FAQ
1. Who are the people behind "Light on the Rock"?
See Our Mission . Simply put, this is a sharing of Bible studies from Philip Shields. We are not a church organization, though we are part of the Body of Christ. We do not seek a following, though we feel many can receive helpful scriptural information from websites like this. We encourage brethren to remain in a local group where they’re being well fed spiritually and experiencing the joy of salvation (Ps. 51:12).
2. Why and how did you decide on the motif of a lighthouse on a rock?
We did not want to call this endeavor by any name of man or in any way focus on what we're doing so much as focus on the Word of God. Neither are we a Church. The Bible is simply Yeshua the Messiah in print, since He is called "The Word" (John 1:1). Jesus is the true light of the world (John 8:12 ; Matthew 5:14 ). He is also the Rock (1 Cor 10:4). The Word of God is our focus. Our goal is to build on that Rock (Matthew 7:24-27) that leads us to a relationship with God our Father. Many ancient travelers seeking a new life - as many of us are attempting to do right now spiritually - found themselves shipwrecked on the rocky shoals of the unknown coastland. Without the light of God's word showing the safe route, many can also be wrecked on the unseen and unknown spiritual dangers - the other rocks -- around us. So, Jesus is the Light of the world, and He is also our Rock. Our website designers did a great job of conveying what was in our hearts.
3. We’ve noticed in sermons since 2008 and 2009, that you more often say “Yeshua” instead of “Jesus”. Why do you often use the names “Yahweh”, “Yeshua” and “Abba” instead of God, Jesus and Father?
We often still use the more commonly used names or words like “God”, “Father” or “Jesus”. I am not fanatical about exclusively using Hebrew names.
In our English Bibles, whenever you see all capitalized letters “the LORD”, that is actually from the original Hebrew YHWH, with no “the” in the original. Though there is controversy over whether YHWH should be Yahweh or Yehovah, or other variations, I’ve chosen to use Yahweh. The Eternal God says that is His name (Isa 42:8; John 8:58), the name He revealed again to Moses (Ex. 3:13-15). It means “I am”, or “the Eternal, the Self-Existent One”. But why translate His name? Just say it! My name - Philip - means “lover of horses”, but it would seem strange to me if you started calling me “Lover of horses”. My name is Philip. In the same way, Yahweh says He wants us to know His name, use His name reverently, and proclaim His name to all the nations. So I’m simply trying to obey His command about His name. Be looking for a full sermon on this point. In the meantime, study the verses that include “His name” or “My name”. It’s exciting!
When God the Father sent His Son into the world, the name Mary, His mother gave Him, was Yeshua (Matt.1:21, 25). Matthew 1:21, 25 is translated from Greek, so our English Bibles say “Jesus”, from Greek Iesous, but if the angel was speaking in Hebrew, he would have said “Yeshua”. Yeshua is close to our English name “Joshua”. He probably never heard the name or sound of “Jesus” any time in His earthly lifetime. “Jesus” comes from the Greek “Iesous”, but “Jesus” is neither a translation nor a transliteration. So I now prefer to use the very same name His mama called Him: Yeshua. It’s that simple.
In like manner, I often say “Yeshua the Messiah” - which is the same thing as saying “Jesus the Christ” or “Jesus Christ”. Christ and Messiah both mean “the anointed one”. “Christ” comes from the Greek word “Christos”. “Messiah” comes from the equivalent Hebrew word for “anointed one”.
“Abba” is Aramaic for “dear Father”. It is the term Yeshua used in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:36). Paul also uses it (Romans 8:15; Gal. 4:6). It is similar to our English word “Daddy”. So when I say “Abba”, I’m referring to the One we know as God the Father. If it was good enough for Yeshua to use, it’s good enough for me. Yeshua welcomed us to know God in the Highest as “our Father” (John 20:17; Matthew 6:5-13).
4. How do I listen to a message, or download a message?
Instructions on how to download message are available here.
5. How do I download a message to CD?
Instructions for creating a CD with the messages are going to vary according to your software package. Please visit the help documentation for your CD creation software for more details. If you don’t have your own computer but would like to receive cd’s, that may be possible, at least for now. We would request a donation in that case, if you’re able, to help pay for production, copying and shipping costs to you.
6. What do you hope to ultimately accomplish?
See the link Our Mission. Simply put, helping as many people as possible start to turn to God our Father, and be ready for our returning King of Kings, Yeshua the Messiah; people who know His Word, the Bible; and to have a people living by that Word with the help Christ gives us through God's Holy Spirit. We need to be prepared for Jesus' return, and any small part we can play in that mission, would be to God's glory.
7. What are the speaker's credentials?
This website is not about us, but is about the message. Yeshua clearly said he could make rocks cry out if need be, so we leave the results to Him and pray He can fulfill His purpose through whatever weak instruments are presented to Him. Check out the messages yourself to see if what we're saying squares with what the Bible says, like the noble Bereans of old did, and then form your own conclusions. I was ordained an elder at the Feast of Tabernacles in 1976. The church group I was with at that time would raise an elder to a “Preaching elder” once they were pastoring churches. I was ordained a Preaching Elder in 1979. I currently am not part of any organization, though I know I am a part of the Body of Christ.
8. What church denomination is behind "Light on the Rock"?
There is no church denomination behind this website. We are independent students of the Eternal God's Word. We seek to promote what Yahweh has to say about various topics. Most of us continue believing whatever we were taught as children. A better way is to learn, and believe, what Yahweh actually says.
9. Who finances "Light on the Rock"?
Who finances "Light on the Rock"?
We have been funding this project over the years primarily from our own resources. If you wish to help support the costs of this website and any of the worthy causes we may support from time to time, you can make donations to our non-profit foundation called “LOTROF” or “Light on the Rock Outreach Foundation”. We accept donations from anyone. Your donations will be acknowledged but we are NOT set up to give a Federally tax deductible receipt. If you wish to make a donation to help defray expenses, please feel free to send donations made out to “Light on the Rock” or “LOTROF”, PO Box 1780, Battle Ground WA 98604 USA.
Thank you so much.
10. Are the messages available in other languages?
So far, no. If enough requests for this come in, and if that's what Yahweh wants, then He will provide the way to make it happen. If any of you who frequent this website are fluent and proficient in foreign languages, and are willing to volunteer your services to translate when that need arises, I will certainly take down your contact information. We do not have any funds to pay for translating services.
11. Is there a group near me who believe as you do, with whom I can attend?
It is not our intent to form a "church" or denomination. We do not seek a following. We simply wish to share what God has to say about various subjects. There are God-fearing people all around the world who attend with various denominations or fellowships. We may be able to put you in touch with some of them if you email or write us your concerns.
12. What are your beliefs on ...
Check out the link called Audio Messages. As you listen to those messages, you'll find out quickly enough what Scripture teaches about various topics. Knowing what we believe is less important than knowing what the Bible actually teaches on a given topic. We pray you will confirm that our messages square solidly with teaching from Scripture. If not, please let me know.
Here’s an overview:
· We are a resource for believers in the one true God revealed in the Scriptures - Yahweh, the Eternal living God. We therefore pursue the “whole counsel of God” from Genesis through Revelation as the foundation and source of what we teach. We do our best to teach what Scripture says, rather than the traditional teachings of any denomination or person.
· We pursue a life evidenced by love for God and love for one another, through the power of God’s Spirit. We believe worship should be joyous, reverent, uplifting and unifying. We believe there is one spiritual body of believers, and true believers will be coming together as one as we draw to the end of this age. We believe true believers love and accept one another without regard to church organizational lines and walls or nationality, race, tribe or culture. Christ will marry only one Bride, who acts, lives and loves as one.
· We observe the 7th day Sabbath and God’s annual holy days and feast days, as taught by Scripture.
· We believe we are saved by grace through faith, as God’s gift, for good works(Eph. 2:8-10), just like the early believers in the book of Acts. We do NOT teach grace gives us license to sin with impunity. Sin is defined by God’s law (1 John 3:4), and we must obey God (1 John 2:3-6).
· We are grateful for God’s love, proven by sending His Son Jesus the Christ (or Yeshua the Messiah) into the world to save all who will accept, trust, believe in Him and obey Him. We believe in repentance, water baptism by immersion and receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. We believe we are all being judged in God’s way and time and each will stand before His judgment seat. We believe in resurrections and the power of God. We believe the gifts of God’s Spirit are still available to each one as He wishes. The gifts of God are still active. His greatest gift of all is God’s agape love (1 Cor. 12-14).
· We believe even as we accept His grace, we become His “new creation”, a new life obedient to God and His Way of life, through faith in His Son’s righteousness living in us by His Spirit. We believe we must be overcoming the old way of life, through the gift of His Spirit. We believe in repentance when we sin and that we must be overcoming and growing into a mature child of God.
· We believe in proclaiming everywhere and openly the good news of God’s kingdom and of the Savior’s central role in that kingdom, for He is The Way into the kingdom of God.
· We seek to listen to, and be led by God’s Holy Spirit to show us the will of God, which will guide us into the day-to-day life Yahweh wants us to live.
We are a source of sermons, studies and Biblical information to supplement your own studies. We are not a church and do not seek a following, though we are certainly a part of the Body of Christ. We encourage people to remain where they are being fed and where they are experiencing growth - even while they may gain some insights from websites such as this.