There comes a time in every Jewish follower of Yeshua's life when they have to make a decision: Will I go to a church or a messianic synagogue?
Many messianic Jewish believers remain in close contact with their local Jewish community. I know many who still attend events like Purim festival and Passover seders with their local synagogue and don't think there is anything wrong with that.
I personally still love going to events within the Jewish community and still been invited to many Shabbat dinners by people who know I am messianic.
It only gets tricky for the Jewish believer who feels the urge to hide their faith to be accepted. Yeshua said, "But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." -Mattityahu (Matthew 10:33)
But what about a community of believers? Does it matter? Or can we live within the Jewish community, keeping our faith a secret?
In Hebrews 10:25, Sha'ul (Paul) say to not neglect the assembly of the brethren. This means that gathering with followers of Yeshua mattes. Paul wasn't speaking of himself, but inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Many new Jewish believers struggle with the idea of church and Christians. Weren't those the same people who tried to kill us many times in history? Who forced conversions in Spain? Who accused us of terrible crimes? Didn't Martin Luther and many church fathers hold terrible beliefs about Jewish people?
Yes.
But while the Roman Catholic church and those who claimed to follow Yeshua have done some terrible things, that does not represent every Christian any more than Jewish people who do bad things do not represent every Jew.
Think about it in terms of race. Does everything members of your race have done in the past represent you today? No.
Corrie ten Boom and her family were Christians who saved the lives of many during the Holocaust. Many Christians and even some in the Catholic church hid Jewish people during WWII.
Today there are many Christians who love Jewish people and support Israel.
The word "Christian" means "little Christ." It means to be a version of Yeshua in the world. You don't have to be afraid of our brothers and sisters in Him. You don't have to lose your identity either.
When Jesus said there is no "Jew or Greek" in Him, it means that once you become a believer, your primary identity is found in Him. It does mean you have to abandon it. He said there is no male or female, too, but we know men and women have unique roles despite being of equal importance in the body.
It's important that you find a body of believers to have community with and fully live out your unique role in the body. He has an assignment for you and it's not to hide within the Jewish community. You will always be a part of it, but you have a bigger family now.
Whether you go to a messianic congregation or church is between you and God, but the most important aspect of the community you join is that they esteem Yeshua as Lord and are full of the Holy Spirit.
Pray and ask God to guide you. When you go, keep your eyes open: both physical and spiritual. Does what they say align with the Word? Do they value tradition over the Bible? Don't be offended by new songs or new ways. Look for moves of the Ruach Hakodesh- the Holy Spirit.
This is what matters. His presence. The new congregations in the Bible may not have looked like the first or second temple, but they were holy because they contained within them the Holy Spirit.
You will find community. Tehilim (Psalm) 68:6 says, "God places the lonely in families." He has a place for you within the body of Yeshua.
Pray and ask for guidance and then hit the ground looking for where He wants to place you.
May God guide you on this journey in Yeshua's name.
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