Subject: Jewish believer attitude toward non-Jews
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 01:54:19 +0000
From: heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com
Reply-To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
To: "Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup"<heb_roots_chr@geocities.com>
To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
From: Michael Detwiler
Subject: Torah observant Jewish believer attitude toward
the non-Jewish believer
I have a question that I need some input on from those on this forum.
I am a Jewish believer in Yeshua Messiah. I have always assumed that the
Torah was a lifestyle issue that applied to all who would come to this
faith. In my previous post, I discussed the issue of whether or not it was
a salvation issue . . . which I strongly believe it is not.
I have noticed a very predominant resistance from the Gentile Church to
submit to the precepts of Torah . . . in a way, I can understand this, and
this issue requires teaching, understanding and a work of the Holy Spirit.
I am tolerant and patient with this issue.
I have also noticed amongst many of my believing Jewish friends who
themselves attempt to retain their submission to Gods ways, his teachings,
commandments . . . who themselves attempt to live a lifestyle that is
submitted to Torah, an attitude. It is almost whatever the opposite of
anti-Semitic would be. Maybe the term is anti-Gentile. They, submitted to
Torah themselves, are very protective of the Torah, and do not want it
shared with Gentile believers. They seem to miss the point of the "new
man" theology of Ephesians, and the "One law for all" teachings of Numbers
15:15, Exodus 12:49, Leviticus 24:22, and Numbers 15:29.
Does anyone have any comments on this? I need some sort of
undestanding of this attitude.
>From Eddie:
**************
Michael,
I praise the Lord that HE has opened your eyes and that you have
recognized this issue and understand that this attitude of the Jewish
believer (particularly those who try to observe Torah) is indeed
often one of arrogance and pride toward the non-Jewish believer who
they often view as "second class believers".
Jewish believer arrogance toward the non-Jewish believer is
present within the MJAA and UMJC organizations (but not by all
members) and also by SOME independent Jewish believers who try to
adhere to a Torah observant lifestyle.
This is a MAJOR problem and most all non-Jewish believers
associated with the "Hebraic Roots" movement has experienced this in
some form or fashion.
Just as over the many centuries of church history, anti-semitic
attitudes toward the Jews and anti-Torah teachings within the church
contributed to MUCH Jewish suffering over the past 2,000 years,
SOME Torah observant believers today are expressing the same
attitude and mindset toward the non-Jewish believers who they often
view as "second class believers" and many times have an attitude of
"anti-church" and "anti-Christian".
These attitudes BREAK THE HEART of the God of Israel.
Yeshua/Jesus died for BOTH Jew and non-Jew and BOTH are fully
accepted by God with EQUAL STATUS as members in the Kingdom of
God by accepting Yeshua/Jesus as Messiah.
In Acts 15:15:7-9 it is written:
"And when there had been much disputing (over Jewish attitude toward
the non-Jew regarding Torah observance), Peter rose up, and said unto
them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made
choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of
the gospel and believe. And God which knoweth the hearts bare them
witness giving them (the non-Jewish believer) the Holy Spirit, even as
he did unto us (the Jewish believer): and put NO DIFFERENCE between us
(Jewish believer) and them (non-Jewish believer) purifying their heart
by faith"
In Romans 3:22 it is written:
"Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto
ALL and upon ALL them that believe: for there is no difference
(between Jew and non-Jew)"
In Romans 3:29-30 it is written:
"Is he the God of the Jews (Jewish believers) only? is he not also of
the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also. Seeing it is one God which
shall justify the circumcision (Jewish believer) by faith, and the
uncircumcision (non-Jewish believer) through faith".
In Romans 10:12 it is written:
"For there is NO DIFFERENCE between Jew (Jewish believer) and the
Greek (non-Jewish believer): for the same Lord over ALL is rich unto
ALL that call upon him."
In Galations 3:28, it is written:
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free,
there is neither male nor female: for you are ALL ONE in Christ
Jesus"
In Galations 5:6, it is written:
"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision (Jewish believer) availeth
any thing, nor uncircumcision (non-Jewish believer) but faith which
worketh by LOVE"
In Colossians 3:11 it is written:
"Where there is neither Greek (non-Jewish believer) nor Jew (Jewish
believer), circumcision (Jewish believer) nor uncircumcism
(non-Jewish believer) ... but Christ is ALL and IN ALL"
In I Corinthians 13:2 it is written:
"And though I have ... all knowledge (of Torah observance) ... and
have not LOVE, I am NOTHING".
In John 13:35, Yeshua/Jesus spoke these words:
"By THIS shall ALL MEN know that you are my disciples
(students/followers): if you have LOVE one to another (Jewish and
non-Jewish believer)"
In I John 3:14 it is written:
"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we LOVE
the BRETHREN . He that loveth not his brother abideth in death"
There is a VERY FAMOUS and ANCIENT Jewish song taken from
Psalm 133. It is called, "Hene Ma Tov", and the songs says:
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for BRETHREN (Jewish and
non-Jewish believer) to dwell together in UNITY"
In Psalm 133:1,3 it is written:
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell
together in unity! ... for THERE (when brethren dwell together in
unity) the Lord COMMANDED the BLESSING even life
(CHAI ... La chayim) forevermore"
In Messiah, HE has broken down the wall of separation between
Jew and non-Jew. Baruch HaShem!
If we are followers of Messiah (both Jew and non-Jew), let US
keep HIS commandments (and the greatest was LOVE for each other)
and dwell together in UNITY so that the blessing of God is
COMMANDED upon us (Psalm 133:3) and the world will KNOW that
Yeshua/Jesus is Messiah !!! (John 17:21).
P.S. One of the best messages I have ever heard on this subject and
how the Jewish believer attitude toward the non-Jewish believer (who
is a type of Ruth) was given by Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Kahn at the
1996 MJAA conference. It should be noted that Messianic Rabbi Kahn
DOES believe that both Jewish and non-Jewish believer ARE one in
Messiah and both should treat each other accordingly.
For those intersted in this issue, I would encourage all of you to
get this tape.
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