Is Easter Pagan?

[sheep wrecked]

(07-17-2010 05:36 PM)grafted Wrote:  

(07-09-2010 09:13 AM)Vic Wrote:  Grafted not to split hairs here, but you said, "yes we are Hebrew." Most actual Jews say they are Jews if they are of Jewish descent. People in HR will at times refer to themselves as being Hebrew. So, why don't you call yourself a Jew if you are of actual provable Jewish heritage? Or are you in fact referring to HR thought in that gentiles become 'hebrews', something which Michael Rood for one taught.

The reason I use the word Hebrew is because we are not from the tribe of Judah, (hence Jew,) but are Ephrayim, aka Ashkenazi Messianics, with current relatives in central and eastern EU, one in Lebanon, and a few in northern Israel, (surprise!) I have lived in Germany myself, (stationed there for a time,) and spent time with relatives there when not on-duty.
We do not follow the prime-time style HRM mouth-pieces, and in all honesty I find a lot of what they have to say to be laughable; ref: sales gimmick.

Hope this clears it up a little for you.

"Jew" is a term that encompasses all 12 tribes. Israelis and international Jews, in the USA for instance, do not designate tribal affiliation but refer to themselves by sect - orthodox, reform, conservative, chasidic, etc. Jewish is a nationality [all of Israel] not just of the tribe of Judah.

You may separate yourself from HR in your mind, but what you post in regard to your beliefs and practices line up favorably with HR. One can be on the fringe of HR thinking they are "set apart" from all the "gimmicks", but in reality your lifestyle and religious practice is only differ in presentation, not in reality.

It is understandable that you are drawn to HR, as I was at one time. It is a very compelling doctrine which appears to pacify one's desire to please God. Unfortunately, the Gospel is not about the Law, but about Jesus Christ who came to give us a better covenant. Our goal on this forum is to help people understand exactly what they are getting themselves into by attempting to keep the Mosaic Law.

We all have to make a choice what direction our service to God takes. For myself, having suffered terribly under the yoke of the Law, it is my heart's desire to expose that yoke for what it is. I do not have a "personal vendetta" against you and I apologize for offending you. My zeal for the truth and my experiences appear to give me a "raw edge". I promise to be "kinder and gentler"