|
|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ASSEMBLY OF JERUSALEM
The Assembly is often a target by anti-Jewish Christians who do not fully understand the beliefs, practices and history of the AoJ. Some of the accusations derive from two main sources: 1) an individual who claims to be a former member of the Assembly who has recently falsified documents and created bogus websites appearing as if they are associated with the AoJ. The AoJ has been advised by a legal council concerning this individual's criminal activities; 2) and from sectarian groups that separated from the Assembly of Jerusalem beginning in 1991. This section of the website is a basic response to various misconceptions about the AoJ and should assist in answering frequently asked questions. Misconception 1. Connection to the Assyrian Church of the East? Response: The Assembly has never been affiliated with the Church of the East in any formal manner. There are are numerous doctrines of the Church of the East which are not compatible with the Scriptures of the AoJ. The Assembly teaches observance to the Torah of Israel, but Assyrian Christianity teaches that the Law was abrogated by Jesus Christ. The AoJ has among its membership some individuals of Assyrian ethnicity or heritage but these members are not associated with the Assyrian Catholic Church of the East. For more information about this misconception, click here. Misconception 2. Supported by the Government of Israel? Response: The Assembly of Jerusalem is not funded in whole or part by the State of Israel. Funds are primarily from the contributions of members. The Assembly does not request donations from non-members as such a practice is in opposition to the AoJ's teachings. Misconception 3. Hindu and Buddhist Doctrines? Response: The Assembly of Jerusalem is not associated with the doctrines of Hinduism which believes in a pantheon of deities. Neither is the Assembly associated with Buddhism which does not teach a belief in a deity. The Assembly of Jerusalem believes in One God, Yahweh (Mar-Yah), the Creator of the Universe and that He sent His One Son to earth and that members must put faith in Yeshua the Messiah for their ultimate salvation. The Assembly of Jerusalem teaches respect for the cultures of peoples of all nations, including Hindus and Buddhists, but such respect does not mean embracing a pantheon of deities or holding to atheistic beliefs. The AoJ reaches out to such individuals in order to share the Scriptures but does not judge them for their particular beliefs and does not believe in forcing its beliefs on them. Misconception 4. New Age Essenes, pluralism, interfaith? Response: The Assembly of Jerusalem is opposed to all forms of New Age religion and religious pluralism. The beliefs of interfaith groups are in opposition to the strict monotheistic, Torah observant faith of the Assembly of Jerusalem. It appears that most groups referring to themselves as "Essenes", especially in modern times, have no historical ties to the faith of the pre-Christian Essenes. Such groups are often found using gnostic texts in their religious writings and are viewed by the Assembly as being heretical. New Age and new religions referring to themselves as "Essenes" derive their doctrines from "two occult bestsellers -- The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ, by Levi H. Dowling; and The Mystical Life of Jesus, by Rosicrucian author H. Spencer Lewis." (J. Gordon Melton, Encyclopedia of American Religions). The Assembly derives its teachings directly from its own Three Pillars: 1) Scripture, 2) Tradition, 3) Revelation. Misconception 5. Mass conversion missionary work? Response: The Assembly of Jerusalem has never carried out "mass conversions" in any place in the world. As noted elsewhere on the site, the Assembly of Jerusalem does not proselytize and curtailed its missionary work beginning September 30, 2007. As such the Assembly does not actively support conversion, thus one must be born to orthodox Essene parents in order to become a member of the Assembly. However, under special circumstances, conversion of individuals may be permitted, but this may take a process of at least three or four years of study within a long established Essene community. Misconception 6. Syriac Apostolic Succession? Response: The Assembly of Jerusalem does not claim "Apostolic Succession" with the Syriac Orthodox Church. Like the majority of Christian sects and cults, the Syriac Orthodox Church does not share a belief in Torah observance as does the AoJ. The AoJ teaches that its Apostolic Succession is derived through the appointment of St. James the Righteous by the Lord Yeshua. The AoJ teaches that there is no true Apostolic Succession within Christianity. Misconception 7. Trinity Broadcasting Network? Response: The Assembly has never been affiliated with the Trinity Broadcasting Network and does not use its services. Misconception 8. Rejection of Paul the Apostle? Response: The AoJ does not reject St. Paul as an Apostle. The AoJ teaches that the Apostle Paul was sent to the Gentiles to teach them the Good News of Yeshua the Messiah. Misconception 9. Thousands of believers in Myanmar? Response: The Assembly has three congregations in Burma. At one time the Assembly had 19 congregations but due to persecution by the Myanmar political rulers, the majority of members have fled to Thailand and China. Misconception 10. Hundreds of schisms? Response: There are three known schismatic groups that separated themselves from the Assembly of Jerusalem to date. 1) One sect was formed by a group in Portugal, calling itself the "Portuguese Orthodox Church of Iberia" and numerous other names, who was opposed to the election and appointment of the Patriarch in 1991. In 2006, they appointed a man from Oregon (U.S.A.) to the office of what they referred to as the "pope of Iberia." From all outward appearances, this group is now defunct. 2) Another group, now also defunct, was the "Universal Bible Society" (UBS). "UBS" was formed by a member of the Assembly who apostasized from the faith and later repented. There are some individuals who still have membership certificates or "ordination" certificates from that organization, but these were not derived from the Assembly and it does not endorse the religious beliefs or ministries of such individuals. 3) The third group is known as the "Nasrani Church of the East & Abroad". This name was originally used by AoJ members in North America and India but was soon dropped after the sectarian group began using it in September 2005. The group now using this name is not affiliated with the AoJ in any manner and much confusion and several misconceptions have been caused because of this group. The new "Nasrani Church of the East & Abroad" was formed by three individuals who were excommunicated in 2005 on the grounds of introducing heretical doctrines to congregations in India and the United States. Initially this sectarian group attempted to establish its headquarters in Chicago, Illinois (U.S.A.) and later in Paris, Tennessee (U.S.A.) and claimed that it was a "restored Assyrian church" and appointed their own patriarch without Apostolic Succession. Their main activities now seem to be in India where they proseltyze among the Saint Thomas Christians, which is a name they often use. This particular schismatic group claims that it has ancient ties with the Assyrian Church of the East. The Assembly has recently learned that this group was once affiliated with the "Portuguese Orthodox Church". Official Website: Patriarchate of Jerusalem Copyright 1997-2010 by the Church of Jerusalem. |