The Way of Yahweh
What should the true body of believers in Messiah YahwehShua call themselves today? Most people would say “Christians”. But is this Scriptural? Let us look at the Holy Scriptures, including the Book of Acts, which describes the early assembly after Messiah’s resurrection, to see if “Christians” is the best name for the assembly of believers.
The Scriptures reveal three verses that use the Greek word “Christianos” which is translated “Christians”.
Acts 11:25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the assembly (#1577), and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians (#5546) first in Antioch.
1577 ekklesia {ek-klay-see’-ah} • from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; TDNT – 3:501,394; n f • AV – church 115, assembly 3; 118 • 1) a gathering of people called out for a special purpose, an assembly. Also sometimes called a congregation.
5546 Christianos {khris-tee-an-os’} • from 5547; TDNT – 9:493,1322; n pr m • AV – Christian 3; 3 • 1) Christian, a follower of Christ
Acts 26:22 Having therefore obtained help of Yahweh, I (i.e. Paul) continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 That Messiah should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian (#5546).
1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian (#5546), let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify Yahweh on this behalf.
In the first two passages above, the assembly of believers was called “Christians” (“Christianos”) by non-believers. Because non-believers called saints of Yahweh “Christians” in the first two passages above, many believe that “Christian” was considered a derogatory term and should not be used to name a true believer. But they fail to consider Peter’s contribution to the Holy Scriptures in the third passage given above. Peter clearly uses the term “Christians” when describing the whole body of believers. Plus you have the plain fact that “Christian” in Greek means “Christ follower”, which is a good description of what an assembly of saints must do.
The problem with the name “Christians” is that it is already being used by a billion and half believers in “Jesus” who subscribe to numerous false doctrines including not using the name of the Almighty, Yahweh. True believers do not obviously want to ally themselves with such lies nor the “Father of Lies”. Plus there may be an association between the word “Christian” and the pagan cult Chrestus, which was in existence centuries before Messiah walked the earth. We wish to avoid any association with Christianity or the Chrestus cult.
There are religious groups which know the name Yahweh for the Father and call themselves “The Assembly of Yahweh” or “The Congregation of Yahweh”. These names are Scriptural because the Apostle Paul over and over calls believers “The ekklesia of Yahweh”, which can be translated assembly or congregation of Yahweh.
Acts 20:27 For I (i.e. Paul) have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of Yahweh. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the assembly (#1577) of Yahweh, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of YahwehShua Messiah through the will of Yahweh, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the assembly (#1577) of Yahweh which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Messiah YahwehShua, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of YahwehShua Messiah our Sovereign, both theirs and ours:
1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the assembly (#1577) of Yahweh:
1 Corinthians 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the assemblies (#1577) of Yahweh…..22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the assembly (#1577) of Yahweh,
1 Corinthians 15:9 For I (i.e. Paul) am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly (#1577) of Yahweh.
2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of YahwehShua Messiah by the will of Yahweh, and Timothy our brother, unto the assembly (#1577) of Yahweh which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
Galatians 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly (#1577) of Yahweh, and wasted it:
1 Timothy 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the assembly (#1577) of Yahweh?)
1 Thessalonians 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the assemblies (#1577) of Yahweh which in Judaea are in Messiah YahwehShua:
So based on the above passages, naming believers “The Assembly of Yahweh”, “The Congregation of Yahweh”, or even “Kahal Yahweh” (Hebrew) is Scriptural.
We also see in the book of Acts that the early assembly of believers were referred to as “The Sect of the Nazarenes”.
Acts 24:5 For we have found this man (i.e. Paul) a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes (#3480):
3480 Nazoraios {nad-zo-rah’-yos} • from 3478; TDNT – 4:874,625; n pr m • AV – of Nazareth 13, Nazarene 2; 15 • Nazarite = “one separated” 1) an inhabitant of Nazareth 2) a title given to Yah’shua in the NT 3) a name given to Christians by the Jews, Ac. 24:5
The believers were called Nazarenes in this passage most likely because Yah’shua was born in Nazareth, was a “Nazarene”, and was called over and over in the Scriptures, “Yah’shua of Nazareth” (Matthew 26:71, Mark 10:47, Luke 18:37, etc.)
Matthew 2:23 And he (i.e. Joseph) came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
The problem with calling believers “Nazarenes” is that this name only describes the town in which Yah’shua was born. We see in the Scriptures that Nazareth had a bad reputation at the time of Messiah’s earthly life.
John 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
Lastly, let us study the Book of Acts, which chronicles the events after Messiah’s resurrection, to see if there are any other names used to describe believers.
Acts 18:24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way (#3598) of Yahweh; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of Yahweh, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way (#3598) of Yahweh more perfectly.
3598 hodos {hod-os’} • apparently a root word; TDNT – 5:42,666; n f • AV – way 83, way side 8, journey 6, highway 3, misc 2; 102 • 1) properly 1a) a way 1a1) a travelled way, road 1b) a travellers way, journey, travelling 2) metaph. 2a) a course of conduct 2b) a way (i.e. manner) of thinking, feeling, deciding
Acts 22:1 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I (i.e. Paul) make now unto you. 2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) 3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward Yahweh, as ye all are this day. 4 And I persecuted this way (#3598) unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way (#3598) which they call heresy, so worship I (i.e. Paul) the Elohim of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high El, which shew unto us the way (#3598) of salvation.
Acts 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of YahwehShua, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way (#3598), whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
Acts 19:8 And he (i.e. Paul) went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of Yahweh. 9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way (#3598) before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
Acts 19:22 So he (i.e. Paul) sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way (#3598).
Clearly, based on all the passages from the Book of Acts just reviewed, we have a sound Scriptural basis for calling the present-day assembly “The Way”. After all, if the Apostle Paul called the assembly “The Way”, on what grounds would we use any other name?
And not only is “The Way” a Scriptural term used in the New Testament, it is used a multitude of times in the Old Testament. In fact, there are a total of 62 references to “The Way” of Yahweh in the Old Testament! The First reference to “The Way” in Scriptures is found in Genesis.
Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way (#1870) of the tree of life
1870 derek {deh’-rek} • from 01869; TWOT – 453a; n m • AV – way 590, toward 31, journey 23, manner 8, misc 53; 705 • 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
The Hebrew word “derek” or “The Way” connotes how and what one does. It is a manner, custom, behavior, and mode of life. This Hebrew word “derek” can also mean a highway or well known or well-traveled road. It is the way a saint must travel. Hence it refers to a path worn by constant walking. The Hebrew word “derek” can also mean power, authority, and dominion on this earth (see Job 26:14, Psalm 67:2, 77:13 & 20, 138:4-5).
Here are just a few other Old Testament references to “The Way”.
Genesis 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way (#1870) of Yahweh, to do justice and judgment; that Yahweh may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
Exodus 33:13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way (#1870), that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
Deuteronomy 9:12 And Yahweh said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way (#1870) which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.
Deuteronomy 11:27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of Yahweh your Elohim, which I command you this day: 28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of Yahweh your Elohim, but turn aside out of the way (#1870) which I command you this day, to go after other elohims, which ye have not known.
Psalm 119:1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way (#1870), who walk in the law of Yahweh.
Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way (#1870), O Yahweh; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. (Also see Psalm 5:8, 18:30 and 32, 25:9, 32:8, 37:5, 23, and 34, 44:18, 67:2, 107:7, 119:14, 27, 30, 33, and 37, 139:24, and 143:8)
Proverbs 10:29 The way (#1870) of Yahweh is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. (Also see Proverbs 4:11, 6:23, 9:6, 12:28, etc.)
What is “The Way”? Messiah proclaims that He is “The Way, the Truth, and the Life”.
John 14:6 Yah’shua saith unto him, I am the way (#3598), the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Proverbs 15:24 The way (#1870) of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
And we must obey Messiah and His Word and let “His Way” be our way!
Mark 10:52 And Yah’shua said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Yah’shua in the way (#3598).
Exodus 13:21 And Yahweh went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way (#1870); and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
Exodus 33:13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way (#1870), that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
1 Thessalonians 3:11 Now Elohim himself and our Father, and our Sovereign YahwehShua Messiah, direct our way (#3598) unto you.
We obey Messiah since He offers a “New and Living Way”.
Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Yah’shua, 20 By a new and living way (#3598), which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
We obey Messiah’s “New and Living Way” to receive salvation, that is, to receive the life of the Father and Son inside the gates of New Jerusalem.
Acts 16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high El, which shew unto us the way (#3598) of salvation.
We obey Messiah because “The Way is narrow which leads to life” as the Father and Son have. We must obey His straight and narrow way, not turning to the right or to the left.
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way (#3598), which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Luke 13:23 Then said one unto him, Sovereign, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Deuteronomy 5:32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as Yahweh your Elohim hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 33 Ye shall walk in all the ways (#1870) which Yahweh your Elohim hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.
Deuteronomy 28:14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other elohims to serve them.
Joshua 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Why must we follow the straight and narrow way, not turning to the right or to the left?
Genesis 6:12 And Elohim looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13 And Elohim said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Psalm 1:6 For Yahweh knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Deuteronomy 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Yahweh thy Elohim, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: (Read about all the curses in verses 16-46)
To Yahweh, there is only two ways to go; Righteousness (i.e. obeying The Way of Yahweh) or Wickedness (i.e. giving into our carnal nature and doing things our way).
“The Way” of Yahweh is Truth.
Mark 12:14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way (#3598) of Yahweh in truth:
Psalm 119:30 I have chosen the way (#1870) of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
2 Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way (#3598) of truth shall be evil spoken of.
“The Way” of Yahweh is righteousness.
2 Peter 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way (#3598) of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
“The Way” of Yahweh is peace.
Romans 3:17 And the way (#3598) of peace have they not known:
Luke 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way (#3598) of peace.
Lastly it is interesting to note that the Hebrew word “derek” or “The Way” is derived from the Hebrew word #1869, “darak”. “Darak” means setting foot on territory or objects, sometimes with a sense of trampling them. Examples would be in Deuteronomy 1:36 and 11:24 and Joshua 1:3 and 14:9 when the Israelites finally were allowed into the Promised Land.
Another idiom of “darak” is to tread or bend. An example would be an army equipped and ready for action with drawn swords, sharp arrows, and bent bows. (Isaiah 5:28:21-25). And we know that Satan and his army of demons are ready to attack saints. Scriptures are clear, by obeying The Way of Yahweh Satan and his dominion cannot touch us. By obeying Yahweh in His Way we have the full armor of protection from The Almighty.
1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of Yahweh sinneth not; but he that is begotten of Yahweh keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to Yahweh. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of Yahweh abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of Yahweh, little children, and have overcome them (i.e. Satan and his dominion): because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Based on all that we have covered, including the Apostle Paul using “The Way” to describe believers and the multitude of Old and New Testament Scriptures which cite “The Way” of Yahweh, we choose to call our assembly, “The Way of Yahweh”. We choose “The Way of Yahweh” because “The Way” is the Scriptural roadmap for believers and a mode of life and “Yahweh” is the eternal name of the Father and the Son (1), the name of salvation, and the name by which we must be baptized in order to receive Yahweh’s Holy Spirit.
Although the Assembly or Congregation of Yahweh is Scriptural, it is a generic term describing a group of believers that does not get to the heart of the Scriptures. The heart of the Scriptures is that we must obey The Way of Yahweh if we want to spend eternity with Yahweh and the Lamb.
We welcome all to come and join us to obey and celebrate “The Way, The Truth, and The Life” at thewayofyahweh.com.
HalleluYah
(8-15b)
(1) To understand why Messiah’s name after His resurrection is YahwehShua (Yahweh is salvation), please read “The Name of Inheritance by George Gabler” and “The Great Riddle”.