What is the Origin of the Christian Scriptures?
It is common for people to interpret Pharisee as meaning Jew, but this is clearly not what Jesus intended. During the time when these scriptures were written there had been an ongoing feud between the Essene and the Pharisee which dated back almost two centuries. Both the Essene and the Pharisee had split off from the Chasidim years earlier. The differences between these two Jewish sects became irreconcilable after the execution of the 'Essene Teacher of Righteousness' by Aristobulus II c 65 BCE. It was this episode which led to the coming of Pompey, the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans, and eventually to the coming of Jesus Christ. While there are no real prophesies referring to the coming of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament there are numerous versus pertaining to the coming of the messiah found in the 'Dead Sea Scrolls.' While you may choose to not agree, this is a clear indication that Jesus was an Essene invention.

"...And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?"--Luke 4:22. I mention this to show that the following refers to Jesus. "And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country."--Luke 4:23. Ever since the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls the question has arisen, 'Was Jesus an Essene?' The clergy will tell you the Essene are not mentioned in the scriptures, but that is not the case. You see Physician, which is capitalized, is another word for Therapeut and an Essene was a Therapeut, and here Jesus refers to himself as an Essene. Jesus is also often referred to as the Nazorean which was an Essene sect.

"Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you."--Colossians 4:14. The reference to Luke as a physician has led many to believe that Luke was a doctor, but as I have just shown you it means he was an Essene. This passage also connects the author Paul, who was actually the Essene Apollonius, to two of his disciples Damis, Demas in the scriptures, and Lucius of Cyrene. The most obvious link however is the reference to Jesus as either the Nazorean or the Nazarene in the Synoptic Gospels. Both of these were Essene sects of Nazirites, and have nothing to do with a city called Nazareth which did not exist in Palestine during the first century.

"Christianity is an outgrowth from Buddhism."--'Antiquity Unveiled', testimony of Minucius Felix, a Montanist Patriarch. "Who were the Nazarites from who the title of Jesus the Nazarene was derived? They were the people who afterward were called the Essenian Brotherhood. That sect originated at a place called Nazarita, a small village near Gaza....This sect shaved their heads-wore a kind of loose garment girdled at the waist...."--'Antiquity Unveiled', testimony of Cornelius Tacitus, Roman Historian. "And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow."--Acts 18:18. "Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads:"--Act 21:24. "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God."--1Corinthians 11:3. "Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered."--1Corinthians 11:4-6. "The word Nazarite meant to clear off the head bare...."--J. M. Roberts, 'Antiquity Unveiled', testimony of Damis.

"And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,"--Luke 18:29. "And a proof of this is to be found in their life of perfect freedom; no one among them ventures at all to acquire any property whatever of his own, neither house, nor slave, nor farm, nor flocks and herds, nor any thing of any sort which can be looked upon as the fountain or provision of riches;"--'Apology for the Jews', Philo of Alexandria.

What we know of the Essene comes from two main sources Philo of Alexandria, and Josephus. Unlike the Pharisee the Essene had adopted numerous tenets of both Pythagorean teachings and Buddhism into their religious beliefs. The Epistles were the product of nine scriptures brought back from India by Apollonius of Tyana, and the gospels were created from four scriptures brought back from farther India also by Apollonius. Both were translated by Apollonius, Damis and the scribe Lucius of Cyrene. Here are just a few similarities between the Essene and the Christian scriptures:

1. The Essenes believed and taught it was their first duty to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Philo). Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all else shall be added (Mt 6:33; Luke 12:31).
2. They abjured all amusements, all elegances, and all pleasures of the senses (Philo). "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."--Matthew 19:29
3. They lay up nothing on earth, but fix their minds solely on heaven (the kingdom of God). "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"--Matthew 6:20
4. They, having laid aside all the anxieties of life and leaving society, make their residence in solitary wilds and in gardens (Philo). They wander in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens, and in caves of the earth (Heb 11:38).
5. They neither buy nor sell among themselves, but give of what they have to him that wanteth (Josephus). And parted them (their goods) to all men as every man had need (Acts 2:45).
6. They utilized baptism, not animal sacrifice, as a mode of repentance for the remission of sins. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; (Luke 3:3)
7. They forsook father, mother, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, for their religion (Eusebius quoting Philo).
Whosoever forsaketh not father and mother, houses and lands, cannot be my disciples. (Luke 14:26, 33)
8. They being sometimes called monks was owing to their abstraction from the world (Eusebius). They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world (John 17:16).
9. They were called Ascetics because of their rigid discipline, their prayers, fasting, self-mortification, as they made themselves eunuchs (remained chaste). There be eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. (Mt 19:12)
10. They maintained a perfect community of goods, and an equality of external rank. Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant (Mt 20:27).
11. They had all things in common and appointed one of their number to manage the common bag. And had all things in common (Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32).
12. They detested all ornamental dress and considered it vanity of heart. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, and putting on of apparel (1 Peter 3:3).
13. They would call no man master. "Be not called Rabbi, for one is your Master"--Matthew 23:8.
14. They said the Creator made all mankind equal. God hath made of one blood all them that dwell upon the earth.
15. They renounced oaths, saying, He who cannot be believed without swearing is condemned already. "But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation."--James 5:12.
16. They would not eat anything which had blood in it, or meat which had been offered to idols. Their food was hyssop, and bread, and salt; and water their only drink. That ye abstain from meat offered to idols, and from blood (Acts 15:29).
17. They took nothing with them, neither meat or drink, nor anything necessary for the wants of the body. Take nothing for your journey; neither staves nor scrip; neither bread, neither money, neither have two coats apiece.
18. They expounded the literal sense of the Holy Scriptures by allegory. (Symbolic representation) "Which things are an allegory"--Galatians 4:24.
19. They abjured the pleasures of the body, not desiring mortal offspring, and they renounced marriage, believing it to be detrimental to a holy life. They that shall be counted worthy of that world and the resurrection neither marry nor are given in marriage. (Mt 22:30, Luke 20:35) The unmarried careth for the things of the Lord (1 Cor 7:32).
20. They strove to disengage their minds entirely from the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15)
21. They provide not for future subsistence, devoting themselves to the Lord. Take no thought for the morrow, what ye shall eat and drink. (Matt 6:34)
22. They were ashamed to give the body sustenance, Regarding it as a prison. Who shall change our vile bodies? (Phil 3:21).
23. They spent nearly all their time in silent meditation and inward prayer. Men ought always to pray. (Luke 18:1). Pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17). 24. They vowed perpetual chastity and poverty, believing the poor were the Lord's favorites. Blessed be ye poor (Luke 6:20). Hath not God chosen the poor? (James 2:5).
25. They devoted themselves entirely to contemplation in divine things. Mediate upon these (divine) things; give thyself wholly to them (1 Tim 4:15).
26. They fasted often, sometimes tasting food but once in three or even six days. Christ's disciples fasted often. Fasting is mentioned over fifty times in the A.V. (2 Cor 11:27; 5:34).
27. They offered no sacrifices, believing that a serious and devout soul was most acceptable. There is no more offering for sin (Heb 10:18).
28. They believed in and practiced baptizing the (spiritually) dead. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead (1 Cor 15:29).
29. They gave a mystical sense to the Scriptures, disregarding the letter. The letter killeth, but the spirit maketh alive (1 Cor 3:6).
30. They had many mysteries in their religion which they were sworn to keep secret. To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom; to them it is not given (Mt 13:11). Great is the mystery of godliness. (1 Tim 3:16)
31. They taught by metaphors, symbols, and parables as not to reveal their inner teachings. Without a parable spake he not unto them. (Mt 13:34)
32. They had in their churches, bishops, elders, deacons, and priests. Ordain elders in every church (Acts 14:23). Deacons (1 Tim 3:1).
33. They would often sing psalms when assembled together. Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms (Col 3:16).
34. They healed and cured the minds and bodies of those who joined them. Healing all manner of sickness (Mt 4:23).
35. They practiced certain ceremonial purifications by water. The accomplishment of the days of purification (Acts 21:26).
36. They were clothed in white garments. Shall be clothed in white garments (Rev 3:4).
37. They disbelieved in the resurrection of the external body. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body (1 Cor 15:44).
38. They were the only sort of men who lived without money and without women (Pliny). The love of money is the root of all evil (1 Tim 6:10). Christ's disciples traveled without money or scrip and eschew the lusts of the flesh.
39. They practiced the extremist charity to the poor. Bestow all thy goods to feed the poor (1 Cor 13:3).
40. They were skillful in interpreting dreams, and in foretelling future events. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy and your old men shall dream dreams. (Acts 2:17).
41. They believed in a paradise, and in a place of never- ending lamentations. Life everlasting (Gal 8:8). Weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth (Mt 13:42).
42. They affirmed, says Josephus, that God foreordained all the events of human life. Foreordained before the foundation of the world (1 Peter).
43. They believed in Mediators between God and the souls of men. One Mediator between God and men (1 Tim 2:5).
44. They practiced the pantomimic representation of the death, burial, and resurrection of God--Christ the Spirit. With respect to the death, burial, resurrection of Christ, see 1 Cor 15:4.
45. They inculcated the forgiveness of injuries. Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).
46. They disapproved of war between brothers. If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight (John 18:36).
47. They inculcated obedience to magistrates, and to the civil authorities. Obey them which have the rule over you (Heb 13:17; 26:65).
48. They retired within themselves to receive interior revelations of divine truth. Every one of you hath a revelation (1 Cor 14:26).
49. They were scrupulous in speaking the truth. Speaking all things in truth (2 Cor 7:14).
50. They perform many wonderful miracles. Many texts teach us that Christ and his apostles did the same.
51. They put all members on the same level, forbidding the exercise of authority of one over another. Christ did the same (Mt 20:25; Mk 9:35).
52. They laid the greatest stress on being meek and lowly in spirit. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Mt 5:5; 9:28).
53. They commended the poor in spirit, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, and the merciful, and the pure in heart. For proof that Christ did the same, see Mt.
54. They commended the peacemakers. Blessed are the peacemakers. (Matt 5:9).
55. They performed cures, as signs and proof of their faith. Christ's disciples were to cast out devils, heal the sick, and raise the dead as signs and proof of their faith (Mk 16:17).
56. They sacrificed the lusts of the flesh to gain spiritual happiness. "You abstain from fleshly lusts"--1 Peter 2:11.
57. They broke bread as a ritual. "He (Jesus) took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it,..."--Luke 22:19.
58. They were wont to sell their possessions and their substance, and divide among all according as any one had need so that there was not one among them in want, even as it is related in the Acts of the Apostles (Eusebius). "Neither was their any among them that lacked, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the price of the things that were sold"--Acts 4:34.
59. They enjoined, Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. The Confucian golden rule, as taught by Christ.
60. They considered (all) men and women to be equal. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:28).
61. They enjoined the loving of enemies (Philo). Love your enemies. (Matt 5:44, Luke 6:27)

"Those ancient Therapeuts (Essenes) were Christians, and their ancient writings were our gospels."--Eusebius, 'History of the Church.' "All the Epistles and Gospels are, in reality, the creation of the Christian priests."--J. M. Roberts, 'Antiquity Unveiled', testimony of Eusebius of Caesarea.

This would suggest that Essenism was another name for Christianity but that it had not yet changed its name--an event which happened, not in Judaea so much as when the sect was usurped into the Roman Empire. Gibbon in 'Decline and Fall' thought so: "We are driven to the conclusion that Christianity was derived from Essenism. What then was the significant difference? It was that Christianity grew among gentiles while Jewish Christians remained Essenes. Tacitus in 104 AD is the first of the three hundred writers of that era that makes any mention of Christianity, Christ, or a Christian. This was a decade after Josephus' last book. Until then the name Christianity had not yet been widely recognized as something different from the Jewish original. Around 100 AD the new name, Christianity, which had been coined a few decades earlier, came into widespread use to distinguish gentile Essenes from Jewish Essenes."

Continued Table of Contents