Messianic Judaism is not a new movement. In fact, it is the resurgence of a very old movement. Messianic Judaism was the movement of the early followers of Yeshua during the 2nd Temple period and has continued unabated since them. The scriptures inform us that G-d has always preserved a remnant of faith for Himself.
Isa 10:20-21
20 And it shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, will never again depend on him who defeated them, but will depend on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
21 The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God.
Rav SHa’ul quotes from Isaiah in Rom 9:27.
Many in the Messianic Jewish movement regard this new upsurge in Messainic Messianic Judaism as the latest stage in the development of an authentic biblical Judaism. It is the faith followed by Moshe (Moses), David and the Nevi'im (Prophets) and was brought to fulfilment through the coming of Yeshua the Messiah.
Messianic Judiasm Differs From Traditional Judaism
Traditional Judaism teaches that the Tanakh and the Talmud are G-d's Eternal Word. However they also believe the B'rit Hadashah lacks this authority and that Yeshua is not the Messiah of Israel.
Messianic Judaism teaches that the Tanakh and the B'rit Hadashah together are G-d's Eternal Word, and that the Talmud lacks divine authority. However, we do believe that there are many wonderful insights into the nature and character of G-d and into His purposes with mankind that are revealed in the Oral tradition. We believe that the past sages who have devoted their lives to the study of Torah have grasped essential truths and insights that we would be foolish to ignore.
We also distance ourselves from Jewish mysticism (kabbalah), yet acknowledging that the kabbalistic masters have gained deep and spiritual insights into the mysteries of G-d’s kingdom.
Traditional Christianity teaches that Yeshua came to establish a new religion. They do not view the B'rit Hadashah as a continuation of the Tanakh (old testament). In many churches, Christians are taught that G-d is finished with Israel and that the church has now inherited the blessings promised to Israel. We view this as supersessionalism and believe that it is contradictory to the revealed truth that is contained in scripture (Jer 31:35-37).
We believe that Yeshua did not come to establish a new religion but to fulfil an ancient promise established in Jer 31;
Jer 31:31-34
31 "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah--
32 "not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD.
33 "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
34 "No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."
A special characteristic of Messianic Jewish congregations throughout the world is the significant number of members who are not Jews.
The non-Jews share in all their Jewish brothers' spiritual blessings (Romans 15:27) and are full participants in every aspect of Messianic life (Ephesians 2:19). By worshiping with Jews, non-Jews return to the historical and spiritual roots of their faith in the L-rd. Finally, by joining Messianic Synagogues, they are able to bless the people whom G-d used to bless them.