Which is harder; converting to Jesus' religion of Judaism, or to Christianity?

Question

Since Jesus was Jewish, as well as ALL the Apostles; why do Christians think their religion is the right one?

Answer 1

You are right. Jesus and all his apostles were Jewish. According to Christians, Jesus was the prophesied messiah (Christ - annointed one). Jews do not accept that Jesus was the messiah and they still await the messiah (moshiach).
http://www.jewfaq.org/moshiach.htm

Christians think that their religion is the right one because of the doctrine of Jesus who taught forgiveness as well as repentance and the belief that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies. All religions have laws and rituals but only Jesus taught forgiveness....
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
http://www.blueletterbible.org

Converting to Judaism is more difficult than converting to Christianity. Some answerers commented that a person must have a Jewish mother to become a Jew. In order for a person to be considered Jewish by birth, the mother must be Jewish. Jews do accept converts and the mother does not have to be Jewish for a person to convert to Judaism.

Jews recognize 613 (mitzvot) commandments as written in the Bible.
http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm
It is also important for a Jew to learn Hebrew and study the torah. Judaism places a high value on education both spiritual and secular.
http://www.artscroll.com/
One person commented that Jews do not teach repentance. This is incorrect. Teshuva is the word for repentance and it is an important aspect of Judaism.
http://rabbi.bendory.com/cgi-bin/lectures/teshuva

It is possible to convert to Christianity by being "born again"
according to some churches
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_again
. This means to accept Jesus as the savior for your sins (because he died on the cross as a sacrifice) who will intercede for you on Judgment Day. The idea of being "born again" carries with it the soteriological idea that a Christian is a "new creation," given a fresh start by the action of God, freed from a sinful past life and able to begin a "new life" in relationship with Christ via the Holy Spirit.

All churches require Baptism (being immersed or sprinkled with water). Then prayer, confession of sins and taking "comunion" (bread and wine) in remembrance of Jesus sacrifice are essential.

Because Jesus was Jewish, some Christians spend time learning about the Jewish/Hebraic roots of Christianity.
http://www.hatikva.org/
http://returntofaithofjesus.netfirms.com/
http://www.haydid.org/articles.htm
http://www.hebroots.org/
http://www.wildolive.co.uk/

There is a compromise for Christians to become a B'nei Noach (Noahide) following the sheva mitzvot (7 laws) of Noah. The Gentile is considered to be "ger toshav" a partial convert.
http://www.bnainoah.net/
http://www.bnti.us/
http://judaism.about.com/library/3_askrabbi_c/bl_noahide.htm
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/ideas_belief/Jews_NonJews/NJ_Legal_TO/NJ_Noahide_Jeff.htm
http://www.jlaw.com/Articles/noach2.html
.
.

Answer 2

To get the right perspective Jesus was born into the Jewish faith but when he became an adult he criticized the Jewish religious leaders for the hypocrisy Jesus started the CHRISTIAN religion and all his Apostles although born Jewish were CHRISTIANS because Jesus told the Jews that he had fulfilled the mosaic law covenant and instituted a new one as most of the Jews had rejected him see Matt 23:37-39 then the Apostles asked him in the next chapter when these things would occur and Jesus gave them 39 signs some for their day and many for our day hope this helps gorbalizer

Answer 3

Of course you can convert, people don't like that its a hard religion to convert to. Very long, slow process, and that is respectable, because the idea is that only the sincere will go through all that to become a Jew. I was Christian, researched Judaism along with other faiths, but eventually accepted Islam. Islam and Christianity are perhaps the easiest 2 to convert to. Both just require a simple declaration of faith. For Islam, that is : I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his slave and messenger. Also say it in Arabic: Ashadu anla illaha illAllah, wa ashadu anna Muhammadan abdur wa rasuul lullah.

Answer 4

As for me, I am a Christian, but for me Christian means to be Christ Like, I don't really considered it to be a religion. Jesus was Jewish, he did not abolish the OT law, he fulfilled it. Having said that, he didn't say to not follow the laws, he tells us that they are still commanded until the end. The difference for me, is that Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and makes it possible to come to God for forgiveness. Of course, my explanation of this would go much deeper, I won't go on here. I don't think anyone can say they are the right religion, as God knows the true hearts of all, and judgment is reserved for him alone.

Answer 5

Jesus was never into Judaism, He was not a Pharisee, a Saducee, an Essene ora Zealot. He started His own teaching which has become known as Christianity. He was Jewish but followed the law of the OT not Judaistic teaching. He said to the Judaistic Jews, "With your traditions you nullify the Law of God.

Answer 6

Actually your premise is wrong. Christianity was a Jewish sect during the time of the apostles. They worshiped in the synagogue side by side with their Jewish brothers.

I've seen it go both ways actually. I've seen entire congregations revert to Judaism and I've seen entire synagogues convert to Christianity. I'd much rather see the latter as I am very concerned for my brothers who having once known the messiah have turned their back on Him and denied him. Pray for them as I do.

Shalom Alechem

It is obvious much of you know very little about Judaism. For once I would agree with the atheist, don't state as fact what you do not know. There is essentially one difference between the two religions, Yashua. That is aside from your insistance on a triune God and your keeping of pagan days instead of Gods days, The days your saviour kept.

Answer 7

God runs a common theme about how to serve Him, for each dispensation (time periods - I believe there were seven?! don't quote me). These are: 1. Faith 2. Obedience 3. Shedding of Blood. In Moses time, the Jews were required to complete this within their Tabernacle, ending with the sacrifice of a spotless lamb (shedding blood). This is still occurring today with Talmud Jews. Gentiles were given salvation through the shedding of Jesus' blood. Hence, the only requirements for Gentiles, like ourselves to receive God's covenant in the present dispensation (called dispensation of Grace) is by Faith and Obedience to His Law alone (Repentance and baptism of the Holy Spirit and in water). I would choose the Gentile route over the Jewish rituals to receive God's promise of salvation, wouldn't you? This doesn't mean the Jewish method is wrong (get same result = salvation) but the Gentile process is easier and does not require rituals.

Answer 8

You basically need to be born Jewish to be a Jew (or very rich and popular, then they can hagel a bit.)

Christians will accept anybody.

Edit:
Pay attention to what Edward said.
I have been there and know that what he is saying is true.
If you marry a Jewish woman your children are Jewish because she is Jewish, but because their father is a Gentile they are counted as bastards and can not be buried or married in Israel. If you were just shacked up[ and you never put your name on the birth certificate], it is considered as if the father was unknown, then they are considered legitimate Jewish children.
I am not speaking hate. just saying what is true.
Go ask a conservative Rabbi if you doubt.

Edit#2 Old guy is talking through his hat again.

Answer 9

It's harder to convert to Judaism,you just can't convert.Your mother has to be Jewish.

A lot of people think their religion is the right one,it's totally normal.but I don't like when they go around telling other it's the right one.

Answer 10

Because Jesus taught against Judaism and said that he was the "I AM" of the old testament...in other words, the Jewish GOD. I think the new testament proves enough that Christ denied the Jewish faith and set himself apart from it. Jew by birth but not by faith. It is harder to convert to Judaism. And you can take that to the bank!