Israel Institute of BS
Christianity is by far the world’s largest religion. Did you know that there are about 2.4 billion followers spread throughout 195 countries around the world? If you are proud to call yourself a member of the global Christian family, you might be surprised to learn that two thousand years ago, no one used the word “Christian”. Do you know what word they used?
Prepare the Way of the Lord
The apostle Paul proudly proclaimed: “I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way” (Acts 24:14), in front of the Roman governor Felix during his trial in 57 AD. Instead of calling himself a Christian, he said he belonged to “The Way.” Throughout the New Testament, the first followers of Jesus used this cryptic name to refer to themselves. But why?
Bring the Law to Fruition
Jesus and all his first disciples were Jewish. They were devout Jews, and they all observed the laws found in the Torah. Jesus had no intention of canceling the Law despite criticism of the legalism pertaining to the Pharisees. He even said: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).
Study the original Biblical word
The original Hebrew word Jesus spoke when he said ‘Law’ was הלכה halakhah from the root HLK ה.ל.ך meaning ‘to walk’. The Law is not just a dry set of obscure rules. It is ‘the straight path that one is meant to walk on’. This code of behavior governs every moment of one’s life. This is the reason that Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
