The question asked most often about Messianic Judaism is, "What exactly *is* Messianic Judaism?"

Messianic Judaism commonly refers to Jewish people who have accepted Yeshua as their Savior. It is a movement that is thousands of years old, but has been gaining more prominence and momentum within the last century.

The first followers of Yeshua were Jewish. In that sense, Messianic Judaism is the oldest and original "Christian" denomination. However, when the Gentile church was established, Messianic Jews were given the choices of either returning to the mainstream Jewish synagogues, where they would have to forfeit their faith in Yeshua, or join the Gentile church, where they were expected to drop their Jewish lifestyles and assimilate.

Unfortunately, the majority chose the latter, so many of the early Messianic Jews disappeared into the Church. In the 1800's, a revival occurred and Messianic Judaism as we know it today was re-born as many Jews came to faith in Yeshua while wishing to maintain their Jewish roots.

The questions asked most often about Messianic Judaism is along the lines of, "Are you Christians?" Well, if you define being a Christian as one who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior and who strives to follow Him in their lifestyle, then yes, by definition, we are Christians. However, the term "Christian" tends to refer to a Western cultural construct, one which has left behind the Jewish ways completely. By referring to ourselves as Messianic Jews, we are acknowledging our faith while at the same time affirming our identities as Jews.

There are those who call themselves "Christian Jews" or "Hebrew Christians" -- again, these are also people who are Jewish and have accepted Yeshua. However, these terms seem more assimilationist than "Messianic Judaism."

Copyright 2002