If you were born from a Jewish mom, celebrated the religion, but then at 15 years old, studied Christian ways.

Question

Would that make you Christian or am I still Jewish? I totally believe in the new testament, but my Jewish family doesn't even want to know who Jesus is or was!

Answer 1

You are making things more complicated than they need to be. What you believe determines what you are regarding religion. What you know determines what you base your beliefs upon. It is good to be informed. It is bad to believe something just because that's they way it's always been. Belief should be based upon knowledge. That knowledge doesn't have to be concrete like science. It just has to be good information.
There are many very well educated people who are not Christians. They know the bible better than most preachers, yet they choose to believe something else. The same can be said of other faiths/religions.
What it boils down to is, "What do you believe"?
If you accept/believe that Christ Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, and that Jesus was killed on the cross through crucifiction, and that Jesus was buried for three full days, and that Jesus raised himself from the dead after the three days, then that is a start. If you further ask Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour, accepting him and only him as your hope for the future and God of your life, then that makes you a Christian. If you don't accept Christ as your Lord, then you are not a Christian no matter how well educated you are regarding the bible.

Romans chapter 10: note versus 9, 10, 11, and 13
ROM 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

ROM 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

ROM 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

ROM 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

ROM 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

ROM 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

ROM 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

ROM 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

ROM 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

ROM 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

ROM 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

ROM 10:12 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.

ROM 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Answer 2

You are not a Christian simply by reading about Christianity. That's like saying if I read a book about being a Hindu then I become a Hindu, which isn't true at all. Jesus was considered a prophet by the Jews, so I'm surprised at the attitude of your parents. Jesus was probably the most famous Jew of all times, so if your parents are ignoring him they are ignoring Jewish history. Tell your parents you aren't going to become Christian - you just want to study what they know. And if you do totally believe in the New Testament then I suggest you read up on some history as it might open your eyes a little bit. Ask a rabbi about it too.

Answer 3

You could probably do both. Since you were born Jewish you stay a cultural Jew no matter what religion you would be in. But there's nothing wrong with still going to synagoge. The religion of Judism made Christianity possible. So a lot of the time both religions believe the same thing. Christianity is just the part with the baptism and the talk of miracles. Judism talks about the idea behind what's going on in the first place.

Answer 4

I feel so sorry for you. Your mind and heart are caught in the middle here. I would say that you are Jewish and interested in finding out about the christian faith and therefore have studied it. I for instance am Southern Baptist, a born again christian having confessed Jesus as my savior before men and being baptized by immersion as Jesus was. I made this choice based on the Bible and it's teachings. I could write a book, but will only say that in 2002 I was near death, had 2 brain surgeries and was at such peace that I know that Jesus lives and was in complete control and whatever his choice for me, was fine with me.
It is my understanding and I hope I'm wrong, that when one leaves the Jewish faith, the parents no longer claim them. That is so sad. I cannot picture that.
You must make your own choice in order to be at peace with your self and what you believe. You must keep studying, seek counseling perhaps and talk to people who you know are good God fearing Christians, so that you are comfortable with that choice. I feel you are on the right track to have asked the question that you did. May God Bless You and I'm going to say it~~~
Have a Wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year !!!!

Answer 5

You will not cease being Jewish, whatever you do, as it is your heritage. Had you been baptised, then I would describe you as a Hebrew Christian or a Messianic Christian, but so far you have made no commitment to Christianity and as you will realise from your reading of the Acts of the Apostles, belief and faith in Jesus is only the first stage and baptism must follow for you really to call yourself a Christian believer. This is such a serious step to take that you had better think through the consequences before you do it. God bless you and guide you and keep you close to Him.

Answer 6

My fifteen year-old son is sitting not 5 feet from me, playing XBOX-Live with his friends while I use his computer. He's slightly taller than me, with hair that lays in soft waves, and which really needs trimmed but he refuses a cut. He's thin, painfully so, and can't weigh more than 130 pounds. He and his friends are searching for glitches on the new Rainbow 6 game he bought yesterday, and from what I can tell they are having a wonderful time. His Easter candy is in a bowl between his feet, and his bedroom floor is littered with Starburst wrappers. He knows I'm tucking some cash into his wallet for a planned trip to Pittsburgh on Monday, and he's done nothing but talk about the clothes he wants to buy at the mall after my doctor appointment. This is what childhood should be. Playing with friends, eating candy and looking forward to a day in the city. Not beating yourself bloody and enduring crucifixion. Just reading this story makes me want to cry.

Answer 7

There is no official paperwork that makes you a certain religion. The Jews have always recognized that you are Jewish if your mother is Jewish. What would make you a Christian? It is whatever you believe. My Sister, who is Jewish, married a Catholic. The children were raised Catholic. What makes them Catholic and not Jewish? They have no piece of paper stating they are either. It is whatever they want to be. It is up to you to determine if your god cares.

Answer 8

You are a Jew until the day you die, whether you practice the religion of Judaism or not. You can "become a Christian" which is what sounds like you've done or wish to do but by Jewish law you're still a Jew, just one who doesn't practice your faith. And if you're female (sorry, didn't look at your profile first), your children are Jewish also, whether or not you or they practice Judaism.

Answer 9

Have you been baptised as a Christian? I would not lose too much sleep over this. Celebrate both. Celebrate Xmas on the 25 and celebrate your Jewish holiday on whatever day it occurs. Is your father Jewish as well?

Answer 10

If you invite Jesus into your life, that makes you a christian, a follower of Christ. But it doesn't change the fact that you are (german, italian or) Jewish unless you are referring to being Jewish as a religion. In that case, if you've accepted Jesus, you are no longer Jewish but Christian. At the same time keeping in mind that Jesus fully embraced the Jewish God, the one and only true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the god of the old testament.
Beloved child, I call your spirit to attention in the covenant-keeping name of Yahweh - the God who is the Self-existent One who has existed before the beginning of time, before anything that we can conceive. You as a child of Yahweh have the protection and the provisions of all God's resources.
I bless you with knowing the truth of the nature of Yahweh, the truth of the immensity of His love for you. I bless you with the experiencing in your spirit, not just knowing in your mind, the all-sufficiency of God. I bless you with having the eyes of your spirit open to recognize the gifts that Yahweh gives to you through different means and different people at different times. He will not always deal with you directly. He will deal with you through others, and I bless you with celebrating the freedom of the covenant as wall as the responsibilities, living in a greater level of the covenant than others around you.