JFJ Forums - Messianic Jews who become Orthodox

Most (though not all) Messianic Jews believe in assurance of salvation and eternal security.  It is therefore distressing for them to meet former Messianics like me, who have embraced Orthodox Judaism.  The standard response is, "You must never have been saved in the first place."

I assure you all that if you had only known me back when I was a Messianic, you would have said, "Wow, that guy's on fire for Jesus."  I had  give my life over to Jesus, asked him into my heart, and begged him to wash away my sins, just like it says in all the pamphlets.  WWJD was the guiding principle of everything I did.  Everyone who knew me said I would be a powerful witness to the Jewish people.  When I left Messianic Judaism, none of my friends tried to say I was never really saved, because they all knew me and knew that I was for real.

I was intrigued when I heard about Rabbi Tovia Singer's tapes.  That was my first exposure to anyone who knew Isaiah 53 and Daniel 9, yet didn't believe in Jesus, and I wanted to know why.  I would then be better equipped to witness to Jews about "the truth and beauty of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ".  Perhaps I would win over Rabbi Singer himself.

At the same time, I was humble enough to admit I didn't know everything.  Because of the eternal stakes involved, I was scared to consider the possibility that he was right - but I stood on the promise of Jeremiah 29:13 and prayed for divine guidance as I listened.  I started listening at 2:00 that night, and continued listening until 12:00 the next day - and there has been no looking back.

BTW, not that it proves anything, but the feeling I got when I first asked G-d into my heart is still there.

The same can be said for both sides, I know quite a few Jews who have believed without a doubt that they were right and then read Dr. Brown's books, and watched debates between Tovia and Brown and come out as Messianic. I myself have read and seen many anti missionary works, and would have followed the truth wherever it lead! But I digress, we need to focus on scripture and not personal experience, I believe you stated in a thread that the heart is deceitful beyond all things?

After all, the whole anti-missionary movement started in response to a record amount of Jews converting to Messianic Judaism. Am I correct?

Thanks for sharing, nice to hear...

Jew4Judaism Wrote:

Most (though not all) Messianic Jews believe in assurance of salvation and eternal security.  It is therefore distressing for them to meet former Messianics like me, who have embraced Orthodox Judaism.  The standard response is, "You must never have been saved in the first place."

I assure you all that if you had only known me back when I was a Messianic, you would have said, "Wow, that guy's on fire for Jesus."  I had  give my life over to Jesus, asked him into my heart, and begged him to wash away my sins, just like it says in all the pamphlets.  WWJD was the guiding principle of everything I did.  Everyone who knew me said I would be a powerful witness to the Jewish people.  When I left Messianic Judaism, none of my friends tried to say I was never really saved, because they all knew me and knew that I was for real.

I was intrigued when I heard about Rabbi Tovia Singer's tapes.  That was my first exposure to anyone who knew Isaiah 53 and Daniel 9, yet didn't believe in Jesus, and I wanted to know why.  I would then be better equipped to witness to Jews about "the truth and beauty of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ".  Perhaps I would win over Rabbi Singer himself.

At the same time, I was humble enough to admit I didn't know everything.  Because of the eternal stakes involved, I was scared to consider the possibility that he was right - but I stood on the promise of Jeremiah 29:13 and prayed for divine guidance as I listened.  I started listening at 2:00 that night, and continued listening until 12:00 the next day - and there has been no looking back.

BTW, not that it proves anything, but the feeling I got when I first asked G-d into my heart is still there.

You are not alone. Besides the many who are learning and believing as you are, there are hundreds of pastors who are converting as well.

When thousands of people all find the same path, without being prostelyzed to, it shows G-d's divine plan.

After all, Zechariah 8 says it well;
22 Yea, many peoples and mighty nations shall come to seek HaShem of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favour of HaShem.

23 Thus saith HaShem of hosts: In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, shall even take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying: We will go with you, for we have heard that G-d is with you.'

searchinmyroots Wrote:

Jew4Judaism Wrote:

Most (though not all) Messianic Jews believe in assurance of salvation and eternal security.  It is therefore distressing for them to meet former Messianics like me, who have embraced Orthodox Judaism.  The standard response is, "You must never have been saved in the first place."

I assure you all that if you had only known me back when I was a Messianic, you would have said, "Wow, that guy's on fire for Jesus."  I had  give my life over to Jesus, asked him into my heart, and begged him to wash away my sins, just like it says in all the pamphlets.  WWJD was the guiding principle of everything I did.  Everyone who knew me said I would be a powerful witness to the Jewish people.  When I left Messianic Judaism, none of my friends tried to say I was never really saved, because they all knew me and knew that I was for real.

I was intrigued when I heard about Rabbi Tovia Singer's tapes.  That was my first exposure to anyone who knew Isaiah 53 and Daniel 9, yet didn't believe in Jesus, and I wanted to know why.  I would then be better equipped to witness to Jews about "the truth and beauty of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ".  Perhaps I would win over Rabbi Singer himself.

At the same time, I was humble enough to admit I didn't know everything.  Because of the eternal stakes involved, I was scared to consider the possibility that he was right - but I stood on the promise of Jeremiah 29:13 and prayed for divine guidance as I listened.  I started listening at 2:00 that night, and continued listening until 12:00 the next day - and there has been no looking back.

BTW, not that it proves anything, but the feeling I got when I first asked G-d into my heart is still there.

You are not alone. Besides the many who are learning and believing as you are, there are hundreds of pastors who are converting as well.

When thousands of people all find the same path, without being prostelyzed to, it shows G-d's divine plan.

After all, Zechariah 8 says it well;
22 Yea, many peoples and mighty nations shall come to seek HaShem of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favour of HaShem.

23 Thus saith HaShem of hosts: In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, shall even take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying: We will go with you, for we have heard that G-d is with you.'

may I ask Who these hundreds are? sense it seems you maid an absolute claim?

But in the end who converts more then the other does not prove who is right.

I pretty sure anyone can find testimony of many former jews who rejected jesus but now do not and The other way around.

searchinmyroots Wrote:

You are not alone. Besides the many who are learning and believing as you are, there are hundreds of pastors who are converting as well.

When thousands of people all find the same path, without being prostelyzed to, it shows G-d's divine plan.

This is an important point to make. We do no missionary work amongst
gentiles, yet we have so many coming to convert. I find these people are usually well educated Christians. Jews who convert to Christianity almost
to a one do not come from religous homes.

Jew4Judaism Wrote:

Most (though not all) Messianic Jews believe in assurance of salvation and eternal security. It is therefore distressing for them to meet former Messianics like me, who have embraced Orthodox Judaism. The standard response is, "You must never have been saved in the first place."

I assure you all that if you had only known me back when I was a Messianic, you would have said, "Wow, that guy's on fire for Jesus." I had give my life over to Jesus, asked him into my heart, and begged him to wash away my sins, just like it says in all the pamphlets. WWJD was the guiding principle of everything I did.

I don't know you personally but I would say you have added to the story or there is something you are not telling us. Someone is on fire when the Spirit of G-d flows through them not because their immotions are stirred. I wonder how you were taught Christ that you though your begging would earn forgiveness? This is not the Gospel and you still don't understand it after so many years. In any case it sounds like you were never strong in your personal decisions being tossed by every wind of teaching. I am personally baffled how any Jew can lightly receive Yeshua without confirmation from heaven. Yeshua is not a religion but a Person! A true Jew wrestles with G-d until heaven speaks. Either heaven glorifies the Name of Jesus or it doesn't; and it only takes a little bit of faith to find out heaven's response. Every Jew should go directly to G-d regarding this question and not be satisfied with emotions and feelings until heaven moves with great signs and wonder! Maybe you have Biblical Christianity with JW's mixed up?

Eph 4:14-21 NIV Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. (15) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. (16) From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (17) So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. (18) They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. (19) Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. (20) You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. (21) Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

Jesus for Jews

Neotetro Wrote:

After all, the whole anti-missionary movement started in response to a record amount of Jews converting to Messianic Judaism. Am I correct?

I don’t know how many converted, but even a small number is distressing! Note that most of those who were converted were not know legible Jews. Over the course of history, most Jews who converted to Christianity did no either because of persecution or because of a lack of a Jewish education.