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{{Notability|date=September 2008}}
{{Notability|date=September 2008}}
{{Unreferenced|date=January 2009}}
{{Unreferenced|date=January 2009}}
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.<ref>{{citation
The Assemblies of Yahweh is a nonprofit religious organization with its international headquarters in Bethel, Pennsylvania. The organization developed independently out of a radio ministry begun by Elder Jacob O. Meyer in 1966.<ref>History of Bethel and Tulpehocken Townships pg 227 Published by Bethel and Tulpehocken Townships, Berks County PA c1976 Boyer Printing Co. Lebanon PA </ref> A magazine, The Sacred Name Broadcaster, began to be published in 1968<ref>Encyclopedia of American Religions 6th edition page 553 Melton, J. Gordon
Detroit: Gale Research c1999 ISSN 10661212 ISBN 0810384175 LCCN: 00702484</ref> and continues to this day. Elder Meyer left the religion of his youth and began a spiritual pilgrimage that lead to the knowledge of the sacred name of Yahweh. In his search Elder Meyer explored various religious sects including groups using the sacred name.<ref>Encyclopedia of American Religions 6th edition page 553 Melton, J. Gordon
| first1 = J. Gordon
Detroit: Gale Research c1999 ISSN 10661212 ISBN 0810384175 LCCN: 00702484</ref> Finding “widespread disorganization and confusion” <ref>Statement of Doctrine".</ref> the doctrines of the Assemblies of Yahweh where published and the organization was officially chartered in 1969.<ref>Encyclopedia of American Religions 6th edition page 553 Melton, J. Gordon
| last1 = Melton
Detroit: Gale Research c1999 ISSN 10661212 ISBN 0810384175 LCCN: 00702484</ref> As of 2006 the group claims about 3,000 members and a mailing list of 16,000 for the Sacred Name Broadcaster.<ref>Vandermeulen, Rebecca (2006-10-08). "The Assemblies of Yahweh reaches a worlwide audience", The Reading Eagle. </ref>
| authorlink1 = J. Gordon Melton
| title = Nelson's Guide to Denominations
| publisher = [[Thomas Nelson (publisher)|Thomas Nelson]]
| location = [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]]
| year = 2007
| isbn = 9781418501969
| oclc = 70921342
| page = 378}}</ref> As of 2006, the group claimed 3,000 members.<ref name = ReadingEagle>{{cite news | url = http://activearchive.readingeagle.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=UkVHLzIwMDYvMTAvMDgjQXIwMDEwMQ==&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom | publisher = [[The Reading Eagle]] | title = The Assemblies of Yahweh reaches a worlwide audience | date = 2006-10-08 | first = Rebecca | last = Vandermeulen }}</ref>

== Mission Statement and membership==
== Mission Statement and membership==


Revision as of 23:17, 13 January 2009

The Assemblies of Yahweh is a nonprofit religious organization with its international headquarters in Bethel, Pennsylvania. The organization developed independently out of a radio ministry begun by Elder Jacob O. Meyer in 1966.[1] A magazine, The Sacred Name Broadcaster, began to be published in 1968[2] and continues to this day. Elder Meyer left the religion of his youth and began a spiritual pilgrimage that lead to the knowledge of the sacred name of Yahweh. In his search Elder Meyer explored various religious sects including groups using the sacred name.[3] Finding “widespread disorganization and confusion” [4] the doctrines of the Assemblies of Yahweh where published and the organization was officially chartered in 1969.[5] As of 2006 the group claims about 3,000 members and a mailing list of 16,000 for the Sacred Name Broadcaster.[6]

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."[7] 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."[8]

In 2006 the group claimed a membership of 3,000 and a mailing list of 16,000.[9] 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.[9] 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.[9] Its members do not refer to themselves as Christians or Jews, but instead call themselves "Messianic Israelites."[9]

Doctrinal beliefs

The Assemblies of Yahweh profess to follow the Old and New Testaments as closely as possible.[9] 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.[8] 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[10] and a number of self-published books, among them the Sacred Scriptures Bethel Edition.[11]

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. The institution began officially as Obadiah School in 1974.[12]

Obadiah School's purpose according to Meyer [13], 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. [14] Meyer modeled Obadiah after Dropsie University, where he studied Biblical languages (Hebrew) and texts. [15] The Obadiah School has grown and today hosts extensive Biblical instruction.[16] [17]The Obadiah library consists of over 10,000 books at present, which Meyer wrote other college and seminary professors find to be “outstanding” [18] 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.[19]

References

  1. ^ History of Bethel and Tulpehocken Townships pg 227 Published by Bethel and Tulpehocken Townships, Berks County PA c1976 Boyer Printing Co. Lebanon PA
  2. ^ Encyclopedia of American Religions 6th edition page 553 Melton, J. Gordon Detroit: Gale Research c1999 ISSN 10661212 ISBN 0810384175 LCCN: 00702484
  3. ^ Encyclopedia of American Religions 6th edition page 553 Melton, J. Gordon Detroit: Gale Research c1999 ISSN 10661212 ISBN 0810384175 LCCN: 00702484
  4. ^ Statement of Doctrine".
  5. ^ Encyclopedia of American Religions 6th edition page 553 Melton, J. Gordon Detroit: Gale Research c1999 ISSN 10661212 ISBN 0810384175 LCCN: 00702484
  6. ^ Vandermeulen, Rebecca (2006-10-08). "The Assemblies of Yahweh reaches a worlwide audience", The Reading Eagle.
  7. ^ Assemblies of Yahweh
  8. ^ a b "Statement of Doctrine". Assemblies of Yahweh. 2004. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
  9. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference ReadingEagle was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ http://sacrednametelecast.com "On-Demand Topics"]
  11. ^ http://www.tyndale.cam.ac.uk/Scriptures/ssbe.htm
  12. ^ History of Bethel and Tulpehocken Townships pg 227 Published by Bethel and Tulpehocken Townships, Berks County PA c1976 Boyer Printing Co. Lebanon PA
  13. ^ 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)
  14. ^ Meyer 2008, p. 2.
  15. ^ 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)
  16. ^ http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_pr5cm
  17. ^ 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
  18. ^ Meyer 2008, p. 3.
  19. ^ http://schools.privateschoolsreport.com/Pennsylvania/Bethel/DaletSchool.html

External links

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