Correcting Bad Doctrine about the Angel of the Lord: Dispelling Myths Surrounding the Pre-incarnate Christ and the Dangers of Extra-biblical Teachings

The concept of the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament has been a subject of much debate and speculation among theologians and scholars for centuries. Some view this divine messenger as a mere angel, while others argue that the Angel of the Lord is, in fact, the pre-incarnate Christ – a member of the Trinity. This article aims to explore the biblical evidence supporting the latter interpretation and to dispel the myth that the Angel of the Lord is merely an angel or, more specifically, the angel named Metatron from Jewish mystical texts and extra-biblical works like the Book of Enoch and the Zohar.

Throughout this article, we will examine the scriptural basis for the belief that the Angel of the Lord is the pre-incarnate Christ and delve into the dangers of relying on extra-biblical sources for theological understanding. We will also explore the historical context and motivations behind the creation of these extra-biblical works, particularly the Book of Enoch and the Zohar, and discuss why they are not considered reliable sources for Christian doctrine.

Furthermore – persons and teachings that refer to Metatron as being able to forgive sins is outright blasphemous – 

No, an angel cannot forgive sins of mankind. In the Bible, forgiveness of sins is attributed solely to God and Jesus Christ. For example, in the Book of Acts, Peter says to Cornelius, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43, KJV). Similarly, in the Book of John, Jesus says, “If ye forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven unto them; if ye retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:23, KJV).

These passages suggest that forgiveness of sins is a power that is reserved for God and Jesus Christ alone. While angels may serve as messengers of God and play a role in His plan for salvation, they do not have the power to forgive sins on their own.

The Biblical Evidence for the Pre-incarnate Christ as the Angel of the Lord

The Old Testament contains numerous accounts of divine encounters with the Angel of the Lord, a heavenly messenger who often appears to deliver messages from God or to intervene on behalf of His people. Some of the most notable examples of these encounters include:

1. The appearance of the Angel of the Lord to Hagar in Genesis 16:7-14, where the angel speaks on behalf of God and promises to multiply Hagar’s descendants.
2. The encounter between the Angel of the Lord and Abraham in Genesis 22:11-18, where the angel prevents Abraham from sacrificing his son Isaac and declares that God will provide a sacrifice.
3. The appearance of the Angel of the Lord to Moses in the burning bush in Exodus 3:1-6, where God speaks through the angel and calls Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
4. The manifestation of the Angel of the Lord to Gideon in Judges 6:11-24, where the angel promises to empower Gideon and his small army to defeat the Midianites.

In each of these instances, the Angel of the Lord speaks and acts as if he were God Himself, using the first-person singular pronouns “I” and “me” to refer to God. This language, along with the divine attributes and actions attributed to the angel, suggests that the Angel of the Lord is not merely a created being but is, in fact, a divine manifestation of God Himself.

The New Testament sheds further light on the identity of the Angel of the Lord by revealing Jesus Christ as the divine Son of God who existed before the creation of the world (John 1:1-3, 14). Jesus is described as the one through whom God created all things (Colossians 1:16), and He is said to have existed in the form of God before taking on human flesh (Philippians 2:6-7). These passages indicate that Jesus, as the second person of the Trinity, was active in the world before His incarnation and would have been the divine being behind the appearances of the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament.

The Dangers of Relying on Extra-biblical Teachings

While the belief that the Angel of the Lord is the pre-incarnate Christ has strong biblical support, some have sought to identify this divine messenger with other figures, such as the angel Metatron, based on extra-biblical sources like the Book of Enoch and the Zohar. These works, however, are not considered reliable sources for Christian doctrine, as they were not inspired by God and contain teachings that are incompatible with biblical truth.

The Book of Enoch, also known as 1 Enoch, is an ancient Jewish work that purports to contain revelations given to the prophet Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah. The book is not part of the canonical Hebrew Bible and is considered pseudepigraphical – meaning it was written under a false name or attribution. Many biblical scholars and historians believe that the Book of Enoch was written as a way to fake a book of religious significance and that it may have been authored by Islamic or other enemies of Christianity and Judaism as a means of confusing and perverting their doctrine deliberately.

Similarly, the Zohar is a central work of Jewish mysticism that contains commentaries and interpretations of the Hebrew Bible, as well as stories and teachings about angels, demons, and other supernatural beings. While the Zohar has had a significant influence on Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah, it is not considered a reliable source for Christian doctrine, as it contains teachings that are incompatible with biblical truth and promotes a mystical understanding of God and the world that is at odds with Christian theology.

The Problems with the Book of Enoch and the Zohar

The Book of Enoch and the Zohar present numerous problems for Christians seeking to understand the nature of the Angel of the Lord and the pre-incarnate Christ. Some of these issues include:

1. The Book of Enoch and the Zohar contain teachings that are at odds with biblical truth, such as the idea that Metatron is a divine or semi-divine being who can be worshipped alongside God.
2. Both works promote a mystical understanding of God and the world that is at odds with the clear, rational teachings of the Bible.
3. The Book of Enoch and the Zohar were not inspired by God and do not carry the same authority as the canonical books of the Bible.
4. These works were written long after the events they describe and may contain errors, distortions, or fabrications.
5. The Book of Enoch and the Zohar were not written by eyewitnesses or contemporaries of the events they describe, making them less reliable than the eyewitness accounts found in the Bible.

The Uniqueness of Jesus as the Mediator

The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and mankind, a role that sets Him apart from all other beings, including angels. The Hebrew word for mediator is “mesîṭ,” which appears in several key passages that affirm Jesus’ unique role as the bridge between humanity and the divine. One such passage is 1 Timothy 2:5-6, which states, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.” The Scripture that quotes Job asking, “Oh that there were a mediator between me and God” is found in Job 9:33. The verse reads, “Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.” (KJV) The word “daysman” in this context refers to a mediator or an arbitrator who can act as a go-between for two parties in a dispute.The Scripture that quotes Job asking, “Oh that there were a mediator between me and God” is found in Job 9:33. The verse reads, “Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.” (KJV) The word “daysman” in this context refers to a mediator or an arbitrator who can act as a go-between for two parties in a dispute.

This passage emphasizes that Jesus, as the mediator, is not only the bridge between God and humanity but also the one who gave Himself as a ransom for all people, securing their salvation through His sacrificial death on the cross. This role is exclusive to Jesus, setting Him apart from all other beings, including the angels. The term “daysman” or mediator between God and man is not explicitly used in reference to Jesus in the Old Testament. However, the concept of a mediator is present in the Old Testament, particularly in the role of the high priest who intercedes on behalf of the people before God (Exodus 28:12, 29:42-43, Leviticus 16:17). In the New Testament, Jesus is explicitly referred to as the mediator between God and man in 1 Timothy 2:5-6, which says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” Regarding the directional theology involving the terms “Jesus the Christ” and “Christ Jesus”, it is a theological concept that seeks to distinguish between Jesus’ role as a human being in relation to God and His role as the divine Son of God in relation to humanity. The term “Jesus the Christ” emphasizes Jesus’ role as a human being, the Son of God who came to earth to live a perfect life, die for the sins of humanity, and rise again, thereby reconciling humanity to God. On the other hand, the term “Christ Jesus” emphasizes Jesus’ role as the divine Son of God who became human in order to reveal God’s love and grace to humanity. This distinction is not explicitly made in the Bible, but it is based on a careful reading of the biblical text and an understanding of Jesus’ dual nature as both fully God and fully human. Theologians who advocate for this directional theology often point to passages such as Philippians 2:5-11, which describes Jesus’ humble obedience to the will of the Father, and John 1:1-3, which describes Jesus as the Word who was with God and who was God.

Here are the full verses mentioned above in the KJV:

• Exodus 28:12: “And thou shalt make upon the breastplate of judgment the fullers work; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.”
• Exodus 29:42-43: “This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee. And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory.”
• Leviticus 16:17: “And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.”
• 1 Timothy 2:5-6: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
• Philippians 2:5-11: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
• John 1:1-3: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Angels and Worship

The Bible is clear that angels, while powerful and holy beings, are not to be worshipped or venerated as if they were divine. In fact, there are several instances in the Bible where angels actively discourage humans from woring them. For example, in Revelation 19:9-10, the angel speaking to John says, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb… Then he said to me, ‘Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’ At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.'”

This passage demonstrates that angels are fellow servants of God, not divine beings deserving of worship. The angel in this account directs John to worship God alone, emphasizing the importance of reserving worship for the divine and avoiding the temptation to venerate created beings.

Misconceptions about the Angel of the Lord in Jewish Mysticism

Jewish mysticism, particularly the teachings found in the Zohar, has contributed to the misunderstanding that the Angel of the Lord is an angel named Metatron, who is believed to have been transformed from the human Enoch into a divine or semi-divine mediator between God and humanity. This belief is problematic for several reasons:

1. It undermines the unique role of Jesus Christ as the only mediator between God and mankind, as affirmed in 1 Timothy 2:5-6.
2. It promotes a mystical understanding of God and the world that is at odds with the clear, rational teachings of the Bible.
3. It places Enoch, a human being, in a position of divine authority that only Jesus can rightfully occupy.
4. It distorts the biblical understanding of angels, who are created beings and not to be worshipped or venerated as divine.

In the Bible, angels are messengers of God and do not receive worship because they are created beings, unlike God who is the eternal and uncreated one. The worship of angels would be considered idolatry, as only God is worthy of worship. The Bible teaches that angels are to be respected and honored for their role in serving God and carrying out His will, but they are not to be worshiped. One example of this is found in the Book of Revelation, where the apostle John is shown a vision of an angel and attempts to worship him. The angel immediately responds by saying, “See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God” (Revelation 22:9, KJV). Similarly, in the Book of Colossians, the apostle Paul warns against the worship of angels, saying, “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind” (Colossians 2:18, KJV). These passages make it clear that while angels are to be respected and honored, they are not to be worshiped, as only God is worthy of worship.

Furthering the thought and Study

In the Bible, Satan is often referred to as a fallen angel. This means that he was originally created by God as an angel, but he rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven. Satan is described in various passages in the Bible, including Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:12-19, and Revelation 12:7-9. In these passages, Satan is depicted as a powerful and rebellious being who seeks to oppose God and lead humanity astray. Isaiah 14:12-15 says, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit” (KJV). Ezekiel 28:12-19 says, “Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more” (KJV). Revelation 12:7-9 says, “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (KJV).

These passages suggest that Satan was originally an angel, but his rebellion against God has resulted in his fall and his role as the adversary of God and humanity.

The concept of an angel allowing worship can be interpreted as an indication that it is not an angel, but rather a manifestation of God Himself, a representative and personage of the Trinity. This idea is supported by various passages in the Bible where angels refuse worship and direct people to worship God alone. For example, in the Book of Revelation, the apostle John is shown a vision of an angel and attempts to worship him. The angel immediately responds by saying, “See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God” (Revelation 22:9, KJV). Similarly, in the Book of Acts, an angel appears to Cornelius and instructs him to send for the apostle Peter. Cornelius falls down at the angel’s feet and worships him, but the angel responds by saying, “Stand up, I myself am also a man” (Acts 10:25-26, KJV). These passages suggest that if a being allows worship, it is not an angel, but rather a manifestation of God Himself. This idea is often misunderstood because people reject the concept of the Trinity or do not fully understand the nature of God. The doctrine of the Trinity holds that God is one being who exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity is fully God, yet they are distinct from one another. This doctrine is supported by various passages in the Bible, including the Great Commission in the Book of Matthew, where Jesus instructs His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19, KJV).

Satan Seeks Worship of Man to replace God

In the Bible, Satan is depicted as a powerful and cunning being who seeks to lead humanity astray and turn them away from God. While Satan does not explicitly seek worship from humanity in the same way that God does, he does seek to deceive and manipulate them in order to gain power and control over them.  One example of this is found in the Book of Matthew, where Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness. In this passage, Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus will worship him. Jesus responds by saying, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10, KJV). Similarly, in the Book of Revelation, Satan is described as the “beast” who seeks to deceive and lead humanity astray. The passage says, “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:4, KJV).  These passages suggest that while Satan does not explicitly seek worship from humanity in the same way that God does, he does seek to deceive and manipulate them in order to gain power and control over them. He seeks to turn humanity away from God and toward himself, and his ultimate goal is to lead them astray and away from God’s love and grace.

The Importance of Understanding the Trinity

The doctrine of the Trinity is essential for understanding the unique role of Jesus Christ as the mediator between God and humanity. The Bible teaches that there is one God who exists in three distinct and co-equal persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. This doctrine emphasizes the unity and oneness of God while also acknowledging the distinct roles and functions of each person within the Godhead.

Understanding the Trinity helps us recognize that Jesus, as the divine Son of God, is the only being capable of serving as the mediator between God and humanity. His unique role as the bridge between the divine and the human is a testament to His divine nature and His love for all people, who are called to receive salvation through Him alone.

The biblical teachings about Jesus as the mediator between God and mankind emphasize His unique role and divine nature, setting Him apart from all other beings, including angels. The doctrine of the Trinity further reinforces this understanding, highlighting the essential unity and oneness of God while also acknowledging the distinct roles and functions of each person within the Godhead. By focusing on the clear teachings of Scripture and avoiding the distractions of extra-biblical works and mystical teachings, we can deepen our understanding of Jesus’ role as the mediator and our faith in Him as the one and only Savior of the world.

In light of the biblical evidence supporting the belief that the Angel of the Lord is the pre-incarnate Christ, it is essential for Christians to be cautious about relying on extra-biblical sources like the Book of Enoch and the Zohar for theological understanding. These works, while containing some interesting and thought-provoking ideas, are not inspired by God and contain teachings that are incompatible with biblical truth.

As we have seen, the doctrine of the pre-incarnate Christ as the Angel of the Lord is grounded in the clear teachings of Scripture and is supported by the consistent witness of the New Testament. By focusing on the Bible as our primary source of theological understanding, we can avoid the dangers of bad doctrine and bad teaching and grow in our knowledge of God and His Word.

The Trinity briefly explained

The doctrine of the Trinity, which holds that God is one being who exists in three distinct persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – is supported by various passages in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Here are some examples:

1. Genesis 1:1-3 says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” In this passage, we see the Father (God), the Word (God said), and the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of God) all present at the creation of the world.
2. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” In this passage, the Son (the child born and the son given) is described as both the mighty God and the everlasting Father, indicating that He is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
3. John 1:1-3 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” In this passage, the Word (the Son) is described as being with God and being God, indicating that He is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
4. John 14:26 says, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” In this passage, the Holy Spirit is described as the Comforter, who is sent by the Father in the name of the Son (Jesus) to teach and guide believers.
5. 2 Corinthians 13:14 says, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” In this passage, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost are all mentioned together, indicating that they are all one in purpose and nature.

These passages, among many others, provide evidence for the doctrine of the Trinity, which holds that God is one being who exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Mankind is a Three Part Being – Made in the Likeness of God. 

The concept of mankind being created in the image and likeness of God is found in Genesis 1:26-27, which says, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” This passage suggests that mankind is created in the image and likeness of God, which implies that we have certain qualities and characteristics that reflect the nature of God. One interpretation of this concept is that mankind is a three-part being, consisting of the mind, body, and soul. The mind directs the body, while the soul is the seat of our emotions and desires. This idea is supported by various passages in the Bible, including 1 Thessalonians 5:23, which says, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In this passage, the three parts of the human being (spirit, soul, and body) are mentioned together, indicating that they are all distinct yet interconnected aspects of our being. The example of being in love is a powerful illustration of how the mind, body, and soul work together. When we experience strong emotions such as love, our mind may struggle to articulate our feelings, while our body may respond with physical sensations such as a racing heart. Meanwhile, our soul is the seat of our emotions and desires, driving us to seek connection and intimacy with the person we love. Overall, the concept of mankind being created in the image and likeness of God suggests that we are complex beings with multiple interconnected aspects, including the mind, body, and soul. This complexity reflects the nature of God and gives us the capacity to experience a wide range of emotions, desires, and experiences.

The Danger of Extra-biblical Teachings and the Importance of Studying the Bible Alone

Extra-biblical teachings and writings can be enticing, promising to offer deeper insights into the nature of God, the spiritual realm, and the mysteries of the universe. However, relying on these sources for theological understanding can lead to bad teaching, bad doctrine, and confusion, ultimately undermining the authority and sufficiency of the Bible as the inspired Word of God.

The Bible alone is the divinely inspired, inerrant, and authoritative source of truth for Christians, providing a comprehensive and coherent account of God’s plan of salvation and His will for our lives. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Studying the Bible alone ensures that our understanding of God and His Word remains grounded in the clear, objective teachings of Scripture, rather than being influenced by the subjective interpretations and mystical leanings of extra-biblical works. Theologians, therefore, should focus their studies on the Bible, writings about the Bible, and discussions around the Word of God, rather than seeking to incorporate the influenced thoughts of religious mindsets that reject Jesus as the Messiah.

The Problem of Religious Mindsets that Reject Jesus as Messiah

Many extra-biblical writings, such as the Book of Enoch and the Zohar, originate from religious mindsets that reject Jesus as the Messiah and the divine Son of God. These works often promote alternative concepts of God, spirituality, and salvation that are at odds with the clear teachings of the Bible. By seeking to incorporate these ideas into our understanding of God and His Word, we run the risk of distorting the truth and embracing teachings that are fundamentally incompatible with the Christian faith.

Moreover, relying on extra-biblical sources for theological understanding can lead to the development of syncretistic beliefs that blend elements of Christianity with other religious traditions, ultimately undermining the uniqueness and integrity of the Christian faith. This is particularly problematic in the context of Jewish mysticism, which seeks to integrate elements of Jewish thought and practice with Christian teachings, resulting in a hybrid belief system that is neither fully Christian nor fully Jewish.

The Call to Study the Bible Alone and Embrace the Sufficiency of Scripture

As Christians, we are called to embrace the sufficiency of Scripture, recognizing that the Bible alone provides everything we need for salvation and spiritual growth. By focusing our studies on the Word of God and avoiding the distractions of extra-biblical writings, we can deepen our understanding of Jesus as the mediator between God and humanity, and our faith in Him as the one and only Savior of the world.

The importance of studying the Bible alone cannot be overstated. By focusing on the clear, objective teachings of Scripture, we can avoid the pitfalls of bad doctrine, confusion, and syncretistic beliefs, and instead cultivate a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ as the one and only mediator between God and humanity.

References:

1. The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), 2011.
2. Charlesworth, J. H. (Ed.). (1983). The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha (Vol. 1). Doubleday.
3. Ginzberg, L. (1909). The Legends of the Jews (Vol. 5). The Jewish Publication Society of America.
4. Schäfer, P. (2000). The Origins of Jewish Mysticism. Princeton University Press.
5. Tishby, I. (1989). The Wisdom of the Zohar: An Anthology of Texts (Vol. 1). The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization.
6. Genesis 16:7-14 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
7. Genesis 22:11-18 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
8. Exodus 3:1-6 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
9. Judges 6:11-24 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house. And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man. And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me. Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again. And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it. And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so. Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight. And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O LORD God! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face. And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
10. John 1:1-3, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
11. Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
12. Philippians 2:6-7 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
13. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
14. Revelation 19:9-10 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
15. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.