Bible Apologetic

I was reading the latest Zola Levitt newsletter (www.levitt.com) and on pg.2 (there was an article about Easter). If you don't know about the pagan roots of what we call Easter (Passover), this is an enlightening short article, a good place to start. Then I recommend listening to Dr. Chuck Missler's in-depth study on The Easter Story (available in many formats). You can also hear or read it free online. Dr. Missler is a most thorough teacher, having taught the Bible for 50 or so years AND meeting with Jewish (non-Messianic) Rabbis for insights into the Jewish understanding of God's word, the Bible (The Torah to them).

The Levitt article mentioned the "Thirteen Articles of The Jewish Faith". I thought you might find this interesting, I did not know it existed or how it is applied. It was written (according to Dr. Jeffrey Seif) by the "medieval Jewish sage Rabbi Mosh Ben Maimon (also known as Maimonides). It serves as one of t the principal tenets of Orthodox Judaism."

I post this as it may be of interest to those who, like me, are edified both by learning the ways and customs in which our Lord Jesus Christ was raised, as well as having a love for God's people, the Jews.

Maimonides’ 13 Principles of Faith

1. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is the Creator and Guide of everything that has been created; He alone has made, does make, and will make all things.”
2. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is One, and that there is no unity in any manner like His, and that He alone is our God, who was, and is, and will be.
3. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is not a body, and that He is free from all the properties of matter, and that there can be no (physical) comparison to Him whatsoever.
4. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, is the first and the last.
5. I believe with perfect faith that to the Creator, blessed be His Name, and to Him alone, it is right to pray, and that it is not right to pray to any being besides Him.
6. I believe with perfect faith that all the words of the prophets are true.
7. I believe with perfect faith that the prophecy of Moses, our teacher, peace be upon him, was true, and that he was the chief of the prophets, both of those who preceded him and of those who followed him.
8. I believe with perfect faith that the entire Torah that is now in our possession is the same that was given to Moses, our teacher, peace be upon him.
9. I believe with perfect faith that this Torah will not be exchanged, and that there will never be any other Torah from the Creator, blessed be His name.
10. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, knows all the deeds of human beings, and all their thoughts, as it says: "Who fashioned the hearts of them all, Who comprehends all their actions." (Psalm 33:15)
11. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, blessed be His Name, rewards those that keep His commandments and punishes those that transgress them.
12. I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah; and even though he may tarry, nonetheless I wait every day for his coming.
13. I believe with perfect faith that there will be a revival of the dead at the time when it shall please the Creator, blessed be His name, and His mention shall be exalted for ever and ever.