But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence... (1 Peter 3:15)

In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16)

Apologetics is the practice of providing a defense or answers to challenges. The word "apologetics" comes from the Greek word used in this passage of 1 Peter: apologia.

We have found the following passages of Scripture to be helpful when defending the faith from well-meaning Christian friends, door-to-door cult missionaries, and even our own self doubts. Here are some apologetic passages from Scripture.

If you have a question regarding the faith or have some recommendations regarding verses to include here, please contact us!

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The question of "who is Israel?" is quite large in scope and the subject of a future article (Lord willing). A question that is similar yet smaller in size is "who are the twelve tribes of Israel?". Let's examine Scripture and tradition to learn more about the tribes of Israel. Who are the twelve tribes? In the order of their birth they are: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.

Since Jacob/Israel adopted Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manassah, as his own (Genesis 48:5) technically there are thirteen tribes. In the accounting of the Land of Israel, Levi is not considered since they have no inheritence in the Land (Numbers 18:20). It is the other twelve tribes that are given an allotment in the Land.

We will consider all of these starting with the eldest, Reuben:

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The Psalm11918.org group has been blessed with a creative team that has acquired a number of stunning, imaginative, and unique images for use around the site.

We use various sources for our creative content but Dreamstime.com has been the primary source for the royalty free images you find below.

Please observe the copyright notices on the images below and respect the rights of the copyright holder. 

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Salvation is a topic that is central to believers regardless of denomination or theological leaning. It is as a consequence of our salvation that we follow the Savior: Yeshua the Messiah.

Numerous questions arise when we consider salvation:

• What is salvation?
• Who does the saving?
• Who is saved?
• How does a person get saved?
• What are they saved from?
• What does it mean to be saved?

Let's examine Scripture and see what answers it provides to these questions.

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The book of Hebrews describes Messiah Yeshua as a priest in the order of Melchizedek:

Hebrews 5:5-6

So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU"; just as He says also in another passage, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK."

Who is Melchidezek and what is his "order"? He is an enigma.

Some Christians consider him to be a "theophany": a physical manifestation of G-d before the birth of Yeshua.

Others consider him to be Christ Himself in a physical form prior to His birth by Miryam.

Let's examine Scripture and see what it can tell us about the mystery of Melchizedek.

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G-d has definitely blessed our ministry team and we recommend that you prayerfully consider supporting the following organizations who are in greater need than we are. If you still desire to donate time, money, or other help to Psalm11918.org, please contact us.  Thank you again! :)

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Here we go again.  I can imagine the conversation in homes all over will start something like this...

"Honey! Come look at what that heretic is spouting off this time!"

It's true, though.

Everyone does go to heaven.

We can prove it together from Scripture.  Let's start from the beginning with a question that every child should be able to answer:

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The moed of Shavuot is also known as the Feast of Weeks (shavuot means "weeks").  In Christian nomenclature it is called Pentecost (which comes from the Greek word pentecost that means "fiftieth").  It occurs 52 days after Passover.  In this moed we can see Messiah giving the Law at Mt. Sinai and we can see the giving the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem. 

As we examine this moed and discover all that Scripture has to tell us about it, we should consider that it was the same very same G-d Who gave us the Law Who gave us His Spirit.  What does Scripture says about this festival and what commandments are given? What are we to do and when are we to do it?  We will also note the millennia-old traditions associated with this moed and see how those traditions can enhance our celebration of and understanding of it.  While some find it appropriate to dismiss traditional observances as mere "traditions of men" we should be like the Bereans and consider what Scripture says about tradition.

Oh, Lord, please "open our eyes that we might behold wonderful things from your Torah" and see our risen Messiah in this moed.  Scripture was given to speak of Him and we should listen and hear its voice... His voice... especially during these special times.

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The moed of the first fruits of the harvest occurs the day after the Sabbath during the week of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  This moed provides a picture of putting G-d first in our lives and honoring Him as we are set free from bondage in Egypt. In this moed we can see the resurrection of Messiah as the "first fruit" of those who are asleep.

As we examine this moed and consider the lifting up and waving of the sheaf from the crops, we should think of the "lifting up" of Messiah as He arose from the dead. What does Scripture says about this festival and what commandments are given? What are we to do and when are we to do it? We will also note the millennia-old traditions associated with this moed and see how those traditions can enhance our celebration of and understanding of it.  It is often the fashion among some believers to dismiss "traditions of men" as non-Biblical and therefore worthless but before we reject these or any traditions we should consider what Scripture says about tradition.

Oh, Lord please "open our eyes" to see our Messiah in the moedim. Scripture was given to speak of Him and we should listen and hear its voice... His voice... during these times.

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חג המצות

The moed of Chag Hamatzot [the Feast of Unleavened Bread] occurs immediately after Pesach and provides a picture of removing sin from our lives immediately as we are set free from bondage in Egypt. In this moed we can see the sinless Messiah and the sanctifying work of G-d's Holy Spirit.

As we remove the physical leaven from our homes and strive to remove the spiritual leaven of sin from our lives we should consider what Scripture says about this festival and the commandments we are given. What are we to do and when are we to do it? We should also consider the millennia-old traditions associated with the moed and see how those traditions can enhance our celebration of and understanding of the event. Before we reject these or any traditions wholesale we should consider what Scripture says about tradition.

We should "open our eyes" to see our Messiah in the moedim. Scripture was given to speak of Him and we should listen and hear its voice... His voice... during these times.

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פסח

Pesach [Passover] is a beautiful and wonderful time of year. The moed teaches us about freedom from bondage, salvation, redemption, and G-d's great love for His people. It is sometimes referred to as "the time of our joy".

As we participate in Pesach activities and consider what Scripture says about the special festival, we find some specific commandments regarding the first Passover in Egypt and find other commandments regarding the annual remembrance of the festival.

In addition to the commanded and traditional elements of Passover we should never forget what Pesach was given to portray: the Messiah Yeshua. We should always remember that "Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed." (1 Corinthians 5:7).

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The information below is provided only for reference. If you would like training on the Hebrew language may I recommend John Parsons' Hebrew for Christians website at http://www.hebrew4christians.com . He has a very extensive set of training materials available online and offline as well.

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Based upon the success of our December article, "Why We Do Not Celebrate Christmas", the Psalm11918.org team has put together a article of similar observations centered around the celebration of Easter.

Here are our top 10 reasons why we do not celebrate Easter:

10. Easter originated out of hate.

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The 2001 Walt Disney movie, The Princess Diaries, provides an unintentional picture of salvation to believers.

Here is the plot summary of the movie from imdb.com:

[Mia], a socially awkward but very bright 15-year-old girl being raised by a single mom, discovers that she is the princess of a small European country because of the recent death of her long-absent father, who, unknown to her, was the crown prince of Genovia. She must make a choice between continuing the life of a San Francisco teen or stepping up to the throne. While Mia makes up her mind, she's pressed into taking princess lessons from her grandmother.

Let's take a look at some of the events of the story and see what they show us...

Born as Royalty

Mia is born as royalty. She is a princess in the kingdom of Genovia from the day of her birth. She did nothing to merit, earn, or somehow contribute towards her royal status.

Similarly, when believers are born physically they are already chosen by G-d. We are already part of G-d's eternal kingdom.

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This article is available as a {enclose Psalm11918.org_DYK_1_Paul_NEVER_Stopped_Keeping_the_Law.m4a}.

Although some may teach otherwise, Paul never stopped keeping the Law of Moses [Hebrew: Torah] after he encountered the risen Jesus in Acts 9.

Wait, wasn't Paul "all things to all men" as he described in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23?

Indeed he was but that does not mean that he followed the customs of the gentiles and forsook the Law of Moses to do so.

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To truly understand the patient holistically, a nurse needs to understand the client’s culture and traditions.  Culture potentially plays a key role in understanding one’s view of disease etiology, illness and treatment.  Our effectiveness in assisting the patient with their health needs is sifted through our own culture, past experiences with other cultures, and our ability to listen, communicate and adapt to our client’s expectation within a real world situation.  Working within an Orthodox Judaism community has challenged me to examine their culture and evaluate how their health-belief system can be facilitated using National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], 2007).  Using this system will enhance patient understanding, and compliance, leading to better utilization of services and communication between medical staff and the Jewish community.

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Let us take a journey together through Scripture and see what it says about the matter of "The Great Commission"... a "walk in the Word" so to speak. As we take this walk, may we say, believe, and do what is right, be merciful in our speech and actions, and walk humbly with the Lord (Micah 6:8).

Scriptural quotations are from the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise noted. Bolded text or other emphases in the Scriptural references are the author's.

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You can add this gadget to your iGoogle home page and stay up to date on the parashah.

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This article is the second of two: the first is a list of the 10 Commandments given in the Sh'lichim; the second (this article) is a list of the commandments given in Sh'lichim.  Here is what we have found so far.  Please note that all of these commandments (and especially some of them) are very context sensitive.  "Go and do likewise" (without the context surrounding it) is very vague and potentially very dangerous.  Please be cautious in using this list for any purpose other than as a starting point for discussion or further study.

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Please note that, while the Book of Jasher is mentioned in Scripture the book itself is not Scripture.  It is, however, a valuable work of historical reference and apocryphal literature.

Continue on with the introduction using the navigation at right or go on to chapter 1-10.

- The Psalm11918.org team

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Some of you who read this article will do so out of genuine curiosity wondering why anybody wouldn't want to celebrate Christmas. To you I say "shalom [peace] and welcome". This article is offered to you in a spirit of gentleness and humility and is written with a desire to share my heart and the thoughts of a surprising number of believers around the world who do not celebrate Christmas.

Other readers may come here seeking "ammunition" to use against family, friends, or coworkers in a battle of words and wits to prove that Christmas is a pagan holiday and celebrating it is evil and a sin against G-d. If this is you, may I also offer you "shalom and welcome" and include the observation that beating someone over the head with the facts will likely not win them to your side. As always, our focus should be on Messiah Yeshua and on dealing with the "logs" in our own eyes first before dealing with the splinter in our brothers' eyes (Matthew 7:3).

May Paul's words of encouragement to Timothy continue to guide us today:

2 Timothy 2:24-26

The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

With that being said let's get on to the list...

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The Didache has two major parts:

1. The two ways: the way of life (Didache 1:1-4:14) and the way of death (Didache 5:1-2)
2. A manual of order and practice (Didache 6:1-16:8)

This is not an exhaustive list but simply represents an initial record of some observations regarding this historical document and the teachings it contains.

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The Columbia Encyclopedia offers this:

Didache [Gr.,=teaching], early Christian work written in Greek, called also The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles. Dates for its composition suggested by scholars have ranged from AD 50 to AD 150. Discovered in 1875 by Bryennios, Greek Orthodox metropolitan of Nicomedia, it is an invaluable primary source for the primitive church. The first part is a collection of moral precepts, perhaps based on rabbinical teachings (there are many quotations from the Old Testament); the second portion gives directions for baptism and the Eucharist; the third contains directions for bishops and deacons. The Didache may be of composite authorship. A short work, it has been published in English translation in collections of patristic literature. {footnote}"Didache." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (December 6, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Didache.html {/footnote}

Below is an interlinear translation (Greek text with a literal English translation immediately below it) based upon work by Philip Dybel. This format is intended for detailed study rather than plain reading. A non-interlinear translation by J.B. Lightfoot and J.R. Harmer is available here for easier reading.

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The Columbia Encyclopedia offers this:

Didache [Gr.,=teaching], early Christian work written in Greek, called also The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles. Dates for its composition suggested by scholars have ranged from AD 50 to AD 150. Discovered in 1875 by Bryennios, Greek Orthodox metropolitan of Nicomedia, it is an invaluable primary source for the primitive church. The first part is a collection of moral precepts, perhaps based on rabbinical teachings (there are many quotations from the Old Testament); the second portion gives directions for baptism and the Eucharist; the third contains directions for bishops and deacons. The Didache may be of composite authorship. A short work, it has been published in English translation in collections of patristic literature. {footnote}"Didache." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (December 6, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Didache.html {/footnote}

Below is an English translation of this document translated by J.B. Lightfoot and J.R. Harmer in 1891.  An interlinear form of this document is available here.  The Psalm11918.org team has also compiled some observations from the Didache. 

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Yitro (the Hebrew name of Jethro) is mentioned several times throughout the book of Shemot (Exodus). There is some potential confusion regarding his relationship with Moshe. The following details from Scripture (in parashah Shemot and other passages) are given here to provide some detail on this enigmatic individual.

Names of Yitro in Scripture

There are a number of verses that provide insight into who Yitro was and various names that Scripture uses for him. Click on the images below to enlarge them.

In Exodus 2:15-22 we see the "priest of Midian" had seven daughters who Moshe helped.

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Let us take a journey together through Scripture and see what it says about the matter of tradition... a "walk in the Word" so to speak. As we take this walk, may we say, believe, and do what is right, be merciful in our speech and actions, and walk humbly with the Lord (Micah 6:8).

Included in this text are references to all verses in Scripture that include references to "tradition". If you find a verse that is not referenced and think it should be, please contact the author.

Scriptural quotations are from the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise noted. Bolded text or other emphases in the Scriptural references are the author's.

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This article is available as a {enclose Psalm11918.org_DYK_2_Abraham_Isaac_and_Jacob_are_NOT_Jewish.m4a}.

I can see the email we're going to get already...

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY'RE NOT JEWISH?"

"THEY'RE THE PATRIARCHS OF THE JEWISH FAITH!"

"HOW CAN THEY NOT BE JEWISH?"

It all depends on how you define "Jewish". What is "Jewish"? What does that mean?

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Although it may come as a shock and surprise to most Christians, Yeshua did not declare all foods clean.

Some may point to various translations of Mark 7:19 and claim that He did, however, before coming to any conclusion we should consider these facts:

1. Yeshua explicitly tells us that we should not think that He abolished or removed "the smallest letter or stroke" of the Law (Matthew 5:17-19).  If He "declared all foods clean" then He would have nullified the instruction of two entire chapters of the Law (Leviticus 11 and Deuteronony 14).
    
2. Peter never thought that Yeshua declared all foods clean.  He was rejecting unclean food even after Messiah's death, burial, and resurrection (Acts 10:10-18).
    
3. His opponents never thought that Yeshua declared all foods clean.  If they had then they would have had ample reason to kill Him according to Deuteronomy 13:4-5.  They would not have had to make up false charges against Him.

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Scripture tells us that the laws G-d gave regarding food were not for health reasons but for the purpose of holines (Leviticus 11:44-47).

For a detailed examination of this issue see our article on What Scripture Says About Food.

Although it may surprise many Christians, it is true.

G-d does not love everyone.

There are some He hates.

I can hear the arguments already:

What about "For G-d so loved the world"!? (John 3:16)

And what about "G-d doesn't wish for any to perish"!? (2 Peter 3:9)

Discuss this article in the forums.

Those are true. So are these other passages of Scripture:

Malachi 1:1-3

The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi. "I have loved you," says the LORD. But you say, "How have You loved us?" "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the LORD. "Yet I have loved Jacob; but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness."

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No, this is not "The Da Vinci Code" part two.  Yeshua really had more than just twelve disciples.

Luke 6:13-16 records the list of the twelve disciples:

1. Simon (Peter)
2. Andrew
3. James
4. John
5. Philip
6. Bartholomew
7. Matthew
8. Thomas
9. James (the son of Alphaeus)
10. Simon the Zealot
11. Judas (the brother of James)
12. Judas Isariot

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While is it common to refer to "the twelve disciples" there were actually more than twelve.

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Here are the most recent articles on Psalm11918.org...

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A: The phrase "under the Law" essentially means that a person is condemned by the Law because they have transgressed the Law.  If an individual is saved by grace through faith in Messiah Yeshua (Ephesians 2:8) then they no longer stand condemned by the Law (Romans 8:1).  Obeying the Law as a consequence of being saved is what we were created for (Ephesians 2:10).

To assign a meaning other than what Scripture has provided to the phrase "under the Law" is to perpetuate error.  Psalm11918.org has provided an article regarding What Scripture Says About Being Under the Law to examine every instance of the phrase "under the Law" used in Scripture and derive a proper understanding of that phrase from Scripture itself.

Nobody is justified by the works of the Law (Romans 3:28, Galatians 2:16)... ever.  If a person is attempting to earn, merit, or gain salvation by works of the Law then they are not living by faith and remain under the condemnation of the Law.

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Scripture describes three heavens not just one. Many people believe they are going to heaven when they die and one question for them might be "to which heaven are you going?"

The first heaven mentioned in Scripture is the sky: the abode of blue birds, blue flies, and blue airplanes. Genesis 1:20, Job 12:7, and Psalm 8:8 (and other verses) speak of this first heaven.

The second heaven described in Scripture is "outer space": the abode of the sun, the moon, and the stars. Genesis 15:5, Deuteronomy 4:19, Psalm 8:3 all speak of this second heaven.

The third heaven spoken of in Scripture is the spiritual realm that is the abode of G-d and angels. Ephesians 1:20 says that the Father has raised Messiah from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. Paul tells us about a man who visisted to this third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4. Many scholars believe that Paul was speaking modestly of himself and his (possible) death in Acts 14:19.

It is to this third heaven that most people expect to go when they die. The good news is that everyone gets to go there (everyone comes before the throne of G-d for judgment- Psalm 11:4, Romans 14:10). The bad news is that not everyone gets to stay (Luke 12:5).

Please note Scripture does not say there are "seven heavens". Although the Talmud and Islam both teach that there are seven heavens Scripture only directly speaks of the three noted above.

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Scripture records several individuals other than Messiah Yeshua who rose from the dead:

• Eliyahu [Elijah] raises a widow's son from the dead. (1 Kings 17:17-24)
• Eliysha [Elisha] raises the Shunammite woman's son from the dead. (2 Kings 4:19-20)
• A man is raised from the dead when his body touches Eliysha's bones. (2 Kings 13:20-21)
• Several people rose from the dead when Messiah was crucified and died. (Matthew 27:50-53)
• Yeshua raises a 12-year-old girl from the dead. (Mark 5:35-42)
• Yeshua raises a widow's son from the dead. (Luke 7:14-15)
• Yeshua raises Lazarus from the dead. (John 11:11-45)
• Peter raises a woman named Tabitha from the dead. (Acts 9:40-41)

It should be noted, however, that these were all resuscitations... not resurrections. Scripture tells us that Messiah is firstborn among the dead (Colossians 1:18) so we know that He is the first person ever resurrected and given a glorified body.

Discuss this article in the forums.

The phrases "G-d the Father" and "G-d our Father" are not mentioned in the Tanakh (what is commonly called the "Old Testament").

We know that the Word of G-d was responsible for creating all of Creation (John 1:1-3) and that Messiah is the Word of G-d made flesh (John 1:14).

Avraham wrestling with G-d? That was Messiah.

Moshe wrote the Torah at G-d's direction. Messiah says Moshe wrote about Him (John 5:46).

G-d speaking to Moshe at the burning bush? That was Yeshua, too (Exodus 3:13-15, John 8:53-58). Messiah identifies Himself as the "I AM".

Mount Sinai and the giving of the Torah? In Exodus 24:9-11 Moshe, Aharon, Nadav, Avihu, and seventy elders of Isra'el went up and saw the G-d of Isra'el... twice! Once in verse 10 and once in verse 11. Yet Messiah says nobody has seen the Father (John 6:46). Who was it Moshe and the other men saw?

Messiah Yeshua! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

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Easter is only mentioned once in only one common translation: the King James Version.

Acts 12:1-4(KJV)

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

What about the hundreds of other English translations (including the New King James) and other non-English translations? Why are they all Easter-less?

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The Psalm11918.org team has scoured Scripture and documented the complete list of everything a person must do in order to become saved. The complete list is provided below.

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