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The
"Nugget of Truth ~ Christian Messages" YouTube channel is dedicated
to exploring early church history, specifically focusing on the theological
teachings, sacraments, and doctrines of the Ancient Antiochene Church of God
(AACG). [1, 2]
The
channel’s content primarily revolves around:
Alexandrian vs. Antiochene Theology: Breaking down the historical differences between ancient Antiochene thought (which heavily emphasized the humanity of Christ) and Alexandrian thought Alexandrian Christianity.
Early Church Sacraments: Educational videos unpacking the historical practices,
faith, and Understand Ancient Antiochene
Sacraments. [1, 2]
The
Early Years of Jesus Christ
We have shared some interesting
historical records with you regarding the early life of Jesus Christ. We
realize that many people are saying a lot of things about the so called
“missing years of Christ” because it is an intriguing topic. Our records are not
as sensational as other people’s claims. We have been blessed at the Ancient
Antiochene Church of God to have such a beautiful library of books and
documents. We get our information from reliable sources. The Ancient Antiochene
Library has books that most everybody can still get a hold of.
What we are sharing regarding the early life of Jesus Christ
has been in documents which have been available to the public since the year
1929. The Ancient Antiochene Church has a rich historical record about the
early years of our Lord, Jesus Christ. None of this information can be proved
ultimately and it is not something that must be accepted as “facts” to be a
Christian. We share it because it has helped people understanding the culture
better that existed during of the time of Christ and explains viable probabilities of his early
life. So please enjoy this special knowledge and share it with others as God
leads.
We have shared the fact that Jesus began attending a
rabbinical school at age six. This school was not too far from the different
Galilean camps that the Nazoreans lived at. This school was founded at the base
of the famous Mt. Carmel. The school was founded by three different factions of
Judaism. These were the Essenes, the
Nazoreans, and some major Pharisee families supported it. It was allowed to be
attended by Greek teachers of philosophy also – as long as they helped support
its upkeep.
This Mt. Carmel school taught Messianic concepts and
prophecies along with differing oral traditions. The Egyptian Thothmes the
third conquered Carmel and allowed for a religious school to be set up there.
Mt Carmel has ancient history pointing to the fact of its sacredness going way
back in time. During the time of Jesus, it was a place known as “the school of
the prophets”. It is even stated that the famous Pythagoras spent time studying
there.
During the time of Christ there was a sizable community of
Essenes living near and around Galilee. These different groups of serious
students also traveled to a school in Egypt that was popular. There was a Stoic
school, actually an older smaller temple in Egypt were many philosophers and
religionists went to debate doctrine and talk theology. This school was for the
“big wigs” in the religious “game”. Extremely intellectual conversations and
detailed argumentations occurred in this school. The surrounding governments of
the time sent their own educated people to these classes to help keep the
political officials up to date with what was going on in the religious realms
of the time.
At age 13 Jesus Christ got invited to attend one of these
classes. The tradition was that the young boy would go to Jerusalem after
turning 13 years old and participate in a ceremony that would register him as
“Son of the Torah”. Joseph and Mary took Jesus to participate in this ceremony
when he turned 13. Jesus was also invited to attend the Kallah. The
Kallah was when the doctors of the law and the scholars got together and
discussed the Jewish religious doctrines and practices. Because Jesus was
raised around strict Essenes and Nazoreans, he knew the Scriptures even more
than the Pharisee scholars. Many became intrigued at the amount of Scripture
knowledge that the young Jesus was able to attain and articulate.
As a side note, many Christian scholars and teachers have
become amazed at the knowledge that most Antiochene Christians have today. They
have way more knowledge than most American Christians about the history of
their own faith. God wants us to truly understand our faith. We are truly
grateful for all of you who have decided to finally call yourself “Antiochian
Christians” and free yourselves from the realms of denominationalism. Praise
God!
Jesus also understood Talmudic knowledge along with Stoic
thought and much of the contemporary Greek philosophies. He had also been brought
up under the rabbinical teachings of the famous Rabbi Hillel. Jesus and his
family were considered strong members of the Nazorean sect, which was basically
a more liberal form of Essenianism. Christians today do not realize that Jesus
and his family of Galilean Jews were seen as a mixed breed. The Galilean Jews
were understood to not have pure bloodlines, they had Gentile blood somewhere
in the family mix. They were referred to as Samaritan “Jews”. Kinda like a
“dirty offshoot”.
The Galileans carried a slight accent with their Hebrew
tongue due to strong Greek influence in their lifestyle. The Egyptian schools
of thought also had heavy influence on the Galileans. Stoics lived all around
Galilee and traveled to the schools in Egypt. Up and down the Jordan river the
Therapeuti and Essenes talked, walked, and shared much knowledge.
The special temple in Egypt where many Stoics and
philosophers hung out was known as the “Temple of Helios”. This group also had
a smaller temple meeting place in Palestine, closer to Galilee. Sacred
brotherhoods of worship and study would congregate at these locations. John the
Baptist was family related to Jesus Christ. John’s father was Zacharias and he
was a priest. His mother, Elisabeth the Levite, was cousin to virgin Mary,
Jesus’ mother.
John the Baptist had connections with the monastic Dead Sea
Region Essenes. John, like Jesus, was raised in the Nazorean sect. John the
Baptist had tied a group of Nazoreans and Essenes together through his
revelations, and they had become known as “Followers of the Way”. They believed
that they were preparing the “way” for the appearance of the Kingly Messiah.
Many viewed John the Baptist as a “priestly Messiah”, anointing the servants of
God and cleansing them of all sin before the appearance of the regal
Messiah – Jesus the Christ. One of the first “Christian” symbols during this
time was an inverted “V” with a dot inside near its point, like an eye. John
the Baptist used this symbol for the Nazoreans. It symbolized the resurrection
under the Messiah.
Note: The fish as a symbol for the followers of Jesus Christ was
used early on. The Greek word “fish” is ichthys and became a Christian
anagram pointing to; “Jesus Christ Son of God”. An inverted “V” was also used
with a circular dot almost in the middle which pointed to the “life-force
surging up”. This was a sort of fish-head pointing up, the dot being the eye. It
represented resurrection and new life. It was placed over some of the ancient
Christian ossuaries in ancient Jerusalem. It was used way before the cross
became a symbol of Christianity. In
ancient Aramaic the word Ras meant “head” or “point” and the word Nasrani was a
term which meant “lots of fish”. This phrase, Ras Nasrani was used when many
followers of Christ were passing through. So, the symbol of the fish has
connections with the title Nazorean.
As Ancient Antiochene Christians we recognize that Jesus Christ
ultimately fulfills both messianic roles. Jesus came first to atone for our
sins and become our officiating High Priest. He is thus fulfilling His role for
us as Messiah the Priest. When He returns, He will be given the throne of His
father Daivid. He thus will become King of kings and Lord of lords – fulfilling
His role of Messiah the regal King.
The Essenes had the understanding of two messiahs, one
kingly and one as priestly. The Nazoreans took both concepts of the coming
messiah and saw them to be completely fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ
who also became revealed as “God in the flesh” [the incarnation]. This, of
course, was [is] the ultimate revelation of God. When the Gentiles started to
truly understand this revelation, they became known as “Christians”. The Stoic
concept of the “incarnate Logos” helped to attract many gentiles to the
Christian faith. We were first called “Christian” in the gentile region of
ancient Antioch. Thus, the true followers of the Essenes, Nazoreans, and followers
of the Way today, are the Ancient Antiochene Christians. We are the true
remnant of God’s people in these last days.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
AACG (July 17th 2026)
All AACG Articles are Protected. All Rights Reserved.
Mystery of the
true Nazoreans
In previous lectures and studies, we
have established our connection to the original Essene and Nazorean groups.
Here we wish to share even more ancient knowledge with you regarding the First
Church. Sadly, a group from the original followers of John the Baptist and
Jesus Christ, after the ascension of our Lord, did not accept nor truly
understand the magnitude of the New Covenant which John the Baptist and Jesus
ushered in. They did not understand that Old Israel had entered into a New
Covenant – they could if they wished. So, they held on to many aspects of the
Mosaic Law that had become fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ (such a diet
laws & day keeping rules). This group was known as the Ebionites (the “poor
ones”) and in essence they were Christian Judiazers. Later in St. Paul’s
ministry he confronts these people and tries to correct them. They are
referenced in some of his epistles.
These Ebionites were still called “Nazoreans” or at least
understood as a sect of the original Nazoreans. The early Nazoreans split into
two groups, one who accepted Jesus Christ and the New Covenant and second,
those who accepted Jesus but rejected the fulness of the New Covenant and are
referred to by historians as “1st Century Nazoreans”. This can get
confusing but the reality is, many Nazoreans were also called Essenes sometimes
because both groups intermingled and a large group of Essenes joined the
Nazoreans who followed St. John the Baptist and St. James, brother of our Lord
– these became what started the true Jesus movement. Combined they were called
“followers of the Way”.
Those Nazoreans who rejected the bulk of Jesus’s true
teachings were taken over by Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9), and eventually by
Mani who became popularly known in the group of Mandaeans which evolved into
the Manichains which still, to this day, exist in southern Iraq. These are what
we call the “second century Nazoreans”. Their ordained priests to this day are
called, Nasoreans. They have distorted the sacred original teachings of Christ
and have developed a false doctrine regarding “the truth hidden by the seven” -
(A sacred Doctrine of Jesus Christ which we, the true Antiochene Church still
protects to this day.)
So, we begin to understand that schisms of the “faith once
delivered” started early on. Eventually, when we get to Acts 11:26 the true
followers of Jesus Christ get their final title, “Christians”. Even to this
day, we are called Christians. One thing we must add to this early history is
the fact that after the death and ascension of Jesus Christ, James, the brother
of our Lord, and Apostle John stayed behind in Jerusalem and protected the
original doctrines. James was still seen by many as the Leader of the original
Essenes. These Jerusalem “followers of the Way” started to become known as “the
Johannites”. This due to two things: John the Baptist and his original
teachings and now St. John the Apostle who showed how it all came together in
Jesus Christ. Both St. James (Brother of our Lord) and St. John the Apostle
continued teaching small groups in Jerusalem and finally they fled to Ephesus
before Rome overtook Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
As mentioned in a previous study, there is a mystery about St. John’s life
which we will cover latter. Here we will say that it is true that St. John took
care of Mother Mary in her older age. Shortly before the destruction of
Jerusalem in 70 A.D. he left with disciples and Mother Mary to Ephesus where
they lived for some time. This is documented by Nicephorus in the
Ecclesiastical History 2,2.
We are learning
the true history of our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
This is most
certainly true.
May the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
AACG (Original
document given September 9th 2024)
All AACG Articles are Protected. All Rights Reserved.
Note: Throughout time the title Nazorean has developed many different ways of
spelling.
Jesus the
Nazorean
Was Jesus from a location called,
“Nazareth” …or was He simply a Nazorean? Many are surprised to find out that
during the time of Jesus there was no town called Nazareth. In our Greek and English
translations, we read sentences such as, “Jesus from Nazareth” when the
accurate translation is “Jesus the Nazorean.” What does all of this mean?
We know from our Ancient Antiochene Records that the title
Nazarene appears only once in the Douai version, “Jesus Nazarenus” and is
properly translated “Jesus the Nazarene”. We also know from the book of Acts
that the Nazoreans were actually a religious sect of which Apostle Paul was a
member [Acts 24:5 & vs.14]. Nowhere in the Old Testament
is there a place or town called “Nazareth”. Also, Jesus never “returned to
Nazareth”, but instead, He “returned to the Nazoreans”.
This Nazorean sect traveled and set up camp at different
places near and around Galilee according to climate and weather changes
throughout the year. Many of them were fishermen families. They were a small
group and they racially were mixed Jews. The Pharisees and Sadducees saw them
as “dirty Jews” and cultish. They viewed the Essene sect the same way. The
Essenes and Nazoreans had much in common when it came to understanding
prophecy. They talked and communed together often. As a matter of fact, one
faction of the Essenes was governed by James, the brother of our Lord.
God actually used the Essenes and the Nazoreans to protect
the original Davidic blood line of King David through which the Messiah was to
come. Jesus called out those fake Jews which comprised many of the Sadducees
and Pharisees. These were actually Gentiles who returned long ago after Cyrus
freed the original Jews from Babylonian captivity. Some Gentiles had claimed
conversion to leave Babylon. They were actually Kenites – Jesus called them,
“of the seed of Cain.”
Many of the Nazoreans were also called “Nazarites” due to
the fact that some took Nazarite vows to separate themselves from the religious
leaders and factions of Jerusalem. Those who took Nazarite vows were seen as
not real Jews by the religious authorities and were seen as those who did not
adhere to the popular sects. They were seen as “outsiders” who held to different
religious, moral, and ethical beliefs – such were those who followed John the
Baptist and eventually Jesus Christ. Those in Christ’s church today, the
Ancient Antiochene Church of God are seen the same way.
Now, more insight on the title Nazorean. The fish as a
symbol for the followers of Jesus Christ was used early on. The Greek word
“fish” is ichthys and became a Christian anagram pointing to; “Jesus
Christ Son of God”. An inverted “V” was also used with a circular dot almost in
the middle which pointed to the “life-force surging up”. This was a sort of
fish-head pointing up, the dot being the eye. It represented resurrection and
new life. It was placed over some of the ancient Christian ossuaries in ancient
Jerusalem. It was used way before the cross became a symbol of
Christianity. In ancient Aramaic the
word Ras meant “head” or “point” and the word Nasrani was a term which meant
“lots of fish”. This phrase, Ras Nasrani was used when many followers of Christ
were passing through. So, the symbol of the fish has connections with the title
Nazorean.
Another connection is, the Hebrew title “Nazorean” comes from the Hebrew root word, Netser –
pronounced; nay-tser. It means “shoot” or “branch”. The early Messianic sect
was also called this because of the “Branch” prophecies regarding the coming
Messiah found in the prophets. The Messiah is referred to as “the Branch”. They
also taught the coming of the restored Davidic Kingdom, in this sense they were
the first “Branch Davidians”.
To this day the First Church has a Davidian Doctrine regarding the
Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ. This is based on the Davidic Covenant.
New Light has now been given regarding Jesus the Nazorean.
This is most certainly true.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
AACG (Original document, September 10th 2024)
All AACG Articles are Protected. All Rights Reserved.
