Messianic Jews are ethnically born Jewish people who believe Yeshua (Jesus’ Hebrew name) is the Messiah spoken of in the Hebrew Bible, and that He 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, prophetic connections between these texts.
It’s not unusual for people to think of Christians and Jews as not only 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” (see Acts 9). 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 cultural-historical 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). The text then immediately continues this theme of expansion:
“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, “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” (v 26 NKJV). In other words, the term “Christian” emerged because the Jewish sect organized around Yeshua of Nazareth was no longer exclusively Jewish (by ethnicity).
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” (see Acts 15) 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. The crucial 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.
Biblical History Comes to Life!
“Messianic Jews” are modern embodiments of that history. They are ethnic Jews who believe Yeshua is the Messiah. They honor the history, heritage, and traditions of their ancestors. While there is diversity of expression, Messianic Jews commonly observe Shabbat (Sabbath), celebrate the biblical holidays, and pray in Hebrew. AND…there are “Messianic Gentiles”—people who aren’t ethnically Jewish but choose to honor 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
While there is diversity within the Messianic Jewish community, a common thread among them is the observance of Shabbat (Sabbath), the celebration of biblical holidays, and the practice of praying in Hebrew. Messianic Jewish prayer services incorporate elements of traditional Jewish liturgy, which are often adapted to include references to Yeshua, honoring Him as our promised Mashiach. Hebrew is incorporated during these services, typically maintaining a strong connection to traditional Jewish worship practices. Additionally, Messianic congregations often embrace cultural expressions such as dance, particularly inspired by Israeli folk dancing styles, which adds a dynamic and celebratory component to our services. This fusion of language, liturgical content, and cultural practices demonstrates how Messianic Jews blend traditional Jewish elements with their belief in Yeshua HaMashiach.
Messianic Jews exhibit a desire to uphold various commandments of the Torah. For instance, in addition to Shabbat, they adhere to dietary restrictions by abstaining from pork and shellfish. However, it should be noted that Messianic Jews vary widely regarding the role of rabbinic customs and texts for defining Jewish life.
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
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, they do not believe Him to be the Messiah. Based on this conviction, Messianic Judaism and Christianity cannot be categorized as valid Jewish expressions.
What happened to Jewish followers of Jesus after the Council of Nicaea?
After the Council of Nicaea (325 AD), the fate of ancient Jews believers 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 (i.e., Gentile) 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. A minority of these opted to gather separately from both institutions, forming their own communities. Due to an atmosphere of antisemitism among some 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 ancient Jewish disciples who chose to privately maintain their 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-emergence of faith in Yeshua as a valid expression of Jewish life.
Joseph Rabinowitz emerged as one of the key figures during this period. He founded one of the first modern Messianic Jewish synagogues, which provided a platform for Jews in Russia 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 and overtly Jewish perspective. His works provided a scholarly framework that helped bridge the gap between Jewish traditions and the teachings of Yeshua. In this sense, Lichtenstein’s work resonates powerfully with the vision of Fusion Global.
Collectively, these pioneers opened up new avenues for Jewish individuals to explore and embrace Yeshua as Israel’s promised Messiah while maintaining their authentic Jewish identity. Their efforts were pivotal in reshaping the perception of faith in Yeshua as a legitimate Jewish expression during the mid-1800s and laid the foundation for the continued growth and development in the twentieth century and beyond.
Remember: Yeshua of Nazareth was Jewish. He was born in Israel and lived and died as a faithful Jew. But our heavenly Father raised Him from the dead! He is ascended and seated at God’s mighty right hand in power. And Yeshua IS coming again to establish His Messianic Kingdom!
