Questions Concerning Messianic Judaism

[farouk]

Some more than others. It is very hard to embrace some of the "traditions" of Judaism if you don't have a strong Jewish culture to pass that to others. Most of Paul's Epistles were written to Jewish folk, who already had or were following Jewish customs. But it was easier then, as whole communities or neighbourhoods were Jewish. They did there best to remain together as a group so they could maintain their distinction. And maybe also because the Gentiles thought they were an odd bunch. We don't have that here except maybe for a couple of places in north America were there is a strong Jewish presence.

For the vast majority of us though, it's about embracing and following his commandments that are the most important.

So you really mean that in order to become a real Christian you have virtually to become a Jew, and observe Jewish customs?

 

[farouk]

All the law hangs on two, Love God, Love your neighbor (who includes even your enemy, in my view).

Deborah13; Amen! and this is done under grace, through saving faith in the Lord Jesus, by New Testament believers who had been from Jewish and Gentile backgrounds.

 

[Ryan]

So you really mean that in order to become a real Christian you have virtually to become a Jew, and observe Jewish customs?

Are you under the impression Passover is solely a Jewish commandment?

 

[Deborah13]

I have met a Messianic Jew evanglist who witnesses to Jews in NY. From what I understand they have had signs and wonders happen in their meetings. Shekinah glory appearing as a cloud, gold flecks on their skin, etc.
We (my dh, another couple, and I) went to a service 3 yrs. ago on the Christian Passover (easter). This Messianic and a Christian evangelist (very old man) were leading the service. It was a small gathering of about 50.
While worshiping the Lord this little boy of about 9 kept trying to get his dad's attention. Finally he just left his seat and went down front, he just kept looking up.
His dad went and got him and the little boy was saying to his father, "Didn't you see them Dad? The angels going up and down the ladder." There wasn't any big deal made of this in fact it wasn't even mentioned. Only those close enough to hear the boy knew.
There were other things that happened but everything was very sedate, for lack of a better word or honoring, joyful, yet serious too. I can't even explain it really.
My husband received Jesus as Saviour and Lord that day.

 

[farouk]

Are you under the impression Passover is solely a Jewish commandment?

Ryan: If we read Luke 22, what the Lord Jesus at first calls the passover, the last one He would observe, He then calls something new: the new testament in His blood. The old ceremony looking forward to the Cross, would be replaced by a memorial of Him in His finished work (Hebrews 9 & 10).

 

[Ryan]

Ryan: If we read Luke 22, what the Lord Jesus at first calls the passover, the last one He would observe, He then calls something new: the new testament in His blood. The old ceremony looking forward to the Cross, would be replaced by a memorial of Him in His finished work (Hebrews 9 & 10).

Luke 22:19 And when He had taken some bread and <SUP class=crossreference value='(P)'></SUP>given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.

Passover was not fulfilled yet, he is telling them to continue in it's observance as it will be a reminder now for what he was going to do, and what he did do for us. Passover is all about Jesus, yet they did not realize the price or the significance of what Passoevr pointed to. Passover was a yet unfulfilled Feast day, now it's done in memory of what it accomplished. Same thing with the upcoming fall feasts, still unfulfilled, but will be soon. It will still be observed in the Millenium.

Zechariah 14:16 Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.

Would you like to start practicing now?

 

[farouk]

Luke 22.10, as well as Matthew 26.28 and Mark 14.24 and 1 Corinthians 11.25 all refer to the New Testament in His blood, in relation to the Lord's Supper.

There I will rest in my understanding of the Lord's Supper.

 

[jasoncran]

yes and no. the kosher laws are going to cost. extra plates etc. not to mention. burdensome. remember women didn't hold office in torah. they lead worship,but didn't atone, and couldn't. the law is silent on a lot of things about women. so we cant say what is biblical since it doesn't mention whether or whether not a witness a woman was trustworthy. yes we could argue that but its not word for worded. just slavery isn't condemned directly nor is polygamy in the tanach or even in the nt. only that a man must have one wife if he is to hold office.

for the record im not condening either behavior. what is work? and how much work is to be done on the shabat? some of his commands are that nebulous.

 

[Deborah13]

The early church, Messianic if you will, would have been comprised of more Jews than Gentiles.
When my daughter was taking her Old Testament Survey 1 class we would study together.
One of the questions in this class was, "The Passover contains some wonderful types of our redemption. What is one that is significant to you?"

Well we understood the roasted lamb and the unleaven bread, the body and blood of our Saviour. But the bitter herbs were new to us. To the Jew the are to remember the bitterness of their slavery in Egypt and God rescueing them from slavery to freedom. As we thought about that and the crucifixion we wondered about the vineger (sour wine) that was given to our Lord.

As Christians could we too not see a time of slavery, slavery to sin and the bitterness of sin. It might not be such a bad thing to remember life before Jesus and how grateful we are for our redemption much like the Israelites being freed by our Lord. That on the Passover that we rejoice in our salvation and remember what it was like before. Some will not have a memory of before because they were so young but all have had moments of doubt and fear I'm sure.

 

[farouk]

It can be very instructive to know about the passover and its Old Testament background. The church is in the New Testament, and the types and shadows have given way to the fulness that there is in Christ, in the light of His finished work at the Cross: He Himself refers repeatedly (references supplied, above) to the new testament in His blood.

 

[Deborah13]

It can be very instructive to know about the passover and its Old Testament background. The church is in the New Testament, and the types and shadows have given way to the fulness that there is in Christ, in the light of His finished work at the Cross: He Himself refers repeatedly (references supplied, above) to the new testament in His blood.

Yes, I agree.