Who is Yahweh and His son Yahshua?

When we talk about "Yahweh" and "Yahshua," we're referring to the names of our Heavenly Father and His Son in their original Hebraic form, as believed by those in the Sacred Names movement. Let me explain further:



Yahweh:

• In many Bibles, the term "LORD" in all capitals translates the original Hebrew name of God, known as the tetragrammaton: YHWH. Over time, and out of reverence, this name was replaced in translations with titles like "LORD" or "GOD." But for many in the Sacred Names movement, there's significance in calling upon Him by His original name: Yahweh.
• By using "Yahweh" instead of "Lord" or "God," we feel we're connecting more deeply with the roots of our faith and addressing our Creator in the manner He revealed to His people.

Yahshua:

• You know Him as "Jesus Christ." His Hebrew name, as many understand, is "Yeshua." Within the Sacred Names movement, there's an emphasis on the name "Yahshua," which incorporates "Yah" (a short form of Yahweh). By using "Yahshua," we recognize and affirm the divinity of the Messiah and His connection to the Father.
• We believe there's power and authenticity in addressing the Savior by His original name, which reflects His Hebrew heritage and His divine relationship with Yahweh.

In essence, we desire to draw closer to the original practices and understandings of the early believers. We respect and cherish the deep meaning and significance behind these sacred names, and using them helps to strengthen our connection with our Creator and our Savior.

Why not God, Lord or Jesus?

I appreciate the opportunity to share with you why many of us in the Sacred Names movement choose to use specific Hebrew names rather than the more familiar terms "God," "Lord," or "Jesus." Our decision stems from a deep reverence for the original names and a desire to align our worship with what we believe to be the most authentic representation of the Scriptures.

God & Lord:

• The original Hebrew texts of the Bible contain the unique name of our Creator, represented by the tetragrammaton, YHWH. Over time, translations replaced this sacred name with generic titles such as "God" and "Lord." While these titles describe positions of authority and deity, they are not unique to the God of Israel. Many cultures and religions use these terms for their Creators.
• We desire to address our Creator with the specificity and uniqueness He deserves. Using "Yahweh," we believe we're connecting directly with the name He revealed to His people rather than using a title that can apply to various entities.
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Jesus:

• The name "Jesus" is a translation of a translation. As we understand it, the original Hebrew name is "Yeshua" or "Yahshua." This name transitioned to "Iesous" in Greek and "Jesus" in English. While the name "Jesus" is recognized globally and has been used to spread the gospel effectively, the Sacred Names movement feels a profound connection to His Hebraic name.
• By using "Yahshua," we feel that we're drawing closer to our Saviour's linguistic and cultural roots. We believe this name more closely echoes the sounds that His family and disciples would have used and, importantly, emphasizes His divine relationship with "Yahweh."



It's important to stress that our choice to use these names is not a judgment on others who use "God," "Lord," or "Jesus." We believe our Heavenly Father knows our hearts and recognizes sincere worship, regardless of the language or names used. Our decision to use "Yahweh" and "Yahshua" is about personal conviction, seeking authenticity, and connecting deeply with the roots of our faith.

Why the Sabbath?

Your curiosity about why we observe the Sabbath on Saturday is much appreciated. Within the Sacred Names movement, and among many who seek a return to the Hebraic roots of the Jewish faith, the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath holds great significance. Here's why:

Biblical Commandment:

• The Sabbath, as described in the Ten Commandments and throughout the Old Testament, is explicitly mentioned as the seventh day (Exodus 20:8-11). This has been understood by Jews and early believers to be from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
• Setting apart the seventh day is rooted in Yahweh's creation, where He rested on the seventh day and sanctified it (Genesis 2:2-3). We believe in upholding this pattern set by our Creator.

Consistent Tradition:

• Throughout biblical history, the Israelites and later the Jewish people have consistently observed the Sabbath on the seventh day, or Saturday. By observing Saturday, we align ourselves with this longstanding tradition and with the practices of Jesus (Yahshua) Himself, who observed the Sabbath (Luke 4:16).

Distinctive Worship:

• By setting apart Saturday as the Sabbath, we're making a conscious decision to separate ourselves from some mainstream traditions and return to what we believe are the original practices of the early believers. It's a day of rest, reflection, and rejuvenation in our relationship with Yahweh.

Symbolism and Foreshadowing:

• The Sabbath also holds prophetic significance. In Hebrews 4, there's a reference to a "Sabbath-rest for the people of Yahweh." Many in our movement believe that observing the physical Sabbath is a foreshadowing of the spiritual rest we have in Yahshua and the future rest in His Kingdom.

We recognize and respect that many Christians observe Sunday as a day of worship in honor of the resurrection. Our choice to observe the Sabbath on Saturday is rooted in seeking alignment with the original commandment and the practices of the early believers.