Who Were the Early Believers?
Who Were the Early Believers?
Often Referred to as Christians or Early Church
There has been a prevalent belief promoted by various theological institutions and pulpits alike, suggesting that the early followers of the Messiah were Christians. However, upon closer examination, we find this notion to be more of an echo, long championed by the Roman Catholic Church. Surprisingly, historical records indicate that the term “Christians” didn’t emerge until A.D. 325 at the Roman Council of Nicaea. It might sound shocking at first, especially considering what many of us have been taught. You are invited to explore a perspective that invites us to reconsider some historical narratives.
Who Were The Quartodecimen?
Have you ever heard of the Quartodecimen? Understanding who these early believers were sheds light on this topic. Initially, the followers of the Messiah referred to themselves as Natsarim, which eventually led to the term “Nazarene” as we know it today. Interestingly, the Romans, who later adopted the label of Christians, initially termed these early followers as Quartodecimen, meaning “Fourteeners.” This designation stemmed from their steadfast commitment to observing Passover on the 14th of Abib, calculated from the full New Moon in spring. This practice demonstrated their reverence for the ancient TANAKH (Old Testament) scrolls, encompassing the TORAH (Law of Instruction), Nevi’im (the Prophets), and the Ketuvim (the Writings).
Within these sacred scrolls lay prophetic promises that pinpointed YAHUSHA haMashiach as the genuine Messiah. The faithful Natsarim deeply comprehended that their long-promised and anointed Messiah could never be dissociated from the TORAH LAW and the Prophets. Each prophecy regarding the Messiah’s multifaceted ministry was intricately intertwined with the celestial calendar, marked by the Full New Moon and lunar appointed Feast Days. Their profound wisdom illuminated the connection between the TIME and EVENT of these prophecies and the correctly ordered trinity of lights—the sun, moon, and stars.
Surprisingly, it is the obedience to the correct TIMES and EVENTS of sacred Scripture that identify Yahuah Alahim’s faithful followers then and now.
Discovering the Emergence of Christianity
The development of what we now recognize as the “Christian” religion took shape in the 4th century, primarily by the Greek-speaking Roman Emperors. Interestingly, its inception was marked by a notable departure from and, at times, hostility towards aspects integral to the Yahudim (Jews) traditions, including the Torah Law and the observance of sacred New Moon Days, lunar Sabbaths, and appointed Feast Days—attributes cherished by the followers of the Hebrew Messiah, known as the Natsarim or Quartodecimen. Refer to the article Constantine’s Creation of Jesus Christ; also, The Constantinian Creed, the Forgotten Foundation of All Christian Churches.
The Shift in Time Measurement
Let’s journey back to Julius Caesar’s time in 45 BCE when he introduced significant changes to the Roman calendar. His decision transitioned the calendar from being astro-luni-solar to astro-solar, effectively sidelining the moon’s role in time measurement. This paradigm shift, though innovative, altered the celestial ties referenced in Scriptures like Psalms 104:19, Psalms 89:37, Isaiah 66:23, and Ezekiel 46:1-3, disconnecting time from its previous lunar markers as outlined in Genesis 1:14, 16.
This alteration not only redefined the length of years, months, weeks, and days but also introduced an eight-day week cycle, breaking away from the divine pattern. Consequently, when Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea, further adjustments were made to the Julian calendar, including reducing the week’s length from eight to seven days. However, the continuous cycling rhythm introduced by Julius Caesar persisted, divorced from its lunar origins.
Navigating Historical Paradoxes
Given over three centuries of accustomed usage of the eight-day week cycle, it becomes apparent that aligning it with the newly established seven-day week would never ensure it is in harmony with the creation week described in Scripture, even if that were the desired outcome. Moreover, the intentions behind these calendar reforms were not merely administrative but were specifically aimed at severing ties with Jewish traditions, Torah Law, sacred New Moons, lunar Sabbaths, and lunar appointed Feast Days.
Considering these complexities, it becomes an impossibility that the modern Roman Gregorian calendar’s weekly cycle aligns seamlessly with the ordered creation week as described in the Torah Law.
Discovering the Divine Time-Measuring Model
In Genesis 1:14-16, Leviticus 23, Isaiah 66:23, and Ezekiel 46:1-3, we encounter the Creator’s remarkable astro-luni-solar time-measuring model. This model not only synchronizes earthly worship rhythms with the Creator’s celestial throne but also reflects an eternal design. It’s a testament to divine craftsmanship, designed to align earthly worship with the eternal rhythms of Yahuah Alahim.
However, as humanity grappled with sin and rebellion, alternative time-measuring systems emerged. These counterfeit systems lacked the potency to call worshippers to align their devotion with that of the Eternal Father and Son. The divine time-measuring model, with its precise calculations, imbued Passover (Pasch) with significance, marking its occurrence on the 14th day following the first full New Moon Day in spring (Rosh Hashanah) after the Vernal Equinox.
Revealing the True Significance
Despite the Romans’ emphasis on Easter Sunday as a replacement for Passover, it’s crucial to recognize that this holiday could never fully capture the essence of the true Messiah or its REMEDY for SIN as preordained in the Plan of Salvation outlined in the Torah. The fixed placement of lunar appointed Feast Days underscores the profound significance of each observance, offering a pathway to deeper spiritual understanding and connection with our Eternal Father’s divine plan to restore mankind back to His righteous standard.
Jerome Describes the Differences between the Natsarim and Christians
Let’s consider the insights provided by Jerome, a significant figure in the early Roman Christian Church, as he contrasts the Natsarim, faithful followers of the Messiah, with the emerging Christian Church of Rome:
“We shall now especially consider HERETICS who… call themselves Nazarenes [Natsarim]; they are mainly Jews and nothing else. They make use not only of the New Testament, but they also use in a way the Old Testament of the Jews; for they do not forbid the books of the [Torah] Law, the Prophets, and the Writings… so that they are approved of by the Jews, from whom the Nazarenes do not differ in anything, and they profess all the dogmas pertaining to the prescriptions of the [Torah] Law and to the customs of the Jews, except they believe in Messiah… They preach that there is but one god, and his son Jesus [Yahusha]. But they are very learned in the Hebrew language; for they, like the Jews, read the whole [Torah] Law, then the Prophets. . .They differ from the Jews because they believe in Messiah, and from the Christians in that they are to this day bound to the Jewish rites, such as circumcision, the [lunar] Sabbath, and the other [lunar appointed] ceremonies.“ Jerome – Epiphanius; Panarion 29; translated from the Greek. (Jerome translated Greek Septuagint Bible into Latin language 1,615 years ago, he was an early Roman Christian Church father, here referring to the Nazarenes. Jerome was born 347 A.D. and died 420 A.D., which provides evidence that Christianity did not commence four centuries previous.)
Jerome’s observations shed light on the distinct characteristics of the Natsarim, who identified closely with Jewish traditions. Unlike the Christians of his time, these believers maintained a deep connection to the Old Testament Scriptures, including the Law, Prophets, and Writings. Their adherence to Jewish customs and their belief in the one Alahim (God) and his son, Yahusha (Jesus), set them apart. Despite their faith in the Messiah, they remained committed to Jewish practices such as circumcision, the lunar Sabbath, and other Temple ceremonies.
What becomes evident through Jerome’s words is the unique identity of the early Natsarim believers as authentic followers of the Messiah. Their unwavering commitment to both Yahusha haMashiach and the TORAH LAW, in line with the teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures, distinguished them from the Christians of their time. This distinction highlights the tension between the emergence of the Roman Christian religion along with her Protestant daughters and the steadfast adherence of the Natsarim to their beliefs and practices, specifically to Passover, the 14th day counted from the New Moon in spring.
It’s intriguing to see how historical narratives unravel, revealing the complexities of religious identity and doctrine. The contrast between the Natsarim and the Christians underscores the disparity of truth within its beliefs and practices. For, it was the governing role of the Roman “Christian” religion to depart from and have nothing to do with the Scripture’s Torah Law instructions of either the Jews or the Natsarim (Quartodecimen), the true followers of the Messiah.
Roman Inquisition
In reflecting on history, we encounter a somber chapter known as the Roman Inquisition, spanning from the fourth century CE to the 16th century CE. During this period, many Natsarim faced persecution and even lost their lives for holding steadfast to their beliefs, deemed heretical by the emerging Roman Catholic Church.
It’s heartrending to consider the struggles faced by these individuals who refused to conform to the dogma imposed by the Roman Christians. They bravely stood firm, resisting pressure to renounce their adherence to the Torah Law and embrace the newly formulated doctrines of Christianity. Among the contested beliefs was the observance of the time-centric astro-luni-solar calendar outlined in the Tanakh, with its sacred New Moons, lunar weeks, and Sabbaths. Additionally, the cherished Kadosh Feast Days, integral to the prophecies of the Messiah, were abolished under this coercive regime.
In the midst of this tumultuous period, a pervasive falsehood took hold—that the Feast Days and the Torah Law had ceased to hold relevance after the crucifixion. However, it’s essential to recognize that the decrees of Constantine and his Creed ultimately led to the abandonment of the Torah/Tanakh Law rather than the teachings of Paul or the Messiah.
As we reflect on these historical events, let’s honor the resilience of those who remained faithful to their beliefs despite facing persecution. Their courage serves as a reminder of the importance of staying true to the divine prescription, even in the face of adversity.
Unraveling the Truth
It’s a sobering realization to consider how the Roman calendar, still widely used today, came to be. Centuries ago, amidst religious turmoil, the voices of dissent—those of the Natsarim, the faithful followers of Yahusha haMashiach—were silenced, and their truths were buried. In their place, a narrative veiled in falsehoods emerged, promoted by Roman Emperors and the Roman Catholic Church and perpetuated by Protestant denominations, including yours, regardless of your chosen day of worship.
Many of these churches either lack awareness of their historical origins or choose not to break free entirely from the shadow of Roman influence. Under the guise of Christianity, they worship on days derived from a calendar intentionally crafted in rebellion against the divine order.
Considering the Shift in Time
The misconception that Saturday remains the true Sabbath due to Jewish observance deserves scrutiny, with “eyes to see and ears to hear.” Following the Jew’s rejection of Yahusha haMashiach and their subsequent Roman captivity, significant changes occurred. The pressure to align with Roman timekeeping led to the alteration of Jewish practices, including the calendar system. Hillel II, influenced by Roman pressure and Babylonian practices, implemented reforms that shaped the current Rabbinical calendar to this day. This shift, originating in Babylon, fundamentally altered the Jewish understanding of sacred time. And if perchance you might think that because the Jews today keep Saturday sacred, it is proof that it must be the true Sabbath, think again. They were then forced to change their calendar to such a degree that today, not even one unit of time corresponds to that of Scripture or the correct use of the trinity of LIGHTS (sun, moon, stars) as consistently stipulated from Genesis to Revelation.
“In AD 351-352 Roman persecution flared and the Jews revolted. They were soon crushed. Many Jewish towns were destroyed and decrees issued against the local authorities and against Judaism. The privileges of the head of the Sanhedrin and the freedoms of the Sanhedrin itself were curtailed. Roman pressure to conform “Jewish” TIME to Roman TIME had reached crisis level.
Under this pressure Hillel II agreed to limit the functions of the head of the Sanhedrin, as well as the Sanhedrin itself, with respect to proclaiming the New Moon, setting festival dates, and employing intercalation [inserting the 13th lunar month]. With the decline of the Jewish power-base in Israel, the Jewish community in Babylon had been rising in influence to fill the vacuum. Hillel II published details informing all Jews of the methods of the [new] calculated calendar developed in Babylon. From that time on the Sanhedrin in Judea ceased to function or to maintain calendar experts. Hillel II is thus given the credit for the present fixed Rabbinical calendar, but in reality it originated in Babylon and was just the starting point of the development of the Rabbinical calendar in use today.” Encyclopedia Judaica, s.v. “Hillel.”
Acknowledging Honest Reflection
“Through all the trials and tribulations that humanity has experienced over the past 5,000 years, we [Karaite Jews] have no proof whatsoever that our current Saturday is the actual seven-day “anniversary” of the original Shabbath of Creation.”
http://www.karaiteinsights.com/article/shabbat.html
Embracing the Call of the Natsarim
In the midst of confusion and discord, there echoes a clarion call. The Eternal Father and Son extend a vital and enduring invitation, offering a pathway of escape for those who seek truth amidst the shadows of deception. This invitation resonates with hope, beckoning all who yearn for authenticity and restoration to come and find solace in the pure, life-giving waters of divine wisdom. Can you sense the tender whisper of guidance amidst the tumult?
“Now the great city [seat of power] was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before Yahuah Alahim, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Revelation 16:19
“And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” Revelation 17:5
“And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and ALL THE WORLD WONDERED AFTER THE BEAST.” Revelation 13:3
“And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!” Revelation 18:2
“And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE, LEST YOU SHARE IN HER SINS, AND LEST YOU RECEIVE OF HER PLAGUES!” Revelation 18:4
“But the path of the righteous is as the shining LIGHT that shines more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” Mashali (Proverbs) 4:18
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the FATHER OF LIGHTS, with whom there is no variation or shadow of a turning orbit [full sun, full stars, full moon].” YAHcob (James) 1:17
“So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Tehilim (Psalms) 90:12
“It shall be established FOREVER like the MOON, even like the FAITHFUL WITNESS in the sky.” Psalms 89:37
“He ordained the MOON for SEASONS [#4150 – mo’edim – lunar appointed times]; the brilliant rays of the SUN reveal and endue it, making known its entrance [in the east].” Psalms 104:19 [This explains what governs the time-element of “SEASONS and/or FEAST DAYS” in both Genesis 1:14 and Leviticus 23:2-4.]
“Thus declares the Almighty YAHUAH, “the GATE of the courtyard interior facing the EAST shall be SHUT six days for work, and in the day of the SABBATH it shall be thrown open wide, and in the day of the NEW MOON it shall be thrown open wide. But come unto the exalted one, by way of the porch of the temple gate without, and stand beside the doorpost of the gate and observe the Kohenim’s (Priest’s) symbolic first and last burnt offering and symbolic Aleph and Tav peace offering. And you shall prostrate in worship upon the threshold of the open GATE, coming and going at any time, but the GATE shall not be shut until sunset.” And so WORSHIPED the people of the land at the entrance way of the same GATE, in the SABBATHS and in the NEW MOON DAYS, before the face of YAHUAH.” Ezekiel 46:1-3
Revelation paints a vivid picture of a world divided, where great Babylon—the epitome of falsehood and corruption—is confronted with the wrath of divine justice. Yet, amidst the chaos, a voice resounds from heaven, urging humanity to break free from the shackles of deceit and embrace the path of righteousness and enlightenment.
The scriptures, from Mashali (Proverbs) to Revelation, offer profound insights into the essence of truth and righteousness. Each verse serves as a beacon of guidance, illuminating the way forward for those who seek to align their lives with the eternal principles of light and wisdom.
If you’ve found yourself adrift in the sea of confusion, you’re not alone. Revelation speaks of a pervasive deception that has ensnared “ALL THE WORLD,” leading many astray from the divine truth encoded within the celestial rhythms ordained by the Creator. By design, our Creator’s unique and purpose-driven lunar time-measuring model has been unceremoniously replaced by the Roman Christian counterfeit solar calendar. Well camouflaged, it is a time-measuring system so sinister as to cause its followers to be eternally lost. These lacking “eyes to see or ears to hear” will utterly miss out on the time-centric PROMISE from the beginning of the GLORIOUS PLAN TO SAVE MANKIND FROM ETERNAL RUIN.
Our entrance at the East Gate is signaled only by the Kadosh (sacred) Full New Moon for the historic Natsarim as well as the modern Natsarim. All who claim to be followers of the Messiah yet refuse to synchronize their soul temples to His preordained and time-centric lunar calendar model will never actually experience what it is to “FOLLOW THE LAMB WHETHERSOEVER HE GOES.” Revelation 14:14. Nor will they enter at the door of salvation.
Now is the time for a transformative shift—a return to the foundational teachings set forth in Scripture. It’s a call to realign our soul temples with the eternal truths embedded within the sacred lunar calendar, synchronized with the divine timing of the Highest’s lunar appointed Feast Days, His path of obedience, and vetting of His remnant followers.
Let us heed this call with open hearts and minds, for it is through embracing the divine order of correct TIME & EVENT that we truly follow the Lamb wherever he leads. May this journey of rediscovery lead us to the threshold of salvation and usher us into the radiant embrace of eternity.
The Natsarim’s Call: A Forgotten Truth
Today they are called, Christians by name,
But history reveals a much deeper claim.
Not by Constantine’s sword, nor Rome’s decree,
Were the followers of truth from bondage set free.
For long before Nicaea, the faithful stood,
Not as Christians, but Natsarim, misunderstood.
Quartodecimen, they were known with pride,
Fourteeners, who kept Passover as their guide.
On Abib’s 14th, the dark moon did rise,
Their sacred observance, before Roman eyes.
Bound by the Torah, the prophets’ light,
They clung to the truth, both day and night.
Not Christians, but Nazarenes, they were,
Guardians of the truth, steady and sure.
The Law of Yahuah they did embrace,
Even in times of peril and disgrace.
When Rome sought to change the times and the laws,
They held firm to His truths without a pause.
The sun, moon, and stars aligned only one way,
To worship on the Creator’s holy day.
But the calendar shifted, Julius took reign,
Disconnecting time from heaven’s domain.
Eight days became seven in the Roman hand,
The true seven-day count buried in the sand.
Constantine’s Council sought to sever the bond,
Between sacred full New Moons and Sabbaths, YAH spawned.
Feast Days, too, were cast aside,
As Rome’s church went solar and truth was denied.
Yet the Natsarim stood through centuries’ strife,
Holding firm to Torah Law as their guide of life.
Jerome spoke of their customs, of lunar light,
Though the world turned away, they kept what’s right.
The Roman Inquisition brought darkness and pain,
But the Natsarim’s faith would always remain.
They faced the fire, the sword, and the chain,
Yet their commitment to truth was never in vain.
For time’s true rhythm, ordained from above,
Reflects the light of the Creator’s love.
New Moons, Sabbaths, and Feast Days aligned,
With the heavens, perfect and divinely timed.
And though the world adopted a calendar askew,
The faithful Natsarim knew what was true.
Through every storm, and persecution’s breath,
They clung to the law, stronger than death.
Come out of her, the Scriptures declare,
Out of Babylon’s grip, from her snare.
For the world wonders after the beast’s great lie,
But the faithful look to the full moonlit sky.
The time has come to heed the call,
To return to the truth once known by all.
To follow the Lamb, through time and space,
To enter the gate and behold His face.
For the Natsarim’s cry rings clear and loud,
A call to the faithful, humble and proud.
Come, realign with the Father’s plan,
Follow His Law, His perfect command.
In the celestial dance, we find our way,
To worship the Creator in the light of day.
Not by Rome’s creed, nor by Jewish night,
But by the heavens’ eternal light.
So let us turn from the falsehoods we’ve known,
And embrace the truth the Heaven’s have shown.
The Natsarim’s path, ancient and true,
Leads to the Lamb and to life anew.
Constantine’s Creation of Jesus Christ
Evidence the Full Moon Announces Lunar Months
Mounting Evidence for the Lunar Sabbath
Kerrie L. French
www.TheCreatorsCalendar.com
TheCreatorsCalendar29.5@gmail.com