Difference Between Messianic Jews and Christians
Messianic Jews vs Christians
While both Messianic Jews and Christians believe in Jesus, there are tremendous differences between these two groups. However, you have already probably heard that some religions confused Messianic Jews with Christians because both believe in some core teachings from the holy writings especially when honoring Jesus. These two influential religions have quite a comparison. To give us basic definitions of these two religions, it is vital to know something of their beliefs.
Messianic Jews (sometimes called Messianics):
Simply put, Messianic Jews believe that Yeshua (Hebrew name for Jesus) is their Messiah, or the ultimate deliverer. They claimed that Jesus is not from human origin but he is really “God the Son.” In fact, Messianic Jews’ core doctrines dictate that Jesus is the promised Messiah written in Genesis 3:15. They also adhere to the fact that the native Israel, is still the chosen nation. They claimed that even in our modern times, the Torah should still be loyally followed.
Christians:
Christians mainly adhere to the teachings of Christianity. Their teachings are solely based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The name itself, “Christians,” originally came from the name “Christ, “a Greek name for Messiah. They firmly believe that Jesus is the Messiah promised in the bBible, wWho delivers them from sins. They literally follow the Christ not only with itsHis teachings but ,more importantly, their relationship with God and with their neighbors.
Though there may be a touch of similarities between these two religions, it is pertinent to know their differences as well to distinguish one from another.
While some claimed that Messianic Jews are modern Christians, this is far from the truth. With their differences springs their uniqueness. But both their faith to Jesus or Yeshua are both uncompromised, whether as a Messianic Jew or a Christian. Both honored Jesus as the sSavior. But wWhether being a Messianic Jew or Christian, the important thing is that both religions are doing their best to follow Jesus, not just to spread hHis words but, more importantly, to live by example every day of our lives.
Summary:
1. Traditional Jewish holidays are religiously observed by the Messianic Jews such as Purim and Chanukah. Christians do not observe these traditions.
2. Messianics still observe biblical holidays up to this day like the Day of Atonement, Feast of Trumpets, and Feast of Booths. The only holidays the Christians observe are those that were with paganism origin like Christmas, Easter Sundays, and other modern traditions that are not scriptural.
3. Messianic Jews’ preaching is mainly from the Hebrew Scriptures (Genesis to Malakias) whereas Christians believe in the whole sixty six66 holy books of the Bible.
4. Messianic Jew believes that the Torah, modified by Yeshua, is still in effect. These are the first five books of the bBible: (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Christians believe that once Christ fulfilled the all the holy laws, Tthe Torah should not to be applied anymore. 5. Especially when the Greek Scriptures are already completed (books of Matthew to Revelation).
6. Messianic Jews believe in Tanakh and B’rit Chadasha as their divinely inspired scriptures. Christians believe that both Hebrew-Aramaic and the Greek Scriptures which comprise the whole Bible are their hHoly sScriptures inspired by God.
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Not all messianic Jews believe in following the Torah and they still teach from all 66 books also.
Messianic jews take their relationship with Jesus very serious as Christians should too, but few do. Mainly because there are few true Christians following Jesus and God’s Word!
The Messianic Jews I have met, believe in the Godhead, the return of Christ known as the rapture.They believe He died for our sins, and He is the way, the truth and the life. They believe no man comes to the Father, but through Christ. There are no other gods. They read and believe all 66 books in the bible. They also honor the feast of the Lords found in Leviticus as we born again Christians should do as well.
I know through the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit that all 66 books are still in effect. They only thing Christ destroyed at the cross we sin. He is the eternal sacrifice for our sins. We can come boldly to the throne room. A priest is no longer a necessity. nor animal sacrifice. Christ was our sacrifice, once and forever. Christ became the open door a sinner can come to boldly asking forgiveness of sins 24/7. 365 days a year.
I trust these opinions do not speak for all christians, I for one do not agree with the one’s in this article.
I am a christian, now a Messianic Christian Jew following Christ fully and completely all the way. All fellowships I am connected with too, Jew or Christian… feel the same way.
Messianic Jews are Jews that have completed themselves by claiming Christ as their Savior. Paul taught there are only three sins we need to be concerned about if we were Gentiles turned Christian:. the drinking of Blood and the eating of strangulated meat are two of them. Most churches teach the line by line precept upon precept thingy, but I have asked God for mercy here because many of us went to Church, learned that way, and could well Be under the curse of the law because of It. I don’t know what He is doing here, but hope and pray He has honored that prayer So we can all go to Heaven. I think Ken Copeland’s ministry has confirmed He has twice. If anyone hears differently, Someone let me know. As for the Old Testament, there are a handful of things that do seem to carry forward. It certainly does not hurt to know history. We learn much from the experiences of others and many of us seem called to walk in a variety of calling perhaps to fulfill our own destinies. My son seems to have a Joseph, the coat of many colors, calling. I seem to have a Moses calling and have been anointed for David, Elisha, teacher and others. Eventually, I think we Will get a taste of them all and Be able to fulfill the calling of having followed Jesús. I hope and pray this helps. Hoping to be a Sarah/Sarai soon and have a couple more kids. I am 65 now. Hubby 75. Blessing, All
Sin is no longer an issue…Except for”one”, the rejection of Christ!. Once saved always saved! However we, after salvation can become “carnal”, out of fellowship but not out of the Royal family! Christ provided the answer for carnality with 1st John 1:9.. That is GRACE!…. Maranatha
Randy I agree with you. I was curious what area you are in. I have a friend in Texas who believes the same as you.
Yes may I know what messianic is that?
Christians believe that Jesus Christ ‘IS” the fulfillment of the law, but they still uphold the law and respect the first 5 books. They believe that Jesus was the final perfect and complete sacrifice, therefore they don’t sacrifice animals any more.
Messianic have the same beliefs regarding Yeshua being the perfect one
I go to messianic synagogue.im a creationists Genesis said it.im single.407 223 8997.bill.orlando fl..im 59.no kids.i dont want kids.call n text me.i want a Bible lady
Yes thank you, biblical christians still hold the law highly and see it as perfecr, it hasnt been done away with, but we dont regard it as salvation bringing because Christ alone brings salvation to sinners
I would like to point out that the very last difference that you put in is actually a similarity. The b’rit chadasha is just the Hebrew word for new covenant or in English the new testament.
I AM A MESSIANIC.. i have some message to these difference..
the law are to follow and YAHWEH is to believed,only then you can be saved..
2-people can translated all the different languages in the world but nobody can translated GOD name….
3-the bible didn’t say to celebrated christmas,new year etc….
4- however the bible gives us what to follow the seven festival…
5-dear brother and sister choose wisely.. don’t make it too late while there is time.. I RESPECT CHRISTAIN for they believed in second comming however they do not follow what god said…..
IN THE BIBLE Leviticus 11 it is written what can we eat and what can we not… and Isaiah 66 it is written about Pig and Rat….
THANK YOU
Please I’m interested in becoming a Messianic. how can I???
which messianic congregation do you worship with??
Try First Fruits of Zion website and start with Hayesod, The Foundation.
Hi Mitchell, Beth Messiah Congregation
Livingston NJ 07039
PH: 973 994 4431
Hope to see you there, the best choice I made in order to workship to our God thru
Jesus.
Lilia
Thank you for your comments. I would like to know which church you attend and if they have congregations in Florida.
Thank you.
Millie
Millie.i go to Yeshua bread of life.messianic jewish.begginners hebrew is taught.rabbi Tom Flores.several others.im bill.407 223 8997.orlando Florida.im 59 white.try to exercise daily.call me please
Please recall though that after Christ’s atonement, in the New Testament, He teaches that many of the old laws that were required are not what makes the Christian. In Romans 14:17-20 in regards to the matter of what-to-eat-or-not-to-eat (drink) issues it states, “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God. And other people will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the Church and try to build each other up. Dont tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember there is nothing wrong with these things in themselves…” The rest of it, verses 20-23 continues with this great news. Jesus states also in Matthew 22:36-40, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commands.”
Jews are to follow the law of the Torah not Gentile believers the new testament spells out our law and it is to believe and receive
I read this whole article and I still see what I saw before: Messianic Judaism = Christianity. Basically, Messianic Jews are the equivalent to early Jews following Jesus, which at the moment they believed Jesus to be their promised Messiah, effectively became Christians. The article even spells it out: Christ means Messiah. Do you have a dictionary? The only notable differences are cultural, usually having to do with either holidays or some other minor biblical detail. How does that make them different from one another? My brother-in-law is a Messianic Jewish, and he maintains , quite stubbornly, that he is different from all those pagan-influenced Christians (marriage is, in origin, a pagan practice by the way. He’s also married). Early Christians didn’t observe Christmas or Easter either. In fact, they probably still observed old Jewish traditions. Why not? Their savior probably did.
Don’t u think it’d be smart to value Jesus birth and death and resurrection over ancient Jewish traditions? The reason Jew’s and Jesus celebrated those holidays was because Jesus was Jewish and he hadn’t died yet so nobody could really celebrate his resurrection
I agree to the early believers bveing Jewish . Messianic Jews were still Jews following Torah and so did paul Shaul and Jesus Yeshua . He was Jewish and modelled the Torah . we were set free from the law of sin and death but not to start a new religion called christianity . There is a new movement of God Adonai to bring Gentile believers back to their Jewish Hebrew roots and to do Torah to the best of our ability not for salvation but to show we love Adonai Yeshua we love Him and to obey God the Father Abba . !!!119 ministries is a good start and onetorah . Shalom —–christian fathers took all the Jewishness out of God’s word cuz they were anti semitic and their is a complete Jewish bible made and one called tree of life .
So true! Open their eyes Father!
Don’t forget…..Messiah was crucified for essentially “breaking Torah”.
I doubt they honored holidays. Paul teaches no holidays. Galatians 4:7-10
Jewish people originate from the sons/tribes of Jacob (Israel) whose father was Isaac and whose grandfather was Abraham of the lineage of Shem – one of three sons of Noah.
Everyone else is a Gentile. It’s a very specific lineage, promised a special Covenant from God to a very specific people – the people who come from the 12 sons/tribes.
Not even the Ashkenazi “Jews” are Covenant Jews, as their forefathers do not come from the 12 tribes of Jacob. They are actually from the line of Japeth – a Gentile lineage.
Believing in the Messiah, Yashua Ha Mashiach does NOT make a Jewish person a Christian. Christians are Gentiles (NOT Jewish) who believe in Christ as the savior and Son of God.
Christians graft into the Body of Christ with believing Jews. The Jew first and then the Gentile. Jews have one covenant with God, while Christians have another. Both are Children of God.
At the very least, the 7 Noahide laws are for all of humanity – Jew and Gentile. God kept the Sabbath and the Sabbath preceded all Jewish laws, so Christians should worship on the Sabbath and keep the Sabbath holy.
All pagan holidays celebrated by Christians is also a form of idolatry and is therefore against the Noahide laws and is sinful.
First of all you can be Jewish and Christian at the same time. Once ur a Christian there is no need to call yourself messianic Jew because you are already a new creation in Christ. Christianity and faith in Christ triumphs over all. Secondly. It’s not sinful to celebrate birth and resurrection of our lord and Savior
Early Christ followers, the Church, were simply known as Believers. Paul and Peter recognized the differences, and recognized the Gentile Believers’ freedom in Christ. Early Church gentiles also recognized the covenant Jewish believers had with God. Early Gentile Church also sent donations to the Jewish believers during hard times, and famine, and to help the Church spread the Good News about Christ. Read Acts!
Jeremiah ch31v31 the new testament is to israel n judah.i go to messianic synagogues since 1990.trying to obey all the Bible i can.no paganism.jews must convert to new testament plus old.im creationists.shalom
Marriage is, in origin, a pagan practice, and by your standards, would it not also be a form of idolatry and a sin?
At least as a Gentile Christian I have recognized that… John 3:16
“For God so Loved the World, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Also… John 14:6
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Enough said! Sorry the chosen people didn’t get this the first time around… Fortunately, God loves the World, the whole World.
Unity must come to the church at large. There are seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation and we must all strive to reach the level of the Church of Philadelphia. God has no grievance there, but warns we could lose the glory and may need it restored again.
The original church fathers were, of course, the original disciples. They were: Messianic. They were Jews who claimed Christ as Savior making them completed Jews or Messianic. The Jews would not accept Christ’s offer of salvation. God then extended His offer of salvation to the Gentiles, but it was a Messianic church we were invited into. We believe that once Holy Spirit filled, it is a good idea to learn to follow His ways. If the Holy Spirit is inside you by His baptism, He will automatically teach you how to walk as Christ walked. There are those of us who want to walk that way also because we love Him enough to please Him. Cantors and scribes should be a part of the church at large. Remember, He is the same today as He was then. Though Paul teaches that Gentile Christians do not have more than three sins to worry about, I believe that, if God cannot abide with sin and the Holy Spirit leads us into all Truth which includes how to lead a sinless life, tsinswe have been invited into Christianity also known as the Messianic life and that we should do as they do so as not to pull the church down.
Marriage is far from pagan. The chuppah is the way of the Messianic and should be the way of the Christian, as well.
Pleasing God by living holy lives by claiming Yehoshua as Savior, receiving the water, Holy Spirit and fire baptisms, as well as all the other baptisms, is certainly something our God would not sneeblessedThese things could only establish a much stronger church through unity and one accord walking.
Suze Vanderbeck
Suzanne Vanderbeck Ministries
Be blessed
3/24/17
Much of this is very scary to me. I am 77 yrs old and a Christian. I believe Jesus was the fulfillment of the law and therefore I surrender to Him. But much of what is written above and my grandson is fearful that I will not get to see Heaven because I am a Christian and do not live by the old Testament. I am told there are over 600 commands and I must try to live by them all…not just the 10 given in the new Testament…that Christ is not the fulfillment of the law and that Christ’s words in the New Testament about believing in Him and and accepting Him are not going to save me…but what about the thief on the cross?
Mary Grace
Jesus came to earth and redefined the law. The New Testament is the new covenant with Christ. Jesus claims he is the only way truth and life. So ur on their right path. Christianity is the only way.
Research the history of Christianity. The first believers of Yeshua/Jesus called it “The Way” and were “Believers”. The pagan Romans got ahold of it and mixed it with their paganism and Roman Catholicism was born. People weren’t called Christians, and there was no Christianity, until then. The first “Christians” were the Romans/Greeks who adopted Roman Catholicism. If you dig deep enough, you’ll find out that the Catholic or “Christian” Messiah is not the same Messiah of the Bible. Even with the protestant Reformation, to break away from the evil, pagan Catholic church, they carried over a lot of the pagan traditions. Christmas is NOT the birth of Jesus. He was born like in late May/ early June. EVERYTHING, except us saying Christmas is about Christ, is pagan. God is VERY clear how He feels about paganism and doing the things of this world. Originally, Easter was a day they sacrificed babies, who were conceived the previous Easter, and the dipped eggs in their blood. That’s where egg dying came from. If you look it up, the official Easter egg color is red. There are multiple scriptures of God, Jesus and Paul saying to follow the law. God doesn’t change. He said He will know His people by those who keep His commands and keep the Sabbath. The Catholic church changed the Sabbath to line up with their pagan worship, and to prove they were above the Bible. Look it up, it’s crazy. Jesus says MANY will be deceived, thinking they know Him, following false doctrine, and He will not know them. Yes, we are save by Grace. However, God does want us to follow His rules. Our relationship with our kids is supposed to be a mirror to our relationship with Him. We love our kids unconditionally, but we have rules and regulations we expect them to follow. God knows we can’t follow all 613 commands, so Jesus came to be our grace. He’s not our excuse, or free pass, to ignore God’s rules and regulations. I was raised non denominational Christian, so I understand the false doctrine being taught, and the confusion. We would constantly read, in the new testament, about how God doesn’t change and we are to obey God. Then, the pastor turns around, taking some scriptures out of context, making the appearance of contradicting other scriptures, and tell us we don’t have to obey God, as long as we accept Jesus as our Savior, because He canceled out the law. When enough people realized the contradictions, the pastors changed it up and said the law is only for the Jews. That’s so ridiculous, and just a form of twisting the word to justify living like a heathen while saying you love Jesus.
Don’t be afraid, read John 3:16. By Jesus coming to earth, being crucified and rising from the grave the promise was fulfilled and the old ways were no longer needed. No need for sacrifices, Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. No meat was any longer impure, etc. If you believe in your heart that Jesus is the Savior and you accept Jim, the Holy Spirit comes into your heart and is the inspiration of your faith. Do not fear, you will be with Him in heaven.
Dearly beloved Mary Grace, I read your comment with both sadness and compassion. Sadness because your fears of “keeping” the 600 laws or our FAILURE to do so was the reason for Jesus Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Before Christ, if we broke one commandment, we were guilty of breaking them all. A blood sacrifice was required for every sin committed! Our sinful nature makes us prone to sin..Only Jesus Christ, Yeshua, could pay the ultimate sacrifice because He was without sin.
My prayer is that you ask the Lord Jesus to come in your heart.
Jesus only asks that you BELIEVE that He is the Son of God who died to save the whole world…Jews and Gentiles.. once you accept the gift of Salvation, please pray and ask the Holy Spirit to come into your heart and mind.. This will give you peace (shaloam), understanding, and comfort and will cancel the fears, negative thoughts and doubts. God bless you in Jesus’ name
The name Y’Shua stands alone and means YAH is salvation, it never will or never will have anything to do with the name Jesus
I am a messianic Jew.
These are SOME of the New Testament scriptural reasonings we follow and understand that mean we are still supposed to live AS YESHUA did. We know that a Yeshua kept the sabbath as we are commanded to do. We know he was born Jewish, he lived Jewish as a rabbi, he died Jewish, and he rose again. He was the King of the Jews. He died for our sins. And once we accept that establish a relationship with Him, we must obey him and all that we have been commanded to do. We do not follow the worldly ways just to fit in as most Christians try to do. What’s popular is not what is right.
1 John 2:3-6: We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
John 14:15: “If you love me, keep my commands.”
John 14:23: Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
1 John 2:3: We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.
1 John 5:3: In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,
Luke 14:27: And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Matthew 10:28: Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
John 15:10: If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
Do messianic Jews acknowledge Christ in the flesh?
“Messianic Jew believes that the Torah, modified by Yeshua …”
Incorrect. Yeshua never modified Torah. He specifically said that not one smallest part of a letter of Torah would pass away, while heaven and earth exist. It is correct to say, “… upheld by Yeshua …”.
I already understand that statement about different between Messianic and Christian.
Thanksgiving from LORD Yeshua to get me in to Messianic life style.
I Gatbel Chuol Reat Lial
From Gambella Ethiopia.