Trouble with Translation and Terms
Jesus: A 500 year old transliteration from Hebrew to Greek to English
Yeshua: The original Hebrew name of Messiah
For centuries, the Jewish people have been persecuted without mercy in the name of "Jesus Christ." So much confusion over and hatred of Messiah has arisen because of this misuse of Messiah's transliterated name. Yet, gentile Christianity has not considered returning to the use of Messiah’s Hebrew name, Yeshua, despite what scripture teaches us about the power and role of the Hebrew language in drawing the Jewish people to Messiah Yeshua, and the body of believers closer to each other as they worship Him. To advance the call of G-d toward the Jewish people, as well as for personal and corporate enrichment, the gentile church must understand the profound meaning of Isaiah 52:6: “Therefore, I will reveal my name to my people and they shall know the POWER in that name. Then at last they will recognize that it is I, yes, I, who speaks to them.”
Matthew 23:39 For I tell you this, you [Israel] will never see me again until you say,"Baruch haba B'Shem Adonai" (Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the L-rd.)
Zephaniah 3:9 At that time, I will change the speech of my returning people to pure Hebrew so that ALL can worship the L-rd together.
Zechariah 14:16-17 In the end, those who survive ...will go up to Jerusalem each year to worship the King... And any nation anywhere in all the world that refuses to come to Jerusalem to worship the King, the L-rd Almighty, will have no rain.
Think of these three verses together and a picture will begin to form. As we have previously discussed, the restoration of the Jewish people to their G-d is in progress. Today, Hebrew is the national language of Israel. Hebrew will be the language the Jewish people use to call upon their Messiah. It is prophesied that believers from ALL nations will come to worship as one body, speaking HEBREW.
As a witness to the Jewish people of the truth of who Messiah is, and in preparation toward fulfillment of scripture, it is only logical that the use of the name "Yeshua" is restored and respected in the believing community of today, as it was among the first century believers.
Conversion: A change from one belief, religion, etc., to another
To Repent: To feel so contrite over one’s errors/sins as to change; be penitent (willing to atone)
Acts 3:25-26 You are the children of those prophets; and you are included in G-d’s promise to your ancestors to bless the entire world through the Jewish seed; that is the promise G-d gave to Abraham. And as soon as G-d had brought His servant to life again, He sent Him first of all to you men of Israel, to bless you by turning you back from your sins.
Zechariah 2:11 At that time many nations will be converted to the Lord, and they too shall be my people... [emphasis added]
Jeremiah 12:16 ...and if these heathen nations quickly learn my people’'s way and claim me as their G-d instead of Baal... Then they shall be strong among my people.
Gentiles convert. Jewish people repent. Webster provides the definition and scripture clearly indicates who converts and who repents. Even so, error in the use of these two terms permeates gentles Christianity. This causes confusion and is a stumbling block to Jewish people who deserve every possible opportunity to know their Messiah. Therefore, details which may seem inconsequential take on important significance.
Yeshua: The original Hebrew name of Messiah
For centuries, the Jewish people have been persecuted without mercy in the name of "Jesus Christ." So much confusion over and hatred of Messiah has arisen because of this misuse of Messiah's transliterated name. Yet, gentile Christianity has not considered returning to the use of Messiah’s Hebrew name, Yeshua, despite what scripture teaches us about the power and role of the Hebrew language in drawing the Jewish people to Messiah Yeshua, and the body of believers closer to each other as they worship Him. To advance the call of G-d toward the Jewish people, as well as for personal and corporate enrichment, the gentile church must understand the profound meaning of Isaiah 52:6: “Therefore, I will reveal my name to my people and they shall know the POWER in that name. Then at last they will recognize that it is I, yes, I, who speaks to them.”
Matthew 23:39 For I tell you this, you [Israel] will never see me again until you say,"Baruch haba B'Shem Adonai" (Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the L-rd.)
Zephaniah 3:9 At that time, I will change the speech of my returning people to pure Hebrew so that ALL can worship the L-rd together.
Zechariah 14:16-17 In the end, those who survive ...will go up to Jerusalem each year to worship the King... And any nation anywhere in all the world that refuses to come to Jerusalem to worship the King, the L-rd Almighty, will have no rain.
Think of these three verses together and a picture will begin to form. As we have previously discussed, the restoration of the Jewish people to their G-d is in progress. Today, Hebrew is the national language of Israel. Hebrew will be the language the Jewish people use to call upon their Messiah. It is prophesied that believers from ALL nations will come to worship as one body, speaking HEBREW.
As a witness to the Jewish people of the truth of who Messiah is, and in preparation toward fulfillment of scripture, it is only logical that the use of the name "Yeshua" is restored and respected in the believing community of today, as it was among the first century believers.
Conversion: A change from one belief, religion, etc., to another
To Repent: To feel so contrite over one’s errors/sins as to change; be penitent (willing to atone)
Acts 3:25-26 You are the children of those prophets; and you are included in G-d’s promise to your ancestors to bless the entire world through the Jewish seed; that is the promise G-d gave to Abraham. And as soon as G-d had brought His servant to life again, He sent Him first of all to you men of Israel, to bless you by turning you back from your sins.
Zechariah 2:11 At that time many nations will be converted to the Lord, and they too shall be my people... [emphasis added]
Jeremiah 12:16 ...and if these heathen nations quickly learn my people’'s way and claim me as their G-d instead of Baal... Then they shall be strong among my people.
Gentiles convert. Jewish people repent. Webster provides the definition and scripture clearly indicates who converts and who repents. Even so, error in the use of these two terms permeates gentles Christianity. This causes confusion and is a stumbling block to Jewish people who deserve every possible opportunity to know their Messiah. Therefore, details which may seem inconsequential take on important significance.