A: The name "Our Ancient Paths" is inspired by the scripture in Jeremiah 6:16, which states, "Thus says the Lord, 'Stand by the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.'" This passage emphasizes the importance of seeking out and adhering to timeless, biblical truths. At "Our Ancient Paths," we strive to reclaim these foundational teachings, digging deep into Scripture to uncover and restore the rich wisdom and life-giving principles that have been lost over time. Join us on this journey of learning and growth as we explore the ancient paths that lead to a deeper understanding of faith and life.

Yeshua is Hebrew for Jesus. We choose to use his Hebrew name over the English because Jesus was Jewish. His mother and disciples would have called him by his Jewish name and not an English name. Yeshua means "salvation",

A: Yeshua HaMashiach is a Hebrew term that translates to "Jesus the Messiah" in English. "Yeshua" is the original Hebrew name for Jesus, which means "salvation." "HaMashiach" means "the Messiah" or "the Anointed One." In the context of Christianity, Yeshua HaMashiach signifies the belief that Yeshua (Jesus) is the promised Savior and Redeemer as foretold in the Old Testament scriptures.

A: Understanding the Jewish roots of Christianity is essential for a deeper comprehension of the faith as explored on Our Ancient Paths. The Jewishness of Yeshua (Jesus) and the Older and Newer Covenants (Testaments) provides invaluable context for interpreting biblical teachings and principles. By studying the Jewish traditions and cultural background from which Christianity emerged, believers can gain insights into the scriptures' original meanings and the continuity between the Older and Newer Covenants (Testaments). This knowledge not only enriches personal faith but also fosters a more authentic and holistic approach to practicing Christianity. Our Ancient Paths is dedicated to reclaiming this lost heritage by delving deep into scripture, offering readers a chance to grow spiritually and intellectually.

We often refer to the Old Testament as Older Covenant and the New Testament as Newer Covenant because in the bible the term covenant reflects God's promises to His people. God made covenants throughout scripture, beginning in the book of Genesis. A covenant is made between two parties whereas a testament is generally a one-sided arrangement. We prefer "older" and "newer" rather than "old" and "new" because the later seems to indicate that "old" has been replaced by "new" and the Old Testament has not been replaced by the New Testament. We often use Renewed Covenant because the New Testament is actually just a renewal of the Older Covenant.

A: Observing the seventh-day Sabbath is a cornerstone of faith for many believers who follow Our Ancient Paths. According to Scripture, the seventh-day Sabbath is a sacred day of rest and worship, originating from the creation account in Genesis where God rested on the seventh day. At Our Ancient Paths, we believe that reclaiming the practice of observing the seventh-day Sabbath can lead to a deeper spiritual connection and a more profound understanding of God's intentions for His people. This day is not just a time for physical rest, but also for spiritual renewal and reflection. It serves as a weekly reminder of God's creation, His deliverance, and His covenant with His people. For today's believers, keeping the seventh-day Sabbath is a way to honor God's commandments, find peace in a busy world, and reconnect with what has been lost over time. Our blog delves deep into Scriptural teachings, offering insights and practical guidance on how to integrate this and other important practices into modern life.

A: At Our Ancient Paths, we keep as holidays the appointed times listed in Leviticus chapter 23. This includes Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), Day of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Eighth Day (Shemini Atzeret) . We observe these biblical holidays because we believe they are foundational to understanding God's plan and timing, as revealed in Scripture, and they are all shadows of the Messiah Yeshua and His plan of salvation and restoration. By celebrating/rehearsing these appointed times, we aim to reclaim and live out the faith practices that were observed by the early congregation/church, thus drawing closer to the roots of our Christian beliefs. We invite our readers and community members to join us in this journey of rediscovery, to grow together in faith and understanding, and to honor the traditions that have been part of our spiritual heritage for millennia.

A: At Our Ancient Paths, we take an in-depth approach to understanding and living out biblical principles, including dietary guidelines. Our perspective on eating only clean animals—those deemed permissible in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14—is rooted in a desire to honor God's commandments and pursue a lifestyle that reflects our faith. We believe that these dietary laws were given for our well-being, promoting physical health and spiritual discipline. By adhering to these guidelines, we aim to reconnect with the ancient ways ordained by God, enriching our spiritual journey and fostering a deeper sense of community and connection with our faith.

The New Testament word "church" is "ekklesia" which means an assembly or congregation of people that have been called out for a purpose. Ancient Israel was the congregation of the chosen ones.

At Our Ancient Paths we believe that gentiles are grafted into Israel just as the Apostle Paul explains in Romans 11:17-24. The root represents the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and the covenants God made with them. The natural branches are ethnic Israelites and the gentiles are the wild olive shoots which are grafted in by faith in Yeshua. The wild olive branches get their sustenance from the root - which is and always will be Israel. We are against replacement theology. The "church" and "Christianity" did not replace Israel and the covenants that God made with them.

At Our Ancient Paths we often use names like: HaShem, Adonai, Elohim and G-d when making reference to the Father. The reason is because we often honor the Jewish tradition of not using the four letter (Tetragrammaton) Hebrew name for God. Elohim is first used in Genesis and Adonai is also used in Scripture. HaShem means "The Name". It has to do with honor, respect, and not taking or profaning the sacred name. However, we often teach by using the Tetragrmmaton as well to bring clarity.