Messianic Judaism
...Isaac, and Jacob. While Christians celebrate the birth, death, and resurrection of the Messiah Jesus the Christ, Jews are still awaiting the arrival of the Messiah God promised them in the Old Testament, or Torah. There is another Sect of Jews who have more in common with the Christians than most people realize; the Messianic Jews. This sect has accepted Jesus as the promised Messiah, while yet practicing the traditions of the Orthodox Jews. Many Christians and Orthodox Jews alike have a difficult time receiving them or understanding their stand as it relates to God. Messianic Jews are in the middle. They are not Jewish enough because they accept Jesus Christ, and they are not Christian because they continue in the Jewish practices. Many Christians seem to have the idea that they have a monopoly on Christ, not recognizing that Jesus was a Jew and his primary purpose was to come for the Jews. Although the practices of the Messianic Jews are different from those of Christianity, many Christians could greatly benefit from the teachings of Messianic Judaism.
I had the opportunity to sit through a Messianic Jewish service, and interview a member of the congregation. The members of Kehilat Meshiach greeted me and my husband with open arms. They were very kind and accommodating. The synagogue which is located at 717 E 7th St. in Upland California was actually a church that the congregation shared with a Hispanic Christian church. This worked out perfectly for both congregations because the Christian Church worshipped on Sundays, and the Jewish Church worshipped on Saturdays. We were asked our names and what brought us there to worship with them on such a beautiful Saturday afternoon. I explained our intentions, they gave me a Jewish Hymn Book called the Siddur Hadash and showed us to our seats. The service soon began with an opening prayer in English and in...
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