Excerpt from Adat Yeshua Synagogue

Messiah

"A Messiah, who encourages the Jewish people to not practice Judaism, can NOT be the Jewish Messiah. For nearly 2000 years, Jews who accepted Jesus as the Messiah, were taught to abandon Jewish observance. People have diminished the Torah and Israel's sacred calling in conjunction with Jesus. ... Although much of the world is not yet transformed by Messiah, the lives of those who embrace Him are transformed in profound ways. To them life has expanded purpose and destiny. Jewish men, women and children, who accept Yeshua as the Messiah, within a Messianic Jewish context, experience new meaning and depth of their Jewish heritage. Yeshua set an example of living a Jewish life with humility before God, which touches and moves people today. Messianic Judaism offers something new and something old. For those who have dropped out and found God distant, we engender personableness and sharing in lifes journey. For those who accepted Yeshua, but not in conjuction with Jewish practice, Messianic Judaism is the resusitator of their identity and lives as Jews. For those who come from a life of Jewish observance, Messianic Judaism brings the life expansion that only Messiah can offer."

Adat Yeshua Synagogue, P. O. Box 231117, New Orleans, La. 70183-1117 Phone: 504-701-4848

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 Simchat Yisrael

Is there a difference between Jews for Jesus and Messianic Judaism?

The answer to this question is yes. Jews For Jesus has a singular mission of sharing the good news about Messiah Yeshua with Jewish people. Many people involved with Jews For Jesus see, as their primary focus of identity, the Christian Church. Thus they see themselves as Christians of Jewish decent. Their expression of worship and theology are rooted in the historical Church.

Messianic Judaism sees itself fundamentally as a Judaism. Thus the Jewish people in the Messianic Jewish movement define themselves as Jewish people who believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is the promised Messiah. They worship in synagogues on Shabbat, celebrate the Jewish Holidays and participate in a Jewish life cycle.

Simchat Yisrael
870 First Ave
West Haven, CT
Phone: (203) 932-9929
Email: synagogue@simchatyisrael.org

Excerpt from Messianic Hebrews International

The Ekklesia of Yahweh

According to prophecy, there was a former rain; this was the out-pouring of YHWH’s Spirit on that famous Day of Shavuoth (Pentecost) of 30 A.D. (Acts 2:1-4), marking the birth of Spiritual Israel. But, as usual, Satan conspired with the beast from the sea (the Roman Empire) and the beast from the earth (a religious leader or world religious system), --to whom he gave his power (Rev.13)--, to pervert and silence the Original Message (Gal.1:6-7; 2 Thes.2:2-7; 1 John 2:18-19; Rev.2:15). Already, in the first 50 years of the ekklesia of Yahweh, as recorded by the early apostles, many false workers had crept in and preached different doctrines (Jude 3-4). They mislead a majority of believers and caused many others to drift away from the truth. [They] have strayed concerning the truth... and they overthrew the faith of some," wrote Paul (2 Timo.2:18). Several different doctrines called gospels (spells of god) came out, flourished, and matured in Europe, under the protection of emperors and monarchs and states' legislations. This mystery of iniquity (2 Thes.2:7) is the greatest enigma of the ages, that has baffled generations of people and kept the world under the thickest clouds of ignorance ever, for many centuries.

Temple Elohim
of the Messianic Hebrews International
PO Box 530081
Miami, FL 33153-0081

E-mail: menorah144@hotmail.com

Excerpt from the Association of Messianic Congregations

ISRAEL

We believe Israel is God's special people, distinct from the body of Messiah, chosen by Him to be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests. The election of Israel is irrevocable. Jewish believers in Yeshua have a unique twofold identity. They are the spiritual remnant of physical Israel and at the same time are part of the body of Messiah. We believe the Abrahamic Covenant is an irrevocable, unconditional covenant God made with Jewish people. This covenant provides title to the land of Israel for the Jewish people and promises a descendant (the Messiah) who would come to redeem Israel and bless the entire world. The spiritual blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant overflow to all the nations. God will ultimately fulfill every aspect of the covenant in the Messianic Kingdom, both physical and spiritual. We believe that Israel's eternal covenant relationship with God does not grant atonement to individual Jewish people. Therefore, it is the believer's privilege and duty to tell the Good News of Messiah Yeshua to the Jewish people. (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:1-21, 17:1-21; Romans 11:1-29; Galatians 3:14-17)


THE ASSOCIATION OF MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS
5002 East 4th St
Tucson, AZ 85711

Phone: 520-326-2020
Email: bethsarshalom@yahoo.com

Excerpt from Messianic World Wide

A Messianic Perspective
"There is nothing new under the sun" – Ecclesiastes 1:9.

Biblical Interpretation – God’s Word is consistent and harmonious

Our perspective of the Bible determines how we interpret the Bible. A translator’s perspective determines how he translates, and thus steers a reader’s interpretation.

We submit a perspective of one unified Book of Instruction – Genesis to Revelation, from our Eternal Holy Creator. Its message is messianic from creation to the New Earth. The Torah (Pentateuch) is the foundational Word of God. The Prophets build upon the Torah with examples, applications, and clarifications. The Psalms exalt the Torah as glorious and beloved. Finally, the Apostles give further application and clarification, especially showing Yeshua to be the promised Messiah. With this perspective, we find all Scripture to be harmonious, without one portion superseding another. We further find God to be unchanging, all people to be judged equitably by their creator, salvation in all ages to be always by grace through faith that produces fruit, and one continuum of the church and its ordinances from Torah.


Beikvot HaMashiach Congregation
P. O. Box 13031
Seattle WA 98198-1001

Phone: 206-901-1799
Email: david@amen.ws
Web: www.messianic.ws

Excerpt from the Messianic Literary Corner

Submitting Torah Observance To New Covenant Principles

There is only one Gospel whose power and gracious freedom overcomes sin and death throughout the world. But if the Gospel's freedom is suppressed for the sake of upholding the Law (Torah), then those that put Torah above the Gospel must abandon the contradictory elements of their theology and submit their Torah observance to New Covenant principles. This does not mandate the banning of Torah observance; however, it does restrict Torah observance to that of "non-obligatory" compliance in Messianic Jewish worship and daily practice.

There are now several major theological trends that counter the truth of the gospel, that need to be recognized and opposed. The task of this study is one of taking a critical look at these newly accepted beliefs by comparing them to the apostles writings. Some Messianic Jewish theologians have faulted the apostle Paul for the "Pauline Gospels" claiming it to be anti-Semitic. Most anti-Pauline Messianic Jewish theologians have avoided taking an anti-Pauline stand and have re-invented Paul and his writings as that of the "Torah observant Rabbi Paul, all accepting of modern Messianic Jewish thought." Such a re-invention is both doctrinally unsound and historically incorrect. We should question both seriously by first concentrating on the teachings in the epistles to the Hebrews, Romans and Galatians. Above all the other apostles, Paul was given the divine task of proclaiming the principles of the New Covenant to Jew and Gentile believer alike. Let us endeavor to take His new revelation to heart.

Marshall Beeber
Messianic Literary Corner
Email: mailbox@messianic-literary.com
www.messianic-literary.com

Excerpt from Restoration of Torah Ministries

What is our Heavenly Father Up To?

Within the past 10 years many non-Jewish believers, especially within Christianity, have begun to diligently discover their Hebraic roots. Specifically, many non-Jewish believers are beginning to question the traditional views of the Church concerning the Torah.

Is it coincidental that while Jews are discovering Yeshua as their Messiah, non-Jews are discovering the “Old Testament” as their Torah? No it’s not. Our Heavenly Father is in the process of restoring all things spoken by His prophets (Acts 3:19-21). He is re-building the Tabernacle of David from a Jewish and non-Jewish remnant found throughout the earth.

Tony Robinson
Restoration of Torah Ministries
46 Greystone Drive
Ringgold, GA 30736
Phone: 706-935-2216
Email: torahteacher@restorationoftorah.org

Excerpt from Beth Emunah Online!

Are Messianic Jews "Jews for Jesus"?

Due to the very visible presence of the organization Jews for Jesus, there is a common misconception in the Jewish community that all Jewish believers in Yeshua are “Jews for Jesus.” However, this is not the case. Jews for Jesus is a specific Christian evangelistic organization that employs paid workers and volunteers to actively convert Jews to Christianity.
The difference is that Messianic Jews fundamentally believe that Jews are obligated to remain Jews, and live Jewish lives in obedience to our covenant relationship with God; through the redemption of Yeshua the Messiah. Another difference is that Messianic Jews are not seeking to convert Jews to Christianity or away from Judaism. As a Judaism, like other forms of Judaism, we desire to see Jews who have left their Jewishness return to Judaism and live covenant faithful lives. From a Messianic Jewish perspective, faith in a Jewish Messiah should lead one to a greater sense of Jewish identity, not away from it.

Rabbi Murray Silberling
Beth Emunah Messianic Synagogue
5312 Derry Ave. Suite N
Agoura Hills, CA. 91301
Office: 818.597.9700
Fax: 818.597.8969
e-mail: office@bethemunah.org

Excerpt from Mayim Hayim Ministries

A Fresh Look At The Jewish Wedding

When studying the Scriptures it becomes evident that intimacy between Yeshua and His E’dah (Congregation), is no better illustrated than in the ancient Jewish wedding customs. The L-rd gave us these things so that we could and would understand His attributes. This is His propose for every Believer. Yeshua, Himself, made several references to the Church, i.e. Congregation, in being like a Bride waiting for her Bridegroom. I will not site them here however they will be found throughout this study. Let's take a look at it:

The marriage consists of two parts. First, the betrothal - Erusin or Kidushin. Then about one or two years later, the second part took place. This is the wedding ceremony called, Nisuin or Huppah.

The betrothal is a parallel to the engagement in most ways except that in the ancient Jewish custom, it was binding! It was so binding that it could not be broken without a orthodox divorce. You were considered bound together from the period you entered the betrothal contract until the wedding day.

Barbara Di Gilio
Mayim Hayim Ministries
P.O. BOX 11911
Phoenix, AZ 85061

Email: barbara@mayimhayim.org

Excerpt from The Association of Messianic Congregations

"THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT", The Basis for Jewish Identity

The Abrahamic Covenant is the set of unconditional, unbreakable, irrevocable promises God made to Abraham, Isaac & Jacob that begins His relationship with the Jewish people. It is found in Genesis 12:1-3, 15:1-21, 17:1-21.Here's a 'trick question'; "Was Avraham Jewish or Gentile?". Answer: "Neither".You see, Abraham was the first Jewish person because God decreed that it was so. "Gentiles" are NOT a race of people, it is simply a term for those who are not Jewish. So, you only have Gentiles once you have Jews. The set of scriptures in Genesis where God speaks His eternal promises to Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, bringing into existence the Jewish people, form what we might think of as a 'legal incorporation' of the Nation of Israel. The Covenant was 'unconditional', in that no conditions of obedience were required from the Jewish people for it to continue in full force. This Covenant continues to be cited throughout the entire Bible as the basis for God's relationship with Israel. While Abraham had a number of children, the Covenant line ran through Isaac alone. In the same way, the line was through only one of Isaac's sons, Jacob, and not through Esau (Gen 28:13-15). Jacob had 12 sons, and the Biblical definition of a Jew is a person who is a biological descendant of one of those 12 sons. While the Hebrew Scriptures encouraged Gentiles to forsake paganism and turn to the God of Israel in faith, those "God-fearers" or Proselytes are not called Jews, and they did not become Jews, even though they had an honored position in the Community of Israel. In the same way today, Gentiles who place their faith in Yeshua, the Messiah of Israel, do NOT become "Spiritual Jews" (a Replacement Theology invention), instead they are "Spiritual Gentiles", (Gentiles in whom the Holy Spirit resides) and should have a co-equal place of status and function in a healthy Messianic Congregation alongside the "Spiritual Jews" (Ethnic Jews in whom the Holy Spirit resides). The Gentile believers DO become co-heirs of SPIRITUAL Blessings from the Abrahamic Covenant (Galatians 3:14, 29). The Scriptures which support all this and bear witness to the distinction are Romans 2:17 & 29, which teaches that the true Jew is the one is BOTH Jewish Physically (v. 17) and has the Circumcision of the heart (v. 29), and Galatians 3:28 which teaches that there is one way of atonement for all, Jew & Gentile, Male & Female, even though these physical distinctions remain within the Body of Messiah.

The Association of Messianic Congregations
5002 East 4th Street
Tucson, AZ 85711
tel# 520-326-2020