Assemblies of Yahweh: Difference between revisions
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== Educational == |
== Educational == |
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The Assemblies of Yahweh has two educational institutions located in Bethel Pennsylvania. The |
The Assemblies of Yahweh has two educational institutions located in Bethel Pennsylvania. The Obadiah School of the Bible was founded in 1973 as Obadiah Fraternity, a public speaking class. Obadiah [[Fraternity]] – interpreted to mean “Brethren serving Yahweh” – was the name of the Assemblies of Yahweh speaking group, set up to aid young men in oratory. Obadiah Fraternity existed before Obadiah School of the Bible. <ref> {{cite article |title=The Narrow Way; Letters to the Brethren |last= Meyer|first=Jacob |year=1994 | month=August | publisher=Assemblies of Yahweh |pages=2 |quote= “Interest in the new Obadiah School of the Bible educational program appears to be growing for which we thank and praise Almighty Yahweh”}}</ref><ref>{{cite article |title=The Narrow Way; 2003 Feast of Tabernacles Report: |last= Whiteside | first=David |year=2003 | month=November | publisher=Assemblies of Yahweh |pages=17 |quote= “Obadiah school has more students than ever”}} </ref>. |
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Obadiah School's purpose according to Meyer <ref>{{cite book |title=Translation and Commentary on Micah |last= Meyer|first=Jacob |year=2006 | month=February | publisher=Assemblies of Yahweh|isbn=LCN-2006901945|pages=vii |quote= “I was privileged to teach Biblical languages in the Assemblies of Yahweh educational institution, Obadiah School of the Bible for the past 32 years”}} </ref>, is “to teach the pure truth of Yahweh’s Word”. Under Pennsylvanian state laws, Obadiah school could not be registered with state authorities as a seminary or college, however, the Assemblies of Yahweh have no plans to obtain this level of accreditation, based on the previous statement. <ref>Meyer 2008, p. 2.</ref> |
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Meyer modeled Obadiah after [[Center for Advanced Judaic Studies|Dropsie University]], where he studied Biblical languages (Hebrew) and texts. <ref>{{cite book |title=Translation and Commentary on Micah |last= Meyer|first=Jacob |year=2006 | month=February | publisher=Assemblies of Yahweh|isbn=LCN-2006901945|pages=vii |quote= “I am deeply indebted to my instructors, first to Mr Paul Pen for introducing me to [Ashkenazic Hebrew]} and to the fascinating study of Philology. I am especially indebted to Dr James Yoder and Dr. Harold S. Scalan of the [[Evangelical School of Theology]] for teaching me the [[Sephardic Hebrew]] in which the [[Hebrew Bible]] is to be read and vowel pointed. Later other professors were my teachers at [[Center for Advanced Judaic Studies|Dropsie University]] in [[Philadelphia]] and John Hopkins in Baltimore, where the author has been privileged to take courses and seminars”}} </ref> |
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The Obadiah School has grown and today hosts extensive Biblical instruction.<ref>http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_pr5cm</ref> <ref>Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices pg. 88 J. Gordon Melton and Martin Baumann Santa Barbara, CA c2002 ISBN 1576077616</ref>The Obadiah [[library]] consists of over 10,000 books at present, which Meyer wrote other college and seminary professors find to be “outstanding” <ref>Meyer 2008, p. 3.</ref> for such a small organization. Although focused on Bible study, [[history]], [[mathematics]], [[geography]] and [[computer science]] are also taught. Today this school's graduates form the core of the Assemblies of Yahweh with many alumni leading local assemblies. |
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The [[Dalet School]] was designed by Meyer in 1976 in the style of a one-room schoolhouse. Students are instructed by under-classmen (as a review) and over-classmen (as a preview). The school runs from kindergarten through 12th grade. As of 2005 it had 3 classroom teachers and 38 students.<ref>http://schools.privateschoolsreport.com/Pennsylvania/Bethel/DaletSchool.html</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 02:06, 11 January 2009
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The Assemblies of Yahweh is a nonprofit religious organization with international headquarters in Bethel, Pennsylvania, which developed from the radio ministry of Elder Jacob O. Meyer in 1966.[1] As of 2006, the group claimed 3,000 members.[2]
Mission Statement and membership
In 1969 the Assemblies of Yahweh received its charter from Berks County, Pennsylvania. The core of this charter reads: "Our purpose is to teach and preach the word and sacred Name of our Heavenly Father and the truth of the inspired scriptures, to promote the interest of religion and the spread of spiritual holiness throughout the world."[3] To be a member of the Assemblies of Yahweh an individual must profess a dedication to Yahweh, be baptised (by submersion) in water in Yahshua’s name, have had the hands of the Elders laid on them to receive the Holy Spirit, maintain a life of total dedication to Yahweh and agree with the group's "Statement of Doctrine."[4]
In 2006 the group claimed a membership of 3,000 and a mailing list of 16,000.[2] The headquarters is based on 51-acres outside of Bethel PA and contains a large meeting hall, a motel converted into office space, its two schools, and the converted gas station that serves as its radio station.[2] Elder Meyer rejects the use of the word "church" to describe the group, because of his concerns the word is derived from the Greek goddess Circe.[2] Its members do not refer to themselves as Christians or Jews, but instead call themselves "Messianic Israelites."[2]
Doctrinal beliefs
The Assemblies of Yahweh profess to follow the Old and New Testaments as closely as possible.[2] This causes the group to be viewed as an admixture of Judaism and Christianity although they do not actually mix Christian doctrines with the teachings of the Scriptures. They believe that in order to understand the will of Yahweh, the Bible must be harmonized and adhered to as infallible.[4] Believers must maintain faith in the imminent advent of the Messiah. They choose to call themselves True Worshipers, citing John 4:23 as the basis for this practice.
The group believes the name of the Supreme Being is “Yahweh” and the name of the Messiah is Yahshua. The Assemblies of Yahweh hold that that the Bible from the Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelation contains the keys to eternal life and must be obeyed by humanity. The group adheres to dietary restrictions laid out in Leviticus 11 and Deutoronomy 14 and practices tithing.
The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week and from Friday at sundown to Saturday at sundown a period of rest and worship is observed. In addition to the weekly sabbath the Assemblies observe a number of annual holy days including Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Pentecost (Shavuot), the Feast of Trumpets, the Fast of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. Among the the things the Assemblies of Yahweh reject as unbiblical are the Trinity, infant baptism, homosexuality, polygamy, female ministers and eternal hell.
Organizational structure and outreach
The Assemblies are led by a "Directing Elder" and since their inception, this post has been held by Jacob O. Meyer. Elder Meyer is the final editor of all publications, the main talent in its radio and television broadcasts and the pastor of the assembly in Bethel, Pennsylvania. He is assisted by a group of individuals called "the Work of the Ministry" who assist him in practical matters and provide council on questions of doctrine. There are also "Teaching Elders" ordained to serve as instructional leaders, deacons ordained to serve the needs of the assemblies and missionaries to help spread the faith. The Assemblies of Yahweh conducts outreach through periodicals, books and broadcasts. It produces a magazine called ‘The Narrow Way’, an internet and shortwave radio broadcast via its wmlkradio.net website, a webcast[5] and a number of self-published books, among them the Sacred Scriptures Bethel Edition.[6]
Educational
The Assemblies of Yahweh has two educational institutions located in Bethel Pennsylvania. The Obadiah School of the Bible was founded in 1973 as Obadiah Fraternity, a public speaking class. Obadiah Fraternity – interpreted to mean “Brethren serving Yahweh” – was the name of the Assemblies of Yahweh speaking group, set up to aid young men in oratory. Obadiah Fraternity existed before Obadiah School of the Bible. [7][8].
Obadiah School's purpose according to Meyer [9], is “to teach the pure truth of Yahweh’s Word”. Under Pennsylvanian state laws, Obadiah school could not be registered with state authorities as a seminary or college, however, the Assemblies of Yahweh have no plans to obtain this level of accreditation, based on the previous statement. [10] Meyer modeled Obadiah after Dropsie University, where he studied Biblical languages (Hebrew) and texts. [11] The Obadiah School has grown and today hosts extensive Biblical instruction.[12] [13]The Obadiah library consists of over 10,000 books at present, which Meyer wrote other college and seminary professors find to be “outstanding” [14] for such a small organization. Although focused on Bible study, history, mathematics, geography and computer science are also taught. Today this school's graduates form the core of the Assemblies of Yahweh with many alumni leading local assemblies.
The Dalet School was designed by Meyer in 1976 in the style of a one-room schoolhouse. Students are instructed by under-classmen (as a review) and over-classmen (as a preview). The school runs from kindergarten through 12th grade. As of 2005 it had 3 classroom teachers and 38 students.[15]
References
- ^ Melton, J. Gordon (2007), Nelson's Guide to Denominations, Nashville: Thomas Nelson, p. 378, ISBN 9781418501969, OCLC 70921342
- ^ a b c d e f Vandermeulen, Rebecca (2006-10-08). "The Assemblies of Yahweh reaches a worlwide audience". The Reading Eagle.
- ^ Assemblies of Yahweh
- ^ a b "Statement of Doctrine". Assemblies of Yahweh. 2004. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
- ^ http://sacrednametelecast.com "On-Demand Topics"]
- ^ http://www.tyndale.cam.ac.uk/Scriptures/ssbe.htm
- ^ Template:Cite article
- ^ Template:Cite article
- ^ Meyer, Jacob (2006). Translation and Commentary on Micah. Assemblies of Yahweh. pp. vii. ISBN LCN-2006901945.
"I was privileged to teach Biblical languages in the Assemblies of Yahweh educational institution, Obadiah School of the Bible for the past 32 years"
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: invalid character (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Meyer 2008, p. 2.
- ^ Meyer, Jacob (2006). Translation and Commentary on Micah. Assemblies of Yahweh. pp. vii. ISBN LCN-2006901945.
"I am deeply indebted to my instructors, first to Mr Paul Pen for introducing me to [Ashkenazic Hebrew]} and to the fascinating study of Philology. I am especially indebted to Dr James Yoder and Dr. Harold S. Scalan of the Evangelical School of Theology for teaching me the Sephardic Hebrew in which the Hebrew Bible is to be read and vowel pointed. Later other professors were my teachers at Dropsie University in Philadelphia and John Hopkins in Baltimore, where the author has been privileged to take courses and seminars"
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: invalid character (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_pr5cm
- ^ Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices pg. 88 J. Gordon Melton and Martin Baumann Santa Barbara, CA c2002 ISBN 1576077616
- ^ Meyer 2008, p. 3.
- ^ http://schools.privateschoolsreport.com/Pennsylvania/Bethel/DaletSchool.html
External links
- Assemblies of Yahweh Homepage - Official Site of the Organization
- “Sacred Name Broadcaster”