Messianic Judaism is a movement that combines elements of Judaism with faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Adherents of Messianic Judaism identify as Jewish and observe Jewish traditions and holidays, while also believing that Jesus is the promised Jewish Messiah. The term “Messianic Judaism” came into use in the 1960s, but the movement has roots going back to the early days of Christianity.
Some key beliefs and practices of Messianic Judaism include:
- Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) is the Messiah promised in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament.
- The belief that Jesus is the divine Son of God who atoned for human sin through his death and resurrection.
- The Bible is the inspired Word of God, including both the Hebrew scriptures and the New Testament.
- Salvation is achieved through faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.
- The continued importance of the Law of Moses and Jewish traditions, customs and holidays.
- The use of Hebrew names and terms for Jesus, God and other theological concepts.
- Meeting together in congregations called synagogues.
- Immersion baptism of new believers.
Messianic Jews seek to maintain their Jewish identity and heritage while believing Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. This sets them apart from mainstream Judaism, which rejects Jesus as Messiah, as well as from mainstream Christianity, which early on severed its ties to Judaism. Messianic Jews see themselves as part of the larger Body of Christ while retaining a distinctive Jewish lifestyle.
The roots of Messianic Judaism reach back to the time of Jesus and the apostles. All of the earliest followers of Jesus were Jews. The apostle Paul spoke of the importance of reaching Jewish people with the gospel while not requiring them to abandon their Jewish identity and practices (1 Corinthians 9:20). Messianic Jewish congregations existed in the early centuries AD but dwindled as Christianity separated from Judaism.
In the 19th century, some Jewish people began accepting Jesus as Messiah while desiring to remain culturally and religiously Jewish. The Hebrew Christian movement promoted this combination of Jewish identity and Jesus faith. The Havurah of Jerusalem, formed in 1967, was one of the first modern congregations to call itself Messianic Jewish.
Today there are an estimated 350,000 to 500,000 Messianic Jews worldwide, with over 200 Messianic congregations just in Israel. Jews for Jesus, founded in 1973, is one of the most well-known Messianic Jewish organizations. While still small compared to Christianity and Judaism overall, Messianic Judaism continues to grow.
Those from Jewish backgrounds are usually the ones who identify as Messianic Jews. However, some from non-Jewish backgrounds join Messianic congregations to identify with the Jewish roots of their faith. Intermarriage between Jews and Gentiles is common in Messianic Judaism, similar to the early church (Ephesians 2:14-15).
Messianic Jews acknowledge Jesus as the divine Jewish Messiah based on several lines of evidence:
- Old Testament prophecies they believe point to Jesus as the Messiah, including Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Micah 5:2 and Genesis 3:15.
- Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecies regarding the Messiah’s life, ministry, death and resurrection as recorded in the New Testament.
- Jesus’ direct claim to be the Messiah, as seen in passages like John 4:25-26.
- The belief that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of Jewish sacrificial laws and holidays.
- The resurrection of Jesus as divine confirmation of His Messianic identity.
- The testimony of the early Jewish believers recorded in the New Testament who accepted Jesus as Messiah.
At the same time, Messianic Jews continue to identify as Jewish and to practice Judaism based on several theological factors:
- God’s ongoing covenant with the Jewish people (Romans 11:1-2).
- The Jewish identity of Jesus and His original followers.
- The Jewish authors and audience of the New Testament.
- Passages affirming the continued distinction between Jews and Gentiles, like Romans 3:1-2.
- The essential continuity between the Old and New Testaments.
- The strong links between Jewish feasts and the redemptive work of Jesus.
Thus Messianic Jews see faith in Jesus and continued participation in the Jewish community as fully compatible.
Messianic Jews worship on the Sabbath (Friday evenings or Saturdays) rather than Sunday. Their services blend Jewish traditions, liturgy and Hebrew language with New Testament practices like communion and baptism. Music incorporates Hebrew songs of praise as well as Messianic Jewish variations of contemporary worship music.
The two focal points of Shabbat services in Messianic congregations are:
- Exalting Yeshua (Jesus) through song, dance and sharing testimonies of His work in people’s lives.
- Teaching from the Torah and New Testament Scripture.
Observance of the Jewish feasts and holidays is an important part of Messianic Judaism. The spring feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits all relate to the death and resurrection of Jesus as the Passover Lamb. Shavuot or Pentecost commemorates the giving of the Law at Sinai and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on believers. The fall feasts look ahead to the Second Coming of Christ.
Messianic Jews see tremendous significance in these appointed festivals, both in terms of their historical meaning and prophetic fulfilment in Yeshua. At the same time, observance of these festivals follows Jewish customs regarding food, ritual and celebration.
Beyond weekly worship services, Messianic Jewish congregations provide instruction for children, youth groups, celebrations of life cycle events, and outreach to the Jewish community. Ordained Rabbis provide spiritual leadership and pastoral care. Messianic Jews also participate in conferences, camps and missions work as ways to connect with the wider Messianic movement.
Despite sharing common beliefs about Jesus, there is diversity within Messianic Judaism when it comes to exact observance of the Law of Moses and Jewish tradition. Here are several branches or groups:
- Traditional Messianic Jews – Place strong emphasis on Torah observance similar to Orthodox Judaism. Keep kashrut dietary laws, Sabbaths, feasts, circumcision, etc.
- Evangelical Messianic Jews – Less strict adherence to Torah commandments. More open to non-Jewish influences in worship style and inclusion of Gentiles.
- Hebrew Christians – Emphasize Jewish identity but minimal Torah observance. Closest to mainstream evangelical Christianity.
- Jewish Christians – Do not necessarily self-identify as Messianic Jews. Christian converts from Judaism who retain some elements of Jewish practice.
In general, Messianic Jews have an integrated identity, bringing together the truths they see in both Judaism and Christianity. But the degree to which Jewish identity is emphasized versus Christian (or Messianic) identity can vary.
Here are some important facts to understand regarding how Messianic Judaism relates to mainstream Judaism and Christianity:
- Messianic Jewish belief in Jesus as Divine Messiah and God’s Son puts it at odds with traditional Rabbinic Judaism. Mainstream Jews consider belief in Jesus incompatible with Judaism.
- Likewise, while affirming its Jewish roots, Messianic Judaism diverges from mainstream Christianity in practices like keeping kosher, Sabbath and Torah observance.
- Messianic Jews believe that Jesus fulfills the Messianic prophecies of the Hebrew Bible. Christianity agrees, while Judaism disputes this claim.
- Christian denominations vary in their stances toward Messianic Judaism, ranging from support to opposition. Some see it as divisive or misleading.
- Messianic Jews consider their movement a fuller expression of God’s intended relationship between biblical Judaism and Christianity.
In summary, Messianic Judaism occupies a middle ground theologically between Christianity and Judaism. This contributes to it being critiqued from both sides even while drawing people from Jewish and Christian backgrounds.
Messianic Jews face criticism and even persecution for their beliefs at times. Here are some key objections raised against Messianic Judaism from both Jews and Christians:
- From Judaism – Claiming Jesus is the Messiah violates core tenets of Jewish theology. Keeping aspects of Mosaic Law seen as fulfilled by Jesus’ work.
- From Christianity – Emphasis on following Torah commandments undermines Christian freedom from the Law. Potential confusion from Jewish identity.
- From both – Incorporating traditions and worship practices from both religious traditions is inconsistent or contradictory.
In response, Messianic Jews say they are trying to recover a theological and cultural continuity between Judaism and Jewish Christianity that was lost long ago. They see Jesus and the New Covenant as rightly belonging within Judaism, not opposed to it.
Messianic Judaism faces an uncertain future as a relatively small movement with critics on several fronts. However, it fills an important niche for those who wish to embrace Jesus while retaining their Jewish identity and heritage. Time will tell whether the movement continues growing. In the meantime, Messianic Jews remain passionate about showing the unity they see between the Old and New Testament revelation centered on Yeshua as Israel’s Messiah.