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Messianics,
Faith and Jewish Observance
by
Curt Landry
Shalom,
I
have been asked by several organizations to respond to the
current and growing confusion over the beliefs of Messianic
Jews. As an officer of the International Messianic Jewish
Alliance, I would like to issue the following statement to
clarify who we are and what we believe. The following points
represent a common understanding that links members of our
movement worldwide. Misunderstanding can easily develop because
there are now a variety of groups and individuals who self-identify
as Messianic Jews, but who adhere to different and sometimes
heretical beliefs. No one "owns" this label, but
our international movement has historical links to the people
who originally self-identified as Messianic Jews over thirty
years ago, and to the Hebrew Christian movement which traces
its roots to 1866. (See history, below.)
We believe, as they did, that Yeshua, Jesus, is Lord and Messiah,
and that we are redeemed only by His blood atonement made
for us.
"Messianic
Judaism" is the term used to define a system of belief
and practice embraced by Jewish people who believe in Jesus.
Messianic Jews maintain a lifestyle and form of worship that
identifies them with Jewish customs and traditions while believing
that Yeshua (Jesus) of Nazareth is the promised Messiah of
the Jewish Scriptures. Messianic Judaism is part of the universal
Body of Messiah, but Messianic believers claim the right to
express themselves in a way that identifies with Jewish heritage
and with the original Jewish context of belief in Yeshua.
None
Bound or Obligated to Follow Any Particular Custom
Messianic
Jews generally celebrate biblical holidays (Passover, Succoth,
Shavuot, Shabbat etc.), though forms of observance vary widely
between groups, families, and individuals, as no one is bound
or obligated to follow any particular custom. All are free
to celebrate according to their own preference; there is no
officially sanctioned rule, doctrine, or model of messianic
observance.
Messianic
Jews usually establish congregations for their worship, but
there are also many cases in which Jewish believers in the
Messiah adhere to a Messianic Jewish lifestyle while remaining
formally affiliated to traditional churches. These Messianic
congregations are fashioned after the early church of the
"Brit Hadashah" (New Testament). Messianic Jewish
congregations, which are sometimes called Messianic Jewish
synagogues, can generally be identified by certain characteristics:
worship on the Sabbath, Davidic music and dance, and many
other Jewish traditions consistent with biblical Jewish traditions.
In full agreement with New Testament teachings, membership
is open to both Jew and gentile. Another characteristic of
this movement is its love and support for the people and the
nation of Israel.
Rediscovering
One's Jewish Roots
Messianic
Judaism seeks to help the church to rediscover its Jewish
roots. Hence, one of its goals is to build bridges of understanding
between Jews and Christians. We regret the confusion brought
by some who use the name of Messianic Judaism to represent
beliefs we do not endorse. We mourn the loss of those, both
Jews and non-Jews, who fall into legalistic practices as a
substitute for living faith, life and liberty in the Holy
Spirit. The following points are excerpts from the statement
issued by the Messianic
Jewish Alliance of America. Established in 1915, the Messianic
Jewish Alliance of America is the largest association of Messianic
Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus) in the world.
1.
We believe that salvation has always been "by faith,"
and that works of law, or righteous acts, have never saved
anyone (Gen. 15:6 ; Rom. 2-6; Eph. 2:8-9 ; Heb. 11:6, 39).
2.
We acknowledge that the New Covenant body of believers is
composed of both Jews and Gentiles who have received Yeshua
the Messiah as the Promised Redeemer. The "middle wall
of partition" has been broken down and now we worship
the God of Israel together (I Cor. 12:13 ; Eph. 2:13-14).
3.
That the BIBLE, consisting of the Tenach (Holy Scriptures)
and the later writings commonly known as the B'rit Hadasha
(New Covenant), is the only infallible and authoritative word
of God. We recognize its divine inspiration, and accept its
teachings as our final authority in all matters of faith and
practice (Deut. 6:4-9 ; Prov. 3:1-6 ; Ps. 119:89, 105 ; Isa.
48:12-16 ; Rom. 8:14-17; II Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17 ).
4.
GOD - We believe that the Shema, "Hear O Israel, the
Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Deut. 6:4 ), teaches
that God is Echad, as so declared: a united one, a composite
unity, eternally existent in plural oneness [Gen. 1:1 (Elohim:
God); Gen. 1:26 "Let us make man in our image";
Gen. 2:24 Adam & Eve were created to be as one flesh (basar
echad)], that He is a personal God who created us ( Gen. 1
& 2) , and that He exists forever in three persons: Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, as mentioned in Romans 8:14-17 (Father,
Spirit, and Messiah - Son) and Matt. 28:18-20 (immersing in
the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
5.
We believe in God's end-time plan for the nation of Israel
and for the world. A central part of Messianic Judaism is
the belief in the physical and spiritual restoration of Israel,
as taught in the Scriptures. A striking miracle of our day
has been the re-establishment or rebirth of the State of Israel
according to prophecy (Ezek. 34:11-31; 36-39 ; Hos. 3; Amos
9:11-15; Zech. 12-14; Isa. 11; 43; 54; 60-62; 66; Rom. 11:1-34)
(see also Scriptures
under V. THE MESSIAH )
More
History of the Messianic Movement
Historically,
Messianic Judaism traces its root to the early New Testament
believers who were filled with the Spirit on Shavuot (Pentecost)
as a result of intensely seeking for the promise of the Father
in prayer. They were birthed and empowered by an outpouring
of the Holy Spirit. Simon Peter's words assured the men of
Israel to whom he later spoke, "the promise is for you
and your children and all who are afar off, as many as the
Lord our God will call" Acts 2: 39). Following centuries
of forced conversions, Jews coming to faith in Messiah Yeshua
in the nineteenth century again rediscovered the Jewishness
of the gospels and their identification with the early believers,
and began to acknowledge their Jewish identity within the
context of their faith. The body currently known as the International
Messianic Jewish Alliance, http://www.imja.com was established
in 1866. It was then known as the Hebrew Christian Alliance
and Prayer Union of Great Britain. The Hebrew Christian Alliance
of America was established in 1915, and was renamed the Messianic
Jewish Alliance of America in the early 1970s. The International
Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues was formed
in 1986. A sister organization The Union of Messianic Jewish
Congregations is a strong voice worldwide for Messianic Judaism
(http://www.umjc.org). Tikkun, www.tikkun.org is well known
and scholarly. Toward Jerusalem Council Two, http://www.tjcii.org
is composed of Jewish and Gentile believers and works to bring
reconciliation and understanding concerning G-d's heart for
Israel and the Jews. Yet another Messianic group as is the
American Alliance of Messianic Jewish Believers. There are
many others, I simply mention these as examples.
The
Historic Coming Together of Messianic Jews and Christians
Messianic
Jews have been committed to Jewish revival, and to support
for the people and the Land of Israel. For the past few years
as Director of Development of the Joseph
Project MJAA and the President of the Israel
Relief Fund, I have witnessed a historic coming together
of Messianic Jews and Christians for the purpose of shipping
millions of dollars of aid to the poor in Israel through the
Joseph Project. This joint effort is a testimony to the faithfulness
of our L-rd!
The
Spirit of Grace
Currently,
we are preparing to launch the ship Spirit of Grace. This
ship and her faithful crew were donated by Don and Sondra
Tipton, founders of Friend
Ships Ministries, to serve Israel in her time of need.
The Spirit of Grace is loaded with millions of dollars worth
of humanitarian aid. She is ready to sail to Israel, and is
now waiting on funds for fuel. If you would like to help her
sail please click here for more information www.israelrelief.org.
Dear
friends, as this term "Messianic" is now used by
many to represent many things in these end times, it's my
heart and my prayer that this letter would bring clarity to
those truly seeking to understand rather than accuse. Remember,
Messiah's most important and identifiable mark on the disciples
was their genuine love for one another and the deep spirit
of unity that prevailed among them. Many sold their possessions
and sacrificed for others who did not have enough. They ate
together, prayed together and had continual fellowship together.
May we continue to fellowship together in mutual esteem and
in the spirit of the L-rd. Amen in Yeshua's name.
Shalom,
In Yeshua's Love,
Curt
Landry
President, Israel Relief Fund
email: clandry@israelrelief.org
website: www.Israelrelief.org
Treasurer, International Messianic Jewish Alliance
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