Dear Editor,
I was ‘Born Again’ in 1977. Shorty thereafter, I wanted to attend ‘Bible School’. I applied to ‘Rhema Bible Training College’ in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma but was told there was no more students being accepted for that year (1978). I made arrangements with them to attend the following year.
Still wanting to go to Bible School that year, I applied to ‘New life Bible College’ in Cleveland, Tennessee and was accepted.
After graduating from both of these schools I visited family in Idaho. A small Bible study soon grew into a small church of which I was the Pastor. From that time on I have been in the service of our Savior.
The name ‘Jesus’ is very precious to many people. I can understand this because it was very precious to me. In the past, I had once started a church incorporating the name ‘Jesus’ into the very name of the church.
In 2012, while pastoring of a non-denominational church, I had a desire to study the name ‘Jesus’, which I had never done before. I was not prepared for what I would learn. This study proved to be life changing for me. To my shock, I learned the name ‘Jesus’ was not in fact, our Savior’s true name. I was devastated and I actually went through a grieving process.
Denial: This just can’t be true!
Anger: Why didn’t any Pastor or teacher (at two ministerial schools) tell me this?
Bargaining: Maybe I could keep using the name ‘Jesus’ and not ‘rock the boat’.
Depression: I had feelings of sadness and loss.
Acceptance: This is in fact the reality… I will go forward in faith.
Now, I had an important decision to make. Would I continue using a name for our Savior that I knew was incorrect, or would I begin using and teaching the Savior’s true name? I had used and taught the name ‘Jesus’ for decades … what will people think? Will I be ostracized?
The scriptures brought me peace however, reminding me there is only One I should seek to please. Biblical accounts of people who had made their own pivotal decisions, for good or evil, came to mind. I remembered old sayings: “An error doesn’t become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.” And, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” I made the decision to begin using and teaching the Savior’s true Hebrew name, ‘Yahshua’.
It was during my study of our Savior’s true name that I also came to see clearly for the first time, that our Savior was in fact, The Almighty Father manifested in flesh.
Being a ‘lifelong Trinitarian’ up until this time, I naturally had many questions regarding this new revelation to me. I knew that only in the scriptures, would I find the answers to my many questions.
From my scriptural study (from 2012 until this day), I am certain of the following things.
‘I AM’ is the name The Almighty Father proclaimed to Moses in Exodus 3:14. Based on scripture, it is inarguable that ‘I AM’ is The Almighty Father.
I know with certainty that Yahshua Messiah proclaimed to be ‘I AM’.
I know with certainty Yahshua taught, “the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth” and that after teaching this He Himself welcomed and accepted people’s worship.
I know with certainty that In the Old Testament, The Almighty Father alone is called ‘the great God’.
I know with certainty that the Apostle Paul proclaimed that Yahshua Messiah was “our great God”.
In Titus 2:13 the Apostle Paul clearly identifies by name who our great God and Savior is.
“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing
of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ”
—The Apostle Paul…Titus 2:13
I know with certainty that The Almighty Father said that He would be pierced, and I know with certainty that it was Yahshua Messiah who was pierced. I know with certainty that Yahshua Messiah proclaimed that He was ‘I Am’.
I know with certainty that Yahshua Messiah told Philip that anyone who had seen Him, had seen the Father. I know that Yahshua Messiah said He was ‘I Am’.
I am grateful every day that I know our Savior’s true name, and for having the opportunity to share it with others.
I am thankful that Yahshua Messiah helped me, like He helped Philip, see His true identity; He is The Almighty Father manifested in flesh.
YahshuaMinistries.com
