Jewish Christians-- are there any here on RR?

[AllieCat0817]

Please forgive me if this is the incorrect forum for this, or if these questions sound ignorant. My questions are sincere and I am seeking knowledge and understanding. I am sorry if I offend anyone (I hope I don't!!!).

*Is anyone here Jewish who has become Christian?
*If so:
----------How has your family received this, as well as Jewish peers?
----------What is your testimony? How did you come to receive Christ as Messiah?
*Is being Jewish a faith or an ethnicity? Or is the ethnicity Hebrew, and the faith Jewish?

I ask these questions because I read alot of posts here where Hebrew terms are used, such as Elohim for God, and Yeshua for Jesus. I like using Yeshua, I find myself saying it alot lately.

*For those of you that are not Jewish but use these Hebrew terms, why do you use Hebrew?
*Where did you learn about using Hebrew?

I know that alot of Christians feel a closeness to Judaism since it is the foundation of Christianity (Jesus was Jewish himself).

But do Jewish people feel the same way about Christianity- that it is closely tied? I am thinking they do not?

I also see on Christine (Admin)'s signature that she says this is an Israel friendly site. Indeed Israel is the Holy Land and it was chosen by God. Anyone care to expand on the 'Israel friendly' term? Christine, anyone?

Just curious. I appreciate all responses, thank you!!!

[antsinmypants]

*For those of you that are not Jewish but use these Hebrew terms, why do you use Hebrew?
*Where did you learn about using Hebrew?


Due to some discussions I've had with people about my family's past, and their names and their name change/hiding how they live and where they lived in missouri, I've come to the realization I have Hebrew roots. My father disagrees, but all signs point to go, from the names, location living at, way they embraced being american, and the time that they immigrated from Germany.

I am Messianic, and Have been for two years now. I came to the realization I was missing a TON of stuff the bible was talking about while in the "church system", from passover to the feasts, which are things the "early church" was doing, until just before the time of Constantine. People were still keeping the Sabbath and meeting in Synogogues until the Bar Kochba revolt, and the only contention we had really surrounding congregations after that time, was when to celebrate Passover, and there was a split from the nations and those who were Hebrews, in that some felt it should be easter, and everyone else said "no, Passover, as always it has been".

I have come to the realization that everything in the bible is Hebraic in nature, and that we weren't meant to be an off-shoot of Judaism, but accepting the Faith of our forefathers, shunning the extra-biblical teachings whererever possible to follow only the biblical and Messiah Y'shua in all things.

I am learning Hebrew here and there, where I can and in Bible study and in services at my congregation. I've been unable to sit still long enough at night to attend to my computer lessons learning Hebrew (or German for that matter), so I've been kind of lax in it the last 6+ months.

I've known about the Messianic movement for some time, but I never quite understood it in depth until a few years ago, and I felt G-d leading me here, and here I am. :):

My fiance is actually Jewish. He was raised Catholic/non practising after confirmation.. He came to believe in Y'shua back in 2000. Since then, we have both moved towards this, and are very comfortable in our faith and our skin -- in keeping the feasts (including Sabbath) and ministering to everyone that we can that we meet that is not a believing Jew.

I feel very very very strongly for my Israeli, and Jewish brothers and sisters who have not yet found salvation in Y'shua (which is what His name means), and I do my best to support charities that help in Israel and minister to their physical, medical and spiritual needs.

I have been places where such terrible things has happened, and even here and now, i am moved to tears because of them, because it was done at the hands of people professing to know Messiah... people who said that my brothers and sisters (even if by marriage only) were scum of the earth, not G-d's people, and replaced by "the church".

:(:

I've been to a holocaust type museum in Worms, Germany and almost had to be carried out at one point, I was crying so much. Knowing how many died, and again, how many lived.. and how many lost into the pits of hell, is just something that is too moving for me.... and seeing G-d's word desicrated, burnt, stomped and marred by defication; angers me so much- because if it were not for (as the bible says) "those who hold the oracles of G-d", we wouldn't have G-d's word today.

(I'm sorry, I'm already crying here explaining. :cry )

I feel like we miss so much by not knowing our roots, and by not being able to explain Messiah in a tangible way to our brothers and sisters who are not believers, in a way that they will realise how Y'shua really was, and not what they've been shown and told for so many thousands of years.

There are many things I wish to say, and don't have time for in one post, but it is a very moving experience when you have met and personally known people who have made it out of many tragedies and still do not quite grasp G-d, or are so jaded because of their experiences, and all you want to do is just go and hug their necks and make it all right for them.

It just really breaks my heart because there are so few missions that focus on ways to evangelize and not "shake" their world so much that it seems the same way (to them) that they were done during the Crusades or Nazi/Pogrom years of Europe and Russian territories... and the missions that there are that help are usually ignored for bigger ministry areas with higher turn out in other places(atleast where I've been before). :(:

Also, groups like the PCUSA also do not help those of us representing Messiah to present our faith either, as they claim that Israel isn't really Israel, and G-d's people really aren't G-d's people.
I mean, really, how hard is it to read one's bible and see that statment just isn't true? :doh


Anyway, I know Christine, KevCornette, There and a few others could probably answer you better than I could at this point (still sniffling and stuff :): ) -- But the "Israel Friendly" means that we recognize that Israel is still and always is G-d's land, and no one else's and that any Hebrew is still the descendant of Avraham, and the hopeful prayer that all of Israel will be saved, rather than lost.

:):

[AllieCat0817]

Thank you for your response. Yes it was your posts that are one of the ones that sparked my question.

[Ladybug]

KevCornette is a Messianic Jew, also. :thumb

[cenimo]

antsinmypants

Excellent post and testimony and thanks for the information. You had posted something somewhere else on the board and because of the rwording I was going to ask you if you were Messianic.
If you'd like sometimt to describe a Messianic service (? proper name) or just general info. I'm sure there are quite a few of us here that would be all ears.

[GloryBound]

There are quite a few Messianic Jews on this site. Others of us are like Ants in the way that our ancestors most likely converted and kept their Jewish roots a secret, then the hard evidence was destroyed during the holocaust or other previous terrible persecutions. So I never will really know, and have to consider myself legally a gentile until Jesus comes. But the circumstantial evidence is strong in my family, in fact, is almost identical to that of a friend of mine whose family did NOT hide their roots and has kept their Jewish identity to this day.

I still attend a church in the denomination I was raised in, but visit the local messianic synagogue occasionally. I was actually raised as a minority in a Jewish neighborhood, so I prefer the music and am very comfortable with that culture.

Most of my family is OK with our probable heritage. My dad was so excited he could hardly stand it. He didn't understand when he told one relative and got the icy treatment, but learned firsthand that not everyone loves a Jew. My sister has always been partial to the culture and holidays, as I have, even before learning that it is in her blood. My nephew took a little time to get used to the idea, but now is now trying to figure out how we can get the proof. I don't think it's possible, but if it is, he will find the way.

People, even Christians, don't understand why we would open ourselves to criticism and even persecution by saying we might be Jewish when we don't have to. But it's in our blood (probably), we were raised in the culture, and it's a part of the way we think. I've even had people ask me many times if I'm Jewish when I had never said anything even to hint at it. It's so much a part of me I don't think I could hide it if I wanted to.

[AllieCat0817]

Thanks again for the responses. Bump in case anyone else wants to respond??

[pilgrimian]

I'm not a Messianic Jew...but certainly do attend a Messianic Jewish Congregation (Ben David in Orange, CA (http://www.bendavidmjc.org)). I'm one of the Gentiles among the group, though my mother had Jewish family way, way back in Poland (1860's). Biblically I'm not Jewish because my father is not Jewish. God loves me anyhow :): It fascinates me (not arrogantly saying that either), though, to know that my lineage goes back to Jacob...even though I'm not technically Jewish.

The Messianic Jewish Congregation I attend is SUCH a blessing. God is so good.

Shalom,
Matthew

[blitzkreig]

It fascinates me (not arrogantly saying that either), though, to know that my lineage goes back to Jacob...even though I'm not technically Jewish. The Messianic Jewish Congregation I attend is SUCH a blessing. God is so good. Shalom, Matthew I am blood related to Matthew here through Noah ... ;):

But we are brothers in Christ :thumb

[MercyMe]

I'm not a Messianic Jew...but certainly do attend a Messianic Jewish Congregation (Ben David in Orange, CA (http://www.bendavidmjc.org)). I'm one of the Gentiles among the group, though my mother had Jewish family way, way back in Poland (1860's). Biblically I'm not Jewish because my father is not Jewish. God loves me anyhow :): It fascinates me (not arrogantly saying that either), though, to know that my lineage goes back to Jacob...even though I'm not technically Jewish.

The Messianic Jewish Congregation I attend is SUCH a blessing. God is so good.

Shalom,
Matthew


For some reason I thought a persons jewishness was determined through their mothers line?

:confused

[GloryBound]

That's true - by current rabbinical rules. But that's not biblically accurate. Every geneological list in the bible is male. Ruth and Rahab were gentiles who married Jewish husbands. Joseph had an Egyptian wife, and his children were Jews. I can't think of one gentile male with a Jewish wife whose children made it into any biblical geneological list.

But for now the rules stand.

Oh, and there is the little fact that the Cohen (priest) gene is on the Y (male) chromosome. That has cause a little stir in the Jewish community, since it violates what they have been teaching for a long time.

[blitzkreig]

But for now the rules stand. But for now the "rules" don't mean much...Rom 10:12-13
(12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
(13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Col 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Read Romans 3 for the explanation...

[pilgrimian]

I am blood related to Matthew here through Noah ... ;):

But we are brothers in Christ :thumb

You betcha! That's why I said "not arrogantly." Yeah, it's pretty awesome to know we all go back to Noah...and back to Adam from there. Pretty darn cool.

For some reason I thought a persons jewishness was determined through their mothers line?

:confused

Look at the boy in Leviticus 24:

10 And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel; and the son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp: and the son of the Israelitish woman blasphemed the Name, and cursed; and they brought him unto Moses. And his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.

The boy is never considered an Israelite.

Timothy, too, is an example of this. His mother was Jewish...but his father Greek. Because of the rape that occured during the Middle Ages, Rabbinic Judaism turned from the Scriptural model.

We must remember that Biblical Judaism and Rabbinic Judaism are NOT the same. Then mix in "Messianic Judaism" to the mix, and we'll confuse a whole bunch of folks! Messianic Judaism, of course, is basically Biblical Judaism.

Godspeed,
Matthew

[blitzkreig]

You betcha! That's why I said "not arrogantly." Yeah, it's pretty awesome to know we all go back to Noah...and back to Adam from there. Pretty darn cool. I need to meet you by the East Gate in Heaven as soon as we get there... :heh

[pilgrimian]

I need to meet you by the East Gate in Heaven as soon as we get there... :heh

Sounds like a good plan. I'm looking forward to it, brother!!!

[blitzkreig]

My plan is to only meet a few Friends and Family over by the East Gate as it is going to be so very busy there !!!

... an then we are all going to move over and congregate by the West Gate where my whole Family is planning to meet where it isn't so busy.

We hope to arrange a (small) celebration feast and then after that join the rest.

I can't guess how many my brothers and sisters have invited... but I ask that you ... personally... invite all you can to drown them out... :pound

[Knight of Faith]

Oh, and there is the little fact that the Cohen (priest) gene is on the Y (male) chromosome. That has cause a little stir in the Jewish community, since it violates what they have been teaching for a long time.
What is a "priest gene"?
I have never heard of that.

[antsinmypants]

What is a "priest gene"?
I have never heard of that.


All those who are descended from Aaron the preist (cohen), has a certain gene that they can trace back to Aaron, back to His father, back to Jacob and back to Abraham. None of the other Hebrews have it. it is particular to the Levi's/Cohens. :):

[mrshoward]

Okay, a stupid Gentile question here---I thought Jewish "records" of who was in what tribe were lost over the past 2000 years---for example, do any of you Messianic Jews know which tribe you are from?

Maybe it's becuase I was born and raised in California, but I've never heard anyone speak badly of Jews, although I know there are people in the world who hate them---but I was taught in church from childhood that the Jews are the apple of God's eye! And socially I haven't ever heard anything negatively said about Jews. Makes me sad to think it's different in other parts o fhte country/world.

[antsinmypants]

Okay, a stupid Gentile question here---I thought Jewish "records" of who was in what tribe were lost over the past 2000 years---for example, do any of you Messianic Jews know which tribe you are from?


Not quite. Not all records are lost, though some are.

There are people here in Birmingham that can say truthfully that they are Levi/Cohens. Last names are usually also indicitive of tribe, though not always.

I know of a few that are Judah exclusively, and their last names also reflect that.

There are great records in Russia and the former USSR and in Germany. Believe me, the Germans had TONS of records to go on in Austria, Switzerland, Yugoslavia, and the Chech republic. They aren't just in Synogogue records, but church records and also in state archives.

Not always are tribes listed.. many have forgotten.. but one can definitely trace their family if interested in that kind of deal, provided that their family name has not been changed.

While I was in the Frankfurt, Speyer, Worms area of Germany I went to the Rashi museum in Worms. Not far away from the old synogogue is the Jewish cemetery. There are different indications of which house the people were from, and which tribe. Issachar and Naphtali were present, and their "guide to the cemetery" in various languages also gave some details with a basic "ask us for more info" kind of wording.

Many people don't know, because they became secularized, and didn't care for their faith or were so persecuted they gave up their faith or history. This is not uncommon actually, and it is told in prophesy.


And socially I haven't ever heard anything negatively said about Jews. Makes me sad to think it's different in other parts o fhte country/world


You are one of the lucky few. It's nearly every day I hear something that just makes you want to stop and do something, if only able to. If only able to ease one cry for help, pain, cold...

There's only so much one can do from here, where there is persecution "over there".

Not always is it "over there" but also in our backyards. I have to be careful at times and be very aware of who I am around and what I say and do.

The Klan isn't just a myth, and it's not very open anymore... nor are other terrorist organizations, or people who just want to do something/anything to harm anyone they perceive as Jewish or sympathetic to the "Jewish cause".

I have written letters to decry actions and ask "what are you going to do" to people in authority, and I pray, and do what I can from here to help organizations that are getting people food and medication where needed, as I can.

It's not just a past action either.. it's in the present, and sometimes also in our speech, how we put things, or what some churches teach (replacement theology/ Israel's done away with/Those Jews aren't really Jews.. but fakers..).

It will only get worse as the time of Jacob's Trouble intensifies.