FAQ: What Messianic Jews believe, do

At times, people have asked what a Messianic Congregation is and what we believe. First of all, we are not gentile Christianity in disguise. Not everyone who considers himself a "Messianic Jew" is. For instance, there Jewish people who consider themselves Messianic but theologically they are mainstream Baptist or other Christian denominations. They would be "Hebrew Christian" in truth.

There is a familiar one in the Dallas area who is an ordained Baptist and much of what he teaches is Baptist doctrine. Many who attned his congregation are gentile Protestants and that is where much of his support comes from. His staff ans assistants are gentiles and trained in mainstream seminaries. What follows is a basic list of certain beliefs that will identify a true Messianic congregation and will help you in trying to sort out where you may be. Messianics will include Jew and Gentiles who :

*Observe traditional Jewish holidays such as Purim, Chanukah and Christians do not.

*Observe the biblical feasts such as Rosh Ha Shanah, Sukkot, Passover, Unleavened Bread, Shavuot, Yom Kippur.

*Do not observe Christian holidays borrowed from paganism such as Christmas, Lent and Easter.

*Worship on the biblical Sabbath (Friday evening to Saturday evening, not Sunday.

*Sabbath services will include the singing of the Shema, and other traditional Jewish blessings and prayers the most Christians have never seen nor heard of, including the KIddush, Alenu, Mourners Kaddish and the Aaronic blessing. The Torah blessings are sung also.

Teaching is done from the weekly Torah portion called a Sidrah, with teaching from a corresponding portion from the Nevi'im (prophets), with references to applicable portions from the Brit Chadasha(New Testament).

*The special relationship between G-d and the Jewish people is taught, whereas Catholicism and Protestantism only mention it in passing.

*Jewish traditions are observed only if they do not conflict with the Bible.

*Emphasize that the Torah commandments are still in effect, whereas Christianity claims that "Jesus" ended the Torah and one is "free" from their observance. However, most churches still teach the Ten Commandments but ignore keeping the Sabbath and all practice some sort of idolatry such as graven images (statues, Nativity scenes, pictures of what they think G-d looks like.), pagan holidays and customs. While saying that the "law has been done away", they still teach tithing to get money.

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs are still done while Christians do not.
*Messianic Jews wrote the New Testament, Christians did not. They have come along along later and perverted the meanings around their incorrect doctrines.

Next week, we will continue with some other issues which will help you identify what the difference is between a Messianic Congregation and one that wants to portray itself as one, which in reality is only a church in disguise. This is meant to cause you to think about these things and to help you make the right choice in your walk to find the truth and and to find the L-rd. Now, go and study!