Should there be a special congregation for Messianic Jews? Could we not be integrated into a normal congregation or church? These are some of the questions that are occasionally asked.
Firstly, a Messianic Jewish congregation is not exclusive. We are an open assembly were both Jew and non-Jew alike are welcome to participate in our services. We strongly believe that the middle wall of partition (m’chitzah) was broken down (Eph.2:12-18) in the life, death and resurrection of Messiah Yeshua. Therefore, a Messianic Jewish congregation is not exclusively for Jews only. In fact, we believe that the power and riches of G-d is expressed when Jew and non-Jew together gather to worship and serve the G-d of Israel!
As a Messianic Jews, we are especially called to covenantal faithfulness and to continue living and thinking as Jews. Having embraced the revealed Jewish Messiah, we have not converted to another religion. We believe and practice Sha’ul’s (Paul) instruction in 1 Cor 7: 18 - 20;
18 Was someone already circumcised when he was called? Then he should not try to remove the marks of his circumcision. Was someone uncircumcised when he was called? He shouldn’t undergo b’rit-milah.
19 Being circumcised means nothing, and being uncircumcised means nothing; what does mean something is keeping God’s commandments.
20 Each person should remain in the condition he was in when he was called.i
We continue to live as Jews. The ministry of biblical truth to our Jewish people (Gal.2:7-9) and our congregation’s personality, ethos and values, reflect this primary calling and commitment. However, we remain an open fellowship for all believers in the G-d of Israel and the Messiah Yeshua! We embrace our non-Jewish component in the understanding that because of their faith in Messiah Yeshua and “ahavat Yisrael” (their love for Israel), we can together build the House of G-d. We also welcome all visitors.
We exist as a Messianic congregation to proclaim Besorah Tovah - the Good News of the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life - both of which come through faith in the G-d of Israel and in His Son, the Messiah Yeshua! Salvation (rescue from eternal separation from G-d) is from the one true G-d for all mankind (Isaiah 49:6) and this free gift is extended to all who choose to listen and believe in the Person of Yeshua alone (John 5:34 )!
Therefore, as a Messianic Jewish congregation, we enable all Jewish people to embrace biblical faith in the Jewish Messiah without forsaking their Jewish heritage!
1. Who is a Jew?
Obviously, this is a question that has been debated for centuries. One cannot be considered Jewish strictly on the basis of religion, because most Jewish people today are not religious. The same applies to any definition of a Jew based on culture, as well. According to Rabbinic Judaism, to be considered a Jew, one must have Jewish parents, (in particular a Jewish mother). This rabbinic definition is not Biblically correct.
The Scriptural definition of a Jew is three-fold. First of all, we are a nation and a people. To be considered Jewish one must be a physical descendant of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob (Gen. 12:1-3). Secondly, the Biblical lineage is patrilineal, i.e. carried through the father, not matrilineal or carried through the mother. For example, Moses had a Gentile wife and King David's great grandmother was Ruth, the Moabitess, yet their children were all considered Jewish. Finally, the Scriptures indicate that if either parent is Jewish or if a grandparent is Jewish one can identify himself or herself as being Jewish and can claim himself as a part of God's Chosen people.
[back]
2. What is God's will in regarding intermarriage between Jew and Gentile?
When a Jew marries a Gentile there is an inherent danger of assimilation into Gentile society, and therefore a serious risk of being permanently lost to the nation of Israel . Rather than assimilating, we believe that it is God's will for the intermarried couple to be Jewish, to live a Jewish lifestyle, and to raise their children as Jews in much the same way that Ruth the Moabitess made her choice to become part of the Jewish nation (Ruth 1:16-17). Even in the New Covenant, Rabbi Shaul (Paul) had Timothy circumcised into the nation of Israel because his mother was Jewish and his father was not (Acts 16:3). [back]
3. What is the relationship of Jewish believers to Gentile believers?
In Temple days a “middle wall of partition” existed in the Temple that physically separated Jews and Gentiles. Gentiles could not enter past that point and were delegated to what was sometimes called the “Court of the Gentiles.” According to the New Covenant Scriptures, this “middle wall of partition”, spiritually speaking, has been broken down (Eph. 2:14 ). We are all one in Him. In fact, according to Rabbi Shaul, Gentile believers have entered a Jewish faith (Rom. 11:24 ), and have become spiritually circumcised and spiritually Jewish as they have accepted the Jewish Messiah. Gentile believers are one with us because the Spirit of God dwelling within a Jewish believer is the same Spirit within a Gentile believer. Our ethnicity, heritage and background may be different, but God has made us one in the Spirit (Jn. 10:16 ). [back]
4. Can Gentile believers be members of a Messianic synagogue?
Yes and most Messianic congregations do have non-Jewish members. To be a member of a Messianic congregation as a Gentile believer, one must have a burden and love for the Jewish people, understand what God is doing among the Jewish people, and have a “Ruth-like” calling to God's Chosen People. Praise God for the many wonderful Gentile believers who have such a love for Israel ! [back]
5. Should all Jewish believers join a Messianic synagogue?
Generally speaking, Jewish believers in the Messiah Yeshua should be members of Messianic synagogues. The reason? Because we have an eternal covenant with God that goes back to Abraham. Our history is unique in that we were not just chosen out of many nations, but were formed by God through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to be a special blessing to this world. God has a purpose and calling for the nation of Israel and this covenant relationship is eternal (Gen. 17:1-8).
If God has made an eternal covenant with us as Jewish people, then it is incumbent upon us to keep our covenant relationship with Him. It is God's desire for Jewish people not to assimilate but to continue to be Jewish. That desire and our eternal relationship with God is evidenced by the preservation of the Jewish people for the past 2000 years, and the fact that God has supernaturally restored the State of Israel today. The primary way a Jewish believer can continue to live a life as a Jew and not assimilate away from his Jewish people, is to be a member of a Messianic synagogue. In a Messianic synagogue, a Jewish believer can continue to worship the Lord in a Jewish way, celebrate the Jewish festivals, raise his children as Jews and be a testimony to his family and people.