How is Messianic Judaism Different than Christianity?

[koberstein]

How is Messianic Judaism Different than Christianity?​

One of the most common questions we receive is, “What is the difference between Messianic Judaism and Christianity?” The key to better understanding the differences between Messianic Judaism and Christianity is to first understand the foundations of both religions as they spring from Judaism.

1. Jewish people are descendants of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and acknowledge Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as the patriarchs of Israel and the Jewish people. Historically, Jewish people have not acknowledged Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah promised to Israel.

2. Christians are typically non-Jews who have responded to Yeshua in faith to experience spiritual rebirth and reconciliation to God.

3. Messianic Jews are people of Jewish heritage who maintain their Jewish identity and acknowledge Yeshua as the Messiah.

Differences between Messianic Jews and Christians:​

Once you understand the history of Judaism, Christianity, and Messianic Judaism, you can begin to dive deeper into the similarities and differences between Messianic Jews and Christians. Here are a few of the major differences between the two.

Biblical text​

Messianic Jews and Christians both embrace the entire Hebrew Bible and the New Testament as Spirit-inspired Holy Writ. However, many Messianic Jews continue to live by the first five books of the Bible, called the Torah, something most Christians do not do.

Sabbath​

Messianic Jewish people observe the Sabbath, or Shabbat, during the traditional Jewish time starting before sunset on Friday evening until Saturday night. While there are several theories on when the Christian church deviated from the traditional Jewish day of Shabbat, Christians have been observing the Sabbath on Sundays since the second century.

Holidays​

Christians observe holidays that are disconnected from the Bible, like Christmas and Easter Sunday. While Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus (Yeshua) and Easter Sunday celebrates His resurrection, the timing of these holidays historically corresponds with pagan holidays. Messianic Jewish people also observe the resurrection of Yeshua from the dead, believing His resurrection is evidence of His finished work in conquering sin and death for us. Messianic Jews generally celebrate Yeshua’s resurrection on the the first day of First Fruits, the first day of the week after the "weekly" Shabbat after Passover. Additionally, Messianic Jews observe the traditional Jewish holidays and feasts such as Purim, Chanukah, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), and the Feast of Booths (Sukkot).

Dietary Laws​

Most Christians do not observe the biblical commandments regarding dietary practices. These include the avoidance of scavengers of land or sea, with the exception of mammals that both chew the cud and have cloven hooves, like sheep, goats, and deer. For many Messianic Jewish people, the basic biblical commandments found in the Torah are still observed. This observance enables Messianic Jewish people to maintain their God-given identities as Jews.

The Messiah and the Jewish People​

While there are many similarities between Messianic Judaism, Christianity, and Judaism, Messianic Jewish people embrace their Jewish heritage, while believing that Yeshua is the Messiah, the promised Redeemer of Israel and all of mankind.

Shalom

 

[The Rogue Tomato]

I can only speak for the Messianic Jews that I know. One of them pretty much believes what I believe, as far as I can tell. Another believes that he must obey the dietary laws. Another one says that eating pork won't keep you out of heaven; it may send you heaven sooner (meaning pork is bad for you).

 

[koberstein]

I can only speak for the Messianic Jews that I know. One of them pretty much believes what I believe, as far as I can tell. Another believes that he must obey the dietary laws. Another one says that eating pork won't keep you out of heaven; it may send you heaven sooner (meaning pork is bad for you).

There is not much difference between Messianic Jews and Christianity as far as belief in Yeshua is concerned. I hate antisemitism and equally I hate Christians being theologically thrown under the bus
or discriminated against because of their belief in Yeshua. Messianic Jews and Christians are equal in Yeshua and in the New Covenant the B'rit Hadashah. My best friend is a Gentile Christian
Shalom

 

[Obadiah]

I have never given this much thought till I looked at this thread so I thought I would dig into it a little. I found this and I plan to do some more studying on it.

The idea of “Hebrew Christians” developed, and Count Zinzendorf in Germany and Joseph Rabinowitz in Russia both attempted to initiate Jewish expressions of worshiping Jesus around this time, but neither were particularly successful.

A Short History Of Messianic Judaism

There have always been Jewish people who believed in Yeshua, but the path of Messianic Judaism has taken many interesting turns throughout history.

www.oneforisrael.org

 

[101G]

1. Jewish people are descendants of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and acknowledge Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as the patriarchs of Israel and the Jewish people. Historically, Jewish people have not acknowledged Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah promised to Israel.

not all the Twelve Tribes are Jewish, (well after Egypt). are the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh Jacob boys or Joseph’s son who Jacob took on as hos own sons. well now that's throws a monkey wrench into the 12 tribes which is now 13 tribes. count um....

1. Judah.
2. Reuben.
3. Simeon.
4. Levi.
5. Zebulun.
6. Issachar.
7. Dan.
8. Gad.
9. Asher.
10. Naphtali.
11. Ephraim.
12. Benjamin.
13. Manasseh.

101G.