Messianic Judaism is one of the most misunderstood sects of Christianity and Judaism. We are not another denomination of Christianity, rather the Christianity of the New Covenant Scriptures and the Judaism which was foretold in the Tanach (the Hebrew Scriptures). We are many times accused of being a cult or a new religion, yet that would be further from the truth. Messianic, simply means a follower of the “Messiah” Yeshua. Messianic Judaism is an ancient movement that is 2,000 years old and has arisen again in the Body of Messiah. Early Christian believers have believed and lived as we do, until “Constantine the Great” abolished all and any of what seemed to be Jewish practice; forgetting of course that Jesus Himself was a Jew. This in turn was “The Great Deception” of Constantine, which forever changed Biblical Christianity and now began a new Roman Pagan Era. Messianic Judaism is Jew and Gentile coming together to form One New Man in the Messiah. Messianic Judaism started when our Messiah, who was foretold by the prophets, appeared on this earth and lived a sinless and perfect life. He did not come to start a new religion (after all Jesus was, is, and will always be a Jew); rather He came to show us what Biblical Judaism was and is supposed to be (Matthew 5:17-20). We mustn’t forget that while Jesus was here spreading the gospel, the good news of His Father, the New Testament had not yet been written. Yeshua (Jesus) was preaching and teaching straight from the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Covenant books).

 

We as Messianics strive to be like Messiah (Christ-like) and thereby we strive to live Biblical lifestyles. This by no means makes us “Legalistic” (a word which isn’t found in scripture) in any way; we do this out of love and obedience to the Father, and not to gain salvation (John 14:15). We as Messianic Believers adhere to the Torah, Prophets and Writings of the Hebrew Scripture, yet the one thing that distinguishes us from most of nominal Judaism is our study and adherence to the Brit Chadashah (New or Renewed Covenant [or as is widely known to Christians, the New Testament) Scriptures. We still remain Jews or Israel once we accept Yeshua (Jesus) as our Messiah and we do not have any desire to go back to mainstream Judaism. We also observe a Biblical (and not rabbinical) Kosher diet as it is written in Leviticus 11. We believe if it is written in scripture then it is useful for teaching, reproof and instruction (2 Timothy 3:16).

 

We as Messianic Believers also adhere to one of the most important pinnacles of our faith and that is God’s Appointed Times (Moedim) or as they are also called “The Feasts of the Lord”. We adhere to all of those that are biblically mandated in Scripture. We also encourage Christians alike to partake and celebrate of The Feasts of the Lord (with the exception of Passover, as this is a covenant meal for those who have chosen to come under covenant by living out torah-obedient lifestyle). The Lord stated time and time again, that these Feasts were to be an everlasting and perpetual ordinance (Leviticus 23:37-38).

 

We are rich in our heritage knowing that our heritage lies not in being Jewish yet in Messiah Yeshua. Christian, this is your heritage as well, being grafted in to the Olive tree and now being a partaker of Abraham’s inheritance (Galatians 3:29; Romans 11). God never intended for his followers to branch out in many different denominations. We will one day worship as One Body again and what a day that will be!

 

As for our Jewish Mishpocha (family), it’s time to embrace your Jewish Messiah, for He has already come and will come again soon for those who will call upon His name and say: “Baruch Haba B’shem YHVH [Blessed is He who comes in the name of YHVH (Matthew 23:39)]”.