Reply to Didaktikon

Hi, Eric.

Well, not so strange if you think about it. Jewish people place considerable emphasis on the three-fold Abrahamic Covenant (i.e. "land, "seed" and "blessing"), with circumcision understood as being the defining physical sign associated with inclusion in the covenant. Further, "Messianic Jews" perceive themselves as being Jewish first and foremost; "Messianic" secondarily. In many respect such are, theologically-considered, the inheritors of the "Judaizers" more so than of the apostles.

For this and several other reasons, I'd suggest that identifying oneself as a "Messianic Jew" doesn't necessarily mean that one is a Christian, properly speaking

Blessings,

Ian

Reply to Fremde

Metanoian,

I was born and raised in Caulfield, Victoria, which, post war was a strong Roman Catholic suburb, But by the time I finished High School (dropped out really) about a third of Caulfield High School was Jewish. Caulfield these days is very Jewish. In my last year my best friend was Michael and he was Jewish. We drifted after High School, but kept running into each other every few years and each time we relived our friendship. I got conscripted, married and joined the PRC (a Revival offshoot) and Michael was but an occasional memory. About 25 years ago we met again at a High School reunion and had a great time reminiscing about our misspent youth. Again we did no follow up. There was another School reunion five years later, but Michael was not there. I tracked him down to his business and when I walked in the door his face lit up. This time we kept the friendship alive. He had married another school friend's sister and his son was struggling with his first year of VCE, so my son who had become a schoolteacher became his tutor. The circle has grown with my "gentile" friends being introduced into their Jewish Community and Michael's friends and family being introduced into our community of friends, Christian and otherwise.

At a Reserve Army Gathering, I ran into yet another Jew I went to school with. He was alone and looking a bit isolated, so I approached him and reminded him of our school days. He already knew Michael, so the group enlarged.

Michael and I have had many discussions about Jesus Christ and I am forthright about telling him and other Jews about Christ as the Messiah. There is a very good DVD I bought from Koorong called "The Messiah: Prophecy Fulfilled" which I gave to Michael and a few days later he said to me "I had no idea that there were so many prophecies about the Messiah in the Torah". On Friday nights, for exercise and "fellowship" we would walk from North Caulfield where he lived  down through east St Kilda and Balaclava and back again, passing many Jews on their way to the many Synagogues, and we often ran into other Jews he knew, whom I would greet with "Shalom Shabbat" which means "Peaceful Sabbath". In discussing Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, in the New Testament, all of Hebrews and Romans Chapter 11 are excellent, because they are pointedly Jewish oriented.

I will email Michael the link to your Youtube clip. It will be interesting to see and hear his reaction.

Muzel tov,

John

Reply to Fremde

Thanks for your reply Eric,

Your profile shows you as being in Alabama. The only thing I know about Alabama is that it's easy to take the ivory from Alabama Elephants because their "Tuskareloosa". In my youth I used to work for International Harvester in Melbourne and one of my bosses was from Alabama, hence I learned that corny Groucho Marx line.

I don't think you'd come all the way over here just to go to Synagogue with either of my closest Jewish friends Michael or Itzy, who I know would be pleased to bring you as their guest, but if USA Synagogues are anything like the ones here, you'd be welcomed I am sure.

A bit like Christian churches there is every flavour from Orthodox where men and women are separated, a lot of the ceremony/service is in Hebrew (there is usually a service guide in English), but the sermon is usually in English, and if the Rabbi knows a Gentile is present he will probably go the trouble of explaining what is going on and why and/or allocate someone to assist and befriend you, to the very Liberal Synagogues that tend to have a large part of the service in English, and Oy Evay! there may even be a Female Rabbi!

I have two copies (originals not pirated) of the DVD "Messiah Prophesy Fulfilled"

"A dramatic Gospel presentation of the birth of Christianity, showing how one rabbi becomes a follower of Yeshua of Nazareth. being filled with the Holy Spirit, Rabbi Yehudah zealously embarks on a journey to share the Good News with his people. He arrives to his hometown, precisely one year after the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of the Messiah. Now his greatest challenge is to convince his loved ones that the long awaited Messiah Son of David has finally come."

If you would like one (to keep) send me a private message with you address details and I will Airmail it to you.

Roses are red, violets are blueish, if Jesus hadn't come, we might all be Jewish!

Lech l'shalom (may you journey to peace)

John