messianic_judaism

What is Messianic Judaism? Is this something we should understand? Should we follow Messianic Judaism? Where did this concept originate? Where did this appellation come from?
Recently we answered a letter questioning us on the use of the name Yeshua for the Savior. Respectfully we answered the letter and posted the results in The Hawke File. Apparently, we did not answer this letter exactly as the writer intended. Consequently, we received some caustic remarks. The writer was appalled at our attitude towards Messianic Jews! Are the Messianic Jews seeking Salvation, or do they already have Salvation?

Because if you confess that Yahshua is Sovereign with your mouth, and believe in your heart that Yahweh raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.
For the Scripture says, "Everyone believing on Him will not be put to shame." [Isa. 28:16]
For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same Master of all is rich toward all the ones calling on Him.
For everyone, "whoever may call on the name of Yahweh will be saved." [Joel 2:32]
How then may they call on One into whom they have not believed? And how may they believe One of whom they have not heard? And how may they hear without preaching?
And how may they preach if they are not sent? Even as it has been written, "How beautiful" "the feet of those preaching the gospel of peace, of those preaching the gospel of good things." [Isa. 52:7] Romans 10:9-15

"Behold, "your house is left to you desolate." [Jer. 22:5]
For I say to you, In no way shall you see Me from now on, until you say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of Yahweh." [Psa. 118:26] Matthew 23:38-39

Several passages came to mind upon receiving this letter. One of the first was Yahshua's statement in Mark 12:24

Yahshua said unto them, "Is it not for this cause that you err, that you know not the scriptures..."

How do you tell someone that their Scriptural intellect is lacking? We try to be kind here at Truth On The Net, but sometimes a no-nonsense assessment and reply becomes necessary!

We take great precautions in being absolutely correct concerning the names Of Yahweh and Yahshua. This web site is replete with information on the true names of the Father and the Son! It is absolutely necessary to be correct concerning this teaching!

What about Messianic Judaism? What is the purpose? We remember when the Jews for JC began making the rounds. What was their purpose? Taking the name of J-s-s to the Jewish people. There was something very wrong with this idea! Can you see what that might be? How can you take the name of a Greek idol to the Jewish people and say; here is your Salvation? Perhaps they should have used the name Zeus instead? Would any good Jewish person accept a pagan idol for their salvation? I really don't think so! J-s-s is the name of the Ch--stian savior! Notice I said the Ch--stian savior? Because? This most certainly is not the Jewish Savior's name!

"And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved." Acts 4:12

And? Just what name is that? If there is only ONE NAME given to be saved in? Which one would you choose? The Greek? Or, the Jew?

"You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is of the Jews." John 4:22

Yes! Salvation is of the Jews! But? Does that mean every Jew has Salvation? Does that mean because you were born a Jew you automatically are entitled to Salvation? No! Absolutely not!!!

"Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance:
and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that Yahweh is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." Matthew 3:9-9

There is a certain criteria that must be followed to obtain Salvation! Do we have Salvation immediately when we find Messiah's Name? No! There are many things between us and the Kingdom of the Heavens!

But he that endures to the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:13

He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieves shall be condemned. Mark 16:16

Behold, one came to him and said, "Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"
He said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, Yahweh. But if you want to enter into life, keep the mitzvot."
He said to him, "Which ones?" Yahshua said, "'You shall not murder.' 'You shall not commit adultery.' 'You shall not steal.' 'You shall not offer false testimony.'
'Honor your father and mother.' And, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
The young man said to him, "All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?"
Yahshua said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions. Matthew 19:16-22

What do we lack? There is more to Salvation than meets the eye. Working on your own Salvation requires a lot of hard work. Changing from carnal to spiritual requires much change.

Why the name of Yeshua? Is this a true form of the Savior's name? Or; is this a more palatable form? If you combine the names of J-s-s and Yahshua using certain parts you can arrive at the name Yeshua! Take the JE from J-s-s and combine it with SHUA and you have this hybrid name! Yeshua has no meaning where salvation is concerned. Some will state that this form of the Savior's name is from the Aramaic! Is this true? However! This becomes a form that some Jewish people can accept! It takes away the paganism of the Greek idol and employs a Jewish term for salvation/saves! Thus the Messianic Jews can save many in this acceptable but erroneous name! But? Are they really saving anyone in the name of Yeshua? Remember how the name Jehovah came about?

The Usage of Jehovah Came From Catholicism
by Dan Corner
Yet a different piece of Watchtower literature states the same embarrassing information about the word Jehovah, but elaborates as to its Catholic origin in 1270:
By combining the vowel signs of 'Adho.nay and 'Elo.him' with the four consonants of the Tetragrammaton the pronunciations Yeho.wah' and Yehowih' were formed. The first of these provided the basis for the Latinized form "Jehova(h)." The first recorded use of this form dates from the thirteenth century C.E. Raymundus Martini, a Spanish monk of the Dominican Order, used it in his book Pugeo Fidei of the year 1270. Hebrew scholars generally favor "Yahweh" as the most likely pronunciation.(6)
Please note: Hebrew scholars generally favor "Yahweh" as the most likely pronunciation.
Bruce Metzger, who criticizes the KJV's misusage of Jehovah, gives additional information:(7)
The form "Jehovah" is of late medieval origin; it is a combination of the consonants of the Divine Name and the vowels attached to it by the Masoretes but belonging to an entirely different word .... (1) The word "Jehovah" does not accurately represent any form of the Name ever used in Hebrew. (2) The use of any proper name for the one and only G-d, as though there were other g-ds from whom the true G-d had to be distinguished, began to be discontinued in Judaism before the Chr--tian era and is inappropriate for the universal faith of the Chr--tian Ch--ch.(8)

The name of Jehovah is an erroneous form of the name of Yahweh! The name Yeshua is an erroneous form of the name Yahshua! Let's review some very relevant information! Let's obtain some background on Messianic Judaism!

Messianic Judaism is any of a group of loosely related religious movements, all claiming a connection with Judaism, and all of which consider J-s-s to have been the Messiah.

Messianic Judaism began in the 1800's, as Jewish converts to the Ch--ch of England began to organize into smaller groups. This was paralleled by a growth of missions to the Jewish people. By the 1860's, the first Messianic umbrella organization, the Hebrew Ch--stian Alliance, had been formed through the Ch--ch of England with the primary goal of evangelizing the Jewish people.

Beliefs and practice range from evangelical Ch--stianity to close to Orthodox Judaism, while accepting J-s-s to be the Messiah (and G-d) and using the New Testament as scripture. The groups range from those comprised mostly of Jews to those which are mostly gentile in membership; the majority are mixed. While the controversial group Jews for J-s-s espouses the Messianic beliefs, Jews for J-s-s is an evangelical organization, not a religion or a denomination. Its stated aims are to educate Evangelical Ch--stians concerning the Jewish origins of their Ch--stian faith, and to convert Jews to Ch--stianity.

Most Jewish converts to Ch--stianity do not consider themselves "Messianic Jews". Protestant and Catholic ch--ches may have Jewish converts among their members, but these members self-identify as Ch--stians. They also sometimes are referred to as Jewish Ch--stians, Hebrew Ch--stians, or Ch--stian Jews. The term "Messianic Jew" is used only to refer to those affiliated with organizations or congregations that claim to be specifically part of the self-described Messianic Jews movement.

Messianic Jews commonly use the name Yeshua, which may have been J-s-s' Hebrew or Aramaic name. Some Messianic Jews do not consider themselves "Ch--stians" (although by definition, they are), preferring to call themselves Messianic or "Torah-Observant" Jews. The vast majority of Jews, however, find the latter label a misnomer and highly offensive.
Wikipedia

Messianic Judaism Definition:

It has also been my understanding that Chr--tians wanted to convert Jewish people to their religion. The true religion was taken over by the Roman Catholic Ch--ch during the early centuries since Yahshua's death. I really do not totally agree with the term "Messianic Jew". Who is a Jew anyway? I think the term True Believers would be more applicable.

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh;
but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from Yahweh. Romans 2:28-29

The Jewish people must come to the understanding of exactly who the Messiah really is! Is the Messiah a concept or figment of Chr--tianity using a Greek appellation? No! The Messiah was of the tribe of Judah! He was a Jew by birth! He was King of the Jews!

The writer goes on to give us their pedigree. Stating their Jewish roots and Catholic upbringing, they claim to be saved by water baptism. What name were they baptized in? Doesn't say. Baptism alone does not save you! Being a Jew alone does not entitle you to salvation. But, does pedigree really matter? Does your ethnicity really matter?

There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for you all are one in Messiah Yahshua.
And if ye are Messiah's, then are you Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:28-29

Let's do the Math as they say. Starting from the beginning. There was Adam, there was Eve. One man, one woman. Continuing down through history as the Bible teaches it, we come to Abraham. Abraham was called a Hebrew. Yet reference to being the seed of Abraham appears many times in the Bible. The descendants of Abraham. The children of Abraham. Abraham, the friend of Yahweh! But we do not find the term, Abraham the Jew! The tribe of Judah did not make its' appearance until the time of Jacob the Patriarch. Judah was one of twelve sons. However, the tribe of Judah was selected to be the progenitor of King David and ultimately The Messiah Yahshua! Special? Yes indeed!

For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no man has given attendance at the altar.
For it is evident that our Savior has sprung out of Judah; as to which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. Hebrews 7:12-14

The tribe of Judah was selected for the change concerning the priesthood. The change from Levitical to Melchizedek was complete in Yahshua. Is this making any sense to you? So? Does it really matter which tribe you were descended from? How many are selected in Revelation chapter seven? From which tribes are they selected?
"And I heard the number of them that were sealed, a hundred and forty and four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel." Revelation 7:4
Selected for what?

And one of the elders answered, saying to me, These, the ones having been clothed in the white robes, who are they, and from where did they come?
And I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are those coming out of the great tribulation; and they washed their robes and whitened them in the blood of the Lamb.
Because of this they are before the throne of Yahweh, and serve Him day and night in His sanctuary. And He sitting on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. Revelation 7:13-15

The letter continues with " I heard the audible voice of the Heavenly Father." This instructed the writer to get in touch with their Jewish roots. What is wrong with this statement can be seen in:

The Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form. John 5:37

So! For this person to have heard the Fathers voice is in fact, impossible!

The writer continues with, "In 1991 (I) became a Messianic Rabbi." What is wrong with this statement? See for yourself!

But don't you be called 'Rabbi,' for one is your teacher, the Messiah, and all of you are brothers. Matthew 23:8

Yahshua the Messiah is our "Rabbi."

The writer continues, "However, I do take offence when you announce in a public forum that I am "seeking salvation", when I have been teaching, preaching and winning souls for the Kingdom the past 24 years."

But seek first the kingdom of Yahweh and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

That they should seek Yahweh, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. Acts 17:27

"Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36

We are all seeking to be found worthy. We want to be able to stand in His presence acquitted of all sins against us through the blood of the Lamb. Just because we use the Messiah's name does not guarantee us anything. Just because we teach in Yahshua's name, does not grant us any special recognition!

Not every one that says to me, Master, Master, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Master, Master, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by your name do many mighty works?
And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23

These knew the Master's name! These prophesied/taught in the master's name! Even casting out demon's in the master's name! But, they were workers of iniquity! They did not obey all of the laws, statutes and ordinances contained in the Holy Word! These were not in total obedience to the word of Yahweh! (Revelation 12:17 & 14:12)

The writer concludes with, "I can't help but wonder after seeing that your definition of "Messianic" is so off what else in your theology is in error."

First, we do not use the term theology for doctrinal teachings. Second... Oh! By the way? Did I tell you the writer was a woman? Does that matter? Only if you consider what she wrote!

"I have been teaching, preaching and winning souls for the Kingdom the past 24 years." She writes.

Now what is wrong with that? Consider the following passages, and you tell me!

In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment;
but (which becomes women professing holiness) through good works.
Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection.
But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness.
For Adam was first formed, then Eve;
and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman being beguiled hath fallen into transgression:
but she shall be saved through her child-bearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety. 1 Timothy 2:9-15

A woman must remain quiet in the Assembly gatherings. A woman is not allowed to teach in the Assembly! Therefore a woman "Rabbi" is not scriptural! Orthodox Synagogues do not allow women to teach from the Bimah if they are strict. The priesthood of the OT consisted of men only to minister at the altar. The people selected by Yahshua the Messiah to preach the message of Salvation were men! The Apostles were men! The 70 were men! The Apostle Paul was told to ordain Elders in every city, and these were men! No; we are not misogynists here at Truth On The Net! However, we are Bible believers!

I will end here! More to be said on Messianic Judaism. Stay with us!

Yours in Yahshua, Hawke