Messianic Jews are often compared to the surprise potato chip in a bag of tortilla chips – unexpected, surprising, and maybe a little confusing at first! However, our faith in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Jewish Messiah has transformed our lives and has a strong historical foundation. While it may not be the mainstream belief within the Jewish community, our unwavering faith underscores our role as members of the Jewish nation – set apart to bring hope to humanity.
Searching “what are Messianic Jews?” on Google yields a lot of misinformation. Nevertheless, these misconceptions can lead to meaningful questions that unravel the complexities of Messianic Jewish history and affirm its place within the Jewish community. In reality, thriving communities of Messianic Jewish people exist worldwide. What do they believe, and how do they practice those beliefs?
Messianic Jewish Faith Has an Ancient, Jewish History
The roots of Jewish people following Yeshua as the Messiah date back to around AD 30. Yeshua’s initial followers were all Jewish, and the authors of the New Testament were also Jewish.
The first Messianic Jewish community was led by four Jewish men: Yeshua’s brother Yakov, Shimon from Capernaum, Shaul (a student of Rabbi Gamaliel), and Yochanan from Bethsaida. These men were devout in the Jewish faith. Along with other Jewish followers of Yeshua, they maintained Jewish customs, observed rituals, and congregated in synagogues on Shabbat.
Throughout history, Jewish followers of Yeshua were known as the notzrim (“Nazarenes”). They were acknowledged as an established religious entity, with mentions in various historical records up to the fourth century.
What Happened to Ancient Messianic Jews?
The Council of Nicea in AD 325 marked a turning point for Messianic Jews. Christian antisemitism, already present, was formalized at this council. Decisions were made that led to the alteration of traditional Jewish practices, forcing Messianic Jews to assimilate into the church, return to the synagogue, or meet separately.
Resurgence of Messianic Jewish Faith
In the mid-1800s, a movement emerged in Eastern Europe where many Jewish individuals embraced Yeshua as the Messiah. Pioneers like Joseph Rabinowitz and Carl Schwartz laid the groundwork for the re-establishment of faith in Yeshua as a Jewish practice in the twentieth century.
By the 1960s, a spiritual awakening took place among young Jewish people, leading to a deeper conviction that Yeshua was the promised Messiah. This era saw the formalization of Messianic Jewish identity and practice, culminating in the establishment of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA).
Contemporary Messianic Jews
Today, Jewish believers in Yeshua identify themselves in various ways such as Messianic Jews, part of Messianic Judaism, or Jewish Christians. They engage in ministries like Jews for Jesus, attend Messianic congregations or Christian churches, and are part of congregational organizations like the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) or the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA).
There are over 350,000 Messianic Jewish individuals worldwide, with a significant population in Israel. These communities observe Jewish traditions, hold weekly Shabbat services, and consider the New Testament writings as authoritative alongside the Tanakh.
Messianic Jewish Life Today
In essence, Messianic Jews are individuals with a rich Jewish heritage who proudly live out their faith in Yeshua as the Messiah. They believe in his teachings, death, resurrection, and eagerly anticipate his return as King Messiah to restore all things. The Messianic Jewish movement continues to grow as a Jewish expression of faith in Yeshua, shaping the future of Jewish-Christian relations.
Endnotes
1. James (Jacob) son of Joseph, brother of Jesus.
2. Simon Peter (known to Jewish history as Shimon Kefa son of Jonah), disciple of Jesus.
3. Paul of Tarsus’ original Hebrew name was Shaul.
4. John, son of Zebedee.
5. Acts 3:1; 10:9; 16:13, 16; 24:11, 17-18.
6. Acts 2:42, 46.
7. Luke 4:16; Acts 13:14; 17:1, 10.
8. Acts 2:1, 46; 16:1-3; 18:18; 20:6, 15-16; 21:17-26; 26:5; 27:9; 1 Corinthians 5:8; 6:8.
9. Acts 5:12; Acts 20:7.
10. Acts 6:7; Acts 15:5.
11. Arthur Cushman McGiffert, “Church History-Book III,” Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History (Pantianos Classics, 2018), 53-54.
12. Jacob the Heretic, Wikipedia.
13. “Avodah Zarah,” Talmud, 16b-17a.
14. David J. Rudolph and Joel Willitts, eds., chap. 1, note 1 in Introduction to Messianic Judaism: Its Ecclesial Context and Biblical Foundations (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013), Kindle loc. 708.
15. Against the Pelagians (Book III).
16. From Jerome to Augustine.
17. Louis Goldberg, God, Torah, Messiah: The Messianic Jewish Theology of Dr. Louis Goldberg, ed. Richard A. Robinson (San Francisco: Purple Pomegranate, 2009), 128.
18. History of Messianic Judaism.
19. The Old Rebbe: Yechiel Tzvi Lichtenstein
20. History of Messianic Judaism.
21. The Authentic Zionists.