What is a Messianic Jew?

All throughout history, there have been individuals of Jewish descent who have followed Jesus. Typically, this has meant leaving Judaism behind and embracing Christian theology and practice.

Towards the end of the 1800s, a new idea emerged among Jewish Christians. They realized that Jesus himself was Jewish, and in New Testament times, Christianity did not exist as a religion distinct from Judaism. So why should Jews who follow Jesus abandon their heritage to embrace something that was foreign even to him?

People began using the term "Messianic Jew" to describe a person of Jewish descent who chose to retain their Jewish religious identity and practice as a follower of Jesus. Instead of practicing a Jewish kind of Christianity, Messianic Jews saw themselves as practicing a special kind of Judaism that expressed devotion to Jesus. They referred to this kind of Judaism as “Messianic Judaism.”

When it first emerged over a century ago, it was not a popular idea. Many Jewish Christians actively opposed Messianic Judaism. They did not think it was appropriate for followers of the Messiah to participate in Jewish life. But some embraced Messianic Judaism, even though they were criticized for it. We think of these steadfast early Messianic Jews as our pioneers.

Today, people use the term “messianic” in many non-specific ways. But to be precise, not all Jewish followers of Jesus are Messianic Jews. A Jewish person who embraces the Christian faith is a not a Messianic Jew, but a Jewish Christian. In contrast, a Messianic Jew is a Jewish person who practices Messianic Judaism.

Jewish Christianity or Messianic Judaism?

The difference between Jewish Christianity and Messianic Judaism is simple: Jewish Christianity is Christianity that is Jewish. Messianic Judaism is Judaism that is Messianic.

To arrive at Jewish Christianity, you start with Christianity and add Jewish people and Jewish things. You add Jewish customs. You add Jewish songs. You add Jewish clothing and food.

To arrive at Messianic Judaism, you start with Judaism, and add Messianic things. You add the Messiah. You add the Messiah’s teaching. You add aspects of the future Messianic Kingdom, when Jesus will rule the earth. In the end, Messianic Judaism has some vaguely similar appearances to Jewish Christianity, but a radically different way of thinking.

Messianic Judaism at Beth Immanuel

At Beth Immanuel, we embrace Messianic Judaism as our system of thought, belief, and practice. We feel that this perspective best reflects the ancient faith of Jesus and his first followers. And yet Messianic Judaism has ample space for people who are not Jewish as well.

At the same time, we love and respect our dear Christian brothers and sisters, including both Jewish and Gentile Christians. Despite our differences, we share a common bond in our Jewish Messiah.