What is Messianic Judaism?

Messianic Jews or Messianic Judaism are ethnically born Jewish people who believe Yeshua (Jesus’s Hebrew Name) is the Messiah spoken of in the Torah, writings, and prophets and died on the cross for the sins of all who believe. Messianic Jews include the Christian New Testament in their canon and believe that there are foreshadowing connections and messianic prophetic words of Jesus in the Old Testament.

It’s not unusual for people to think of Christians and Jews as being very different but at odds with each other. The last eighteen or nineteen centuries have provided more than enough reason to think that way. Many people may not know that the religious movement that came to be called “Christianity” was initially considered a Jewish sect called “The Way.” The earliest followers of Yeshua-Jesus were exclusively Jewish. They worshiped Him as the promised Messiah, the Son of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

This background makes the details in Acts 11 that much more fascinating. Let’s take a closer look…

After the apostle Peter’s interaction with the Roman centurion Cornelius, he brought testimony to the elders in Jerusalem.

Their response? “Even to the Gentiles God has granted repentance leading to life!” (Acts 11:18/TLV) The text then immediately continues this theme:

Now those scattered because of the persecution that happened in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Judeans. However, there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Yeshua. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. (vv.19-21)

Notice that they were sharing the gospel “only to Judeans,” but then some started evangelizing “Hellenists” (Greek-speaking, non-Jews). The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem heard about this continuing interaction with the Gentiles, so Jewish ministry envoys Paul and Barnabas spent a year amongst them. This story concludes with this line, “Now it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christianoi’” (v.26). In other words, the term “Christian” emerged because the Jewish sect organized around Yeshua of Nazareth was no longer exclusively Jewish.

Yeshua was a Jewish Rabbi who taught the Torah in synagogues. His original followers were all observant Jews who continued to live as observant Jews after His ascension (see Acts 24:17-18; 27:9). Jerusalem, the most significant Jewish city, was the locus of the early Church’s authority. The “Council” there had to prayerfully work through the matter of Gentiles needing to follow the Law of Moses. If they had abandoned the Law, such debates would’ve been moot. My point is, Paul and the other early members of the early Church saw no conflict between living as observant Jews and worshipping Yeshua as Messiah.

“Messianic Jews” are modern embodiments of that history. We are ethnic Jews who believe Yeshua is the Messiah. We honor the history, heritage, and traditions of our ancestors. While there is the diversity of expression, Messianic Jews commonly observe Shabbat (Sabbath), celebrate the Jewish holidays, and pray in Hebrew. AND…there are “Messianic Gentiles”— people who aren’t ethnically Jewish but choose to honor our Jewish heritage and traditions because of Yeshua.

No one has to be “Messianic” to be a faithful follower of the Lord. God loves diversity—look at His creation! Our differences should complement one another and create opportunities to learn from one another. And above all, we seek to become the answer to Yeshua’s prayer, “that they all may be one. Just as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You, so also may they be one in Us, so the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:21).

Key points to understand about being a Messianic Jew

Messianic Jews are modern embodiments of Jewish history, as the above article explains. They are ethnic Jews who firmly believe that Yeshua is the long-awaited Messiah. They hold deep respect for their ancestors’ history, heritage, and traditions. While there is diversity within the Messianic Jewish community, a common thread among them is the observance of Shabbat (Sabbath), the celebration of Jewish holidays, and the practice of praying in Hebrew.

However, it is important to note that Messianic Jews are not the only ones who embrace these traditions. There are also “Messianic Gentiles” who may not have Jewish ethnicity but choose to honor the Jewish heritage and traditions out of reverence for Yeshua.

To delve further into the beliefs of Messianic Jews, it is worth mentioning that they consider the New Testament as part of their full inheritance in Yeshua. They perceive connections between the Old Testament and the life of Jesus, seeing foreshadowing and predictive elements in the Hebrew scriptures. Additionally, they understand Jesus fulfilled the promises made by God to the Jewish people in the Tanach.

Messianic Jews exhibit a desire to uphold various commandments of the Torah. For instance, they observe the restful nature of Shabbat, adhere to dietary restrictions by abstaining from pork and shellfish, and faithfully celebrate biblical holidays like Sukkot and Passover. However, it should be noted that they do not follow rabbinic law and do not recognize the authority of the Mishnah and Talmud.

In summary, Messianic Jews represent a diverse community of individuals who identify as ethnic Jews and embrace Yeshua-Jesus as the Messiah. They maintain a strong connection to their Jewish heritage, engaging in practices such as observing Shabbat, celebrating Jewish holidays, and offering prayers in Hebrew. While Messianic Gentiles also participate in these traditions, Messianic Jews hold a distinct belief in the fulfillment of Jewish prophecies through Jesus.

How many Messianic Jews are there worldwide?

Messianic Judaism has a global presence and is practiced by a significant number of people worldwide. In Israel, it is estimated that there are approximately 10,000-15,000 Messianic Jews. The United States has a higher population of Messianic Jews, with an estimated number of around 200,000. Messianic Judaism is particularly prominent in areas where there is a significant Jewish population.

Source: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/messianic-judaism/

How do major Jewish denominations view Messianic Judaism? 

The major denominations of Judaism, including Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist, generally do not recognize Messianic Judaism as a valid form of Judaism due to its association with Jesus. As a result, Messianic Judaism has been rejected by these denominations. Many Jews accept that Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi however do not believe Him to be the Messiah. Therefore Christianity can not also be “Jewish” in their eyes.

What happened to Messianic Jews after after the Council of Nicea?

After the Council of Nicea, the fate of ancient Messianic Jews took different paths. They were faced with a range of choices regarding their Jewish identity and faith in Yeshua. One option was to assimilate into the larger Christian church, which often meant relinquishing their distinct Jewish practices and customs. Another choice was to return to the synagogue and disavow their belief in Yeshua as the Messiah. Lastly, some Messianic Jews opted to gather separately from both institutions, forming their own communities.

Due to the prevailing atmosphere of antisemitism among many of the church fathers, it is probable that all three of these scenarios unfolded. It is unfortunate that most records documenting the experiences of those Messianic Jews who chose to privately maintain their Jewish faith in Yeshua have been lost to history. Nonetheless, occasional glimpses into this period do provide some insight into their lives and practices.

A bit of History regarding Messianic Jews

During the mid-1800s, the Messianic Jewish faith experienced a notable resurgence, marked by an increase in the number of Jewish individuals in Eastern Europe embracing Yeshua as the long-awaited Messiah. This movement was driven by several influential pioneers who played pivotal roles in the re-establishment of faith in Yeshua Jesus in Jewish practice.

Joseph Rabinowitz emerged as one of the key figures during this period. He founded the first modern Messianic Jewish synagogue, which provided a platform for Jews to worship Yeshua within the context of their Jewish heritage. Rabinowitz’s synagogue became a gathering place for like-minded individuals seeking to express their faith in Yeshua while preserving their Jewish identity.

Another significant pioneer was Carl Schwartz. He established the Hebrew-Christian Alliance, which served as a network for Messianic Jews in the United Kingdom. This organization played a crucial role in building connections and fostering a sense of community among Messianic Jews, enabling them to support and learn from one another.

Tzvi Isaac Lichtenstein, a renowned scholar, also contributed greatly to the resurgence of the Messianic Jewish faith during this time. Lichtenstein wrote powerful New Testament commentaries from a profound Jewish perspective. His works provided a scholarly framework that helped bridge the gap (Fusion Global) between Jewish traditions and the teachings of Yeshua.

Collectively, these pioneers opened up new avenues for Jewish individuals to explore and embrace Yeshua as the Messiah while maintaining their Jewish identity. Their efforts were pivotal in reshaping the perception of faith in Yeshua as a legitimate Jewish practice during the mid-1800s and laid the foundation for the continued growth and development in the twentieth century and beyond.

Remember: Yeshua Jesus was a Hebrew, He was a Jew, He is a Jew, and He will return again.