study-antisemitism

Christian Anti-Semitism
by James Issa

The history of Christian Anti-Semitism is one that most Christians of today know nothing of, but of which Jews who were the victims have known about, and
which culminated and assisted towards the Holocaust.

We must establish that for about the first 350 years, there was no systemized attack against Jews. In fact it was the Jews who began to persecute the first
believers in Yeshua, such as we read in Acts 4:18, Acts 5:17-18, and Acts 21:27-23:1-10.

However, things changed when Constantine become the first pope and held the Council of Nicea in 325CE. For the first time the “Church” meaning here the
Catholic Church, came out with Edits condemning the Jews. Catholic church leaders such as Augustine wrote that the Jews were to roam the world to show
what happens to those who reject Jesus. Another “Church” father, Chrysostom in his “Seven Sermons Against the Jews,” said the Jews are “inveterate
murderers, destroyers, men possessed by the devil” who only know one thing: “to satisfy their gullets, get drunk, kill and main one another.” That “the
synagogue is a repair of wild beasts,..the domicile of the devil as is the soul of the Jews.” He said the Jewish religion is “a disease” and the Jews are cursed
because of their “odious assassination of Christ.” A crime for which there’s no “expiation possible, no indulgence, no pardon.” Indeed that God hates the
Jews and has always hated the Jews. There was the legislation in Europe that deprived Jews of the right to work and own land. In 1096 when the crusades
were launched, the Crusaders first killed the Jews in Europe on their way to liberate the Holy land. After they captured Jerusalem, the Jews were forced into
the Great Synagogue and burned alive, while the crusaders with their cross inscribed on their uniforms marched around the building singing “Christ we
adore thee.” Jews were expelled from Britain in 1290, and in 1492, the same year that Columbus discovered America, Jews were expelled from Spain. Jews
were depicted negatively in literature such as Shakespeare,’s “The Merchant of Venice.” Where Shylock is depicted as a miserly Jew, not wise and wicked.
Jews were accused of desecrating the host, that is torturing the Roman Catholic wafer and wine and thereby killing Christ all over again. Jews were accused
of using children’s blood for their Matzah-unleavened bread, used at Passover. Jews were given the option of conversion or death. Many chose death.
Some like the Maranos of Spain, became baptized, but secretly practiced their faith. Their children were forcibly baptized. Jews were forbidden to marry
Christians, to celebrate Jewish feasts and forced to eat pork. The word “ghetto” was used to describe areas where Jews were forcibly made to relocate.
Jews were regarded as 2nd class citizens. The black death or black plague, caused by rats and unsanitary conditions in Europe in which about 75 million
people died and a third of Europe were decimated, were blamed on the Jews. Jews were accused of poisoning the wells to cause the plague. Jews endured
several pogroms in the Soviet Union, and were sent to concentration camps, several killed, raped, maimed and their property looted. Martin Luther, who
initially thought the Jews will support him against the Roman Catholic church, and had written that the Jews were our older brothers, in his booklet; “That
Christ was born a Jew,” turned against the Jews and wrote an article entitled: “Concerning the Jews and their Lies.” In it he said Jewish synagogues should
be burnt, their homes should be broken down and destroyed, they should be deprived of their prayer books and that “We ought to drive the rascally lazy
bones out of our system.” People have said Martin Luther was Hitler’s John the Baptist, because that is exactly what the Nazis did. Indeed Kristallnacht, the
night of the broken glass, when Jewish businesses, and their synagogues were destroyed happened on Martin Luther’s birthday-November 10. The Nazis
explained this as divine providence. Some people have said, “yes, the Jews suffered, and so did African Americans.” Yes that is true, and we are not
lessening the pain of the slave trade and Jim Crow laws in America. However, the plan in dealing with African Americans was not to kill them. Many Jews
would have willingly worked and given of their skills to leave. Indeed the Nazis clandestinely, put over the gates of the concentration camps that Work will set
you Free. However, unlike African Americans, the plan was extermination. While slave owners actually wanted slaves to procreate for more slaves on the
plantations, in the case of the Jews it was sheer extinction of the race. Also these killings have been ongoing for at least two thousand years and continues
today with several acts of hatred shown against Jews throughout the world. The purpose of the Nazis was to annihilate all Jews in Europe-nine million of
them. They were able to kill 6 million. They had no mercy whatsoever. They said Jews, Asians, Hispanics, blacks, and other races were of inferior breed.
The blonde, and blue- eyed were the Aryan, superior race. They always depicted Jews as rats, caricatured them as people with long noses, wicked and evil.
They dehumanized them in the society so they could kill them. For in killing a Jew, they were killing a rat. The Soviet Union published a false book called the
“Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” in which it is stated that Jews planned to take over the world. This book though a lie, was published in America by Henry
Ford, who later apologized, but by that time it was too late. Others like Walter Grundman tried to prove that Jesus was not a Jew. This contradicts scripture
which says Jesus is Jewish-John 4:9 of the tribe of Judah-Hebrews 7:14. Both Matthew and Luke’s gospel trace his genealogy Matthew-1:1-17, Luke 3:23-38.

The background for all these accusations is what is called the “Deicide accusation.” The false accusation that Jews killed Jesus and therefore, killed God.
This is the crux of the centuries of persecution against Jews. For the teaching of those like Chrysostom was that they was no expiation. So Christendom
came up with teachings and doctrines all based on this deicide accusation. We must say that over the course of history, they have been few gentiles who
stood against the persecutions of Jews, but very few. These are called righteous gentiles.

The use of the Word “Jew” or “Jews” in the New or 2nd Testament:
We must first of all know what the Bible that is used to accuse the Jews says about the term “Jew” or “Jews.” First of all we must note that the word “Jew’ or
“Jews” mean different things in different contexts. Sometime it means the whole nation of Israel-John 4:22. Most times especially, in John’s gospel, it refers to
the leaders-scribes/Pharisees/elders/high priest and chief priests-John 1:19, John 7:1, 13, John 11:7-8. In Matthew 26:3-the conspirators are named: chief
priest-scribes-elders and High Priest. In John 9:22, it says the parents of the blind man that Jesus healed “feared the Jews.” Who are referred to as “Jews”
here? It is the leadership, for it says that “if any man did confess that he was Christ(Messiah), he should be put out of the synagogue.” Obviously, this man
was Jewish otherwise expulsion from the synagogue wouldn’t be an issue. Again in John 11:45, it says many “Jews” believed in him. Which people are they
talking about here? It is the Jewish people, the rank and file, the ordinary people, who hailed him as a prophet. Again in John 7:1-2, it says Jesus walked in
Galilee and did not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Again the word “Jew” here refers to the leadership in Judea, specifically in Jerusalem.
Who was Jesus living among in Galilee when this written of him? You guessed it: Jews. So clearly “Jewry” here refers to the area inhabited by Judean Jews
specifically the seat of the government. In John 11:7-8, Jesus in deciding to return to Judea due to Lazarus death, is reminded that the “Jews” wanted to kill
him. Which Jews, he was among Galilean Jews when this statement was made? The leaders. The word “Jew” comes from the word “Judah,” one of the sons
of Jacob. After the division of the nation in the time of Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, Judah referred to Jerusalem and its surrounding villages and the rest of
Israel was referred to as Ephraim-see 1st Kings 14:21. Even after Jesus death, several thousands of Jews still followed him and still do today, Acts 21:11,
20. So isn’t it a travesty to label all Jews as killing him, when the evidence is very clear that the word “Jew” as used in relation to his accusers were the
leaders. The Bible says a conspiracy was hatched among the leaders to kill Jesus-John 11:47. For what reason? Verse 48- to prevent the Romans from
coming and taking away both their power and the nation. They wanted to stop the ever-increasing popularity of Jesus or less the Romans might begin to
complain about his popularity. It was these leaders who brought Jesus to Pontius Pilate after a mock trial at night-Matthew 26:57. These leaders had
wanted to arrest him before, but they “feared the multitude” (Jewish people) who took him for a prophet.” So they arrested him at night. It was these leaders
who shouted “his blood be on us and on our children.” Matthew 27:25. It was these same leaders who accused the apostles of attempting to bring Jesus
blood on them- Acts 5:28. Not all the leaders participated in this mock trial- Luke 23:51-Joseph of Arimathea did not participate in it. Sometimes the word
“Jew” refers to the province of Judea-John 7:1. Sometimes the term refers to a group of Jewish people: John 8:31, talks about Jews who believed in Jesus.
Even after his condemnation to death as he was going to the cross, the Bible says a large crowd followed, weeping and mourning over him, including
several women-Luke 23:27. These were Jews who apparently were not in agreement with their leaders’ decision. So why accuse the innocent for the sins of
their corrupt leaders. It is a historical fact that there were several factions and groups some for the Romans, others against, others buying the favor of
Rome in other to rule. Even among the Pharisees, there was the houses of Shimei and Hillel, then the Sadducees, the Herodians who supported Herod’s
family, the scribes, the Zealots, and the Essenes. Therefore, when Paul says in 1st Thessalonians 2:14-16, that the “Jews” killed Jesus. He’s obviously
referring to the leadership and not the whole nation. For he contrasts the persecution of the believers in Thessalonica with that of the Jewish believers in
Jerusalem, who were being persecuted by their leaders. Again in Revelations 2:13, we know that that the church of Pergamos was also being persecuted.
That is the historical fact.

Who really killed Jesus?
In John 10:17-18, Jesus said he has power to lay down his life and to lift it up again. That no one takes his life from him. He laid it down willingly. If someone
has power of his life and death, why blame someone else for it? He prevented his disciples from fighting back so scripture can be fulfilled for him to become
an atonement for sin. Blaming someone for Jesus’ death is taking away the efficacy of what he came to accomplish. He was to be the “azazel” the
“scapegoat.” “The lamb of the God who takes away the sins of the world.” John 1:29. By persecuting others for his death, “Christians” have taken away the
power in his death for sin. In other words, instead of his free and willing death providing forgiveness of sin, we have laid the blame on the Jews, so the Jews
and not Jesus then has suffered for our sins and they and not Jesus should be exalted by God for their suffering-Philippians 2:5-7, Acts 2:3, Acts 2:14-15,
Hebrews 1:3, we have laid that power on the Jews by persecuting them. In fact it is ironic that it Jesus said the Jews were going to persecute the disciples
which came to pass until after the Revolt of Bar-Kochba of 132-135 CE-John 16:2. Never once did he say his disciples should persecute or kill the Jews. In
fact they will be killing each other as they were all Jews. When Peter tried to defend him, he asked him to put his sword back into its place and gave one of
the greatest sayings that “he who lives by the sword, shall die by the sword.” Matthew 26:51-54. Teaching of violence against fellow man cannot be found.
In Acts 4:27, four groups of people are listed as being tools used by God to bring to pass what his “hand” and “counsel determined to be done before.” So
here even it is not this group of four, but God’s hand guiding it throughout. First on this list of four is (1) Herod, (2) Pontus Pilate, (3) Gentiles and the last,
(4) Jews. So gentiles come before the Jews. We must know that the ultimate power of life and death rested not with the Jewish leaders but with Pontus
Pilate, and he informed Jesus of this in John 19:10, that “I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee.” Pilate or anybody else cannot place
the blame on the Jewish leaders, because Pilate had the ultimate power of life and death and the washing of his hands did not free him from the wrong
exercise of the power, even if he chose to listen to the Jewish leaders, the FINAL decision was his to make. Scripture is clear that when he saw a riot about
to happen (something he was familiar with during Jewish feast days-See Josephus-Antiquities of the Jews-), he went ahead and crucified him-Matthew 27:
24. Pilate had crucified thousands of Jews. What was the difference to make in one more. Though in this case, it was not he Pilate seeking to crucify him as
a political figure but the Jews, so he spoke about Jesus’ innocence. The soldiers treated him like a common criminal, mocked him and showed no remorse
whatsoever, that it was not their intent to have him killed. Jews do not kill by crucifixion. They do so by stoning. God having prophesied in Psalm 22:16, and
Zechariah 12:10, the piercing death of the Messiah, in his pre-ordained plan had to have a gentile nation involved in the Messiah’s death. Jesus on the
cross forgave everyone who had a part in his death-Luke 23:34. This of course includes the four groups of people in Acts 4:27, and everyone who had
sinned against God by providing forgiveness to them by his vicarious death on their behalf. In doing this, the effect of his death reaches to all who will come
to him. He took full responsibility for his death. Yes everyone had to have a hand in his death, therefore the whole world partook of it: Edomites-Herod,
Gentiles, the World Power of the day-Rome, and Jews. Isaiah 53:6 says “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one TO HIS OWN WAY;
and the LORD has laid on him, the iniquity (Hebrew-avon) of us all.

Our debt to the Jews:
Without the Jews, we have no Bible, no Prophets, no 10 commandments, no Jesus, and no first names of most of the people in the western nations of the
world today. They hallowed the word of God due to their high regard of it, copied it meticulously, and preserved it for thousands of years. In Romans 9:1-4,
Saul speaks of the special place of the Jewish nation. In Romans 3:1, he asks “What advantage then has the Jew?” In verse 2 he answers that question:
“MUCH IN EVERY WAY, chiefly because unto them were committed the oracles of God.” In other words God’s voice was committed to only one and one
people group of people-The Jews. In 2nd Samuel 7:23-24, David asks the question: “What ONE nation IN THE EARTH is like they people ISRAEL, whom
GOD went to redeem for a people to himself and to make a name…” In verse 3 he says “Israel to be a people unto thee for ever, thou Lord are become
their God.” Israel are God’s people forever. In Romans 11:28, Saul again reiterates this point that “Israel is beloved for the father’ sake.” In Zachariah 2:8-
God says who ever touches Israel, touches the apple of his eye. Jesus spent all his years within the Jewish boundary apart from a brief time in the area of
Tyre and Sidon. Jesus said in John 4:22, that “Salvation is from the Jews.” Without the Jews, there is no Jesus to atone for sin. In every nation of the world,
there are believers in Jesus. Without the Jews, they would be none. Jesus said he came to the “lost sheep of the House of Israel” in Matthew 15:24, and in
verse 26, the brief time he was outside Israel, in Tyre and Sidon, Jesus referred to gentiles as “dogs” and Jews as “children.” In Revelations 5:5, today and
forever, Jesus is still identified with his people as the “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of DAVID.” As seen in Romans 3:1-2, Jews were given the
oracles of God. Both the old and new covenants were ratified in the presence of Jews. The Bible both the first and the second Testament were written by
Jewish people, the author believes including Luke’s. They gave their lives for this word of God. They were meticulous in preserving the Word of God. As we
can see over 2000 years with the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. In Romans chapters 9:1-5, Saul gives the special place of the Jewish Nation,
culminating in the giving the world the Messiah.

In Romans chapters 9-11, we have several great scriptures some of them are that “the gifts and callings of God are without repentance.” This refers to the
Jewish people and the popular call to salvation used in the Church today: Romans 10:9-10, were also spoken in reference to Jewish people. In these
chapters, Saul speaks about the place of the Jewish Nation and asks gentiles not to boast against them, because they are the root and natural branches of
the olive tree, and gentiles are a wild olive branch GRAFTED into that tree, and receiving nourishment from the Jewish Olive Tree, so why hate and kill
them? This Olive Tree’s roots go deep thousands of years from Adam all the way to Abraham to Jesus to the present. We are children of Abraham by faith
in Jesus. God promised Abraham that he will be a father of many nations, Hebrew “goyim.” This includes gentile Nations all receiving their ancestry from
Abraham. How can this be? Through Jesus. So if we have been grafted into the Jewish tree-the natural branches-it is inconceivable how any Christian will
boast against a Jew. They were worshipping the only ONE TRUE God, long before any culture on planet Earth did and they still do. Christians cut off from
their Jewish roots, have no grounding, they get tossed about with every wind of doctrine-Ephesians 4:14. Jesus did not come to start a new religion. In fact
in Acts 24:5, Christianity was referred to as the sect of the “Nazarenes.” In other words a Jewish sect. The word Christian was not used till at least 10years
after the Jesus had ascended into heaven.

Blessings on Loving Israel:
God has promised blessings on those who love Israel. In Genesis 12:3, God says he will bless those who bless Israel. Again in Psalm 122:7, it says those
who love Israel, shall prosper. Again in Isaiah 40:1-2, God asks us to comfort his people. Instead of comforting, the church historically has persecuted the
Jews. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus promises eternal life to those who minister to the needs of his people.

Curses on Nations that hate Jews:
Jesus says he will Judge nations that have not shown love to his Jewish brethren-Matthew 25:31-46. In Genesis 12:3, God says he will bless those who
bless the Jewish people, but curse him(singular) that curses the Jewish people. The blessing is general to a people, but the curse is individualistic. In Joel 3:
1-2, and Zechariah 14:1-3, Christians believe Jesus will Judge those who partition the land of Israel and who scattered them. Again Zechariah 2:8 says
whoever touches the Jews, touches the apple of God’s eye. This means those who persecute the Jews are poking God in the eye. The Bible says it’s a
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God-Hebrews 10:31. In 1st Chronicles 16:22 and Psalm 105:15, God says we should not touch his anointed
and should not do his prophets any harm. I’ve heard Pentecostal and Charismatic pastors use this scripture to refer to themselves, but this scripture clearly
speaks about the Jewish people. This brings about the teaching of some sectors about “Replacement Theology.” The false teaching that the “Church” has
replaced “Israel.” The word Israel in the 2nd Testament is used 79 times in 77 verses and never once does it refer to the “Church.” In all the usages, it
refers to Jews. I remember once being in a Catholic Church, where the where the leaders said “everywhere you see ‘Israel’, replace it with your name.” Yes
it is very easy to do that and they are Great promises; BUT THEY ARE FOR ISRAEL. Jesus left the earth from the Mount of Olives and he’s coming back to
the Mount of Olives-Luke 1:12, Zachariah 14:1-4. Not to America, or any other nation on earth. God’s order of salvation and tribulation has always been the
same: Salvation first to the Jews and then the gentiles. Tribulation first to the Jews and then the gentiles-Romans 1:16, and Romans 2:9. In Matthew 25:31-
46, Jesus says entire nations will be judged based on how they have treated his people in times of need. Those who comforted them will be blessed and
those who neglected them will be cursed into everlasting darkness. History has proven that every nation that rose against the Jewish nation fell. In
Zechariah 14:2, Jesus will fight against the nations that have gathered against Jerusalem and again in Revelations 19:17-21 and Revelations 20:8-9, God
will destroy the nations that come up against Jerusalem to destroy it.

Boycotts
It surprises me to see so called “Christian” churches pricking a wound that has been festering for over two thousand years by this time boycotting
investment in Israel. I greatly wonder which God they serve. Starting with the “World” (emphasis mine) Council of Churches, the United Methodist Church,
the Episcopalian church, Anglican Church, United Churches of Christ and Disciples of Christ, Evangelical Lutheran Church(American), United Churches of
Canada, Canadian Teachers Union, Canadian Union of Public Employees, Harvard University, British Teachers Union, which rescinded in 4 days,
“Archbishop” Desmond Tutu, wonder where he got his Bible from? The list goes on. Does their Bible have Genesis 28:13-14, 48:3-4. God says he has
given them the land for an “everlasting possession.” Are they trembling at Joel 3:2-God’s judgment for dividing “my Land” says the Lord, or is the issue
Hosea 4:6 “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Destruction may not mean in this life but in eternity. Remember this destruction is “a judgment
of God.”

The ultimate source of anti-Semitism
I will conclude by saying Satan is the source of all hatred against the Jews. This is one group of people who worship the true God no matter what. Gentiles
can fluctuate, and live like the gentiles without God, or live according to their native religions, or be atheist. It is not so for the Jews. They are intertwined with
God. Even if they try to run away as Job did, God will go and seek them. They are chosen. Their food, music, culture, symbols, names are all biblical in
origin. God has promised that so long as there is the Sun and Stars, there will always remain a Jew, nothing can stop that-Jeremiah 31:35-36. The source of
the hatred is demonic. It has always been Satan’s plan to annihilate the Jews to prevent God’s plan from being fulfilled. First when God wanted his people
out of Egypt, he tried to stop that with Pharoah and failed. During the time of Esther, he tried annihilating the people of Israel, using Haman and failed. Then
he tried stopping the Messiah from being born by forcing all Jews to adopt Greek culture with Antiochus Epiphanes and failed. Then after the messiah was
born, he tried to eliminate the Messiah, with Herod the Great and failed. Then just as the people were returning to the land in fulfillment of several
prophecies including Amos 9:14, he tried annihilating them by Hitler and failed. The anti-Christ will try the same thing and again fail as he will be defeated by
the Lord Jesus-Revelations 19:17-21, who forever in eternity retains the title of the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, THE ROOT OF DAVID.

The Return of Yeshua
Jesus says he will not return until his people the Jewish people say unto him: Baruch HaBa B’shem Adonai-Matthew 23:39, Psalm 118:26. Jesus is waiting
for that day. Romans 11:25, says partial blindness have happen to the Jewish nation until the last gentile comes in and then “All Israel will be saved.” The
focus will shift after the last gospel has been saved. Today, there’s no planet on earth that hasn’t heard the gospel. The time for the book to be shut on
gentiles is drawing close and then once again, Yeshua’s focus will be to his beloved people. We have to witness to our Jewish brethren in love. Yes today
thousands have been saved and throughout history, several have accepted Yeshua as Lord, including names like Rabbi Daniel Zion, Rabbi Asher Levy,
Rabbi Max Wertheimer, Rabbi Ephraim ben Joseph Eliakim, Joseph Rabinowitz, and the former British Prime Minister-Benjamin Disraeli. Those “Christian”
who practiced anti-Semitism in the past or does so now, is not a follower of Jesus because their life and example was contrary to scripture. Jesus himself
said in Luke 6:46, that “why do you call me Lord and do not do the things which I say.” For to most Jews, all they know of Jesus or Christians is persecution
and sorrow. Even today there’s hardly any Jewish depiction of him or his mother Miriam in mainline churches. Most Jews were killed or humiliated during the
Pagan assimilated feasts of “Easter” and “Christmas.” So today, Moslems are even asking “Christians” to join them to persecute the Jews for “killing” Christ.
I wonder where they got the idea from. From “Christendom.” God says in Isaiah 54:17, addressed specifically to the Jewish people that “No weapon formed
against you shall prosper and every tongue that rises up in judgment against you, you shall condemn.”

SHALOM.

Ya’akov-James

For further reading on this subject please see: Dr. Michael Brown “Our hands are Stained with Blood.” Father Edward Flannery “The Anguish of the Jews.”
Derek Prince, “Our Debt to Israel.”
WHAT JEWS SAY ABOUT JESUS-FROM SHALOM MINISTRIES-UK.
"I regard Jesus of Nazareth as a Jew of Jews, one whom all Jewish people are learning to love. His teachings have been an immense service to the world in
bringing Israel’s God to the knowledge of hundreds of millions of mankind ... We are all glad to claim Jesus as one of our people." (Isidore Singer, Ph.D.,
Managing editor of The Jewish Encyclopaedia)
“I have the suspicion that Jesus was more loyal to the Torah than I am as an Orthodox Jew.” (Pinchas E. Lapide, Senior Lecturer at Bar-Ilan University)
"I do not think that many Jews would object if the Messiah—when he came—was the Jew Jesus." (David Flusser, Professor of Religious History at Hebrew
University in Jerusalem)
"No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life." (Albert
Einstein, Scientist)
"Spotless walk, unselfish love for mankind. Thousands of Jews adored Jesus, their teacher and friend." (Dr. J.M. Jost, Historian)
“We Jews honor the Nazarene as our brother in faith, sprung from our loins, nurtured at Israel’s knee, a teacher of sweet and beautiful ideals, a preacher
whose influence has been and still is among the mightiest spiritualizing factors in the world." (Rudolph Grossman, Rabbi)

BETH CHAI MINISTRIES

House of Life