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MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS BY RABBI ESTHER BOUCHER |
Isn’t it possible for messianic Jews to be part of non-Jewish fellowships and
churches and still maintain their individual and family Jewish identity? Yes, it
is possible. So why establish Messianic congregations? Messianic
congregations can provide many necessary functions for G-d’s Kingdom.
They provide a unique corporate witness of the Messiah ship of Yeshua to
the community. They are the most forceful and visible testimony that Jewish
believers have not forsaken their love of Israel, because their lifestyle and
worship are Jewish. They also testify by the presence of non-Jewish
members that Jews and Gentiles are one in Messiah. Messianic
congregations are able to provide for the unique ongoing discipleship
needs of Jewish believers wrestling with the questions of their Jewish
identity and practice the New Testament faith. The greatest potential for
the spreading of the gospel is the planting of indigenous congregations
adapted to the culture of the people they seek to reach. If suchc
ongregations have a strong emphasis on witnessing and discipleship, they
are far and away the most effective means of spreading the Kingdom. A
Messianic congregation is involved in all the tasks of any truly biblical
congregation. We are to seek to become on in love, fellowship, and mutual
ministry.
Acts 15 describes non-Jewish believer roles. They were given freedom
from converting to Judaism and taking upon themselves the totality of the
Jewish lifestyle. They were to abstain from immorality and other practices,
which would preclude their fellowship with their Jewish brethren in the faith.
They were to grow in maturity through an understanding of the Old
Testament (Tenach) and the New Testament (apostolic teaching). They
were to respect the heritage of Jewish people to the extent it was biblical
and consistent with the renewed covenant, since this heritage clarified the
meaning of their own faith.
A controversy that comes because many Messianic Jews maintain some of
the forms and rituals of the synagogue, this is a heart issue. Nowhere does
the New Testament speak against form and ritual. G-d, who is the same
yesterday, today and forever used form and ritual as pictorial teaching tools
in the ancient Tabernacle. What the New Testament does teach against is
having a form of religion while denying the power there of. 1 Cor. 12-14
teaches us to allow freedom for the inspiration of the Spirit to speak through
the members of the gathered community. Leaders should be led by the
Spirit. It is up to every person to worship with heart intent whether through
traditional forms, new forms, or unstructured periods. Eph. 2 teaches that
Jew and Gentile are on in Yeshua. Gentiles who accept Yeshua are called
the spiritual seed of Abraham. Messianic Jews maintain fellowship with the
rest of the body of believers. Culturally diverse churches are healthy,
whether black, Spanish or Chinese as long as they open their doors to all
who are called to join them and who enjoy their expression and calling.
churches and still maintain their individual and family Jewish identity? Yes, it
is possible. So why establish Messianic congregations? Messianic
congregations can provide many necessary functions for G-d’s Kingdom.
They provide a unique corporate witness of the Messiah ship of Yeshua to
the community. They are the most forceful and visible testimony that Jewish
believers have not forsaken their love of Israel, because their lifestyle and
worship are Jewish. They also testify by the presence of non-Jewish
members that Jews and Gentiles are one in Messiah. Messianic
congregations are able to provide for the unique ongoing discipleship
needs of Jewish believers wrestling with the questions of their Jewish
identity and practice the New Testament faith. The greatest potential for
the spreading of the gospel is the planting of indigenous congregations
adapted to the culture of the people they seek to reach. If suchc
ongregations have a strong emphasis on witnessing and discipleship, they
are far and away the most effective means of spreading the Kingdom. A
Messianic congregation is involved in all the tasks of any truly biblical
congregation. We are to seek to become on in love, fellowship, and mutual
ministry.
Acts 15 describes non-Jewish believer roles. They were given freedom
from converting to Judaism and taking upon themselves the totality of the
Jewish lifestyle. They were to abstain from immorality and other practices,
which would preclude their fellowship with their Jewish brethren in the faith.
They were to grow in maturity through an understanding of the Old
Testament (Tenach) and the New Testament (apostolic teaching). They
were to respect the heritage of Jewish people to the extent it was biblical
and consistent with the renewed covenant, since this heritage clarified the
meaning of their own faith.
A controversy that comes because many Messianic Jews maintain some of
the forms and rituals of the synagogue, this is a heart issue. Nowhere does
the New Testament speak against form and ritual. G-d, who is the same
yesterday, today and forever used form and ritual as pictorial teaching tools
in the ancient Tabernacle. What the New Testament does teach against is
having a form of religion while denying the power there of. 1 Cor. 12-14
teaches us to allow freedom for the inspiration of the Spirit to speak through
the members of the gathered community. Leaders should be led by the
Spirit. It is up to every person to worship with heart intent whether through
traditional forms, new forms, or unstructured periods. Eph. 2 teaches that
Jew and Gentile are on in Yeshua. Gentiles who accept Yeshua are called
the spiritual seed of Abraham. Messianic Jews maintain fellowship with the
rest of the body of believers. Culturally diverse churches are healthy,
whether black, Spanish or Chinese as long as they open their doors to all
who are called to join them and who enjoy their expression and calling.
| Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc. © Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007 |