The Shepherds Way (TSW) ~ Eric W. King: Hasidic Christians

Hasidic Christians

The Ancient Antiochene Church of God

By Eric William King

Addressed December 12th 2023 – At 2023 Church Counsel of Antioch – Zaddik Elders present.

____________________________________________

The term “Hasidism” comes from the Hebrew word hasid which means “pious one” (Holy One).

In this important short article, I wish to give much information to many Christians that I have received letters from throughout the years about the Ancient Antiochene Church of God, and some of the titles that the Ancient Church has been called. Some have called us, "Davidian Christians" (Because of a certain doctrine), some have called us "Followers of the Way", (Original Christians) and more modernly we have become known as "Hasidic Christians" - which is to actually ‘make-fun’ of us. (We don't mind being called by any of these titles but first and foremost, we are Christians.)

In Judaism of old, after the early 1700's, Rabbi Bal Shem Tov, spread the Hasidic gospel of Judaism throughout half of Europe. Many conservative Jews (the Morally Clear) joined the movement. So, Hasidism should not be understood so much as a "religion" but instead should properly be known as an early Jewish "movement" which was fighting against Liberal Judaism (so called; “Humanitarian Judaism”) and Legalistic Judaism.

The abbreviation of Rabbi Bal Shem Tov became “Besht”. So, the Hasidim are also known as the Besht. Today there are many groups going by Besht – not all believe exactly the same way. Besht taught that humanity has an “inner spark”. It is the motivation for each Hasid to help others revive this “inner spark”. This was considered true redemption. In the Hasidic Christian message, we believe that true faith “comes through hearing the Word of God” (Romans 10:17) and that one must be truly Born Again to receive true salvation. (John 3:3)

Jewish Hasidism was seen as a return to “true Judaism” much like “The Ancient Antiochene Church of God” is seen as that which teaches “true Christianity”. Thus, many scholars have picked on us (Antiochene Christians), calling us in this modern age – “Hassidic Christians”. Many Ancient Antiochene Christians, even today, wear what the world calls, “Jewish garb” (More accurately, “Israeli garb” – “Issac’s sons”; Saxons). We do have traditions which are not “law”, they do not have to be observed but we understand the importance of traditions, especially in the Christian Family. For instance, many of us keep the “traditional” Christian Holidays and some of us wear the Tzitzit and Kippah, and wear the Tallit and the “Megan David” or “star of David” (Many of us even have the payees or payot). Because we also hold to many Orthodox Teachings from the early church we have been called by outsiders, Hasidic Christians. (We don’t mind.)

Hasidic Jews, who follow the Hasidic movement within Orthodox Judaism, often wear their hair in a specific style that includes long sidelocks, or payot, that are curled or twisted. This style is based on traditional Jewish customs.

The Apostle Paul stated under inspiration; “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” – 2^nd Thessalonians 2:15

Some Hasidic History

Hasidism was a response to “legalistic” and extreme “liberal” Judaism. For the most part, Hasidism did not change any of the orthodox teachings of Judaism but it certainly injected an excitement and a new emotionalism (a sort of ‘spiritual ecstasy’) into Judaism.

There was an enemy (Some of them Kenites) of the early Hasidim known as the, Haskala (In Hebrew meaning the: “Illuminated”). This group could similarly be compared to the modern so called “Illuminati” (certain fraternal groups) who are still trying to disrupt the modern Hasidic Christians (Ancient Antiochene Christians) today.

The Ancient Antiochene Church of God - today, holds to many ancient Orthodox Christian teachings that many modern American Christians have rejected. We also hold to ancient Dispensational Theology (Ages, Dispensations, & 7 Church Epochs) as mentioned by a number of saints in the early writings of the Patristic Period of the Church.

We have many lectures and articles which help document the earliest teachings of the true Christian Church. (Watch our “Kingdom Discourse Series”.) We hold to many of the pure doctrines taught in the Patristic Period (100-451 A.D.) and we accept the Salvific teachings in the Protestant “Book of Concord”. (St. Luther & St. Melanchthon – the so called, “Protestant Reformation”; Published 1580 A.D.)

Apostle Paul taught Mysteries

“Let a man consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” – 1^st Corinthians 4:1

Another important part of the Hasidic movement was the understanding of what they termed, “the mysteries of God”. This involved ancient Cabalistic mystic influence. The Ancient Antiochene Church of God teaches what we call the “mysteries of God”, such as, “the mystery of the Church”, “the mystery of the Rapture”, and our Cabalistic Christian understanding as found in Proverbs Ch. 3 (Watch our lecture; “The Holy Spirit is Female” – By E.W. King). Again, some scholars have chosen to call us “Hasidic Christians” and will use such comparisons for justification.

We believe that throughout time the Christian Church has had to learn these mysteries more in depth, it requires church history to develop. The Laodicean (last church Epoch) has become unteachable, according to Christ’s own counsel to the church. They remain “lukewarm”. They are the oldest, in the sense that they are the last remnant of the previous six churches. – what has happened to these left-overs? (Revelation 3:14-22)

God requires past, present and future accountability as to what His churches have done with His counsel for each church.

The Scriptures tell us;

“I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever, Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it, God does it, that men should fear before Him. That which is has already been, And what is to be has already been; And God requires an account of what is past.” – Ecclesiastes 3:14-15

Though God works in our spacetime continuum, He is not bound by it. In fact, He can dwell outside of all space and time – past, present, future.

Though the “rapture” of the church is imminent (could happen anytime), God decides, and He has decided to take His church through a journey in time to teach her (His bride) that He is a God of relationship and loves to watch us all grow. So, since the beginning of the 6^th Dispensation, God has now led - and is leading us through 7 Epochs of the Christian Church. We have arrived in the 7^th Epoch. This is extremely important to understand.

This is why, that at the ending time of the Seventh Church (the Seventh Church Epoch), God wants to give those who heed the counsel to Laodicea the New Light – new Truth. This new light is not an edition to the Bible but is found in the Word of God itself.

The Christian Church is receiving New Light from the pages of Scripture. Though these truths seem “new” to us they have always been right in front of us, on the pages of Scripture. Now, new possibilities are open for God’s true people to receive, if they only remain teachable.

“However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom (Rev. 2:17- “the Hidden Manna”) which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” – 1^st Corinthians 2:6-8

Above: Eric William King, Hasidic Christian and

founder of "The Shepherds Way" & "Nugget of Truth".

Hidden Things are Now Revealed

Jesus promised to give His true church “the Hidden Manna” – (Revelation 2:17). Hidden Manna represents a “truth” that was once hidden but is now able to be seen and understand.

The Seventh Message has arrived. The Laodicean church is now exposed. Too many Christians have become content with limited knowledge but God is asking us all to GROW. We are to remain a Living Branch. God is telling us;

“I have made you hear new things from this time, Even hidden things, and you did not know them. They are created now and not from the beginning; And before this day you have not heard them, Lest you should say, ‘Of course I knew them.’” (Isaiah 48:6,7)

Again, God informs His people;

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

Are you ready to learn? Whenever God has New Light for His people Satan comes around and sows “seeds of doubt”. The Devil does everything in his power to prevent you from receiving it. Let us not refuse the Light (the “extra oil”) that God wants us to receive. If we refuse what God wants, we will never grow but will become stale, lukewarm.

God is giving His church a last message of mercy. The Seventh Message, the counsel for Laodicea is here. Many people want the new light, but they do not like the way that God may be presenting it, so they reject it. That is a sad decision.

God promises to open the Bible to many, but to many others it remains a sealed book. God says; “The vision of ALL (The Bible) has become to you like the words of a book (Scroll) that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is literate, saying “Read this, please.”; and he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.” Then the book is delivered to one who is illiterate, saying. “Read this, please.”; and he says, “I am not literate.” - (Isaiah 29:11-12)

In other words, without the Holy Spirit neither the educated or uneducated cannot figure it out. God informs us through Apostle Paul; “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age (the Church Age), nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the ages (before all 7 Dispensations & Earth Ages) for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” - (1^st Corinthians 2:6-8)

God promised a day when the New Testament would be completely joined to the Old Testament, making THE BOOK (THE BIBLE – “bible” means; “book”) the complete Revelation – “the vision of ALL”.

God said; “In that day the deaf shall hear the words of THE BOOK (the Bible), And the eyes of the blind (spiritually blind) shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.” - (Isaiah 29:18)

What shall they gain from proper study of THE BOOK?

God says; “These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, And those who murmured will LEARN DOCTRINE.” – (Isaiah 29:24)

God says emphatically in Proverbs 4:2; “For I give you GOOD DOCTRINE.”

By Eric William King (Founder of TSW & “Nugget of Truth”)

*Original document put together on December 12^th 2023.