What is the status of believers who have died not knowing our Father and Savior’s proper names? Are they not saved?
Yahweh does not condemn those who are ignorant of His truth. This includes Yahweh and Yahshua’s name. There are two passages that verify this conclusion:
“Yahshua said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth,” John 9:41.
“And the times of this ignorance Elohim winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.”
Yahshua in John 9:41 confirms that when we are blind to the truth, sin or perhaps more correctly, the condemnation of sin, does not exist. Yahweh does not condemn a person when they are blind or ignorant to His Word. However, as Acts 17:30 verifies, once we know the truth, we must repent.
For those who never had the opportunity to accept the names of Yahweh and Yahshua, assuming they lived a righteous life based on what they understood, they will be given an opportunity in the Second Resurrection, which will occur after the millennial Kingdom. At this time, all those, except for the elect who were resurrected to eternal life at Yahshua’s Second Coming, will be judged based on their works, Revelation 20:12. For those who never had the chance to hear the truth, but who lived a moral and pleasing life, they will be given a chance to accept and receive eternal life at at this time.
How did John water baptize Yahshua? He didn’t baptize Yahshua into “Yahshua’s name” did he?
Besides knowing that Yahshua was baptized, i.e., submerged, in the Jordan River, the Bible does not state the formula used. However, it was likely not into His own Name, but instead a baptism of repentance. John 19:1-6 confirms that John baptized only unto repentance. Based on the scriptural evidence, the only difference between Yahshua’s baptism and John’s baptism is that Yahshua received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at His baptism, unlike those who were baptized by John in Acts 19.
Please explain the phrase, “…and the Word was G-d.” Also, based on Psalm 82:6, are human beings also divine?
The phrase “…and the Word was God,” as found in John 1:1 of the KJV is simply stating that Yahshua was divine or a Mighty One with His Father. The word “God” comes from the Greek theos. Strong’s defines this word as, “…a deity, especially (with NT:3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.”
While many believe that the word “God” applies to only the Heavenly Father or a single divine essence, the fact is, theos is very broad and can refer to any exalted position, including those belonging to mankind. Therefore, the use of theos in John 1:1 does not imply that the Father and Son are consubstational, i.e., belonging to the same divine essence. Instead, it confirms that the Son too is considered divine or a mighty one.
We note the following in the Restoration Study Bible: “The Word refers to the preexistent Messiah. John confirms, ‘In the beginning was the “Messiah,” and the “Messiah” was with “Yahweh,” and the “Messiah” was “a Mighty One.”’ The Greek Diaglott clarifies by saying a mighty one was the Word. The Complete Bible, an American Translation, reads, ‘In the beginning the Word existed. The Word was with (Elohim) and the Word was divine.’ Elohim is generic for mighty ones. In the OT this word applied to Yahweh, false deities, angels, and to man. In the context of this passage, Elohim refers to both the Father and Son. For additional evidence of Yahshua’s preexistence and role in creation, see Genesis 1:1, 26; Proverbs 8:22-30; 30:4; Matthew 22:44; John 3:13; 4:34; 6:38, 62; 8:23, 58; 17:5; Colossians 1:13-16; 1 Corinthians 10:4; Revelation 3:14.”
Psalm 82:6 is a condemnation of those who held positions of power or authority. From the context, they were abusing their authority. As a result, Yahweh testifies that even though they were in positions of power, they would die as ordinary men, v. 7.
That being said, those who are found faithful and granted eternal life at Yahshua’s Second Coming will be divine, i.e., mighty one. Yahshua in Luke 20:36 states that they will be as the angels of heaven and will be called “the children of Elohim” and “children of the resurrection.”
Also, Paul in 1Corinthians 15 confirms that those in the first resurrection will be changed from carnal to spirit beings: “As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of Yahweh; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory,” verses 48-54.
As one last note, while the saints at Yahshua’s Second Coming will receive heavenly bodies that are immortal and incorruptible and be considered sons of Elohim, they will not be equal to Yahweh or Yahshua. As Scripture confirms, the Father is superior to the Son, 1Corinthians 11:3, and the Son will rule over the saints in the coming Kingdom, Revelation 20:6.
Who is our Savior, the Father (Yahweh) or Son (Yahshua the Messiah)? The Bible seems to indicate both.
From their own unique perspectives, the Father and Son can both be considered a savior. Yahweh the Father serves as a “savior” through His redemption of His people, including the gift of His only Son, Yahshua the Messiah.
Consider the following examples:
“The Elohim of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence,” 2Samuel 22:3.
“For I am Yahweh thy Elohim, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee…. I, even I, am Yahweh; and beside me there is no savior,” Isaiah 43:3, 11.
“Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I Yahweh? and there is no Elohim else beside me; a just El and a Saviour; there is none beside me,” Isaiah 45:21.
Regarding chapters 43 and 45 of Isaiah, it’s important to note while Yahweh and Yahshua are both considered a “savior,” there is not a higher or greater savior than Yahweh the Father, including Yahshua, His Son. Yahshua in the New Testament confirmed that His Father was greater and superior to Him, e.g. John 10:29; 14:28. Paul also notes this in 1Corinthians 11:3. Since Yahweh is the initiator or originator of all things, all glory ultimately returns to the Father, including the glory of the Son.
“But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of Elohim our Saviour,” Titus 1:3.
Scripture also confirms that Yahshua is a savior. Through His death and atonement, He paid the penalty and redeemed us from our sins.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Messiah the Sovereign,” Luke 2:11.
“And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Messiah, the Saviour of the world,” John 4:42.
“Him hath Yahweh exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins,” Acts 5:31.
“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world,” 1John 4:14.
It is clear from Scripture that both the Father and Son are referred to as a “savior.” Yahweh the Father serves as a savior through His redemptive power, while the Son serves as a savior through His sacrifice and atonement. It’s important to remember that these facts do not infer that the Father and Son are the same being or serve the same roles. The Father is the originator of all things, including Yahshua’s own existence.
Are there historical references to the Messiah of the New Testament?
Yes, there are several historical records confirming that Yahshua the Messiah existed as a person in the first century. Additionally, some of these references verify that He was able to perform great wonders, i.e., miracles, as we also see from the biblical record.
Below are a few quotes from a chart within the Restoration Study Bible entitled, “The Messiah from Historical Writings:”
“Nero fastened the guilt…on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of…Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil….” Tacitus, Annals 15.44.
“They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ…and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food–but food of an ordinary and innocent kind,” Pliny, Daily Lives of Christians in Ancient Rome.
“About this time there lived Jesus [Yahshua], a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he…wrought surprising feats…. He was the Christ. When Pilate…condemned him to be crucified, those who had…come to love him did not give up their affection for him. On the third day he appeared…restored to life…. And the tribe of Christians…has…not disappeared,” Josephus, Antiquities 18.63-64. (While most scholars attribute this quotation to Josephus, parts of it may have been added later.)
“On the eve of the Passover Yeshu [Yahshua] was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald…cried, ‘He is going forth to be stoned because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy,’” The Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 43a.
“The Christians…worship a man to this day—the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account…. [It] was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws,” Lucian, The Death of Peregrine.
“But [Yahshua] having persuaded a few among you, and those the worst of men, has now been celebrated about 300 years; having done nothing worthy of remembrance; unless anyone thinks it is a mighty matter to heal lame and blind people and exorcise demoniacs in the villages of Bethsaida and Bethany,”Julian the Apostate (quoted in the polemic of Cyril of Alexandria against Julian).
What are the spirits in prison mentioned in 1Peter 3:19? Aren’t they condemned souls suffering in hell that Yahshua preached to?
That is the common interpretation, but a closer look reveals otherwise. If the widely-held understanding is correct, what would be the point of Yahshua’s going to hellfire to preach to those who are already lost? In Yahshua’s parable of Luke 16:26, He has Abraham saying that in “hell” there is a “great gulf fixed, so that they which would pass from here to you cannot.” Being that they would be forever stuck in hell, to preach to them would only be adding insult to agony. The Bible tells us that the dead are just that: “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten” (Eccl. 9:5).
“For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?” (Psalm 6:5). Yahshua was put in the tomb because He was dead, not alive in the underworld. And if He never died, then we are all dead in our sins.
The passage does not say that Yahshua Himself preached to the spirits in prison, but “by which,” meaning by the Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit, the same that Yahshua had, that was in Noah, and by the Holy Spirit Noah preached to the “spirits in prison” in the days that the ark was being prepared (verse 20). Noah is called a preacher of righteousness in 2Peter 2:5. “Spirits in prison” is a metaphor meaning people in bondage to sin and death (see Isa. 42:6-7; 61:1).
“His breath goes forth, he returns to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish” (Psalm 146:4).
Hell is sheol in Hebrew and its Greek equivalent word is hades – both simply mean the grave. The pagan Greeks gave it the meaning of an unseen world of torture, not Yahweh’s teachings.
If the dead never die then Yahshua never died and we have no sacrifice for our sins. If there was anything we learned from the Old Testament sacrifices it is that sin requires a sacrifice that dies, not one that lives on in another form. The wages or payment for sin is death, Romans 6:23. If Yahshua didn’t pay that debt with literal death then you and I must pay for our sins with our own deaths and that would mean we have no hope of everlasting life.
The notion that the dead live on in a tortured state for eternity is right out of Greek paganism and from the writings of Plato as well as the thirteenth century Italian poet Dante Alighieri.
Did Yahshua the Messiah first appear as an infant in a manger, or was He a created Being in the Old Testament?
We believe Yahshua was a created being according to Revelation 3:14, where He is called the “first of the creation of Yahweh.”Proverbs 8 is an entire chapter that speaks of Yahshua. In verse 22 we read, “Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of His way.” Possessed means made (from the Heb.Qanah, which Strong’s says means “create,” as in other passages where it is used, likeDeuteronomy 32:6. The Tanakh translates “possessed” in Proverbs 8:22 as “created.”)
Then in Proverbs 8:23 we read, “I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.” “Set up” means brought into existence. The Tanakh reads, “In the distant past I was fashioned, at the beginning, at the origin of the earth.” From vv. 31 and 35 we can see that this chapter is speaking of Yahshua, which can only apply to the one who was made flesh and who offers salvation.
Micah 5:2 tells us that Yahshua’s beginnings are rooted in the ancient past. The Tanakh says, “whose origin [starting point or creation] is from of old, from ancient times.”
Yahshua was the Spokesman, agent, and representative for Yahweh in the Old Testament. In the Hebrew the word is Dabar and means much the same as the Greek Logos of John 1, meaning the “Word” as the active agent (Yahshua). Yahshua was the Word who came down from heaven (John 3:13), being sent here by His Father, John 3:16.
As the Dabar, He acted for the Father in the Old Testament, as Paul reminds us in 1Corinthians 10:4. His word had the same force and effect as if it were the Father’s. When an emissary of a king comes and says, “The king commands you,” we know that the emissary is not the king, but that he speaks with the very authority and power of the king. An ambassador of the U.S. at a foreign embassy speaks for the president in the same way. That is the essence of Dabar.
Yahshua was the acting agent for the Father. Yahweh seems too holy for direct contact with sinful man, which is why we need a go-between in the person of Yahshua, even as did ancient Israel. It is only after the earth is cleansed of all sin that the Father will bring His throne to earth, Rev. 21:2-3. Yahweh says He hates sin.
Yahshua had the same glory that the Father had (John 17:5, Heb. 1:1-3*) while in heaven. As for Isaiah 42:8, Yahweh was speaking about not giving glory to a strange g-d (Companion Bible note, as well as Isa. 44:6). He did not withhold glory from His very own Son. If He did, then Yahshua lied in John 17:5.
Moses was only permitted to look on His backside of the heavenly Being, because to look on the intensity of His full glory would have no doubt killed the patriarch (Ex. 33:20). Again, this had to be Yahshua because no man has seen the Father’s shape,John 5:37 (also John 1:18, 6:46, 1John 4:12 and 1Tim. 1:17) and Moses was permitted to His back (obviously not in full glory, which is the reason Moses was covered by the hand of Yahshua as He passed by, Ex. 33:22).
The term Elohim, when used in places like Exodus 24:9 does not necessarily signify the Father. Elohim is used in the Hebrew for either Yahweh, Yahshua (as in plural for both) and even for angels. This brings to mind Abraham’s contact with the three men (angels) in Genesis 18:1. It says, “And Yahweh appeared unto him [Abraham] in the plains of Mamre…and when he saw them [three angels] he [Abraham] ran out to meet them from the tent door … and said, My Yahweh, if I have found favor in thy sight…”
This is a perfect example of messengers as representatives of Yahweh being considered equal in significance to Yahweh, even being called “Yahweh!” Obviously they were not Yahweh, but were His agents and as such were known as Yahweh. This has great implications for the many passages where Yahshua in the Old Testament is called Yahweh, although is not actually Yahweh the Father.
What is the status of believers who have died not knowing our Father and Savior’s proper names? Are they not saved?
Yahweh does not condemn those who are ignorant of His truth. This includes Yahweh and Yahshua’s name. There are two passages that verify this conclusion:
Yes, there are several historical records confirming that Yahshua the Messiah existed as a person in the first century. Additionally, some of these references verify that He was able to perform great wonders, i.e., miracles, as we also see from the biblical record.