For a movement ostensibly based on something tangible, the Torah, the Torah observance/Hebrew Roots movement has some real problems getting on the same page about the center of the faith: the Gospel.
G. Stevens Simons, who runs Triumph in Truth, released a video a few months back titled “What is the Good News?” It is one long, unambiguous message promoting works righteousness in clear language.
So we have a false Gospel being promoted, and do you know where I heard about this video? Well, it was promoted on the Philia Ministries Facebook page. This video.
James says he thinks works-righteousness is heresy and yet his ministry promotes not only this teacher of heresy, but the very video in which it is on full display. How did this happen? Who liked this message enough to promote it? James? Lea? Someone else they trust who has access to their Facebook page?
Here’s the show:
Response to Gary Simmon’s False Gospel:
There is one foundational pillar of our faith that remains eternal and that is, salvation is by grace through faith, plus nothing! It is a gift for those who are truly are seeking the presence of God.
So, when I view the video you highlighted and went back and watched other videos of Mr Simmon’s in order to get some additional context, I must say, that in the video presentations that I have viewed, I see no contradiction with Eph 2:8. If we profess with our lips that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and we cleave to John 3:16, then this declaration of faith before God will produce a fundamental change within our heart and spirit that will manifest itself in the flesh via good works led by the Spirit for the glory of God.
This declaration of faith must be geniune and not just lip service because God is not fooled or mocked. This is why the scriptures tells us that you can tell a tree by it’s fruits. The bible goes onto say that the tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire. Our works is not the means of our salvation it is the physical evidence, the light of God within us, that we are charged to take to the four corners of the earth bto bring glory to Him.
We follow Torah not looking to be saved, we follow Torah because we are saved and the works that we do are led by the Spirit and is an expression of our love to God because of the love He showed all of humanity on a hill top called Calvary. The Torah is our wedding vows/wedding contract and this is why our beloved Messiah said, “If you love me, you will obey my Commandments” (John 14:15). I see no contradiction in what Mr. Simmon’s is teaching, thus far, and our expression of faith found in John 3:16 & Ephesians 2:8.
Furthermore, Mr. Simmon’s teachings perfectly align with the Apostle James (Ja 2:14-17, 22-24). Faith and works are two sides of the same with greater and most important weight given to faith as the head (face) of the coin and works as the tail.
Mr. Simmon’s does seem to highlight the “Works by the Spirit” but that is probably because so many ignore or diminish it’s importance.
We are reminded that the bible tells that harvest is plenty and the workers are few and so this reminds me that we are not saved by works, we are saved for works. God is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and truth, which are the two critical elements of the New Covenant. God tells us through the Prophet Jeremiah that He will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel (a) and with the house of Judah where He will write the Torah on our hearts, meaning that the Word of God will be transformed from written on tablets of stone and parchment paper to being written spiritually on our hearts (Jer 31:31-33). It will no longer be an academic exercise where we have to be taught and learn His ways by others, but instead His Torah is part of our new bodies, our new DNA, if you will.
a. Rom 11:17//Eph 2:12//Eph 2:19//Eph 3:6//Eph 4:17.
The Apostle Paul teaches us that the problem was never with the Torah which is Holy and good. Paul tells us that he delights in the Torah/Law of God according to the inward man, which of course eludes to the Spirit of God within us that is in constant battle with the outward man because of the flesh that belongs to this world. The problem was always our sinful nature and our own inclination toward sin (b).
b. Romans 7:12-25//Rom 8:3//Gal 3:21
Secondly, in order to ensure that we walk (do) His Commandments, God indwells within us with His Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
The bible tells us that many will perform miracles and cast out demons in Christ’s name, which obviously implies that they professed faith in Jesus and they would not be performing miracles in His name. Yet, as we see while they proclaim faith in Messiah, and through God’s mercy and grace He still performed miracles through them (which was based on the person’s faith receiving the miracle), God rejects them for practicing lawlessness read Matthew 7:21-23 (NKJV).
Conclusion: There is only one way to the Father and that is through the Son. Yet, that does not negate the Torah/Law as Paul tells us below (c).
(c) Romans 3:31 “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.” (NKJV)
Many will say that our Messiah came to teach a different Torah (d) and a different Gospel (e) that was given to the children of Israel and the two verses below tells us differently:
d. Jesus taught the same Torah He just gave us deeper understanding to fill our cup of understanding to the brim:
John 7:16
John 12:49
Matthew 5:27 (Matt 5:21-37)
e. In the the desert of Mt. Sinai the children of Israel received the same gospel:
Hebrews 4:1-6
Hebrews 3:7-19
Psalms 95:8-11
Additional verses of interest:
Matthew 5:17:19
Psalms 119:89
One last comment if you will allow me. Someone from your organization during the live stream commented about hating the Hebrew roots folks. I am not a Hebrew roots person, if those folks are truly sincere in their position and yet sincerely wrong, how are we going to bring the Good News message to these people in truth and in love when we start off the conversation with hate on our heart? Even Jesus taught us that we should not hate our enemies. Let’s pray for all of us thst God’s truth will be written our hearts and that instead of tearing each other apart we learn to be good Bereans but that requires us to be good and patient listeners and then to respond with truth and love not hate.
Regards,
Gabe
Gary Simons clearly and repeatedly stated that we are “declared right” through obedience, and that the “good news” is that God will enable us to do so, ignoring the actual Scriptures that defying the good news as the work of Christ. There is a reason that, despite citing many disconnected texts out of context, he cited no text to support these claims. They are not biblical.
I agree that true faith will result in obedience to God, but we are not made right by that obedience.
As for my “organization”, that’s me and only me. Anyone who said they hate anyone doesn’t represent me. I do hate false doctrine, especially the blatant heresy of Mr. Simons, and won’t apologize for that.