Messianic Jews why do you think the Jewish laws apply to you when you believe in Jesus?

Question

Christians believe Jesus annulled all of the Jewish laws so why do you guys follow them, being Christians?

Are you from a real Jewish background that half converted to Christianity?

Why do you call yourself Jews?

Answer 1

I think the verse, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law of Moses or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them" is probably one of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible. There are lots of reasons why - but it basically boils down to misunderstanding the terms used.
First, the phrases, "fulfill the law" and "destroy the law" were technical terms used in rabbinic argumentation - to 'fulfill the law' was a Jewish idiom that means to "interpret correctly" and to 'destroy the law' means to 'incorrectly interpret.'
Secondly, the word translated "fulfill" is the Greek word "plerosai" - which means "to complete." What He is saying is that He came to "correctly interpret" - to complete our understanding so that we could more effectively be and do what the Law and the Prophets said we should be and do - to fulfill in such a way as to "perfect" a foundation on which to build further (and as I often say, nothings any stronger than the foundation on which it's built).
I find it rather odd (not to mention extremely contradictory) that many Christians take "I came not to destroy but to fulfill" and interpret it as "I came not to destroy, but to destroy" (annul - render obsolete - do away with - all means basically the same thing - especially in practice).
Another problem is the labeling of things BIBLICAL as Jewish. We tend to forget that it is G-d - not the Jewish people - who is the Author of the Law. We need to stop thinking of the Law as a bad thing. Law and Grace are not in competition with each other - they compliment, not compete. The Hebrew word "torah" means "teaching or instruction" - and even though it is often used in a narrow way, in a large sense, ALL of Scripture is the "torah" of G-d. Torah is a grace gift from G-d to His children - intended to be a protection and a guide. We can look at it as a "How to Love G-d and Each Other Manual." The heart of what Jeremiah terms the "new covenant" is taking what was once written in stone and writing it upon our hearts - but it is the same "torah" - the same instruction. There is only one "Law" - a complex whole comprised of many parts. This is why Paul states that if we break part of it - we have broken it all. So it's not a matter of the Old Law vs. the New anymore than it is a matter of Law vs. Grace. They work together in harmony to reveal to us the fullness of His glory. It was never intended for us to "keep the Law" - but rather for the Law to keep us.

I know this probably brings up all kinds of other questions - and I am more than willing to discuss this with you if you're interested. Feel free to email me from my profile page.

Answer 2

I've never heard that "messianic Jews" believe that. The ones I know of use the cross as a symbol. The JWs go to a tremendous effort to undermine the authenticity of the cross as a symbol of Christianity. Their argument hinges on the mention of a "tree" here and there in the bible, but is actually rooted in The Two Babylons by Alexander Hislop. In Acts: Act 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. To "hang on a tree" is an ancient euphemism used much the same way we would say "strung up" or in the case of electrocution, "fried". When the ancient Jews would stone a person they would hang their body in a tree in public view as a deterrent to others. Roman crucifixion served the same purpose and the euphemism continued to be used as a slang term to describe it.

Answer 3

'messianic jews' are Christian. Simple as that.

Can a person be both Muslim and Catholic? No.

Hindu and Protestant? No.

Can one be both a vegetarian and a meat eater? No.

Same logic! 'messianics' can call themselves whatever they want but they are not Jewish. How can they be, when they are following beliefs and practises that are FORBIDDEN in Judaism? Judaism and Christianity are mutually exclusive; a person CANNOT be both.

Answer 4

Why the name messianic Jews. Because we were jews and we believe in Messiah Yeshua as lord and G-D. So for those who said the name should be messianic Christians, it cant be. Beside there are 2 parts those who believe that the law of moses still apply plus the new teaching of Yeshua, other part believe that Law of moses is respected but we are abiding by only the teaching of Yeshua.

Answer 5

That is the point. The Messiah said that HE DID NOT COME TO DO AWAY WITH THE LAW . Therefore "Christians" are making Him a liar. I was raised in the "Christian" tradition, and have learned that throwing out the first 2/3 of scripture is not nice, (I also don't want to throw out the last 1/3 of it, having experienced enough to realize that I do need a Savior) I am looking for a way, and a group that affirms all of scripture. I have learned that "Messianic Judaism" is like a square circle (or army intelliegence) it doesn't exist. It seems odd that any of thousands of errors have names, but the truth goes barefoot..... I guess that just shows that Satan is the prince of this world, and we already knew that.

Answer 6

It is part of their act to sucker Jews into buying the Jesus myth

Answer 7

If you're interested, this is a popular forum for Messianic Jews, you may find more answers here...

http://christianforums.com/f34-the-messianic-forum.html

Answer 8

Whether or not one keeps the Mosaic laws does not matter. It's faith in Christ that makes the difference. Christ was a Jew, and did keep the law himself. The difference is that Jews without Christ, keep the law for the laws sake. Those with Christ who choose to keep the law do it out of love for the Lord, not as a work to earn justification.

I'm not a Jew, but admire their traditions, just as I keep and admire the Liturgical practices of the Western Church (our Lutheran Mass).

Christ died for all regardless of our traditions.

Mark

Addendum:

Christ also gave his Church the authority to bind and loose.
Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shalt be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose in earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matt. 16:19. (Christ to Peter as the spokesman of all disciples, and therefore to the Church.)

This normally is applied to confession and absolution, but I believe that it also applies to traditions and practices as well.

Mark

Answer 9

The whole name 'messianic Jews' is wrong!!!!!! they are 'messianic Christians' !!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

As...." ONE..."..... I would say this......!

(James 2:10) For whoever shall keep the whole Law = and yet offend in one point, = he is guilty of all.

AND....

(Romans 8:2-to-5) But the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

(Rom 8:3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, = God sending his own Son = in the likeness of sinful flesh, = and for sin, = condemned sin in the flesh;

(Rom 8:4) so that the righteousness of the Law = might be fulfilled in us, = who walk not according to the flesh = but according to the Spirit.

(Rom 8:5) For they who are according to the flesh mind the things of flesh, = but they who are according to the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

The LAW.... was to Show.... THE SINFULNESS.... Of Mankind..... and the OT Sacrifices..... Pointed to .... THE SAVIOR.... CHRIST JESUS.... The Messiah !

(1Corinthians 5:7) Therefore purge out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. = For also = = Christ our Passover = = is sacrificed for us.


Thanks for Asking ! RR