THE TRUTH IN PRINT, September 2001

A Publication of the Valley Church of Christ,

Yuma, AZ. Vol.7, Issue 8

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MESSIANIC JEWISH CHURCHES

By Bob Lovelace

There is a movement afoot referred to as “Messianic Judaism.” Perhaps its most distinguishing characteristic is that those who are part of this movement are Jews who profess belief that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Messiah! From what I’ve seen those involved gladly prove Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah by quoting such passages as Isa. 9:6-7, Micah 5:2 concerning His birthplace, and Zecharaiah 9:9 concerning His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. They explain Daniel 9:24-26 correctly by showing that the Messiah would be cut off before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Also, they show a great affinity to Israel as a nation and concern for its well being.

One source of information about this movement is The Messianic Times, published in Jerusalem as the world’s only international Messianic Jewish Newspaper. In the Messianic Times statement of faith (not necessarily someone else’s) I found: “We believe in the deity of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of God the Father, and in His personal return to power and glory. That Yeshua is both Mashiach Ben Yosef (suffering servant -first coming) and Mashiach Ben David (ruling King- when He soon returns). “

Having read some of the material presented in The Messianic Times, Vol. 11, Number 2, Published in Jerusalem, Summer 2001 - Jewish Year 5761, I am compelled to critique this in the same way I would any denomination I believe to be in error.

THE USE OF THE TITLE "RABBI"

I noticed immediately in the Messianic Times the use of this title by certain authors. What did the Messiah, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, say about such? Answer: Matthew 23:8-10,

“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. [9] And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. [10] Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.”

A “JEWISH" VERSION OF THE SINNER'S PRAYER

Most in denominations use what has come to be generally referred to as the “Sinner’s Prayer” for salvation. Here is the one I noticed connected with this movement:

“If you would like to know God personally, just say this prayer:

Dear God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

I understand that every man and woman born since the time of Adam and Eve has sinned,including me. I understand that I have sin and that’s what separates me from You.

I also believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Messiah, and that You sent Him to die so that all of my sins could be taken away. Right now I ask You Lord, to take away all of my sins, and I accept Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah as my personal Savior. I believe that Yeshua is living today and I want Him to live inside of me.

Lord, God of Israel, I thank You that You want to have a personal relationship with me, and right now I want to receive You fully into my life. I want You to fill me with Your Spirit, so that I can be born again, and so that You will make me the person that You want me to be. Amen!”

Added is: “If you have said this prayer to receive Him for the first time - call, write, or e-mail us at The Messianic Times (see pg. 4) so that we can pray with you and direct you to a Messianic congregation in your area.”

Out of concern for lost souls I would warn anyone interested in salvation “in Christ” that saying a “prayer” to receive God and salvation from our past sins is not taught in the New Testament (read Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 8:26-40; 16:15; 18:8; 22:16). The simple message of the Bible is hear (Rom. 10:14; Mark 16:15), believe (Mark 16:16), repent (Acts 2:38), confess Jesus’ deity (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:37), and obey the command to be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8: 36-39; 22:16). Rather than consisting of what God commands all men to do to be saved, the emphasis in prayers “like” this is more God you do what “I” want you to do for me. What did the Messiah say that men must do to be saved? Just prior to His ascension He gave this commission to His apostles: Mark 16:15-16,

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

This is what Peter preached on Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2:38. Individuals seeking salvation were not instructed to say a prayer, but rather to repent and be baptized (an immersion in water) for the remission of their sins. (Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:35-39.)

MESSIANIC DANCE

Being brief here, I found references and a picture of what was referred to as Hebrew dance (also called Davidic or Messianic dance). One picture showed a dance line during worship at a Budapest Messianic congregation. I noticed that various congregations list instruction in this kind of dance. The items I find for the worship of Christ’s churches under the New Covenant do not include Davidic Dance. Upon inquiry I was told when calling one church that they did offer the Lord’s Supper usually once per month, but that they also tried to interest Jews in Christ by offering both Old Testament and New Testament items.

However, in the New Testament you find both Jews and Gentiles worshipping together according to the New Testament patterns laid down by the Apostles (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:20-34; 14:23-40; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

SERVICES FRIDAY NIGHT OR SATURDAY

The directory at the back of the M. Times listed many congregations which meet for services Friday night or Saturday. (Compare the example of Acts 20:7 with the instruction in I Cor. 11:17-34.)

CHRIST'S RETURN

The general belief here appears to be that Jesus is coming back to the earth, and is to reign over the world from Jerusalem on David’s throne. I called and asked a gentleman at one church if this was what they believed and he said, “That’s easy, Yes.” OK, that is at least what he believes.

The belief that Jesus is coming back to the earth to reign over the nations from Jerusalem has been an error since the First Century. Jesus sought to correct this mistaken belief in saying He had “finished the work” God gave Him to do on the earth, John 17:4. And again in John 17:11 when He said, “And I am no more in the world.” Also in saying to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). DOES A KING KNOW WHERE HIS KINGDOM IS? It also denies the plain declaration that Jesus is King (I Tim. 6:13-16).

Several varying beliefs throughout the denominational world present little more than the concept that Jesus failed in establishing the Kingdom the first time because the Jews (for the most part) rejected Him. So, they claim, He has yet to come back and accomplish what He came to do at the first coming.

The “heart” of this contrived belief makes God’s eternal plan dependent upon what man does here! Peter preached on Pentecost that God raised up Jesus and set Him upon His throne (Acts 2:30-33). At baptism one is translated into His kingdom (Col. 1:13; for how and when see Col. 2:11-12). Jesus is “the King of kings and Lord of lords” (I Tim. 6:15).

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