Excerpt from MJAA

The Difference Between a Church and a Messianic Synagogue

"Whereas Gentile churches identify with the worldwide community of believers, Messianic synagogues identify not only with that community but, equally, with the Jewish community worldwide. This is true in spite of the fact that our synagogues are not always embraced by that community. God's perspective is not man's, and He has brought forth Messianic synagogues as the first fruits of the revival and restoration of Israel which Paul speaks of in Romans 11:26.

And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob..."

Gentile churches are called to bless the Jewish people. We are part of the Jewish people they are called to bless, as well as part of the body of believers who are called to do the blessing. That is the special position of the Messianic synagogue."

Rabbi Michael Wolf
Messianic Jewish Alliance of America
PO BOX 274
Springfield, PA 19064

Phone: (800) 225-6522
Email: messianicforest@mjaa.org

Excerpt from the Harvest

The Church

We believe that the church began with Moses and the call for Israel to come out from Egypt. This Israel, who came out of Egypt, was comprised of both native-born and gerim—"sojourners" whose clan identity was outside that of the tribes of Jacob (Ex.12:38). Together they stood at Sinai and entered into covenant with Yahweh. According to the Exodus account, the native-born along with the foreigner constituted the covenant people who received the Torah at Sinai (Ex. 19). Collectively they, the native born and the foreigner who accepted the covenant, are referred to as Israel. This Israel is what Stephen referred to as the "church" in the wilderness (Acts 7:38). Those who were outside of Israel's descendants could and would be brought into the covenant community (church) by doing what father Abraham (a goy from Ur of Chaldee) did to become righteous—namely, he placed his trust and faith in the promised Seed (the Messiah). Just as many foreigners became part of Israel then, so today many from the nations are being grafted into the olive tree of Israel by placing their faith in the promised Seed of Abraham, Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah of Israel. Just as the prophet Isaiah foretold (Isa. 56), Yahweh is gathering many from the nations to those whom He already gathered (Israel). Together these individuals comprise the universal church (covenant community of Yahweh). These Jews and Gentiles in Messiah collectively are called Israel throughout the Scriptures. There is no other "church" or covenant community; just one new man, one torah, one Messiah, one Spirit, one God. Some of the physical descendants of Jacob have rejected Yeshua and remain cut off from the covenant community of Yahweh, but are still a part of greater Israel and will be grafted back into the church (covenant community of Yahweh) when they turn from their unbelief and place their faith in Yeshua as the promised Seed of Abraham (Rom. 11). Ethnic status is not altered by acceptance or rejection of Yeshua, but covenant status is. Covenant status is determined by faith in Yeshua the Messiah. In the end, it is not ethnic status but rather covenant status that fulfills salvific history.

Mailing Address
PO Box 29993
Thornton, CO 80229

Phone: 303-761-9948

Excerpt from Family Restoration Magazine

The Home should be the Center of Spiritual Grow

The Church has rejected the model given by God to produce biblical spiritual growth. It is obviously not walking in His ways (Deut. 11:22). In its place the Church has chosen the worldly model of the Greco/Roman theater. The Greco/Roman model teaches that what the church does when assembled is supposed to be mimicked by its members in their homes. This is just the opposite of God's plan. This reversal has produced catastrophic results! Among them, family personal relationships have been replaced by programs. Buildings are now called "the church" rather than the people. In most religious communities, members are no longer "pastured." No time for this today! This has ceased because pastors are too busy managing their churches as if they were theaters. This has led many churches to compete with one another. Insatiable success appetites have demanded that churches plan special events with "big-name" speakers to attract large crowds. Worldly measures are now used to define congregational success. The number of people attending services, financial assets or the number of programs offered now define success. Spiritual growth has given way to "being plugged into" programs.


The Karl Coke Evangelistic Association
PO Box 10285
Charlotte, NC 28212

Phone: 704.568.5235
Fax: 704.532.9990
Email: karlcoke@ixnetcom.com
Email: kceaoffice@aol.com
Web: www.familyrestorationmagazine.org

Excerpt from Voice of the Overcomer Ministries

Jesus looks different than I expected!

Speaking the truth sometimes discomforts people. We are much more comfortable with the way things are, and when Truth comes and disturbs the way we are use to believing, the turmoil in our souls can be extreme. But if we truly are seekers of Truth, we will wrestle with it even as Jacob did and not let go until it makes itself known to us.
Many in the church are having this wrestling going on in them today. They hear the voice of their Beloved crying out to them, but He sounds a little different than they thought. He sounds a little more Hebraic than they pictured Him, and who are all these Jewish looking people with Him? So they are frightened, even questioning if this is really Him. Then they remember, if even for a fleeting moment… Wasn’t there something about Him being a Hebrew? … of the Tribe of Judah, … of the House of David? But that so conflicts with the picture we have had of Him, it’s hard for our hearts to not question. But Yeshua is Truth and He will prevail in the hearts of those who are seeking Truth.
Lord, thank you that even if things look a little different than I expected, thank you that you will not quit wrestling with us until we receive your blessing.


Voice of the Overcomer Ministries
P.O. Box 7646
Bend, OR 97708
info@voiceoftheovercomer.org
www.chavah.org