah and Prophets.

Yeshua's Relationship with the Torah

• Yeshua kept the Torah and emphasized it.
• Matthew 5:17: He came to fulfill, not destroy, the Torah.

Levels of Torah Interpretation

• Peshat: Literal meaning.
• Remez: Hints or associations.
• Derash: Homiletical or implied meanings.
• Sod: Deeper mystical meanings.
• Pardes: Acronym for these levels, meaning "Garden".

Mystical Dimensions of Torah

• Messiah is revealed in the Sod (mystical) level.
• Hebrew letters of Yeshua convey deeper meanings: "See the nail in El Shaddai's hand."

Torah in Creation

• Torah became physical through creation (Orthodox Jewish teaching).
• John 1:1, 14: Torah (Word) became flesh in Yeshua.

Teaching Methods of Torah

• Parables: Psalm 78:1-2 and Mark 4:10-13
• Mysteries/Deep Sayings: Proverbs 1:1-6, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10
• Blueprints and Shadows: Patterns in Exodus 25:8-9 and Ezekiel 43:10-12

The Goal of the Torah

• Romans 10:4: Christ (Yeshua) is the goal of the Torah.
• Torah points to the need for a savior, which is fulfilled in Yeshua.
• 1 John 2:6: Believers should live as Yeshua lived, following the Torah.

Conclusion

• The lecture emphasizes the importance of understanding the Torah to fully comprehend Yeshua's role and mission.
• Encourages Christians to explore the Hebraic roots of their faith through the lens of Torah.