JFJ Forums

I've been a Christian for many years, now, I am searching for more. I'm drawn to the realities and truths of Judaism, I have to admit I absolutely love the OT. I want my faith to be the center of my life. Instead of celebrating and spending my time on things that bear no fruit, I want to instill Christ in my life. I by default am Gentile, so, other than the Bible I know nothing of Jewish culture or ways of thinking. I want to learn Hebrew so I can read the scriptures for myself, I want to observe the Jewish holidays, we try to observe the Sabbath, except my husband has to work some Saturdays. I am overwhelmed with the information on the Internet and just need some solid advice on where to start. TIA.

Well welcomme, in Acts 15, Jacob begins with that Gentiles should not eat blood, the animals that where dead before slaughtering etc. + some other basics... and says (translation is difficult) that people will hear the rest of Moses in the synagogues.

Main thing, you can't do it all at once. For eating is a social habbit to meat others who might be further in the proces and don't eat blood etc...
And keeping Shabbath in your way might be a good start.
Besides that Judaism never claimed that everybody has to become or do Jewish to belong to the same God.
God Himself tells what HIS festivalls are.

A good start:
Not to be over-sensitive from all the opinions how to change yourself or how to belong to a certain group. Learn that The Almighty gave way to a lot of opinions, Jews learned to live with that.
I saw to many Messianics etc. argueing who knows better than who etc. in less flexible ways (with wounds that they had sometimes because of misunderstandings of former Church friends or family.).
to stay friendly and understanding is a good part also to keep yourself and family flexible...  1 Important Jewish thing is ''Shalom Beit''. Meaning if a partner or kids become more or less serious in religious mathers, you have the commandment to keep the peace in the house...

Succes

Shalom MandyV, and husband.

Have you considered checking if you are Hebrew, and if you can move to Israel?  Now that Messianic believers are allowed to emigrate, you would learn fast and furious through immersion into the secular culture part of Hebrew lifestyle.  The main consideration would be, however, that no-matter-what, you do not withdraw from Messiah, Yaushuah.

Failing in being able to move, do an intensive study of Torah, and ask questions on this, and many other sites.  Most Messianic's are quite helpful, but some hard-line Jewish folks can sometimes be quite nasty.  It is a fun ride, and study, however.

Welcome, and Shalom in your walk with Messiah.  Arley

Wish I could move to Isreal, not an option at this point. There's only one synagogue that I know of in this area and it's quite a distance from me. Is it rude for me to go to one? I feel like I would be viewed as a devil in a temple. (ha. ha. but, seriously? is that taboo?)

What I'm looking for is a deeper understanding of the scriptures. There are so many denominations of Christians, and unfortunately, there is only one way. Either you're right or wrong, so anyway. What I'm researching now is Predestination. In looking at scripture in several versions of the Bible I am troubled by many things and many words that we assume mean one thing, but the meaning of the words have changed. So, here I am. I thought, it would be best to start at the beginning. Except the beginning seems so big. I'm not so worried about dietary issues, that may come as a conviction later, but now, I am looking to really understand the laws that God set forth and that Christians in generally seem to overlook now.

Hi Mandy,
How do you know that you are a Christian first of all? Let me ask you two questions and please answer both if you would be so kind:

1. Do you know if you died right this very instant that you would find yourself in Heaven?

2. When you stand before God and He asks you what right you have to be there, what will you say?

First let me say, that I am not sure where your line of questioning is going. But, I will answer your questions. I know that every single day I live my life making mistakes and seeking God's forgiveness. I've read the scriptures where God accounted righteousness to Abraham, not because he was, for we are all sinners, but because Abraham earnestly sought God and to serve him. It is only by the grace of God and his promises that I believe if I died I would go to Heaven. Although I am constantly aware of my own unworthiness and this keeps me striving to seek God and his will for my life and my family's life. As for your second question:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) I BELIEVE.

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners. Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)
I HAVE.

When/If God asks me what right I have to enter his kingdom, I will tell him, that I am a servant of his son, that he called me and set me apart, that I am his daughter of zion as he has spoken it.

I hope that has answered your questions.

I do want to add, that I am not questioning my salvation, and that was not the point, as I am sure you are aware, of my questions. I am seeking further understanding of scriptures that have been on my heart and in my mind over the last few weeks.
Sincerely,

Mandy

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/


check this site out.


They even have a message board you can sign up to post questions.


The Guy who brought this up with all it good material haves good knowledge of hebrew

I have a question as well, and MandyV, this is not meant to be rude in any way. It is just that I see this question all the time and thought I would respond. So I apologize that it is your thread that I ask this question.

Why do people who "seek the truth of Judaism" come to xtian sites for answers?

If you want the truth of Judaism, go to a Jewish website. Doesn't that make sense?

If I wanted the truth of xtianity (I don't know where to begin with that one since there are so many different perspectives), would I go to a Mormon or Jehovah Witness website?

I understand the title of the organization leads you to believe it is based on Judaism. Well, while it may have some similarities, it is based on xtian doctrine, is it not?

Judaism is Judaism.
xtianity is xtianity.

I think this site may lean more towards messianic judaism.
So if you want to learn the truth about messianic judaism, then I guess you are in the right place.

Again, no disrespect intended.

MandyV:... There's only one synagogue that I know of in this area and it's quite a distance from me. Is it rude for me to go to one?

Faith: Omgosh!

A few months ago I was looking for a Messianic Synagogue in my area - N. CA. The closest to me is San Francisco. But.... beyond that, there are a number of Messianic congregations in Sacto!

Here's the Google for: 'Messianic Congregation - Sacto'
http://www.google.com/search?q=Messianic...tartPage=1

Note: A Jewish Synagogue is different from a Messianic Synagogue. If you're a Christ believer, Messianic Synagogue is it. You will absolutely learn the Jewish roots of the faith.

Weigh EVERYTHING by Tanakh (Old Testament) & B'rit Hadashah (New Testament) - The Bible. KJV is best and/or Mechom-Mamre Tanakh

God bless.

Thank you, Mandy. While I realize my questions were very direct and pointed, sometimes there are those from Judaism who come here pretending to be this or that with their own schemes and divisive actions. There were things about your initial post here and in the other intro post that sounded confusing to me. I think I'm becoming gun shy when new members show up having seen some of the ones who drift through here. Nevertheless, welcome and please forgive me my initial cynicism.

Do you receive the Jews for Jesus newsletter? It's free and by golly, it will answer a whole bunch of those questions you have and explain all that good stuff about Jewish feasts and how a gentile believer can relate to them. It's just about the best resource since boxed matzah.

You asked about going to synagogues. That's cool, I've gone to a few myself. Besides, unless you stand up and wave your hand over your head and shout "Praise Jesus", how would they know you're not Jewish?? You would be escorted out if you did that, by the way.

When you ask questions about different versions of the Bible, predestination, etc., even coming here, you will get about 20 different "opinions". Let me be the first to offer this one: Go to Bible.org or carm.org (Christian apologetics/research). Those are, in my opinion, excellent sources for translation questions and theological answers. Bible.org has a forum just for questions about those two things AND there is a translator's Bible that you can download for FREE. It's called the Net Bible.

Again, please forgive the inquisition and welcome!
Shalom,
Chowie