Messianic Judaism

Messianic Jews are basically Jewish people who keep their Judaic identity but they recognize Jesus Christ as being the Messiah (the Messiah that traditional Jewish people are still waiting for). I find it so respectful that they keep Christ's original Aramaic name Yeshua HaMashia (Jesus the Messiah)! The Messianic Jews still observe certain Jewish customs like the Sabbath - representing Christians' Sunday so to speak, the day of rest, but according to the Jewish law, the Sabbath day starts on Friday at sunset and lasts until Saturday at sunset. Also concerning food, they buy the kosher foods - that means not to eat certain foods prohibited in the law of Moses like pork and certain seafood, etc.

Because of their belief in Yeshua Ha'Mashia, they are still a minority among their nationals and are treated as converts to Christianity without recognizing the difference between a Christian and a Messianic Jew. Judaism generally rejects Messianism as being a Judaic branch.

Here are the main beliefs of their statement of faith:

a. The belief that the Bible (the Old and the New Testament - in Jewish language Tanach and Brit Chadasha) and only the Bible alone is the inspired Word of God applicable since creation to our days;

b. The belief in the unity of God revealed to us as our Father in Heaven, Yeshua Ha'Mashia as His Son and the Ruach Ha'Kodesh, the person of the Holy Spirit.

c. The main belief that Yeshua is the awaited Messiah of Israel, being the personification of the Word of God, the Son of God born of a virgin, died on a cross and resurrected the third day, now sitting at the right Hand of the Father to intercede for us.

d. The belief that Jewish people are the chosen people of God and He has an eternal covenant with them concerning Israel as a country and concerning the coming of Messiah.

e. The belief that the Sacrifice of Christ is the only cleansing blood for both Jews and Gentiles. This doesn't change the fact that Jews who accept Yeshua will still remain Jews and gentiles (non Jews) who accept Yeshua both are born again in the Holy Spirit remaining Jews and gentiles yet both joining the Body of Christ and inheriting eternal life.

f. The belief that salvation from eternal death and the forgiveness of sins is only obtained through faith in Yeshua and His Sacrifice.

g. The belief that the Messianic Jews are supposed to keep their cultural roots and heritage, being a part of Israel and also a part of the Body of Christ.

h. The belief that the works of the law cannot achieve salvation and the redemption only comes trough God's grace and faith. Yet the law given by God remains as moral instruction for all Messiah's followers while the faith in Yeshua who successfully fulfilled the law, does not annul its relevance to us today.

i. The belief that Israel is a God ordained nation and those who bless it will be blessed by God.

A beautiful verse regarding this is found in the book of Romans :" . . . it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." (Romans 1:16)

Me as part of the gentile (non-Jew) I was always curious to see these Messianic Jews and when I heard about their coming in my town I went to meet them. I dearly remember my first encounter with them: it was in a rather small Church and I was going through some tough times back then that nobody knew about because I was so ashamed to talk about it! For a month or so I had been fighting some awful thoughts that bombarded my mind even in my prayer time (now I know what that is, I know much more about the spiritual battle), however, some of those thoughts ( I am choosing here the most "beautiful") were that God might not even exist, and if He exists, how do I know He the God of the Bible? I had this torment inside because I am not a person who is easily convinced and I don't believe what mom or dad believe just because they say so. No, I need evidence, I don't need stories with Santa Claus. As I mentioned already, no one knew what was going inside my mind - I was thinking that God must have departed from me and doesn't want to have to do anything with me, I must be an outcast because of these thoughts I had.

The messianic Jew preached his message, everything normal until the end, when they invited anyone who needed to be prayed for to come up front. "Well", I said to myself, "this won't hurt", so I went. A man and his wife, both messianic Jews were praying for people and I couldn't believe my ears when they started praying for me, it was like they knew everything about me! She said that I am not an outcast, that I am a precious stone to the Lord, and the man said the Lord liked what I was doing and asked the Lord to open my eyes. Indeed, I had no idea what to do with those awful thoughts so I kept fasting and praying, but I wondered "How did this man know"?

Later on, I realized that God gave the gift of prophecy to His people as the Bible clearly teaches, but I was so ignorant regarding this aspects of the Christian life! What a loss! Yet, now, three years later, I can confess that God gave me some gifts too and I can say that we have a RICH Father who enjoys giving gifts to His children, just like a good father does, of course they all limit in the boundaries of His Word, the Bible. It is undoubtedly wonderful to have God talk to you directly! God used Messianic Jews in my life in a wonderful way and I am very grateful to God for their existence and I am amazed to see the continuous growth of Messianic groups all around the world and especially in Israel. God bless Israel!