Most Messianic Jewish Believers are faced with counter-missionaries at one time or another. Here are some suggestions on how to effectively deal with those who try to shatter your faith.

Anti-missionaries. Counter-missionaries. Jews for Judaism. They operate under many different names and organizations. What they all have in common, is one goal: to bring Messianic Jews back to Judaism. In other words, they are assuming we have adbandoned Judaism in the first place. But don't even bother trying to explain that you are still a practising Jew who has been fulfilled in Messiah.

Let me clarify: their goal is to bring Messianic Jews back to Orthodox, traditional, Rabbinical Judaism. To them, Messianic Judaism does not count as a sect of Judaism, like Conservative or Reform. You can offer the argument that you still identify as a Jew, practise Jewish traditions and customs, pray to the God of Abraham and avoid pork sausages. In return, you will hear a long and well-rehearsed speech about why you are committing idolatry, are actually practising Christian and have abandoned the faith of your Fathers.

Jews for Judaism is probably the best known anti-missionary organization, but there are others. I don't think many Messianic Jews deliberately put themselves in the line of fire, so then how do anti-missionaries get in touch with us?

Usually a family member or friend will contact such an organization. Fearing their loved one has joined a cult, they appeal to these people to try and steer their friend of family member back to the fold. (I wonder how many parents contact Jews for Judaism if their son or daughter starts pracising Buddhism, or does join an actual cult! We usually only hear about anti-missionaries intervening in the cases of Jews converting to "Christianity.")

Someone from the anti-missionary group will then contact you by e-mail or phone. They will appear to be very non-judgemental (at least at first) and if they or a contact from the organization live in your area, they will try and set up a face-to-face meeting.

Another way anti-missionaries find Messianic Jews is by accessing e-mail addresses for Messianic Internet discussion groups, guestbooks at Messianic sites and other obviousplaces where a Messianic Jew may have left a message with his or her contact information. The contact in this case will most likely be in the form of e-mail, usually one consisting of arguments supposedly against Messianic Judaism.

Finally, anti-missionary groups regularly park themselves outside of Messianic conferences, congregations and other places where there is likely to be a high concentration of Messianic Believers at any one time. They hand out literature and try and entice people to go over to them to dialogue.

So, what should a Messianic Jewish person do when confronted with an anti-missionary? First of all, don't panic. Pray for the Ruach Ha'Kodesh to fill you with wisdom. This second step is important, even if you have to do it silently, under your breath.

If an anti-missionary wants to meet with you in person, you don't have to go. The only reason they want to meet with you in person is to get you alone, apart from a familiar environment and possibly even your Bible. This is an especially effective tactic when dealing with Messianic Jews who are young in the faith.

However, if you do feel compelled to go, why not put a dent in their plans? Bring with you a Messianic friend who is more knowledgable than you. Anti-missionaries tend to use the same, tired arguments over and over again, and someone who really knows his or her stuff might be able to totally rock their world. Who knows -- this may even cause them to question their own beliefs!

Some anti-missionaries are also sheep who have strayed from the flock -- Messianic Jews who have renounced their beliefs -- and such a meeting may help bring them back to the fold, rather than bring you back to Rabbinical Judaism! But certainly, you do not have to put yourself in a potentially spiritually dangerous situation. The bottom line is: if you are not comfortable, don't go. If you do go and find yourself overwhelmed -- leave.

At conferences and other places where you might see Jews for Judaism parading around, just avoid them. They generally don't get into people's faces at such places. Politely decline any literature they try to hand you, or take it and discard it. Or take it and discuss with yout Rabbi or pastor why these anti-missionary arguments are misguided and stale.

Should someone contact you by e-mail, you are not obligated to respond. At least this medium affords you the time to do some research to answer their claims, and if you do choose to do this, bear in mind that you are unlikely to change their stance. They do not wish to dialogue with you for the intellectual sake of doing so; they are not seekers curious about Messianic Judaism: they are going to argue and whittle away at you until you find yourself mentally and spiritually exhausted.

Countering counter-missionaries is a fact of life for most Messianic Jews. Immerse your self in the Word, pray regularly to be surrounded by the protective armor of the LORD, have the accountability and fellowship of like-minded Believers and you should have all of the ammunition you need for this spiritual battle.

Copyright 2002