Why can I not choose to be a Baptist or a Pentecostal? If I choose to become a Muslim or a Hindu would I also be a Jew for Muhammad or a Jew for Krishna respectively?
2007-03-22 06:05:31 · 25 answers · asked by Quantrill 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If you decide to follow the teachings of Christianity then you'd be a Christian.
2007-03-22 06:08:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
Actually, the proper term is a "Converted Jew" and that is only if you are a genuine descendent of the original tribe of Judah, but in modern interpretation also includes any one of the 12 original tribes of Israel. As far as being Baptist or Pentecostal goes, These are sects of the Christian church, so named for the specific parts of doctrine that they hold to be the most important parts of religious teaching. The baptists believe that baptism by water immersion is essential as a symbol outwardly to the world of your conversion to the belief that Jesus (actually Yeshua) is the messiah. The pentecostals believe that baptism in the spirit is directly evident by the gifts of the spirit that were granted on the "Day of Pentecost", spoken of in the book of Acts, Chapter 2, in the Bible. Catholicism is a different religion all together, as is Islam (though both claim history connected with Judaism). Also, Hinduism is a different religion all together.
The point is, no matter what religion you would choose to convert to, you would be a follower of that faith. This means you would be a Muslim, Hindu, Catholic, or Christian. The fact that you are a descendent of the tribe of Judah really has no bearing on this conversion except that to follow through and become a christian, you would likely be witnessing to other descendents of the tribe of Judah, proclaiming that you believe your messiah has come and only one man has fulfilled ALL the prophesies concerning him: Yeshua di Nazarat (Jesus of Nazareth). Since this applies strictly to Jewish Law, in this case, you would call yourself a "Converted Jew".
Hope this helps your understanding...
2007-03-22 06:26:37 · answer #2 · answered by Simple Man Of God 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Are you referring to being a "Jew" in the religious or culture form of the word. This whole "Jesus thing" is nothing that you "buy into" by the way. God is no respector of persons so you might as well call me an Irish-American for Jesus. I think the Jewish people have a very significant and important heritage of Christianity. I also know that Jewish people rejected Jesus.
One of my employees has a father-in-law that is a Masionic Jew. That is, he keeps that Jewish traditions of The Passover, The Sabbath, and most other Orthidox Jewish laws, but also believes in the sanctification by the blood of Jesus Christ. I don't necessarily agree with him, but all that matters is that he believes that Christ died for him, the rest is just details.
If you want to be a Christian...be a Christian. It really does not matter what denomination you choose so long as it is a judeo-Christian, Bible teaching church. Don't get wrapped up in all the details of tradition and rituals. That was Jesus' whole message to the Pharisees, "You missed the point!"
2007-03-22 06:23:08 · answer #3 · answered by RedE1 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's if you want to disavow your heritage altogether.The reason they are proud to be Jews for Jesus is because Jesus,the 12 Apostles ,Paul,(Rabbi Shaul) many Levitical priests,as well as Aaronic priests and thousands of the common folks in Israel were all Jews. They all believed Jesus fulfilled the scriptures of the coming Messiah.They understood it was one Messiah coming at two stages.First suffering and then coming back to conquer.Even His own guys had a hard time figuring that out until the resurrection.Judas never understood it and tried to force Jesus to try to take the throne on His first advent.
For some reason it is okay to practice Buddism and be a Jew or learn from a Maharishi and be a Jew.But God forbid you read the New Testament,your dad might say "Get out! You are dead to me!"Which happened to a friend of mine.
2007-03-22 06:16:37 · answer #4 · answered by AngelsFan 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, because...you are ethnically a Jew/Hebrew and if you accept Christ as savior you'd be a Jew for Jesus. Jews for Jesus is a specific Christian movement or denomination, however you want to look at it.
Of course, you can become a member of any other denomination or religion that you'd like it's up to you. No matter what religion you choose your ethnicity will not change.
**I treated this as a valid question, even though I feel the sarcasm dripping off the words**
2007-03-22 06:13:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
A Jew who believes Messiah has come is still a Jew, so yes. If you prefer to be affiliated with a Gentile denomination, that's your choice. However, most Messianic Jews worship with other Messianic Jews because Gentile services seem somewhat alien to them. For instance, I don't think my Pastor, as wonderful as he is, will begin speaking or singing in Hebrew anytime soon.......
If you became a Muslim or Hindu, you'd still be a cultural Jew. However, you are prohibited from worshipping another God, so ..... yeah, you see where I'm going, and I see where you're going.
Btw, did you know there's an organization called Jews for Allah? No kidding. I almost fell on the floor when I saw it: http://www.jews-for-allah.org/
2007-03-22 06:12:58 · answer #6 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, you would be a Jew for Jesus (Messianic Jew or Complete Jew are also used often) if you decided to continue following the law.
You can become a Baptist or a Pentacostal if you chose to leave all of Judaism behind for full coverage Christanity.
2007-03-22 06:11:32 · answer #7 · answered by noncrazed 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You can call yourself anything that you want, but the nice thing about being a Jew for Jesus, is that you can keep your Jewish heritage. The important thing about becoming a Christian is that you receive the Holy Ghost. When the Holy Ghost comes into your life, He will give you the power to become a Child of God. Only Christians will inherit eternal life.
2007-03-22 06:16:23 · answer #8 · answered by Apostle Jeff 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
"Jews for Jesus" is a Baptist campaign to convert Jews. The Jewish and Christian concepts of the Messiah are very different. To espouse a belief that Jesus was the Messiah is to embrace Christianity (which is halakhically idolatrous). A person who does so is not Jewish, but Christian.
2007-03-22 06:18:11 · answer #9 · answered by Alowishus B 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You can choose to be a Baptist if you'd like. Some people might still think you are one of those "Jews for Jesus" people.
2007-03-22 06:12:00 · answer #10 · answered by chrstnwrtr 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No one says that you have to be a "Jew for Jesus." You can decide to be Baptist or Pentecostal as you see fit. I know a couple of Jews who became Methodists.
It is also my experience that as Jews who come to Jesus for salvation, do not wish to abandon their Jewishness. Many form Messianic congregations.
There is nothing wrong with either way you go. What matters is your decision to follow Y'shua as HaMashiach.
2007-03-22 06:11:52 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋