I was raised Catholic. I go to a Baptist church now ("Baptised" Twice, once as a Catholic baby & once as a Baptist adult) with people that could pretty much care less what denomination it is. We are evangelical and bible believing, that's all that matters to us.
My father was Jewish, my mother is not. My mother raised me on her own so I have no Jewish experiences.
I've read posts on this board, some saying people like me need to change over to a Messianic congregation and others saying stay where you are.
Is there anything biblical or from Jewish or Church history that can help answer this question?
I mean the early Church had Jewish believers right? Did they worship more like today's churches, or today's Messianic congregations? I'll do whatever God wants or is He leaving that up to pure preference?
The founder of JFJ wrote this in 1989. This was 20 years ago, did something change? He pretty much says either choice would probably work out...
http://jewsforjesus.org/publications/hav...churchcong
I would say nothing changed with Jews for Jesus, and I agree with the article you posted.
Ask God, and He will guide you to the right congregation.
On this board, we allow people of different views to post their view, which means there are views which are posted which I don't agree with as a moderator, and posts the Jews for Jesus missions board would disagree with.
In looking at scripture, to me it is clear that different congregations in different cities varied. Scripture doesn't give us details on what services should look like. So if they are bible believing, I believe God gave us a fair amount of flexibility in worship since it is a personal expression. It is simply a matter of prayer to see where God leads you to grow and serve.
In looking at scripture, to me it is clear that different congregations in different cities varied. Scripture doesn't give us details on what services should look like.
Thanks so much Jans! Does anyone know if the Bible (or history) shows Jews and gentiles worshiping Jesus together? Of course even if there isn't anything specific about it doesn't mean it wasn't very common. Just curious.
I would say, yes, the bible does show Jews and Gentiles worshipping together.
In Rome, we know that there was a fairly large Jewish community. The book of Romans alternately addresses the Gentile community and the Jewish community with specifics for each community.
In Acts, we are told that after Steven, that many Jewish believers went into Antioch.
Acts 11:19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone.
20But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
So the Greeks would have joined with the Jewish believers to learn and worship. Paul joined Barnabas to meet and help teach as considerable numbers of Gentiles believed in Antioch.
26and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Since the Jewish people in diaspora lived in many of the major cities in the Roman empire, in most of the cities mentioned in the NT, there was a Jewish presence (the expection I think is possibly Galatia).
I was raised Catholic. I go to a Baptist church now ("Baptised" Twice, once as a Catholic baby & once as a Baptist adult) with people that could pretty much care less what denomination it is. We are evangelical and bible believing, that's all that matters to us.
Paul admonishes fellow Yehudim Meshichim not to forsake fellowship:
Hebrews 10:19-27
19 So, brothers, we have confidence to use the way into the Holiest Place opened by the blood of Yeshua. 20 He inaugurated it for us as a new and living way through the parokhet, by means of his flesh. 21 We also have a great cohen over God's household. 22 Therefore, let us approach the Holiest Place with a sincere heart, in the full assurance that comes from trusting - with our hearts sprinkled clean from a bad conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us continue holding fast to the hope we acknowledge, without wavering; for the One who made the promise is trustworthy. 24 And let us keep paying attention to one another, in order to spur each other on to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting our own congregational meetings, as some have made a practice of doing, but, rather, encouraging each other. And let us do this all the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 For if we deliberately continue to sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but only the terrifying prospect of Judgment, of raging fire that will consume the enemies.
Paul admonishes fellow Yehudim Meshichim not to forsake fellowship:
I don't know what "Yehudim Meshichim" means.
That and you posted Hebrews 10:19-27. I read it and I'm still not sure if your opinion is for me to keep going to church or switch to a Messianic Congregation.
Paul admonishes fellow Yehudim Meshichim not to forsake fellowship:
I don't know what "Yehudim Meshichim" means.
That and you posted Hebrews 10:19-27. I read it and I'm still not sure if your opinion is for me to keep going to church or switch to a Messianic Congregation.
Yehudim Meshichim- Messianic (Meshichim) Jewish people [Yehudim]
Quote from Jans:
"Ask God, and He will guide you to the right congregation."
RE:
That would be my answer Baptized Twice. Ask God.
If you feel comfortable with a certain congregation and enjoy the way they teach The Word Of God then there is no reason to change.
If you feel curious about learning other views and understand other cults and communities, then I'm sure the door will also be open.
Personally, if I go to Church, I don't like to be bored. I like to feel I'm learning something that God wants to teach me. The thought of attending Mass or going to Church is to pay my respects to our Creator. And we can't go wrong when we do so.
Baptised,
Generally you'll find more Jews in traditional churches than you will in Messianic congregations. Messianic congregations are primarily gentiles, with a few prized Jews. Preaching against Rabbinic Judaism, yet dressing up to look and act like the very ones you claim to despise is a little off, don't ya think?
Jews who convert to Christianity are generally those who knew very little about their faith to begin with. If they were interested in Jewish traditions and symbols, they certainly had other ways of seeking that out, didn't they?
My advice is to explore the faith of your father. Learn about it, but don't be fooled into thinking Messianic Judaism is anything close to Judaism. It's not. You know very little about him, and I think you'll find exploring your Jewish heritage to be a very beautiful and fulfilling thing.
My advice is to explore the faith of your father. Learn about it, but don't be fooled into thinking Messianic Judaism is anything close to Judaism. It's not. You know very little about him, and I think you'll find exploring your Jewish heritage to be a very beautiful and fulfilling thing.
Hello Emess. Thanks for your comments. I will be exploring my Jewish heritage. One thing for sure, Jesus will be part of my life no matter what. I read your BIO and was sad to see that you and your father no longer believe who he obviously was and is (to me anyway). I pray that whatever has come between you and Jesus; false teachings, controlling people, whatever, you and your dad will keep seeking. The Lord did not make the truth a mystery...he has given us abundant evidence pointing to the truth. I pray that you will remain open to it.