Messianic Jew. Oxymoron?

Messianic Judaism is a religious movement which brings together two religions and combines different elements of each to create one single faith. Messianic Jews, unlike traditional Jews, believe Yeshua (Jesus) is the promised Messiah of Israel and Savior for the world.

The first modern Messianic Jewish synagogue was founded in just 1967, however, Messianic Judaism is actually 2,000 years old, dating to the time of Yeshua Himself. It was during that time that almost everyone who believed in the Messiah was culturally and religiously Jewish since Jesus was/is himself Jewish. He was raised in a Jewish home and preached to Jewish people in the Land of Israel. His disciples and apostles were Jewish as well as most of the writers of the New Testament (Covenant) with the exception of possibly Luke. So how did it become un-Jewish to follow Christ?

When early Messianic Jews came to share the Good News of the Jewish Messiah to the Gentiles, fortunately, a great number of people became believers. At the end of the first century AD, there were many more Gentiles than Jews occupying the earth because the news of Yeshua spread fast. Unfortunately, because of the lack of understanding of the Jewish heritage including traditions, culture, and an understanding of G-d's covenant with the Jewish people by new Christian Gentile believers, Messianic Judaism was separated from it's Jewish roots and a "de-Judaizing" process began.

As the number of Gentile believers increased, they began to dominate the faith until their expression of Christianity emerged as the dominant expression of the faith. Then, in what can only be regarded as one of the greatest ironies in history, Christianity made it impossible for a Jewish person to believe in the King of the Jews! Because of this persecution, Messianic Judaism died out until the public reestablishment of the church in late 60's. (Messianic Judaism; Cohn-Sherbok 2000; pg 5)

Messianics hold the Bible in the same regard as Christians, however, they believe that the Book of Law, or Torah is still meant to be followed faithfully. Messianics believe since the Covenant was made with Jews many years ago, it should not be abolished but instead enforced both morally and ritually by those who profess faith in G-d. Many Christians beliefs differ as they believe because of scripture that a new Torah is written on our hearts when we accept Jesus and we are no longer subject to the laws of the Pentateuch. Jews, Messianic or otherwise, believe that the Torah is held as the foundation for "teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of G-d may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2Timothy 3:16-17. In regards to salvation: Faith and works is one of the major defining differences between Jews, Messianic Jews, and Christianity.

The majority of Christians believe we are saved solely by the grace of G-d because of the death of Jesus on the cross. And when Christ died, so did the law.

Messianic Jews believe that the Laws of the Torah need to be strictly followed, unlike the Protestant tradition. However, they believe that righteous works happen naturally and are complementary of a genuine faith in Yeshua. Messianics believe faith and works are mutually exclusive and that when we believe in Jesus, we then follow the Law.

Jews believe that strict adherence to the Law is essential part of faith.

Presently, according the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (http://www.umjc.org/)there may be as many as 100,000 Messianic Jews in the US alone, with many thousands more joining congregations in Canada, England, Israel, and a number of republics of the former Soviet Union. In a very short time Messianic Judaism has become a worldwide movement with over 150 Messianic Synagogues and is experiencing rapid growth throughout western civilization.