Messianic Judaism

QUESTION: What is Messianic Judaism?

ANSWER:

The belief of Jews that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah of the Old Testament is called Messianic Judaism. A Messianic Jew will continue to observe the traditional Hebrew doctrines while embracing Christianity. They may attend a synagogue or find a Messianic congregation.

The Jewish followers of Yeshua (Jesus of Nazareth) who accepted the evidence that He was the Messiah became the first Messianic Jews. The facts in the book of Hebrews go to great lengths to join the Old Testament (Torah) prophecies to the miracles and circumstances of Jesus' life on earth as the proof.

Messianic Jews also embrace the personal relationship or covenant of Jesus Christ. The former way to gain forgiveness of sins by livestock sacrifice has changed to the ever-atoning intercession of the Christ as the supreme sacrificial Lamb who died on the cross.

As the Hebrew God is supreme and Jesus was God in the flesh, Messianic Judaism is the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. It is not a different religion at all, just completeness to their existing faith.

Since Christians profess the Jewish Messiah as their Savior, Messianic Jews deem all faithful Gentiles as their siblings even though the Messianic Jews do not necessarily agree with all the practices or customs of Christianity. Messianic Jews would encourage Gentiles to accept the traditional Jewish customs as an important part of their faith.

Messianic Judaism affirms the eternal Jewishness of Yeshua and that He did not come to destroy the Jewish religion.

That God will restore Israel is promised in the Scriptures. The acceptance of Israel as a country, the language being taught again, the people flocking to the land, and the faith of Israel are all signs foretold. The Bible declares that all peoples will enjoy the Sabbath and festivals now observed by the Jews.

Yeshua is the only founder of this belief. It is not monolithic in nature or human-centric. No one speaks for all Messianic Jews