Cherie Mitchell

Judaism covers a broad span. There is Reformed Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Orthodox Judaism, Ultra-Orthodox Judaism, and Chadasim.

In the time of Jesus, there were many sects of Judaism: the Pharisees from the school of Hillel, the Pharisees from the school of Shammai, the Sadducees, the Essenes, and a few others. Another sect that worshiped in the synagogues and the temple was known as "The Way" or "The Netzarim (The Branches)." 

Guess who were members of "The Way" or "The Netzarim"? Believers in Jesus were called "The Way" after Jesus who said said He is "the Way." Because He said He is "the Vine" and we are "the branches," believers were also called "Netzarim."

"The Way" can be found mentioned in Acts 9:2; Acts 19:9; Acts 19:23; * Acts 24:14; Acts 24:22. 

Early believers were known to meet at the temple and in the synagogues. James, the brother of Jesus, was considered to be the leader or head elder and typically could be found in the temple. (Many people don't know that James was respected by the Pharisees for studying the scriptures, his knowledge, and for his devotion). Acts 12:17, Acts 15:13, Acts 21:18

We don't follow Judaism (or any religion, even a denomination that could wear a label "Christian") if that religion denies Jesus as the Son of God, our Salvation, the One Way, and everything else Jesus taught and revealed about Himself in the scriptures.

God wants His Jewish people to receive their Messiah. God wants the non-Jewish people to receive their Messiah. God wants the middle wall of partition that separates Jews and Gentiles broken down. God wants to join both together to become One New Man. Ephesians 2:14-22, Romans 2:29

We have to remember the warning found in Romans 11:2-26. We are grafted into Israel and as such, have much to be thankful for. We are commanded not to boast against the natural branches. Romans 11:18-22

Just the above Romans passages caution us about Replacement Theology, although there are others. We are indebted to the Jews. Our faith is founded in the Hebrew Scriptures. The writers of the Bible were Hebrews or Jews. (Luke was either a non-Jew or a proselyte, thus technically making him a Jew). The Jews gave their lives to preserve our scriptures and pass them down, thus giving it to us. Our Messiah is their Messiah.

What is a church? What is the real meaning and where did it first start? Church literally means "ekklesia" in Greek, and "ekklesia" means "assembly." It refers to the "called out ones." In Hebrew, God's children are called out as an "assembly" or "congregation." It refers to the "called out ones." Israel became an assembly when they passed through the Red Sea. We became an assembly when we passed from the slavery to sin to freedom in our Lord. The word, "Hebrew," means to "cross over." We have crossed over from one life to a new life.

There is to be one new man with no middle wall of partition. We are not to be foreigners nor aliens to the commonwealth of Israel.

No replacement theology.

October 06 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Doreen Lovell Evangelist and Prayer Intercessor

The Bible states clearly that Gentiles on accepting Messiah Yeshua, becomes part of the family of God, we are no longer children estranged from their Heavenly Father. As such to say that Christianity replaces Judaism is teaching replacement Theology which is incorrect. 

Messianic Judaism is worshiping as Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) taught His Disciples and the way the Apostles worshiped after His ascension.

A Messianic Synagogue is a Union of Both Jewish and non-Jewish believers in the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Messianic Judaism teaches that the Messiah promised by HaShem through the Jewish Scriptures has already come, fulfilling the prophecies concerning the Messiah as the Suffering Servant. Messianic Judaism also accepts the Brit Chadashah (New Covenant) as part of the inspired Word of HaShem. 

Messianic Judaism believes the Messiah to be Yeshua. Originally, all the followers of Yeshua were Jewish. However, after His Resurrection, the message of forgiveness of sin, by the grace of HaShem through faith in the atoning death of Messiah, spread from Jewish to many non-Jewish communities.

This fulfills one aspect of Isaiah 49:6 : "He said: "It is not enough that you be a servant for Me to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the ruins of Israel; I will make you a light for the Gentiles, so that My salvation may extend to the ends of the earth."

May 24 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Michael Sisson

It is worth noting that, after coming to faith in Jesus, Paul continued to self-identify as a Torah observant Jew, specifically as a Pharisee (Acts 21:24, 22:3; 23:6, Gal 2:15, and Phil 3:5), and living proof that God has NOT rejected the Jews (Rom 11:1-2). Moreover, it is worth noting that in the New Testament followers of Jesus were spoken of as a "sect" of Judaism (Acts 24:5, 24:14, and 28:22).

May 27 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report