Why Bother Contending For The Faith?
By Rabbi/Brother Moshe Yoseph Koniuchowsky
As we talk to some of our friends it
seems like there often is an undercurrent of bewilderment about our aggressive
stands on doctrinal issues. Why does our newsletter constantly appear to be so
controversial, confrontational and aggressive? Why does Your Arms To Israel have
to be so "negative", when it could instead focus in on more positive
things? First of all we need to let our readers know and understand in the
clearest possible terms, that WE NEVER HAVE, DO NOT NOW, NOR EVER WILL ATTACK OR
BELITTLE PEOPLE OR INDIVIDUALS, OR THEIR YAHWEH-GIVEN RIGHT TO THINK FOR
THEMSELVES. On the other hand we are admonished not only to reprove the works of
darkness, but according to Jude verse 3 and Isaiah 29:24, we are to be earnest
or sincerely diligent in upholding and persevering the original apostolic
faith that the first century Messianic Jews and Israelites delivered to us.
In order to fight for pure untainted
and unadulterated gospel doctrine, it is oftentimes necessary to expose the
blatant and often not so subtle errors of popery (Romanism), watered down
Protestantism, traditional Rabbinical Judaism and even sometimes it is necessary
to expose and tackle many of the demonic beliefs of Islam. While exposure of
demonic teachings does not always accentuate the positive (how much positive
energy and life do you suppose there is in Hell?), it is a biblical mandate!
Your Arms To Israel refuses to proliferate, participate, or advance the agendas
of Ecumenicalism, in order to compromise what we believe scripture teaches.
Ecumenicalism is the theological name of the modern 20th century movement to
join together nominal Churches and Messianics of all faiths and dogmas, into a
single united voice. Anything and everything that stands in the way of this
unity must be smashed, trampled and set aside to further the unity of believers.
This ideal looks good at first glance, but is full of trash and unclean spirits,
since the Mormon version of Yahshua is Satan's brother, the Watchtower’s
version of Yahshua is a created being, the Protestant version of Yahshua just
loves to eat bacon, ham and pork and often teaches His followers how to hate and
eliminate Jews, while the Catholic version portrays Yahshua as the first Italian
convert to Catholicism and the founder of popery. Around which perversion of
bible truth are we supposed to unite? In order for Ecumenicalism to succeed, it
must of necessity set aside the Holy Scriptures in order for the scriptures not
to get in the way of a secular humanist agenda. The Holy Scriptures always have
been and always will be the final court of arbitration on matters of doctrine
and conduct. Doctrinal issues are not a trivial matter or secondary issue and
Rav Shaul (Paul) told Timothy to guard and protect biblical doctrine and by so
doing he would save himself and those who heard him (First Tim. 4:16). Your Arms
To Israel would rather be accused falsely by a hand full of people of harshness,
negativism and lack of love and compassion, than have to buy into this
Ecumenical cyanide and thereby join in the spreading of spiritual poison to the
people of Yahweh, through the doctrines of satan. If as some say we are a
sensationalist, negative ministry due to our defense of sound biblical doctrine,
then perhaps we are in some pretty celebrated company! The Brit Chadasha
features the books of Jude and First and Second Peter, with their primary focus
being the exposition of false heretical teachings and pagan celebrations, by the
apostle Shimon Kefa (Peter) and his accompanying warnings to all believers to be
sober and vigilantly opposed to heresy in all forms. Yahweh Himself saw it as
vitally important to include warnings and expositions of darkness in the Davar
Yahweh, as well as the niceties of exhortation and encouragement. In Second
Timothy 4: 9&14, Demas and Alexander are exposed by Rav Shaul as false
teachers. Likewise in Second Timothy 2:17&18, Hymeanas and Philetus are
accused by Rav Shaul of destroying peoples simple faith in Messiah through wrong
teachings.
Did not Yahshua’s ministry include
confronting and opposing the leaven of the Pharisees which was their
hypocritical doctrine? Did not Elijah in First Kings 18, openly confront the
false doctrine of Baal worship? Many of our friends, partners and readers may
readily understand that they themselves have not been called to that kind of
prophetic, devil confronting ministry, but do they understand that we, like Rav
Shaul and like HaAdon Yahshua have truly been called to do just that? Maybe the
kind of folks who do love our newsletter, are the kind of people who are willing
to set aside their religious ideas, childhood upbringings and agendas, in the
pursuit of Yahweh’s Holy Word as recorded in scripture, even if it violates
false teachings learned in childhood. Remember that anyone can learn. Only brave
Yahweh seekers, are willing to unlearn doctrinal mistruth that they embraced,
especially when false doctrine is cloaked in a blanket of good works. It takes a
special person willing to do that. Good works or mitzvahs do not justify anybody
in Yahweh’s sight. We are forgiven by grace through faith alone (Ephesians: 2:
8&9).
Sure it would be easier for someone
else to expose the works of demonic darkness and to allow them to take the flak.
But to avoid tackling religious devils that have seeped into the people of
Yahweh, would be a sin of omission on our part (James 4:17). If you are not
willing or not called to earnestly contend for the faith in the manner that we
have been called to do, why don't you become silent before Yahweh and give us
the grace to follow our calling before Yahweh and man? The immortal Charles H.
Spurgeon the incomparable "prince of preachers", not only won millions
to Yahweh by and through the proclamation of truth, he also spent much of his
ministry fighting the Ecumenicalism of his day in the mid 1800’s, then known
as the Downgrade Controversy. Spurgeon was famous for his sharp and ferocious
condemnation of popery and liberal Protestant
theology.
We would also ask that while you are
busy sitting in judgment of us for making you uncomfortable by sometimes
challenging you through this ministry, don't forget that during our eleven years
of ministry in South Florida, we have literally won and discipled scores of Jews
to Messiah, established three new Messianic Nazarene Yisraelite synagogues and helped
found the thriving Messianic Nazarene Yisrael Alliance, as well as shared with
hundreds of Ephraimites their true identity in Yahweh! As Rav Shaul said,
"you have forced us to boast in Yahweh"! We have even spiritually
fathered some of our current critics in the gospel! We still love you,
but not your wayward doctrine!
One final thought! Would Yochanan
HaMatbeel (John The Baptist) be a part of the modern day Ecumenical movement,
whereby Yahshua decreases and New Age thought and teaching increases? If he did
not and would not, why should we, since Yahshua calls us greater than John the
Baptist (spiritually speaking- Matt:11:11). Let us use our greater kingdom
status to pursue truth and reject error.
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