March 2, 2009
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Trying to clear up a few things……
I am writing this blog to try and clear some things up. It seems many people are confused. I have been called all sorts of nasty names by some who see my blog and think nasty things about Jews (People who are anti-Semitic). That doesn’t bother me. I have been ask over and over again about my beliefs by Christian’s who see the Words Adonai or G-d and wonder if I am a Christian or what I am. I am Writing this blog in hopes to explain to everyone what I am. The common word used would be Messianic. I believe in Yeshua Hammashiach (Jesus the Messiah) just like any other Christian does.
There are a few different names that it is called Messianic Judaism, Messianic Believers, or Messianic.
Some beliefs:
G-d – Messianics believe in G-d (Adonai of the Bible), and that He is all-powerful, omni-present, eternal, exists outside of creation, and is infinitely significant and benevolent. Messianics believe in the Shema. Shema Means ‘hear’ and is the quintessential Jewish text from Dvarim/Deuteronomy 6:4.: ‘Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD’ showing the uniqueness of the G-d of Israel. Israel didn’t require many gods (like harvest gods, fertility gods, fire gods) The G-d of Israel is unique and infinite — He alone is sovereign. The Shema is a confirmation in Torah that Adonai is a compound unity (‘echad’) not as is commonly misunderstood.
Yeshua Hammashiach (Jesus the Messiah) – Yeshua (Jesus) of Nazareth, is believed to be the Messiah. Accepts Yeshua as “the Torah (Word) made flesh” (John 1:14), and believe He is HaShem (G-D).Israel – It is believed that the Children of Israel were, remain, and will continue to be the chosen people of the G-d of Jacob, and are central to his plans for existence. Virtually all Messianics (whether Jewish or non-Jewish) can be said to oppose supersessionism (popularly referred to as replacement theology), the view that the Church has replaced Israel in the mind and plans of G-d.
The Bible – The Tanakh (Old Testament) and B’rit Hadashah (New Testament) are considered to be the established and divinely inspired Biblical scriptures
Most Messianics believe that observance of the Torah brings about sanctification, not salvation, which was to be produced only by the Messiah.
Worship services are generally held on Friday evenings (Erev Shabbat) or Saturday mornings.
Observe the weekly Shabbat (Sabbath), starting at sundown on Friday night. The Shabbat [Sabbath], the seventh day of the week, is the created holy day of HaShem (G-D), which He gave to mankind and covenanted with His people as a sign forever. Exodus 31:16, Genesis 2:2-3, Isaiah 58:13-14, Matthew 12:8.
All Scripture is given by the Breath/Spirit of Elohim [G-d], and is to be used for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16.
Hear, O Israel: YHVH [the L-RD] is our Elohim. He is One YHVH. He alone is YHVH. Deuteronomy 6:4
HaShem and His Word are eternal, that is: He, His Word and His Will has always, and will always, be the same. Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, Matthew 5:18; 24:35.
Messiah Yeshua is the ultimate and final Passover Lamb required for the removal of sins. He died and rose from the dead three days afterward. Everyone who repents of their sins, and trusts that Yeshua is the Messiah, who died as our Passover Lamb and rose again, they are forgiven their sins and come into a renewed covenant with HaShem through Him, and therefore become inheritors of all the promises HaShem made with Abraham and Israel. Isaiah 53, Romans 10:9-11, 1 Corinthians 5:7.
THE HOLY NAME: The reading or aloud mention of “YHVH” (Yod-Hey-Vav-Hey) is to be spoken as “the I AM” in English or as “HaShem” (the Name) in Hebrew. “Adonai”, “the Most High”, or “Avinu (Our Father)” may also be substituted as referring to the Holy Name.
MESSIAH’S NAME: The name of our Messiah was and is Yeshua or Y’shua meaning both “salvation” and “Yah who is salvation” in Hebrew.
I hope this helps explain a bit. Any questions or comments? I will try to answer all honest questions and comments.
Shalom
Comments (46)
Didn’t you only get into this stuff within the past year? I remember reading back into your blog and you didn’t type “G-d” for “God”. That makes me curious as to why you started doing the Messianic thing.
God is the creater of the world to make life to live in peace and to love someone.
I’m glad you wrote on this. I look forward to my Christian walk being enriched by your Messianic Christian influence. When Molly was younger, we tried to take part in a Sedar (spelling) and some of the other traditional Jewish practices so as to get a better understanding of how the Jews and even Jesus experienced it. It brings a greater appreciation for even New Testament passages which touch on customs and traditions/rabbinical laws which we sometimes find difficult to understand in our modern age. I am all for whatever we can do to help us receive a better understanding of God through the scriptures and also to live more holy and pleasing lives. God bless you for it! =)
@NightCometh - I am not one to quickly change anything. My husband and I put a lot of study into things before we change anything. We have been studying for a long time. It is the past year that we have been putting our study into practice.
The reason we started doing these things is because of deep study of the Tanakh and B’rit Hadashah. We are trying to follow the Ways of Adonai. We believe that this is the way He would want.
Does that help?
I’m so sorry that people have insulted you for your faith and your practices, but in a way be encouraged b/c it’s not really you they are persecuting but the Christ within you both. It’s hardly ever easy though, but I’m glad you press on to doing what you both have been convicted to do.
@YouTOme - It normally doesn’t bother me too much. It can hurt at times but Yeshua said that they would hate us just like they hate Him
@Kristenmomof3 - yes, that’s so true. and hate they do! ((hugs))
Nice. Clearly and succinctly put. Shavua Tov.
Praise God!!!!! This Friday I am going into the middleschool with our church group and we are going to talk to the kids about our trip to Israel – blow a shofar, speak of Passover, light the candles, etc. Because I do not know the composition of the children who chose this workshop, we are not going to speak of the symbolism of Passover and Jesus, but there is so much there to be found. Oh I pray that people grow to understand that Jesus is Savior and that we as Christians are grafted in.
Heather
People can be so cruel. I love what you’re doing with your blog and it’s really helpful to me because I’m writing a fiction series with Jewish characters in there. I actually have a question for you. I think I found these Hebrew transliterations on your site, do you think you could give me the definition for them or tell me how I can find out what they mean?
Adonai Yemaleh Zoht
ADONAI-Tzva’ot
I’ve looked all over the net for the first one and couldn’t find anything about it. Thank you.
Thank you Kristin, I finally get it! I appreciate your patience and taking time to clear things up. Forgive me for being so nosy, but I had come to enjoy my visits to your blog before my computer died and now I am back again! Thank you
Jennifer
I used to have a bumper sticker of the last image. We have a seven-branch menorah with that symbol above the base. Shalom.
@storygurl86 - Near as I can tell from the transliteration, it means “Adonai (or The L-RD) will ascend this.” A colloquial translation would be “Adonai will overcome.” The second one, of course, is “The L-RD of Hosts.” I’m assuming that “Yemaleh” is Yod – Mem – Ayin – Lamed - He.
just wondering why are you leaving out the letter o in God and Lord ????? That really confuses me, I just dont see why you leave out the letter o. I have no problems with you observing the Jewish roots of our faith. thats pretty cool because Jesus is the Messiah of the Jewish people His chosen. Thats awesome. but I just really dont understand the thing with the letter o left out. lol Be Blessed Sister in the Lord !
@storygurl86 - ADONAI-Tzva’ot — Lord G-d of Hosts, or the Almighty Commander of the invisible angelic hosts who decrees the course of history. He has sovereignty over every army, both spiritual and earthly. The L-rd of Hosts is the king of all heaven and earth.
Adonai Yemaleh Zoht means The L-rd Will Accomplish This
@PreachingGodsWord - Deuteronomy 12:3-4 And ye shall overthrow
their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire;
and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the
names of them out of that place. Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your
God.
In this passage, it is are instructed to destroy anything and everything associated with false gods, and not to let this happen to Adonai. Writing G-d instead is one way to prevent others from destroying the name of G-d.
and to be more reverent. To be intentional in how one writes the names of G-d means they must reflect upon what they are doing, what they are not doing and why they are doing exactly what it is they are doing. It creates at atmosphere of humbleness and respect for the one true G-d and is an action of exaltation.
I am SO glad that you wrote this article !!! You certainly cleared up a lot of questions and made it much easier for me to understand your viewpoints on things. MY Sunday School teacher would ADORE to be able to sit down with you and have a long LONG discussion. He brings Biblical history alive, always showing us how things in the New Testament relate to things in the Old Testament or explaining different Jewish traditions or holidays to us. I am not familiar with the term Replacement Theology, but if I am understanding correctly, you are saying that some people feel that the Jewish race has been “replaced” in God’s eye as the “chosen race”??? I do not believe that they have been replaced but I also do not think they will be accepted into God’s kingdom until they accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I think, that after the 2nd Coming there will be a last chance for everyone, including our Jewish brethren to accept the Lordship of Jesus.
Thank you so much for the interesting article!!!
In His Love
Ruth Ann
@Redlegsix - Yes there are many churches that believe the false Idea of replacement theology also known as supersessionism
Supersessionism maintains that the Jews are no longer considered to be G-d’s Chosen people in any sense. This understanding is generally termed “replacement theology.”
To Israel still belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship and the promises (Rom. 9:4).
The gifts and calling of G-d for Israel are irrevocable (Rom. 11:29).
There are 77 references to Israel in the NT and none of them refer to the Church. Try replacing the words, “the Church,” where Israel is mentioned and the passage is rendered unreadable and silly, e.g., Rom. 10:1, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to G-d for Israel is, that they might be saved.” If you put “the Church” where Israel is mentioned, then it is redundant. The Church is the body of saved believers, so how could Paul’s prayer be for the Church to be saved?
Psalm 105 has a seven-fold affirmation of G-d’s promises of Canaan to Abraham. This is an everlasting promise, as was Genesis 12:1-3.
Jeremiah 31:35-37 speaks of the everlasting nature of G-d’s promises to and for Israel, the Jewish people, which is as sure as the sun that shines by day and the moon and stars that glow in the night.
The end-time prophecies, which speak of the return of the House of Jacob to their land (Israel) and its restoration, have overwhelmingly been fulfilled in Israel and the Jewish people in the past 120 years. (See, Isa. 11:11-12; Eze. 37:1-14; Eze. 36; Eze. 35:1, Isa. 43:5,6; Jer. 16:14-16; Isa. 60:9-11; Isa. 49:22-23, etc.).
The Gospel and Yeshua came “to the Jews first, then the Greek” (Rom. 2:9,10; Matt:10:5-7;15:24). There is a distinction in roles between the two. Galatians 3:28 says: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Yeshua the Messiah.” This is speaking of everyone’s standing before G-d as equals, because we are all sinners saved by G-d’s grace and the atoning work on the Cross. Nevertheless, our roles here on earth are definitely distinct; e.g., men and women, mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, etc. all have distinct roles to play.
The idea of replacement theology is a CANCER in MANY churches. It goes directly against who Adonai is.
While i don’t believe in “replacement theology” as you put it, i do believe that the Jews must accept Jesus as their Savior in order to be saved. The Bible is very clear on this. (Just stating that from your comment.)
Good post!! There are actually several things you said that i will need to study on. I’m not sure i agree. Jesus changed our relationship with God. Big time. He brought us to a personal relationship with God which is why i believe that the idea of not saying or spelling out His name is no longer necessary. The Bible teaches us that the OT was there to guide us to the NT, and the law was there to show us as a mirror why we need a savior. It’s true that Jesus said, “If you love me, follow my commandments” but what were Jesus’ commandments? Love God above all and love your neighbor as yourself. I’d like to get into this with you more. Just for discussion.
Especially how the Bible teaches us that the Sabbath is only for the Jews. There are several verses that clearly teach that.
Anyway, just wanted to give my input, but you already knew where i stood on this. LOL!! Love ya!!
@Papillon_Mom - You said “I’d like to get into this with you more. Just for discussion”
I am always open to talking about things with you as long as you promise not to get mad at me and stop talking to me.
You are one of my Bestist (I know its not a word but it is to me it means even better then best lol) friends.
@Kristenmomof3 - You are so silly!! I just don’t want you getting mad at me! And you’re one of my Bestist friends too!!!!
@Papillon_Mom - I wont get mad at you
I think you and I can discuss very well because we both agree on Salvation.
The things we vary on are not “Salvation Issues”
Love you….Don’t you wish you were here….You could call off work due to SNOW
I think part of the problem comes from the tendency on all sides to confuse the modern political state of Israel and the issues relating to it, with the Biblical descendants of Abraham who are the Israelites, and the issues related to that true nation. They are not one and the same, contrary to popular belief.
@Papillon_Mom - Jesus also said “I and the Father are one,” right? So if he told us to follow his commandments – what are they again? Something to think about.
@Kristenmomof3 - I want to play in the snow!!
@Papillon_Mom - well, then come on over
You are different, in terms of what I’m exposed to right here around me.
You are different and yet rather refreshing like drinking big glass of cool water in a parched land.
Keep it up!
excellent post
off topic: check out Koldodi’s latest post, we put up four or five short videos we took yesterday
)
@embrown88 - That is well said and very profound. Shalom!
I’m not quite sure how to phrase this, so I’ll just say it like a child would. How bad do you think replacement theology is? Is it something Christians can respectfully disagree on, like the use of hymns vs. contemporary worship, or is it something more major like the issue of women in ministry, or is it something that defines the faith, like believing in the trinity?
I have enjoyed worship with a messianic congregation for over a year, and now still attend Bible study time on Saturday evenings. My Rabbi has come from a family with over 30 living Rabbi’s. He has been disowned for his Messianic view now, though that was never the case for the two decades that he was an atheist when he left Rabbinical schools at the level of teacher. This is a source of sorrow for him, as we can all appreciate.
I really liked the way you mentioned that Torah living is just a way to be SANCTIFIED and not a source of salvation. It always seems to be the challenge when I am discussing my Hebraic faith and worship activities with other Christians.
huggerz
cm
This is a really beautiful post and I felt such peace while reading it!
It’s quite sad, really that the Church in particular doesn’t always understand the Scripture and God’s times and seasons.God bless and many hugs to you and your family!
@SirNickDon - I think it is something MAJOR. It really is something that defines the faith. It is saying “G-d rejects the Jews. All their promises transfer to us now, but the curses are theirs alone.”
It is really really dangerous.
It’s a mindset that says the “law” (e.g., Torah) is done away with and now we only have grace, only have forgiveness, and since we’re forgiven, anything goes, really… since it’s all a matter of repenting and claiming the forgiveness found in Yeshua(Jesus).
And it’s also the mindset that assumes the rules are different for “Christian” believers than it was for Jews who followed Adonai and His Torah. In doing this, the replacement theology mindset robs the Jewish people of all that Adonai promised them, and transfers it to Christianity. The danger in this, seldom recognized by those who hold such beliefs, is that makes Adonai a promise-breaker, not a promise-keeper. It makes haShem someone who changes, rather than someone who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. It ultimately robs haShem of his character, so in essence, replacement theology constitutes lashan hurrah (evil speak) against the L-RD Himself, and if that isn’t blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, it’s getting pretty darn close at least.
@IMChurchmouse - glad you liked the post. Hope you are having a wonderful week so far
@Gotta_tell_somebody - I am so happy you enjoyed the post.
Hugs back
Excellent. Great way to clear things up.
Can I request that you do a series of blogs addressing the typical differences between Christian and Messianic?
@Levanna - You can request….but ….. That means I have to figure out the differences…. and I can think of some areas…that..I..am..not..sure…I …wanna…touch LOL
Is that being a wuss?
@Kristenmomof3 - Not at all! Maybe we can tag team it.
Example – Why shabbat is on Friday… and why Sunday is a sham.
Why to celebrate the feasts instead of Christmas… etc.
@Levanna - I could try to do one at the beginning of each week
@Levanna - I have now written one about Shabbat. It will post this Sunday on March 8th
I agree with Papillion_Mom regarding the not spelling out the name of God: not necessary, and it distracts. I do wonder if you are going back under the Law, or just trying to better understand it by conforming to it? I enjoy your posts, but they have become a little more focused on Jewish type things, and I’m not sure that is necessary.
I believe you came from a Mennonite or Amish background (?). Is this maybe a more comfortable fit for you, rather than what it seems to be in so many of our Protestant churches? I think that many in the Church do not understand about holiness, and real respect for God. I appreciate that aspect of your posts: there is a high respect for what God has said and what He is doing.
@Levanna - Ahh
For me, Sunday time of worship has its place.
@pb49r - yes, That is my background. And yes you are right many churches have no respect for G-d and His holiness.
@SirNickDon - Kristen’s reply to your question was much more detailed than what I was thinking: replacement theology distorts the picture. Everything that happened to Israel, including the calling out of Abraham, is a picture for us. He called us (Abraham), He saved us (rescueing Israel from Egypt), He tells how to live as His people (Torah). If He has thrown away Israel for good, then He can throw us away, for good, too. As Kristen said, it would make Him a promise breaker and untrustworthy.
Kristen, great post!