The Natsarim are a group of people who follow the teachings of Yeshua (Jesus) and his disciples from the 1st century CE. The name Natsarim comes from the Hebrew word “netser” which means “branch” and refers to Isaiah 11:1 which states “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” This is understood as a messianic prophecy about Jesus.
The Natsarim view themselves as restoring the original sect of followers of Jesus from the 1st century. They believe the original teachings and practices of Jesus and his disciples have been corrupted over time by the institutional church. As a result, the Natsarim reject many mainstream Christian doctrines and traditions in an attempt to return to the primitive faith of the first followers of Jesus.
Some of the key beliefs and practices of the Natsarim include:
- Observing the seventh-day Sabbath on Saturday as commanded in Exodus 20:8-11, rather than Sunday.
- Celebrating the biblical feasts described in Leviticus 23 such as Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.
- Using the Hebrew names of God such as Yahweh and Yeshua rather than English/Greek versions like Lord and Jesus.
- Avoiding eating unclean foods prohibited in Leviticus 11 such as pork and shellfish.
- Rejecting the mainstream Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter as having pagan origins.
- Emphasizing faithfulness to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible.
The Natsarim trace their origins back to the first century disciples of Jesus who continued observing Torah after his death and resurrection. They see themselves as the remnant who have stayed faithful to the messianic sect originating with Jesus, in contrast to mainstream Christianity which they view as departing from biblical truth.
Key to the Natsarim identity is their use of the Hebrew names Yahweh and Yeshua for God and Jesus. This flows from their emphasis on staying connected to the Jewish heritage of the earliest disciples. They believe these original Hebrew names have profound theological significance.
In contrast to mainstream Christianity, the Natsarim totally reject any notion of God as a Trinity or Jesus being God. They see Yeshua as the Messiah and Son of God, but not God himself. Instead, the Natsarim uphold strict monotheism with Yahweh as the one and only God.
When it comes to salvation, the Natsarim teach that this comes through faith in Yeshua as Savior and also by living a life of obedience to Yahweh’s commandments. They do not see faith and obedience as mutually exclusive. Salvation requires turning from sinful living and striving to walk in God’s ways by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Natsarim rely heavily on the New Testament for their beliefs, while also looking to the Hebrew scriptures. Key Natsarim texts include the Gospels, Book of Acts, the writings of Paul, and parts of the General Epistles that align with their theological views. However, they interpret these always through the lens of Torah observance and obedience.
Ecclesiology among the Natsarim can take a few forms. Some integrate into Messianic Judaism movements and congregations. Others form their own Torah-pursuant groups or house fellowships. Natsarim identity transcends organizational structures. Their common ground is adhering to the primitive faith in Yeshua while also keeping Torah.
There is no universal agreement among the Natsarim about matters such as leadership structures, congregational membership, or details of doctrines. Each community handles issues differently based on their specific circumstances and interpretation of biblical teachings.
Persecution and marginalization are realities the Natsarim have often faced, both historically and in the present day. Their views are at odds with mainstream Judaism and Christianity alike. As a minority group upholding unpopular beliefs, the Natsarim have frequently experienced opposition and discouragement.
Yet the Natsarim remain convicted that they are honoring the legacy of Yeshua and the first disciples by maintaining fidelity to Torah while also professing Yeshua as the Messiah. They see themselves as a faithful remnant keeping the testimony of Yeshua alive in the context of modern Judaism and Christianity.
The Natsarim are a Torah observant sect centered around Yeshua as the Messiah while rejecting the Trinity and other mainstream Christian doctrines. By upholding the Hebrew roots of the faith and clinging to the primitive Messianic community’s ways, they attempt to practice a purer biblical faith amidst the syncretism around them.
In summary, the Natsarim have these key characteristics:
- Observe Torah commandments including Sabbath and biblical feasts
- Use Hebrew names Yahweh and Yeshua for God and Jesus
- Reject mainstream Christian doctrines like the Trinity
- Uphold Yeshua as the Messiah while adhering to strict monotheism
- Emphasize both faith and obedience for salvation
- Identify as the remnant of the original 1st century messianic sect
The Natsarim see themselves as restoring and practicing the authentic faith of Yeshua and his earliest disciples. By strongly upholding Torah observance while professing Yeshua as the Messiah, they strive to recapture the Hebrew roots and primitive community from which Christianity would later emerge.
Examining some key Natsarim texts can shed further light on their biblical foundations and theological perspectives:
Matthew 5:17-19 – “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
This passage is central to the Natsarim view that Yeshua did not do away with the commandments of Torah, but rather upheld and filled them with meaning. His coming was about fulfilling the law not abolishing it. This justification drives their Torah observance.
Acts 21:20b-21 – “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.”
To the Natsarim, this shows that the early Jewish believers continued zealously observing Torah commandments even after coming to faith in Yeshua as Messiah. This aligns with their own convictions.
Acts 15:19-21 – “Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
While this passage is often cited to argue Torah does not apply to Gentiles, the Natsarim emphasize verse 21 shows the expectation remained that Gentiles would learn and adhere to Torah by hearing it routinely taught.
Romans 3:31 – “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.”
Again this demonstrates to the Natsarim that faith in Yeshua does not abolish the commandments of Torah. Upholding the law remains integral for followers of Messiah.
1 John 2:3-4 – “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
Obedience to God’s commandments provides evidence of truly knowing and following him. The Natsarim emphasize obedience as the fruit of saving faith.
1 John 5:2-3 – “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”
Loving God is directly connected to obeying his commandments, which are designed for human flourishing rather than burden. The Natsarim see Torah as blessings not legalistic drudgery.
These and other key passages shape the Natsarim conviction that Torah obedience should characterize followers of Yeshua, just as it did the original Jewish disciples. While resistance remains strong from mainstream Christianity, the Natsarim continue upholding the Hebrew roots of their faith.
Throughout history, the Natsarim faced persecution from both Jews and Christians for their unorthodox views:
- In the 4th century, the church father Epiphanius condemned a sect of “Nazarenes” as heretics for their adherence to Jewish laws like the Sabbath, Passover, and dietary restrictions.
- The Catholic church dominated Europe during the Middle Ages, leaving no room for Torah-observant groups like the Natsarim to thrive.
- During the Protestant Reformation, sects holding similar beliefs to the Natsarim were rejected as “Judaizers” accused of corrupting the gospel by Luther and other leading Reformers.
- Messianic Judaism only regained visibility in the 19th-20th centuries, providing a safer space for Natsarim identity to reemerge publicly.
Yet faithful remnants holding Natsarim theological convictions have persisted subtlely for centuries. These include groups like the Waldensians, Henricans, Sabbatati, and Pasagini who were persecuted and driven underground by the institutional church.
Mainstream Jewish groups also rejected the Natsarim for their christological beliefs about Yeshua. Yet the Natsarim have held onto their identity through small communities, assimilation, and literary works encoding their marginalized theology.
In the modern era, the Natsarim have reemerged through various Messianic Jewish groups and independent fellowships seeking to restore Hebrew roots and Torah observance to their walk with Yeshua:
- The modern Messianic Jewish movement fostered renewal of Natsarim identity after 1967 when congregations like the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) were founded.
- Joe and Rose Pinto’s Key of David Publishing House promoted Natsarim theology through literature like “The Rod of an Almond Tree in God’s Master Plan” in the 1990s.
- Batya and Angus Wootten’s House of David Fellowship in the 1980s-90s helped awaken Torah-pursuant followers of Yeshua to their Natsarim identity.
- Groups like Alliance of Redeemed Israel and Israelite Heritage Institute today provide online community and in-person gatherings for scattered Natsarim.
Through these avenues and others, the Natsarim continue restoring their unique identity rooted in primitive messianic faith and Torah observance. They see themselves as fulfilling end-times prophecy about the remnant who keep God’s commands and hold to the testimony of Yeshua (Rev 12:17, 14:12).
Controversies have also accompanied the contemporary revival of the Natsarim, posing challenges:
- Accusations of legalism – Their zeal for Torah is sometimes wrongly construed as works-based righteousness rather than obedience flowing from faith.
- Messianic Judaism tensions – Mainstream Messianic Jewish groups often resist the Natsarim view that all believers should keep Torah commandments.
- In-fighting over halacha – There are disagreements between Natsarim groups over exactly how to observe Torah and which interpretations to favor.
- Identity confusion – Lack of formal organization or unity sometimes confuses earnest seekers investigating the Natsarim.
- Unorthodox fringe elements – Extremist groups mixing truth with error have attached themselves to the Natsarim at times, distorting public perception.
Yet sincere Natsarim press on as they prayerfully study Scripture, discern biblical teachings, and follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance in applying Torah. They remain a small but passionate movement holding onto the testimony of Yeshua and adhering to the faith once delivered.
In conclusion, the Natsarim have restored an ancient stream of discipleship for today – one that stays rooted in the Hebrew scriptures while also embracing Yeshua as the Messiah. By calling believers back to the example of the first Jewish followers of Yeshua, they are reviving long-forgotten elements of the biblical faith. This both enriches and challenges the wider body of Messiah.