After the terrible murder of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in Washington, DC in May of this year, the media picked up on the fact that both victims were Messianic Jews. The largest news agencies in Israel wrote about Messianic Judaism, finally acknowledging that followers of Yeshua live in Israel and serve the nation.
While some articles presented a positive view of “Messianics” and others not so much, all media coverage has brought great attention to this special minority in Israel. All the while many are asking: who are the Messianic Jews? What do they believe, and how are they different from other Jews? Is this just another name for Christians?
Read on to find the answers.
What Is a Messianic Jew?
In short, Messianic Jew is a term for an ethnically Jewish person who has accepted Jesus, Yeshua in Hebrew, as their Messiah. While it is a common term for a Jewish believer in Jesus, not all Jewish believers identify with this term. Other terms some Jewish believers prefer include Jewish Christian, Hebrew Christian, Completed Jew, or simply, Jewish Believer.
At the core of Messianic Jewish identity is a desire to maintain ethnic Jewish culture paired with their faith in Jesus as the Messiah who came through the Jewish people as promised.
Many Messianic Jews consider themselves a part of the Messianic Jewish Community. Also called the Messianic Jewish Movement, it began in the 1960s when a widespread revival brought many Jews to faith in Jesus.
The Messianic Jewish Movement views their existence as a modern renewal of the original community of believers in the New Testament. The Movement is made up of both ministry organizations, and networks of Messianic Jewish Congregations.
Messianic Meaning
The term “Messianic” refers to a belief in Messiah. While the cultural connotation of this word means “savior”, the word Messiah itself stems from Hebrew. The word is a specific reference to the promised Jewish Messiah.
Messiah (Isa. 42:1, 53, Zech 12:10, Psalm 110) or Anointed One (Psalm 132, Dan. 9:10) are terms used throughout the Torah and the Books of the Prophets (referred to in the Church as the Old Testament). They foretell of a redeemer who would bring peace to the Jewish people.
This concept was adopted by Christianity in the early centuries of the Church. However, the Church chose to use the Greek term “Christ” instead of the Hebrew “Messiah”.
Thus, the term ‘Messianic Judaism’ refers to an expression of Judaism that is informed or guided by the belief in the Jewish Messiah.
Messianic Jewish Beliefs
When examining the beliefs of Messianic Jews one would find many similarities to the beliefs of Christians. These include the divinity of Yeshua, the triunity of God, and belief in the inherency of scripture of both the Tanach (Old Testament) and the Brit HaHadashah (New Testament).
Messianic Jews place great value on the Torah (a scroll of the first five books of the Bible). They believe many of the traditions and requirements laid out in the Torah are to still be practiced. This is why Messianic Jews continue to observance traditional Jewish holidays, such as Rosh HaShanah (Lev. 23:23-25, Num. 29:1-2) and Yom Kippur (Lev. 16, 23:26 – 32, Num. 29:7-11).
To Messianic Jews, God and scripture are intentional and the belief in a Messiah is a Jewish originating concept. Thus, they believe if there was intent for them to cease their traditions upon accepting Jesus, the Torah would prescribe it. Instead, all Jews are instructed to keep the feasts as a “permanent ordinance” “throughout all your generations wherever you are living” (Lev. 23).
Messianic Jews do not believe their practice of Jewish traditions and rituals has any implications for salvation. Instead, they take their example from scripture, in Jesus and the apostles observing Jewish rituals and traditions.
Are All to Observe the Torah?
Messianic Jews believe there is clear biblical precedent for them to maintain their cultural heritage. Nevertheless, they are typically against the notion that all believers, both Jewish and Gentile, are required to keep Jewish traditions. Gentiles are welcome to participate, if they feel called to do so. But Messianic Jews recognize Acts 15 to be clear instructions for Gentiles regarding Jewish law.
Messianic Jews view the intentionality of maintaining Jewish traditions as enabling them to continue to be a witness to the larger Jewish community of the Good News of Messiah.
Where Do Messianic Jews Worship?
Jewish believers can be found worshipping in a variety of contexts. These can range from Evangelical and Catholic churches to sometimes traditional synagogues. However, those who define themselves specifically as Messianic Jews tend to worship at a Messianic Jewish synagogue or congregation.
These generally meet during the Jewish sabbath – either on Friday evening or Saturday morning. Their services may include a high level of Jewish tradition including recitation of the Shema (Deut. 6:4) and V’Ahavta (Deut. 6:5-9). Many Messianic Jewish congregations own a Torah and read the weekly assigned portions of the traditional Jewish liturgical cycle.
Most Messianic Jewish congregations embrace worship with instruments. Some express worship through Davidic Dance, a practice largely unique to the Messianic community.
As noted previously, Messianic Jewish congregations worldwide are made up of both Jewish believers in Jesus and gentiles who feel a heart for and calling to the Jewish people.
What Is the Difference Between Messianic Jews and Christians?
Christians and Messianic Jews share many common beliefs and are united in their mutual faith in Jesus as the Messiah. The root meaning of the word ‘Christian’ is ‘follower of Messiah (Christ)’. So, in that sense Messianic Jews can also be considered Christians.
However, for many Messianic Jews the label of ‘Christian’ applies a culture and identity that feels foreign to them.
The relationship between Christianity and the Jewish people has been a tumultuous one. The two faiths parted ways in the early centuries of the Church. Both groups’ mutual rejection of each other’s customs and interpretation of the Bible have resulted in eruptions of violence throughout history. Sometimes even to this day.
The Council of Nicaea
From a theological standpoint, the early Church’s efforts to create ecumenism were often at the expense or exclusion of Jewish people. The Council of Nicaea in 325 BCE, for example, was a building block to creating cross-denominational unity in the Body of Messiah.
The most notable and famous achievement of the Nicaean Council is the Nicaean Creed for its statement on core Christian beliefs. Less often discussed decisions of the Nicaean Council included the creation of Easter as an intentional move away from Passover – considered to be a Jewish expression of faith in Jesus.
The basis for determining this decision was not, as many would likely assume, related to viewing Jewish law and tradition as unnecessary. Recorded discussion of the Nicaean Council informs how Jewish expression of faith, and therefore Jewish believers, were viewed as wrong and evil.
The decisions made at the Nicaean Council laid the foundation for replacement theology. That is, the idea the Church has replaced the Jewish people in biblical promises and calling.
Even though most Christians and Messianic Jews today embrace each other as brothers and sisters in Messiah, there still exists a reality where the two need to fully reconcile. Evidence of this exists in continued cultural undertones of the Church related to the Jewish people and persistence of replacement theology.
Messianic Jews firmly believe in maintaining their Jewish identity and remain accountable as part of the Jewish people. This can provide a significant barrier to feeling fully embraced as part of the Body of Messiah. But that is why creating understanding through building partnerships and community between Messianic Jews and Christians is crucial to encouraging greater unity within the Body.
How Many Messianic Jews Are There?
Various sources estimate there are around 350,000 Messianic Jews worldwide, the majority of which reside in Israel and the United States. It is not possible to ascertain an exact number of Messianic Jews partly due to the variety of ways in which Jewish believers define themselves.
The dispersion of Messianic Jews is comparable to that of Jews as a whole. The largest population centers in America and the Jewish homeland, with smaller dispersions throughout Europe, Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Australia.
Messianic Jews in Israel
The modern Messianic Jewish community in Israel has existed since the inception of the country. However, they began to organize into congregations and organizations largely in the 1970s. Today there is a rich Messianic Jewish community with congregations in nearly every major city.
The Messianic Jewish community in Israel is made up of both native Israelis and immigrants from all over the world. Most Messianic congregations in Israel conduct services in Hebrew, but it is not uncommon to hear many languages being spoken by those in attendance.
Messianic Jews are also close with gentile Christians, including Arab believers, and those from the nations who come to serve in Israel.
FIRM and the Messianic Community in Israel
It is an honor for us at FIRM to work with the local body of believers in Israel. Today, FIRM is a network of more than 70 congregations and organizations nationwide.
Messianic Jewish organizations in Israel seek to directly impact the Israeli population by showing them the love of Yeshua in tangible ways. They provide critical resources and services in many crucial areas. These include: counseling, pregnancy care, dental clinics, education, serving victims of human trafficking, youth work, soldiers, holocaust survivors… the list goes on.
Discrimination against Jewish believers does happen (primarily by the hands of anti-missionary groups). Despite that, Israelis for the most part accept Messianic Jews who live a fully integrated life within Israeli society.
You, too, can partner with the local believers in their efforts to transform Israel with the love of Yeshua. Click here to find out how you can do that today!
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