Welcome to the ExGens blog site!
This site is an attempt to establish a community center for the #ApostolicJudaism way of life… founded and grounded in Torah and centered on the Living Water offered by Yeshua (Jesus), our Messiah.
It is my belief after studying the Scriptures at length that the original believers and the apostles authorized by our Messiah to take the Gospel to the nations did not create a new religion, but rather fine tuned their faith by the instruction given them and outlined in Matthew 28:19-20.
There is no wiggle room when you look at what Yeshua’s instructions were: go and make disciples of the nations, teaching them to obey His commands – not disregard His commands.
I came to the desert southwest as a Christian pastor, but the term Christian now only fits me if you are inquiring about me being a follower of Yeshua. I am no longer a follower of the religion that came forth in the early centuries AD. I worship on the Biblical calendar (Lev. 23), not a Roman substitute.
And yes, a lot of people not claiming the heritage of the Catholic Church are on the same calendar as the Pope’s people – a calendar established by man to avoid any connection to Judaism. Sola Scriptura? Hardly!
I keep God’s commandments because Yeshua made it clear that was His expectation of believers who love Him (John 14:15). It also is what Yeshua says He expects of people who claim to follow Him in the End of Days (Rev. 12:17). I think we can all agree that is not something you should disregard.
I follow the holiday schedule Moses recorded for us, not a dizzying assimilated version fraught with contradiction. Easter bunnies? Santa Claus? That’s supposed to honor God? (see Deut. 12) The Gospel of the Kingdom is the whole purpose of God’s calendar and annual appointed times or festivals – which is exactly what we’re supposed to be teaching, is it not?
Some 18 years after Yeshua went to the execution stake (circa 30AD), believers gathered on the Sabbath (Acts 15:21) to hear Torah and even later (early 60s AD) the believers in Jerusalem were noted for being zealous for Torah (Acts 21:20). The Commandments of God are not His way of punishing you – if you know Him, then you know He has your best interests at heart. And read the Apostle John’s words I John 5 if you don’t believe me. “Loving God means obeying His commands”, and for the record most scholars believe that was written late in the apostle’s life, perhaps as late as the 90sAD. By the way, John is teaching Torah, not some new revelation he got along the way.
It’s time for Truth to prevail over errant traditions that make us all look stupid. Yikes, did I really just type that? Yes, I did. And I mean it, though I wish I could make it sound less harsh. It is time for a wake up call for those who love Jesus but really never studied the Word with any depth or in its original context.
The name Ex-Gens is short for ex-gentiles, or former gentiles. The apostle Sha’ul (Paul) tells the believers in the letter we know as Ephesians that they are no longer gentiles. It took awhile for me to accept it, but he is describing me, too. Please note that doesn’t give me the right or desire to call myself Jewish. I know now I am related genetically to many Jewish people, thanks to the dedicated work of Family Tree DNA. Though my DNA seems on both sides to be Jewish, I believe the first century apostles wanted us to know those of us who did not grow up with Torah are now in covenantal relationship with God through the Messiah. We are now Israel, the covenant people bound to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob through the atoning blood of Yeshua. So, Isra’el it is, not gentile.
“Now, we who were once estranged from God are reconciled to Him through the Messiah of Israel, no longer foreigners to the covenants (plural!) embodying God’s promise.” (Ephesians 2:12, CJB) We need to understand those covenants, don’t ya think? You probably were taught there was only ONE that mattered, but if so then your doctrine doesn’t line up with the teaching of Sha’ul.
As I transition from pastoring to the mission field, I would like to introduce Louis Sanchez as a ministry partner with the exgenslife family. Welcome, Louis! Of our family and friends, Louis is probably more familiar than anyone with my teaching style and subject matter, as he has been a traveling companion and trusted friend for many years. Louis will be handling video teaching as we move forward and add to the #ApostolicJudaism family of media ministry.
The prophets make it clear one day the nations will recognize the Messiah of Israel as their savior, too. (Isaiah 66) They will witness the power of salvation through Messiah without embracing the identity of His Bride – Isra’el – and be compelled to worship Him in His sanctified city, Jerusalem.
My wife and I plan to already be there when that happens, because we’re not interested in being outsiders. Kitty plans to be there, too… along with a host of others on the journey with us. Isra’el will rule and reign with Him (Rev. 18-22) and that’s a whole different level of relationship.
We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, so serve yourself another cup of coffee or your favorite beverage, and let’s dig in…
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