“There is one body and one Spirit ― just as you were called to one hope, when you were called ― one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”                    (Eph. 4: 4-6)

What follows is a perspective on the origin of what was intended to become the “Christian Faith.”

 

The truth is no one knows for certain - Christianity arose from a Hebrew oral tradition.  History has always produced by those capable of writing it, both in the sense of knowing how to write, and being free to do so. Thus there are numerous versions of “Christian History.”  We invite you to consider ours.  

Jesus of Nazareth ― known as Jeshua (Y’shua) in his native Aramaic ― gave to the Jewish people a new perspective of the nature of God as unconditional love, acceptance, and healing.  As his teaching was heard throughout the region it came to be known in Aramaic as simply “the Way.”  It was in essence a new “sect” or ex-pression of Judaism.  Yet Jeshua taught openly cutting across cultural, sexual, religious, and national prejudices, sharing his ideas with all who would receive.  As history attests it made a considerable impression upon the pop-ulations exposed to it.  Perhaps the most dynamic aspect of his teaching, however, was that he embodied what he taught.  He served as a living example for his followers and thus came to be known as a “Christ,” or “anointed one.”  

Despite the revolutionary nature of it in its time, his teaching rang with authenticity and truth.  Jeshua taught a God of unconditional love and compassion that was in-timate to each person regardless of station, sex, or cul-ture.  He taught the eternal nature of divine acceptance, the illusion of “sin,” a way of living righteously in har-mony with all creation, and the immediate practicality of a “Kingdom of Heaven” found personally within.  His message was individually empowering, liberating people from ancient prejudices and cultural bonds.  In this he broke with the ancient and more rigid traditions of his native Hebrew people and the religious leadership of that time.  

 

Christianity was a movement intended to open hearts, uplift Spirits, and change lives.  In truth Jeshua’s teachings were the echo of those taught by the Buddha and others hundreds of years earlier.  We see them at the heart of all the world’s religions when we get dogmas and doctrines out of the way.  We can find them today in the modern expression of the “New Thought” movements.  And they are found exquisitely expressed in modern day Spiritual revelations coming forth from numerous sources.  

Originally this “fellowship” was not established to build permanent structures, create dogmas and creeds, or acquire “membership.”  The “church” formed by vote at the Council of Nicaea under the direction of the Roman Emperor Constantine was established for political control of the waning Roman Empire.  It was formed much later (300 AD) and represented a minority of the early followers of Jeshua’s “Way.”  Some 2000 years ago the multitude of different denominations, dogmas, and creeds of today did not exist.  In point of fact, the term “Christianity” was unknown in Jeshua’s time, as was the name, “Jesus.”  The “Bible” of today did not become a cohesive “Christian Scripture” until 1535.  Thus the event of the descent and inspiration of the Holy Spirit marked by Pentecost is the true beginning of Christian teaching.  

Through the ages the authority and empowerment of the Holy Spirit has been passed down officially from the Apostles to their anointed representatives.  The resulting variety of recognized movements is referred to as the lines of Apostolic Succession.  Yet the Spirit of Christ through the Holy Spirit has moved and empowered others from various walks of life, cultures, and disciplines throughout the world and the centuries.  Indeed, it is the Holy Spirit that awakens people to whatever path of Spiritual discovery awakens their hearts.   As Jeshua taught, “For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them” (Mt. 18.20) and “what ever you did for one of the least of my brethren, you did for me” (Mt. 25.40)  

All those who desire goodness, demonstrate unconditional love, practice forgiveness, mercy, and healing share in the legacy of Jeshua’s teachings.  Collectively this body is the universal body of Christ, Spirit, and God alive in the world today.  It is the mission of the Order of the Friends of Jeshua to awaken this Divinity (the Christ) in each person through fellowship and shared support.  It is the desire of the Order of the Friends of Jeshua to unite this body as a pre-denominational, universal Spirituality taught by Jeshua and all great sages, saints and masters through-out the ages.

All are welcome at our table.

For whatever reasons, Jeshua came to be regarded as an outspoken revolutionary and associated by those in political authority with elements causing social unrest.  As was common in that period he was arrested, tried, and crucified by the Romans.  This dramatic turn of events, however, set the stage for the miracle of Jeshua’s resur-rection and triumph over the appearance of “death.”  The Day of Pentecost marks the event of the Holy Spirit des-cending upon the original disciples and empowering them to take Jeshua’s teaching out into the world.  This miraculous event gave them the authority to declare the “living Christ” and began a movement that would sweep the world.  In truth this was the beginning of what would become known as “Christianity” though at this stage it was a teaching with little relationship to the idea of “church.”

Jeshua sent his disciples forth with the simple injunc-tion to share the good news of the Unconditional Love and Acceptance of God.  This perspective declared all people equal and ONE in Spirit.   The practical import of his message was demonstrated through his life lived in Spirit.  He provided an example that we can no more be separate from that Absolute Being than stop our hearts.  He taught the illusion of “sin” or unpardonable offense toward God, the wisdom of the heart that loves all people openly, easily, carelessly, and the illumination of Spirit that leads by the Heart beyond the judgment of appear-ances with our human egos.  These men went forth amongst their fellow Hebrews with his authority.  After he passed on they received and went forth into the world inspired by the Holy Spirit, with Its authority.  As they were moved by Spirit they gave from their hearts to each culture.  This fellowship was a pre-denominational, universal Spirituality intended for all people.  

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