What is Messianic Judaism?

Messianic Judaism

Questions and Answers


Messianic Judaism is a movement of Jewish people from all walks of life, who believe that Yeshua (Jesus in Hebrew) is the promised Messiah and Savior for Israel and the Nations. Messianic Jews have not stopped being Jewish. On the contrary, we have continued to remain strongly Jewish in our identity, lifestyle and belief that Yeshua is the Messiah and fulfillment of true Biblical Judaism.

 

When did Messianic Judaism begin?


Messianic Judaism is actually 2,000 years old, dating back to the time of the Messiah Yeshua. Historically, Yeshua was Jewish. He was raised in a Jewish home and ministered to Jewish people in a Jewish land (Eretz Yisrael). His disciples were Jewish. The apostles were Jewish. The writers of the Brit Hadashah (New Covenent) were Jewish, and for a time, the faith was strictly Jewish. Some historians believe that more than a million Jewish people in the first century A.D. believed that Yeshua was the Messiah, both in Yisrael and outside Yisrael. (Acts 2:37 – 42, 4:4, 21:20)

 

Why do we use the name “Yeshua” rather than “Jesus”?


Because Yeshua is His correct name! “Jesus” is the Greek-English form of His Hebrew name, “Yeshua” which means “Salvation”. Yeshua never heard the name “Jesus” in his lifetime…because there is no “J” in the Hebrew alphabet. 

Why don’t Messianic Jews simply call themselves Christians?


The term “Christian” originally meant “follower of the Christ” or “follower of the Messiah”. In and of itself, it is a good term. Unfortunately, over time, the term came to mean more than simply “follower of the Messiah”. Many people today have this dichotomy in their minds, that on one hand, there are Jews and Judaism, and on the other there are Christians and Christianity. You are either one or the other. Accordingly, when a Jew accepts Yeshua he “switches over” from being a Jew to being a Christian. For all intents and purposes, the term “Christian” has become synonymous with “non- Jew” or being a “Gentile”. The term “Gentile” in Hebrew does not always mean “non-Jew”.

Obviously, we believe that just the opposite has occurred. Messianic Jews believe that we have found the Jewish Messiah, as fore told in the Torah, and are now “completed Jews in Him. Consequently, we choose to call ourselves “Messianic Jews” which identifies us as Jewish people, who believe and follow the messiah Yeshua. (Interestingly, there is no commandment in the New Covenant to call ourselves “Christians”.)

What is Davidic Worship and Praise?


General worship and praise is the overall action of man coming to G-d to exalt Him, to pay respect to Him, and to esteem Him. “Davidic Worship and Praise” goes back to the style, principals, guidelines and pattern that King David was shown by the Lord (II Cor.28:11 – 13) and that he established in the temple nearly 3,000 years ago.

As King David taught from the Scriptures, this type of praise and worship involves numerous musical instruments, singing, Hebraic music, Psalms, lifting up of hands, chanting, clapping of hands, processions and is also characterized by great joy. Probably, the most unusual characteristic of Davidic Worship and praise is dancing to the Lord. This is not dancing in a secular sense. While Messianic dancing uses a strong Israeli-Hebraic style, it is dancing unto the Lord in praise and worship as King David did.

“Davidic Worship and Praise” is one of the great distinguishing traits of the Messianic Movement. It is a return to our Jewish roots in praising G-d and it is a cultural-spiritual expression of our faith in the Jewish Messiah.

What is the importance of Messianic Synagogues?


Messianic Synagogues are the heart of the Messianic Movement. They are the center of Messianic life. A Messianic Synagogue is where we, as Messianic Jews can believe in Yeshua as the Messiah, live a Jewish lifestyle, raise our children to be Jewish, and worship the G-d of Yisrael in a Jewish manner. It is also where our Christian friends with a heart of Ruth can come to worship and enjoy their Jewish heritage. 

The Commission


If you do not know Yeshua as your Messiah and Savior, you can receive him now by confessing  your sins to Him, then asking Him to come into your life and make you a new person. Your entry way to G-d’s throne will be made clear and you can learn all that His word says, because you will have the strength through His presence in you.

There is no other way than just described for anyone on earth to live with a clear conscience; to know that all sin is gone; that the debt for our sin is paid, and to know nothing (but our own disobedience) can separate us from G-d’s love.

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