Messianic Judaism is a faith that merges Jewish and Christian beliefs. Proponents of Messianic Judaism say that Jesus is the promised Messiah—or “Mashiach”—of the Hebrew Bible. This faith movement reportedly began in the late 1960s and has continued to grow over the past five decades. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at when Messianic Judaism started, its historical roots, and some of its beliefs.
The earliest origins of Messianic Judaism can be traced back to the Jewish Jesus movement of the 1960s. At this time, young Jewish adults began to turn away from traditional Jewish beliefs and practices, and instead embraced evangelical Christianity or what was termed “messianic” Judaism. This movement was subsequently rebranded as “Messianic Judaism” as opposed to “Jewish Christianity”.
Messianic Judaism has its roots in the teachings of Jewish rabbis in the first-century C.E. These rabbis believed that Yahweh had revealed Himself through Jesus Christ, His son. They also taught that Jesus was the Mashiach or Messiah (which means “anointed one”) that the Hebrew Bible spoke of. Despite these core beliefs, Messianic Judaism was largely absent in the centuries that followed.
At the beginning of the 20th century, however, Messianic Judaism began to experience a revival. Led by Jewish Americans and Zionist rabbis, the revival brought attention to the teachings of Jesus and his role as the Mashiach. Since then, Messianic Judaism has evolved in many ways and the movement continues to grow today.
The main beliefs of Messianic Judaism include the triune God of the Bible (God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit), a belief in Jesus as the divine Mashiach, and the view that the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) is still valid and true for today. Messianic Jews also accept many traditional Jewish practices, celebrations, customs and traditions, as well as modern secular culture.
Unlike many mainstream Jewish denominations, Messianic Jews accept the New Testament as valid and authoritative. They accept Jesus as the divinely inspired and anointed Mashiach of the Hebrew Bible, and believe that he fulfilled God’s purpose for humanity and for the universe.
Practices among Messianic Jews vary by community and region, with some congregations emphasizing more traditional Jewish rituals and practices, while others focus more on the Christian faith.
Despite the revival of Messianic Judaism in the early 20th century, the movement had only become widely accepted in the late 1960s. With its unique combination of Jewish and Christian beliefs, this distinctive faith community has continued to grow and expand in recent years.
What Do Messianic Jews Believe?
Messianic Jews believe that Jesus is the Mashiach that the Hebrew Bible predicted who will redeem the world. They believe that Jesus is the son of God and that he is Divine. They also adhere to the traditional Jewish beliefs in one God, the Torah, and the Abrahamic covenant.
Messianic Jews view Jesus as the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies of the Hebrew Bible—or Tanakh. They believe that Jesus was foretold in the Prophet Isaiah’s writings, and that his teachings and those of the Apostle Paul—known as the “Gospel”—fulfill the promises of the Hebrew Bible.
Messianic Jews hold to the traditional Jewish view that God is the Creator of all things, with Jesus being the way to salvation. They do not accept any other form of deity, including any other form of messiah. In addition, they believe that Jesus rose from the dead, and that his resurrection is a sign of God’s goodness.
Messianic Jews also accept traditional Jewish practices and rites, such as ritual bathing in the mikveh, traditional circumcision, kosher dietary laws, and the observance of the Sabbath and other Jewish holidays.
Where Do Messianic Jews Worship?
Messianic Jews worship in a variety of places. Some Messianic congregations have their own places of worship, while others gather in houses of worship belonging to traditional Christian denominations. Additionally, some Messianic Jews hold services in their own homes.
In the United States, Messianic Jews are most commonly associated with Pentecostal and Evangelical churches. However, Messianic congregations can be found in most major cities and are often affiliated with Jewish synagogues and other Jewish groups.
Messianic congregations hold weekly Sabbath services, often in the form of a synagogue service or in a service with Christian elements. Messianic Jews believe that the Sabbath prayer is a sign of personal devotion to God, and that when we come together for worship, it is an expression of God’s unity.
Along with weekly Sabbath services, Messianic congregations typically hold weekly study sessions, as well as special events for the major Jewish holidays. These events allow them to come together to celebrate their faith as a community.
Messianic Jews And Judaism
Most mainstream Jewish denominations do not recognize Messianic Judaism as a legitimate form of Judaism. The Jewish faith explicitly rejects the idea of an earthly messiah, so Messianic Jews are seen by many Jews as a Christian sect.
For their part, Messianic Jews claim they are a valid part of both Jewish and Christian traditions. They point out that they follow the same dietary laws and many of the same religious rituals and practices as traditional Judaism, but with a focus on Jesus as the Mashiach, or Messiah. They do not, however, believe in the concept of original sin.
Despite the lack of recognition by mainstream Jewish denominations, Messianic Jews still identify strongly with Jewish practices and theology, and their numbers continue to grow. Both individual Messianic Jews and Messianic congregations are estimated to have grown significantly in recent years.
How Is Messianic Judaism Different From Christian Judaism?
One of the main differences between Messianic Judaism and Christian Judaism is the emphasis on the Hebrew Bible. Messianic Jews place greater emphasis on upholding and following laws and practices that are outlined in the Hebrew Bible. They also look to the biblical accounts of Jesus and interpret them in the light of their faith.
The two faiths also differ in their view of the Messiah. Messianic Jews believe that Jesus is the Divine Mashiach, while Christian Jews believe that Jesus was merely a human prophet and teacher. Lastly, Christian Jews adhere to doctrines of original sin and predestination which are rejected by Messianic Jews.
Does Messianic Judaism Have Symbols?
Messianic Judaism does not have any official physical symbols or icons. Most iconic representations associated with Messianic Judaism, such as the Fish Symbol, are borrowed from Christianity.
Messianic Jews may, however, make use of religious symbols associated with traditional Judaism. These include the Magen David (Shield of David) and the Menorah. The Messianic Symbol is also used by many messianic congregations and is composed of a combination of the Star of David and the Ichtus or Fish Symbol.
What Is The Messianic Jewish Bible?
The Messianic Jewish Bible (MJB) is a special version of the Bible specifically intended for Messianic Jews. The MJB is an updated version of the Hebrew Bible, incorporating both Jewish and Christian scripture and including study notes, commentaries, and Messianic Jewish insights.
The MJB was initially published in 2005 by the Messianic Jewish Bible Institute, though it has since been updated and republished several times. The MJB can be used both as a traditional religious text, and as a study guide for understanding Messianic Judaism.
Can Non-Jewish People Follow Messianic Judaism?
There are varying opinions on this issue, but most Messianic Jews believe that non-Jewish people can follow Messianic Judaism, as long as they accept the Jewish Messiah and abide by the teachings of the Hebrew Bible.
Non-Jewish people who wish to follow Messianic Judaism are typically referred to as “Gentile believers” or “Gentile followers of Mashiach”. These non-Jewish followers must adhere to the same laws, teachings, and practices as Messianic Jews, such as observing the Sabbath and upholding Torah-based dietary laws.
Conclusion
Messianic Judaism is a unique faith movement that combines Jewish and Christian beliefs. It began in the late 1960s, but has its roots in first-century rabbinic teachings. Proponents of the faith uphold the traditional Jewish belief in one God, the Torah and the Abrahamic covenant, but add a belief in Jesus as the Divine Mashiach or Messiah. Messianic Jews practice many different customs and rituals, including religious observances and weekly Sabbath services, as well as modern secular culture.
