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The Assemblies of Yahweh are a religious organization based in Bethel, PA. Their doctrines are a mix of Christian Orthodox Jewish, and Jehovah Witnesses beliefs, centering on the use of the names Yahweh for God and Yahshua the Messiah for Jesus Christ, respectively.

Some of their central beliefs include the unity of God, the necessity of using the sacred names, the rejection of certain words, which includes the use of the words and names "Lord", "God", "Jesus", and the celebration of holidays such as Christmas and Easter, which they claim are pagan. They also follow the Jewish dietary laws found in the Old Covenant.

Like the Jehovah Witnesses, they believe that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force and not a being, given to those who are members of the group and therefore the doctrine of the Trinity is rejected by the Assemblies of Yahweh and labeled as a pagan belief. The Assemblies of Yahweh disavow an eternal torment in an ever-burning hell.

The AOY rejects the inspiration of the Greek New Testament, believing it to be corrupted.

Aside from the importance placed on the sacred names, many of their doctrines are similar to those of the WWCG, during its leadership under its founder HWA and those of the Jehovah Witnesses. An austere Pennsylvania Dutch influence also is reflected in the organization, especially in the emphasis on withdrawing from popular entertainments and strictly shunning those who have been disfellowshipped from their membership. AOY is also noteworthy in that they declare themselves to be pacifists, presumably influenced by founder Jacob O. Meyer's Anabaptist background.

Organization

The Assemblies of Yahweh were founded in 1969 by Elder Jacob O. Meyer, who has been their self-appointed leader ever since. Their headquarters is located in Bethel, PA and AOY have a few assemblies scattered throughout the world. The Assemblies of Yahweh is one of many small sacred name groups. They publish three monthly publications, with the Sacred Name Broadcaster reaching nearly various households along with literature which covers each of their doctrines. Concentration is also placed on television and radio shows, as well as WMLK, a shortwave radio station of their own. In 1973 Elder Meyer founded Obadiah School of the Bible. One of the first graduate students though was Elder Wirl, who left the organization and is now a pastor in Yahweh's Philadelphia Truth Congregation. Another graduate, Elder Jacob C. Meyer, Elder Jacob O. Meyer's son, also left the AOY as is now pastor of the Yahweh's Frystown Assembly, which adopts a more realistic interpretation of the Bible is located near Frystown, Pennsylvania, just miles from his father's group.

Jacob Meyer has sought to unify the Sacred Name Movement and stated in the preamble of the AOY Statement of Doctrine, written in 1969, that "Widespread disorganization and confusion have been rampant during the past years in the Sacred Name Movement. We hereby present this document as the basis of our Faith on which we can all stand, and on which we can base a unity of purpose." However, most rejected the concept of one-man or papal government and so he failed to get a following after himself from the Sacred Name movement. Recently he has begun denying he was ever a part of the SNM.

Criticism

Questions over the financial accountability have led to concerns over the spending of members' tithes and offerings, including expenditures for lawyers' fees. One such lawsuit is described in an article called Yahweh, Inc.? that describes how Jacob O. Meyer sued another Sacred Name group headquartered in Missouri, formerly called "Assemblies of Yahweh in Messiah", now called Yahweh’s New Covenant Assembly over the use of the organization's name and other accusations over membership lists, in spite of the fact that there were other Sacred Name Groups with the name Assembly of Yahweh many years before Jacob O. Meyer entered the Sacred Name Movement.
Over the years, many of those who have left the organization have cited Pharisaical attitudes and over controlling practices among the reasons for their departure. The strictness for some has been too cumbersome to follow. Members who have left the AOY over the years, include Jacob O. Meyer's brother, sister and several of his children. Son Daniel K. Meyer MD, who was the first graduate student of Daleth School operated by the Assemblies of Yahweh, posted his disagreements on Freedom Rings Bulletin Board of the Lebanon Valley College a forum for GLBTQ students that, "The biblical writings are a record of human experience at particular points in time. If we accept that we have been given the capacity for thought and insight, and we accept that our understanding of the world is different now than it was 2000 years ago, do we need to restrict our understanding of sin to that same understanding? For example, we no longer accept the biblical explanation for unusual natural events which occurred - "earth stood still" !! It was considered sinful to wear garments of mixed fibers - linen and wool, for example. No Christian I know now considers that sinful. Free yourself from anti-intellectualism!" Posted by Daniel K Meyer, MD on Sep 21st, 2004. Quoted from GLBTQ Forum >> In the News >> House passes Marriage Protection Act. [Lebanon Valley College GLBTQ Forum]

Note: It should be noted that the Assembly of Yahweh of 1017 N. Gunnell Road, Eaton Rapids, Michigan, founded decades before the Meyer group and publishers of The Faith Magazine , is a different (religious) group to the Assemblies of Yahweh of Bethel, Pa. and in no way connected.

External links

Assemblies of Yahweh Profile
The Faith Magazine - Online Edition - Referenced Publication
Yahweh Inc.? - Referenced Article
Yahweh's Frystown Assembly - Referenced Organization
Assembly of Yahweh - Referenced Organization
Assemblies of Yahweh Profile - An overview of the Assemblies by traditional Protestant Christians. (Critical)
Assemblies of Yahweh Homepage - Official Site of the Organization
Yahweh's Philadelphia Truth Congregation - Referenced Organization.
Yahweh's Assembly in Messiah Homepage - Referenced Organization

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+{{Cleanup|date=October 2007}}
-{{Notability|date=September 2008}}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. The Assemblies of Yahweh is the largest cohesive group that consistently uses the name of [[Yahweh]]{{Fact|date=September 2008}}, but is not a part of the [[Sacred Name Movement]].
+The '''Assemblies of Yahweh''' are a religious organization based in Bethel, PA. Their doctrines are a mix of [[Christian]] [[Orthodox Jewish]], and [[Jehovah Witnesses]] beliefs, centering on the use of the names [[Yahweh]] for God and [[Yahshua]] the [[Messiah]] for [[Jesus Christ]], respectively.
+Some of their central beliefs include the unity of God, the necessity of using the sacred names, the rejection of certain words, which includes the use of the words and names "[[Lord]]", "[[God]]", "[[Jesus]]", and the celebration of holidays such as [[Christmas]] and [[Easter]], which they claim are pagan.  They also follow the Jewish dietary laws found in the Old Covenant.
-== Mission Statement ==
+Like the Jehovah Witnesses, they believe that the [[Holy Spirit]] is an impersonal force and not a being, given to those who are members of the group and therefore the doctrine of the [[Trinity]] is rejected by the Assemblies of Yahweh and labeled as a pagan belief. The Assemblies of Yahweh  disavow an eternal torment in an ever-burning hell.
-In 1969 the Assemblies of Yahweh received its charter from Berks County, Pennsylvania. The core of this charter reads:
-{{cquote| 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. |20px|20px|[[(“[http://assembliesofyahweh.com/missionstatement.htm Assemblies of Yahweh<!-- Bot generated title -->]</blockquote>
-").]]|''}}
+The AOY rejects the inspiration of the [[Greek language|Greek]] [[New Testament]], believing it to be corrupted.
-== Membership ==
-===Qualifications===
-To be considered members of the Assemblies of Yahweh individuals must:
-* Profess a dedication to Yahweh, be [[baptised]] (by submersion) in water in [[Yahshua]]’s Name and have had the hands of the Elders laid on them to receive the Holy Spirit.
-* Maintain a life of total dedication to Yahweh.
-* Agree with the Statement of Doctrine. <ref>[http://assembliesofyahweh.com/sod.htm Statement of Doctrine-Assemblies of Yahweh<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
+Aside from the importance placed on the sacred names, many of their doctrines are similar to those of the WWCG, during its leadership under its founder HWA and those of the [[Jehovah Witnesses]]. An austere Pennsylvania Dutch influence also is reflected in the organization, especially in the emphasis on withdrawing from popular entertainments and strictly shunning those who have been [[disfellowshipped]] from their membership.
-==Doctrinal Beliefs==
+AOY is also noteworthy in that they declare themselves to be pacifists, presumably influenced by founder Jacob O. Meyer's [[Anabaptist]] background.
+== Organization ==
-The Assemblies of Yahweh profess to strive to follow the sacred Scriptures as closely as possible, building their faith by harmonizing all scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments pertaining to any subject. 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. <ref>[http://assembliesofyahweh.com/sod.htm Statement of Doctrine-Assemblies of Yahweh<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> They believe that in order to understand the will of [[Yahweh]], the [[Bible]] must be harmonized and adhered to as [[infallible]]. 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 Assemblies of Yahweh proclaim themselves as [[pacifists]] and refrain from [[voting]] in [[elections]].
+{{Unreferencedsection|date=October 2007}}
-Some notable doctrines of the Assemblies of Yahweh include:
-* The name of the Supreme Being is “[[Yahweh]]” and He insists on its exclusive use.
-* The name of the [[Messiah]] is [[Yahshua]] who came to earth
-and through his death and [[resurrection]] and obedience to the scriptures followers may find [[salvation]].
-* The Bible, from [[Book of Genesis|Genesis]] to [[Revelation]], holds the keys to [[eternal life]] and must be obeyed by humanity.
-* The [[Sabbath in Seventh-day Adventism|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 there are annual [[feast Days]] that must be observed. They include: [[Passover]], [[Feast of Unleavened Bread]], [[Pentecost]] ([[Shavuot]]), Feast of Trumpets, Fast of [[Atonement]] ([[Yom Kippur]]), [[Feast of Tabernacles]] and the Last Great Day.
-* A diet of “Clean Foods” as defined in Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14.
-* [[Tithing]]
-The Assemblies of Yahweh reject as "unbiblical":<ref>http://assembliesofyahweh.com/sod.htm “Statement of Doctrine''</ref>
+The Assemblies of Yahweh were founded in 1969 by Elder Jacob O. Meyer, who has been their self-appointed leader ever since. Their headquarters is located in Bethel, PA and AOY have a few assemblies scattered throughout the world.  The Assemblies of Yahweh is one of many small sacred name groups. They publish three monthly publications, with the Sacred Name Broadcaster reaching nearly various households along with literature which covers each of their doctrines. Concentration is also placed on television and radio shows, as well as WMLK, a shortwave radio station of their own.
-* The [[Trinity]]
+In 1973 Elder Meyer founded Obadiah School of the Bible. One of the first graduate students though was Elder Wirl, who left the organization and is now a pastor in ''Yahweh's Philadelphia Truth Congregation''. Another graduate, Elder Jacob C. Meyer, Elder Jacob O. Meyer's son, also left the AOY as is now pastor of the ''Yahweh's Frystown Assembly'', which adopts a more realistic interpretation of the Bible is located near Frystown, Pennsylvania, just miles from his father's group.
-* Infant baptism
-* Worldly holidays
-* Homosexuality
-* Polygamy
-* Female ministers
-* Inspiration of the Greek New Testament.
-* Eternal hell
+Jacob Meyer has sought to unify the Sacred Name Movement and stated in the preamble of the AOY Statement of Doctrine, written in 1969, that "Widespread disorganization and confusion have been rampant during the past years in the Sacred Name Movement. We hereby present this document as the basis of our Faith on which we can all stand, and on which we can base a unity of purpose." However, most rejected the concept of one-man or papal government and so he failed to get a following after himself from the Sacred Name movement. Recently he has begun denying he was ever a part of the SNM.
-== Organizational ==
-The Assemblies of Yahweh leadership consists of:
-* A "Directing Elder", responsible for the Spiritual direction of the Assembly and day to day operation of the Ministry.
-* "Teaching Elders", ordained to serve as instructional leaders.
-* "Deacons", ordained to serve in the needs of the assemblies.
-* "Senior Missionaries", consecrated to serve Yahweh in local areas; many times used as local leader and (or) a new-inquirer contact point.
-* "Missionaries", consecrated to serve Yahweh in local areas to help spread their Faith.
-Since its inception, the Directing Elder of the Assemblies of Yahweh has been Elder Jacob O. Meyer. In addition to the responsibilities listed above, he is the final editor of all publications, the talent behind the radio and television broadcasts and the Pastor of the assembly in Bethel Pennsylvania. He is assisted by a group of individuals, "the Work of the Ministry", who assist him in ministerial trips, preaching and visitations and other responsibilities pertaining to the Ministry. Elder Meyer also uses them as counselors in questions of doctrine.
-== Outreach ==
-The Assemblies of Yahweh uses many tools to spread their message across the world and contact individuals.
-They are:
-===Monthly===
-* The Sacred Name Broadcaster. (Subscription list contains up to 20,000 names).
-* The Narrow Way Magazine. (Co-Worker Publication).
-* The Narrow Way Newsletter (Co-Worker Publication).
-===Books===
-* The Sacred Scriptures, Bethel Edition Bible LCN-81-69752 (In its seventh printing).
-* Psalms, Anthems and Spiritual Songs
-* The Memorial Name Yahweh LCN-87-072550
-* Commentary on Galatians LCN 83-82474
-* Commentary on Micah LCN-2006901945
-* Commentary on Revelation Vol. 1 LCN-2006901947
-* Biblical Ecclesiastical Assembly Administration LCN-2006908256
-===Radio===
-* The Sacred Name Broadcast
-* WMLK Shortwave [http://wmlkradio.net "WMLK Site"]
-* Simulcast of WMLK Shortwave (Internet) [http://assembliesofyahweh.com/radio2.htm "WMLK Simulcast"]
-* 24/7 Internet Radio
-===Television===
-* The Sacred Name Telecast
-* Online Telecasts [http://sacrednametelecast.com/ "On-Demand Topics"]
-===Internet===
-* Website [http://assembliesofyahweh.com "Assemblies of Yahweh Homepage"]
-* Internet Messages [http://assembliesofyahweh.com/radio2.htm "Internet Radio"]
-===Sabbath Services===
-* Local Assemblies around the world.
-* Live Internet Streaming (Audio and Video)
-* Cassette Tape lending program
-===Ministerial Trips===
-* Periodical Bible Conferences
-* Baptism, Marriage, Funeral requests, Prison Visitation, Personal Contact
-===Local Target Areas===
-* Tract Distribution
-* Radio and TV Spots
-== Educational ==
-The Assemblies of Yahweh has two educational institutions located in Bethel Pennsylvania.
-===Obadiah School of the Bible===
-Begun in 1973 as Obadiah Fraternity, a class concentrating on public speaking, Obadiah School has continued to grow and today has an extensive Biblical curriculum. Centered on the Bible class, each course is Biblical in nature. Today the graduates form the core of the Assemblies of Yahweh with many of the graduates going on to lead local Assemblies.
-===Dalet School===
-From its rudimentary beginnings in 1976, Elder Jacob O. Meyer designed Dalet School in the reflection of a one-room schoolhouse. The students are given the ability to hear the instruction of under-classmen (as a review) and over-classmen (as a preview). The school contains classes from kindergarten through 12th grade.
-===Seminars===
-Periodic seminars are scheduled concerning various topics in different areas. These are typically designed to aid individuals with a localized concern or event.
 == Criticism ==
-Since its inception the Assemblies of Yahweh has had some criticism leveled at them by non-members and former members. They are:
-* A lawsuit brought against Yahweh's Assembly in Messiah over Federal Trademark Violations. YAIM paid damages and settled out-of-court.[http://www.friendsofsabbath.org/~surfer/Richard_C_Nickels/Books%20in%20plan%20text/Volume1/COG71416.TXT ''Damages''] [http://yahwehstruth.net/lawsuitpage.htm ''Current Lawsuits''] [http://www.giveshare.org/BibleStudy/074.yahweh.html ''Yahweh, Inc.?'']
-* Strictness
-==Assemblies of Yahweh in the News==
+Questions over the financial accountability have led to concerns over the spending of members' tithes and offerings, including expenditures for lawyers' fees. One such lawsuit is described in an article called [http://www.giveshare.org/BibleStudy/074.yahweh.html ''Yahweh, Inc.?''] that describes how Jacob O. Meyer sued another Sacred Name group headquartered in Missouri, formerly called "Assemblies of Yahweh in Messiah", now called Yahweh’s New Covenant Assembly over the use of the organization's name and other accusations over membership lists, in spite of the fact that there were other Sacred Name Groups with the name ''Assembly of Yahweh'' many years before Jacob O. Meyer entered the Sacred Name Movement. <br />
-[http://activearchive.readingeagle.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=UkVHLzIwMDYvMTAvMDgjQXIwMDEwMQ==&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom "Newspaper Expose'"]
+Over the years, many of those who have left the organization have cited Pharisaical attitudes and over controlling practices among the reasons for their departure. The strictness for some has been too cumbersome to follow.
+Members who have left the AOY over the years, include Jacob O. Meyer's brother, sister and several of his children. Son Daniel K. Meyer MD, who was the first graduate student of Daleth School operated by the Assemblies of Yahweh, posted his disagreements on Freedom Rings Bulletin Board of the Lebanon Valley College a forum for GLBTQ students that, "The biblical writings are a record of human experience at particular points in time. If we accept that we have been given the capacity for thought and insight, and we accept that our understanding of the world is different now than it was 2000 years ago, do we need to restrict our understanding of sin to that same understanding? For example, we no longer accept the biblical explanation for unusual natural events which occurred - "earth stood still" !! It was considered sinful to wear garments of mixed fibers - linen and wool, for example. No Christian I know now considers that sinful. Free yourself from anti-intellectualism!" Posted by Daniel K Meyer, MD on Sep 21st, 2004.
+Quoted from GLBTQ Forum >> In the News >> House passes Marriage Protection Act. [[http://geocities.com/lvcarchive/lvc.html Lebanon Valley College GLBTQ Forum]] <br/>
-It should be noted that the [[Assembly of Yahweh]] of 1017 N. Gunnell Road, Eaton Rapids, Michigan, and publishers of ''The Faith'' magazine <ref>[http://www.assemblyofyahweh.com/thefaithmagazine.htm The Faith Magazine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> since 1969, is a different group than the Assemblies of Yahweh of Bethel, Pa. and in no way connected. There has been a good relationship between the two groups for over 41 years.
+''Note:'' It should be noted that the Assembly of Yahweh of 1017 N. Gunnell Road, Eaton Rapids, Michigan, founded decades before the Meyer group and publishers of [http://www.assemblyofyahweh.com/thefaithmagazine.htm The Faith Magazine ], is a different (religious) group to the Assemblies of Yahweh of Bethel, Pa. and in no way connected.
 ==See also==
 *[[Sacred Name Movement]]
-*[[YHWH]]
-== References ==
-{{Reflist}}
 ==External links==
-;Sites sponsored and maintained by the Assemblies of Yahweh.
+*[http://www.watchman.org/profile/assembliesyahwehpro.htm Assemblies of Yahweh Profile]
+*[http://www.assemblyofyahweh.com/thefaithmagazine.htm The Faith Magazine - Online Edition ] - Referenced Publication
-* [http://www.assembliesofyahweh.com Assemblies of Yahweh Homepage] - Official Site of the Organization
+*[http://www.giveshare.org/BibleStudy/074.yahweh.html Yahweh Inc.?] - Referenced Article
-*[http://sacrednamebroadcaster.com “Sacred Name Broadcaster”]
+*[http://www.yahwehsfrystownassembly.com/ Yahweh's Frystown Assembly] - Referenced Organization
-*[http://sacrednametelecast “Sacred Name Telecast”]
+*[http://www.assemblyofyahweh.com/ Assembly of Yahweh] - Referenced Organization
-*[http://WMLKradio.net “WMLK Shortwave”]
+*[http://www.watchman.org/profile/assembliesyahwehpro.htm Assemblies of Yahweh Profile] - An overview of the Assemblies by traditional Protestant Christians. (Critical)
-*[http://yahwehstruth.net “Assembly News and Updates”]
+*[http://www.assembliesofyahweh.com Assemblies of Yahweh Homepage] - Official Site of the Organization
-*[http://daletschool.com “Dalet School”]
+*[http://www.yahstruth.com/ Yahweh's Philadelphia Truth Congregation] - Referenced Organization.
+*[http://www.yaim.org Yahweh's Assembly in Messiah Homepage] - Referenced Organization
-;Miscellaneous
-* [http://www.watchman.org/profile/assembliesyahwehpro.htm Assemblies of Yahweh Profile] - An overview of the Assemblies by traditional Protestant Christians. (Critical)
-* [http://www.assemblyofyahweh.com/ Assembly of Yahweh] - Referenced Organization
-* [http://www.assemblyofyahweh.com/thefaithmagazine.htm The Faith Magazine - Online Edition ] - Referenced Publication
-* [http://www.yaim.org Yahweh's Assembly in Messiah Homepage] - Referenced Organization
-* [http://www.giveshare.org/BibleStudy/074.yahweh.html Yahweh Inc.?] - Referenced Article
-[[Category:Religious organizations based in the United States]]
+[[Category:Christian denominations of North America]]
-[[hu:Assemblies of Yahweh]]
+[[Category:Yahwism]]