Jacob O. Meyer

For the magician, see Jacob Philadelphia.

Jacob Owen Meyer (November 11, 1934 – April 9, 2010) was the founder and directing elder of the Assemblies of Yahweh (not to be confused with the pre-existing Assembly of Yahweh) which as of 2011 was the largest organization within the Sacred Name Movement.[1]

Jacob Owen Meyer
Born November 11, 1934
Bethel, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Died April 9, 2010
Nationality United States of America
Citizenship United States of America
Known for Founder of Assemblies of Yahweh
Website
http://www.assembliesofyahweh.com/

Early life

Meyer was born in Bethel, Berks County, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a conservative, religious German-descended family, and was active in his local Anabaptist congregation. He studied at the Evangelical Congregational School of Theology (now the Evangelical Seminary) in Myerstown, PA. While there, Meyer became concerned that professors, teachers and theologians who confirmed that the Biblical name of God was Yahweh used terms such as God outside the classroom.[2] Believing that liberalism was undermining the Church of the Brethren denomination to which he belonged, Meyer and his wife began to look for alternative religious groups[3] including Sacred Name Movement groups.[2]

Meyer returned to Bethel in 1964, was ordained in 1965, and in 1966, aged 30, founded the Assemblies of Yahweh based on his radio ministries.[4][5][6][1]

Assemblies of Yahweh

As head ("directing elder") of the Assemblies of Yahweh, Meyer gave up his business career to become a full-time minister in 1970 (although he subsequently kept his hand in some limited farming, e.g. haying)[7] At some point in the 1970s he undertook a short part-time course leading to the award of an associate's degree from Thomas Edison State College.

He wrote extensively in his monthly magazines The Sacred Name Broadcaster and the The Narrow Way, created the conservative Sacred Name Bible, the Sacred Scriptures Bethel Edition and published several books.[8] He established a radio station, WMLK, and two private educational institutions in Bethel, the Obadiah School of the Bible and Dalet School. He travelled to South America, Europe,[2] Asia, the Caribbean and Israel.[6][9]

There were at least two attempts to oust Meyer from his leadership of the Assemblies of Yahweh, and members defected to other sects such as those of the Sacred Name Movement. Following Meyer's death in 2010 the leadership was assumed by three of his ten children, who are referred to by their followers as "the Three Fold Cord".

Meyer's sermons are still broadcast on WMLK, and streamed online via various websites such as 'Tunein.com'.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chryssides, George D. (2011). Historical Dictionary of New Religious Movements. Scarecrow Press. p. 43.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Meyer, Jacob (April 1999). "The Sacred Name Broadcaster".
  3. ↑ Meyer, Jacob (1990). "Introducing the Assemblies of Yahweh". p. 2.
  4. ↑ Paul, William (2003) "Jacob O. Meyer" in English Language Bible Translators, pp162,163. McFarland, NC: Jefferson & Co.
  5. ↑ Meyer, Jacob (February 1989). "The Sacred Name Broadcaster".
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Meyer, Jacob (March 1986). "The Sacred Name Broadcaster, Landstones and Milestones". pp. 1–11.
  7. ↑ Meyer, Jacob (February 2006). Translation and Commentary on Micah. Assemblies of Yahweh. pp. preface. LCCN 2006901945.
  8. ↑ Meyer's books include The Memorial Name Yahweh OCLC 24365314; Commentary on Galatians LCCN 83-82474; Commentary on Micah LCCN 2006-901945; Commentary on Revelation Vol. 1 LCCN 2006-901947; Biblical Ecclesiastical Assembly Administration LCCN 2006-908256 and Israel in the Wilderness.
  9. ↑ Meyer, Jacob (November 1991). "The Sacred Name Broadcaster, Editorially speaking". pp. 1–3.