Post by R' Y'hoshua Moshe on May 3, 2004 16:22:53 GMT -8
Let's take a look at the Hebrew word "teshuvah". This word is important when it comes to the Biblical subject of repentance, and salvation.
This word literally means "return", or "turn" as in return to God. Teshuvah is the way to repent, to stop and to return in the direction of God...repentance from sin. Yeshua used this very term when He began His public ministry...
"From that time Yeshua (Jesus) began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Matthew 4:17
When Yeshua (Jesus) spoke of "teshuvah", it really should be understood within it's scriptural, and historical context. Otherwise, we can asign any definition that suits our fancy (as many have done). During the time that Yeshua made this proclamation, one must clearly understand that the -only- instruction in regards to what was sin, and what was not sin was to be found in the TeNaKh (, Prophets, and Writings). No one during that time had to be told what to repent from as they were all aware what they were to turn away from, and what to return to.
The message of the Biblical prophets has always been the same; "teshuvah" from your lawless/Torahless deeds, and return to God. The sign of true "teshuvah" was demonstrated by keeping YHVH's (God's) commandments (which were previously being broken). When we come to Messiah, we are to be in a state of "teshuvah", and turn from our sin. And, the very definition of sin is found in 1John 3:4...
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law/: for sin is the transgression of the law/."
1John 3:4
Of course, we can only truly turn from our sin, and live holy lives through the power of our Heavenly Father's Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit), after we have undergone "teshuvah". Actually, the of our Heavenly Father should play an important part in the process of "teshuvah"...as it is His that points out our shortcomings, and reveals our need for Messiah. This is how acts as our schoolmaster, or tutor to lead us to Him. Once this has happened, this particular function of ceases to operate. After "teshuvah" takes place, our Heavenly Fathers describes the lifestyle of the redeemed.
Shalom,
Reuel
This word literally means "return", or "turn" as in return to God. Teshuvah is the way to repent, to stop and to return in the direction of God...repentance from sin. Yeshua used this very term when He began His public ministry...
"From that time Yeshua (Jesus) began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Matthew 4:17
When Yeshua (Jesus) spoke of "teshuvah", it really should be understood within it's scriptural, and historical context. Otherwise, we can asign any definition that suits our fancy (as many have done). During the time that Yeshua made this proclamation, one must clearly understand that the -only- instruction in regards to what was sin, and what was not sin was to be found in the TeNaKh (, Prophets, and Writings). No one during that time had to be told what to repent from as they were all aware what they were to turn away from, and what to return to.
The message of the Biblical prophets has always been the same; "teshuvah" from your lawless/Torahless deeds, and return to God. The sign of true "teshuvah" was demonstrated by keeping YHVH's (God's) commandments (which were previously being broken). When we come to Messiah, we are to be in a state of "teshuvah", and turn from our sin. And, the very definition of sin is found in 1John 3:4...
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law/: for sin is the transgression of the law/."
1John 3:4
Of course, we can only truly turn from our sin, and live holy lives through the power of our Heavenly Father's Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit), after we have undergone "teshuvah". Actually, the of our Heavenly Father should play an important part in the process of "teshuvah"...as it is His that points out our shortcomings, and reveals our need for Messiah. This is how acts as our schoolmaster, or tutor to lead us to Him. Once this has happened, this particular function of ceases to operate. After "teshuvah" takes place, our Heavenly Fathers describes the lifestyle of the redeemed.
Shalom,
Reuel