The Assemblies of Yahweh are a religious organization based in Bethel, PA. Their doctrines are a mix of Christian and Orthodox Jewish beliefs, centering on the use of the names Yahweh and Yahshua for God and Jesus Christ, respectively.

Some of their central beliefs include the unity of God, the necessity of using the sacred names, the rejection of anything with pagan connections, which they believe includes the use of the titles "Lord", "God", "Jesus", and the celebration of holidays such as Christmas and Easter. While accepting the New Testament's divine inspiration, they teach that the Old Testament is to be the primary standard for establishing the Messianic faith.

God and Salvation

The AoY teaches that Yahweh is a singular being, and that Yahshua (Jesus) is Yahweh's Son, first creation, and chosen Messiah. The Holy Spirit is an impersonal force sent from Yahweh, and therefore the doctrine of the Trinity is rejected by the AoY as a pagan belief. Salvation is found through faith in Yahshua and

The AoY also teach that they are the only organization in which salvation can be found. Those who are righteous are raised to eternal life at the Second Coming, while the reprobate (including former members) will be cast into Gehenna (the Lake of Fire) where they will cease to exist. Aside from the importance placed on the sacred names, many of their doctrines are similar to those of the Worldwide Church of God, during its prior leadership under its founder Herbert W. Armstrong. An austere Pennsylvania Dutch influence also is reflected in its organizational values, especially in the emphasis on withdrawing from popular entertainments and strictly shunning those who have been disfellowshipped from membership.

The Bible

The Bible is considered the inspired, inerrant word of Yahweh. However, the AoY rejects the inspiration of the Greek New Testament, believing it to be corrupted from a Hebrew original. Therefore, all New Testament doctrines must be considered in light of the Old Testament. The organization has published its own edition of the Bible known as the Sacred Scriptures, Bethel Edition, which is based on the American Standard Version of the Bible but has

Organization

The Assemblies were founded in 1969 by Jacob O. Meyer, who has been their directing elder ever since. Headquarters is located in Bethel, PA and AoY have several assemblies throughout the world, though many of their subscribers do not regularly attend one (as there are but a few in the United States). The AoY claims to be the largest of the many Sacred Name groups, with adherents in the low thousands. They publish a monthly magazine called The Sacred Name Broadcaster, and also have syndicated television and radio shows, as well as WMLK, a shortwave radio station of their own. Several splits have occurred within the Assemblies of Yahweh, including the Missouri-based Yahweh's Assembly in Messiah and Yahweh's New Covenant Assembly. These groups, though separated from AoY, share virtually all of its beliefs and doctrines.

Questions over financial accountability have led to concerns over the spending of members' tithes and offerings, including expenditures for lawyers' fees. Meyer has over the years sued other religious organizations for supposed infringment on the legal trademark "Assemblies of Yahweh." Recently he brought a suit against his own son Jacob C. Meyer for using his name and the name of his organization while holding religious meetings in Trinidad, West Indies. Numerous times he has threatened individuals and religious groups for using the name Assemblies of Yahweh. He has also been accused of micro-managing the lives of his followers and making himself out to be a prophet and judge.

Over the years, many of those who have left the organization have cited Pharasaical attitudes and controlling practices among the reasons for their departure. Some have asserted that despite its claims as the only true religious organization, the AoY has failed to live up to the spiritual standards set forth by the Philadelphia assembly of Revelation 3:7-13. Others contend that family relationships, friendships, marriages, and career aspirations were damaged or destroyed as a result of the organization's absolutist pronouncements. As with the Worldwide Church of God, some reportedly left disillusioned with religion in general. Detractors have charged that insufficient emphasis has been given toward putting into practice the Scriptural teachings on love, including toward perceived enemies.

Meyer's chief writings include most of the articles for the Broadcaster, numerous free pamphlets and writings, and the books The Memorial Name - Yahweh and Commentary on Galatians.

External links

• - Official Site of the Organization
• - An overview of the Assemblies by traditional Protestant Christians. (Critical)