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 | Most believers would probably accept the definition of a Messianic Jew as "a person who was born Jewish or converted to Judaism, who is a 'genuine believer' in Yeshua [Jesus], and who acknowledges his Jewishness." 1 | ||||
| "A tenet of Messianic Judaism asserts that when a Jew accepts a Jewish Messiah, born in a Jewish land, who was foretold by Jewish prophets in the Jewish Scriptures, such a Jew does not become a Gentile. In fact, he becomes a completed Jew -- a Jew who believes Jesus is the Messiah." 2 | ||||
| Those of the "Evangelic" wing of Messianic Judaism hold theological beliefs which are essentially identical to those of Evangelical Christianity, including: G-d as a Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the virgin birth; sinless life; resurrection; ascension and future second coming, salvation , inerrancy of the Bible, etc. 3,4 | ||||
| They believe that their religious practices and beliefs are very similar to that experienced by
a 1st
century CE Jewish Christian movement (also
known as The Way or the Nazarenes). This was one of about two dozen
religious movements which were active at the time, including the
Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, followers of John the Baptist, Essenes,
Gnostics, Herodians, Pauline Christians, etc. The Jewish
Christians was composed of Jewish reformers; their group was founded by
Jesus' disciples, lead by James -- the brother of Jesus, -- and largely concentrated in Jerusalem.
Historians and theologians differ in their beliefs
about the 1st century Jewish Christians:
Messianic Jews generally pattern their beliefs after the Evangelical Christian view of the 1st century Jewish Christians. For this reason, they are generally considered to be Christians by the larger Jewish community. | ||||
| Some believe that Yeshua will return to earth in the "Second Coming" only when a sufficient number of Jews accept him as their Messiah and Savior. Others believe that Jesus may come at any time. |
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Terminology of Messianic Jews:
Messianic Jews differ from Christians in their use of terminology:
| Christian usage | Messianic Judaism usage |
| Jesus | Yeshua, Y'shua * |
| Jesus Christ | Yeshua HaMashiach |
| Trinity | Shilush |
| God, the Father | Abba, G-d, L-rd |
| God, the Son | HaBen |
| Holy Spirit | Ruach HaKodesh |
| John | Yochanan |
| Mary | Miriam |
| Paul | Sha'ul |
| Old Testament; Hebrew Scriptures | Tanakh or Tenakh |
| New Testament; Christian Scriptures | B'rit Hadasha |
| Baptism | Mikveh |
| Church, cathedral | Synagogue |
| Minister, pastor, priest | Rabbi |
* These are the probably the names that he, his family and followers used.
Practices of Messianic Judaism:
| Most Messianic Jews belong to Messianic Jewish congregations or synagogues. However, some follow a Messianic Jewish lifestyle, while attending regular Evangelical Christian churches. | ||||||||
| "Over ninety percent of the Messianic congregations in the United States are "charismatic"
in their theological orientation (believing in the gifts [charisms] of the Holy Spirit: tongues, healing, etc.)." 5 | ||||||||
| Their synagogues are similar in design to other Jewish houses of worship. | ||||||||
| Congregations typically call their leader a Rabbi, hold at least part of their service in Hebrew and display the Torah. | ||||||||
| A typical congregation will be composed of:
| ||||||||
| They generally observe the weekly Shabbat (Sabbath), starting at sundown on Friday night. | ||||||||
| Many continue the practice of circumcision of male newborns. | ||||||||
| Many Messianic Jews keep the strict rabbinical kosher dietary laws. | ||||||||
| They observe all of the traditional Jewish holidays, such as Passover, Succoth, Shavuot, etc. A few observe Yom Yeshua (the day of Yeshua) on DEC-25. | ||||||||
| The Hebrew Scriptures are referred to as the Tanach (Old Covenant Scriptures). The Christian Scriptures are called the B'rit Chadasha (New Covenant Scriptures). | ||||||||
| They enthusiastically support the nation of Israel. |
References:
- David H. Stern, "Messianic Jewish Manifesto," Jewish New Testament Publications, (1988), Page 20.
- Paul Liberman, "The Fig Tree Blossoms: Messianic Judaism Emerges," Fountain, (1976), Page 2. Cited in Reference 5.
- The Christian Jew Foundation has a web page at: http://www.cjf.org/ Their doctrinal statement at http://www.cjf.org/ discusses Biblical inspiration, the Trinity, original sin, salvation and pre-millennialism.
- The Jews for Jesus' Statement of Faith, which describes the Trinity, salvation, second coming, etc., is at: http://www.jfjonline.org/
- William Greene, "A history of the 20th century movement in America of 'Jewish believers' in 'Yeshua Ha Mashiach' (Jesus Christ)," at: http://jf.org/
Copyright 1998 to 2002 incl., and 2004 by Ontario Consultants on
Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2004-MAY-24
Author: B.. Robinson
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