Jew or Gentile?

[nebula]

I love embracing my Jewish heritage at this church, but they always refer me to "The law will not pass away untill heaven and earth are destroyed." I show them Galations, well all of Pauls writings, do you have any other suggestions? Thanks

I have heard that this is a growing problem within Messianic Judaism, that they are going back to relying on the Law for salvation.

[aaronjm]

Well the pastor continually states that we recieve salvation through faith alone, which I agree with completely, it's just at times I get a little concerned when law comes up, because if we rely on law alone we are screwed. I am not committed to this church yet, I will feel them out for awhile, I know I will never find a perfect church, but if they start condemning me for chosing to eat pork, or not observing all the feasts there will be some problems.

[aaronjm]

When I think of the 12 tribes of Israel I consider them to be Jews, and Gentiles alike. When I say Jews, I mean people with Jewish blood who have accepted Christ, when I said Gentiles will be Jews, I dont mean blood line, I just mean that in G-d's eyes we will be equal. Like I said the 12 tribes will be followers of Yeshua, the "Jewish religion" denies Yeshua as Messiah, and if they continue to reject that, they are not part of these tribes, no matter what their blood is. A lot of this is new to me, so please be patient with me thanks

[apothanein kerdos]

You seem to be border line truth and border line replacement theology.

We need to understand that pertaining to salvation, yes, God views us as equal and those that are Jewish by race but have not accepted Christ are not "Jewish" in salvation (this is something Paul addresses, to differentiate between true Jews and false Jews). At the same time, this does not mean that the Church has become the new israel or that all Gentiles now hold the promises made to the Jews. Whereas the Gentiles are blessed in salvation like the Jews were, the Jews (bloodline) still hold a special purpose in God's heart. We are in the "time of the Gentiles" where God has opened up the heart of the Gentiles to be receptive to the Gospel. Yet the "time of the Jews" where the Jews hearts are opened is yet to come. The thing is, if the Church has replaced the Jewish people, or we have become Jews by nature....how are we to open up our hearts to the One that is already there?

[justme7]

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How does a person know whether they are a jew or a gentile ?

Salomon had a thousand woman , and if you ask me jews look the same as alot of folks who are called gentiles.

This is another thing that makes me wonder, when pilot was talking to Yeshua he said to him , you think i am a Jew?

I dont really understand why he said that. The Samaritian woman by the well was not considered a Jew but she said that Jacob was their ancestor.

for those of us who have no jewish decent we are biologically gentile. the New Testament states that there is neither jew or gentile, male or female, slave or free...we who believe are all children of GOD, having become one in JESUS CHRIST (Galatians 3:28) and goes on to say that we are Abraham's heirs according to the promise (v29). the Word says that we have been grafted in with Israel (see Romans 11:11-27..all very interesting). also the Word says that those who are of faith are sons of Abraham (Galatians 3:7-9).

*perhaps the woman at the well was a child of a mixed marriage, having one parent descended from Jacob and another of gentile blood. (no idea though).

*from my understanding Pilate was not a Jew at all.

i suppose you are neither jew or gentile, but a child of GOD grafted by faith into HIS family along with HIS people Israel.

[Guest yod]

Well the pastor continually states that we recieve salvation through faith alone, which I agree with completely, it's just at times I get a little concerned when law comes up, because if we rely on law alone we are screwed. I am not committed to this church yet, I will feel them out for awhile, I know I will never find a perfect church, but if they start condemning me for chosing to eat pork, or not observing all the feasts there will be some problems.

Some of the things you have been saying about christians being "jews" concern me as much as those issues.

It sounds like you are in what is known as "ephramite" congregation or 2-House.

If so....run...don't walk.

There are a lot of healthy messianic congregations but there are also tares growing among the wheat. These Ephramite groups have the best of intentions but they miss the mark to start with and get farther away from the truth with time.

And any place who has their focus on the Torah instead of Yeshua is to be rejected as well...

[aaronjm]

What is the Ephraim theory, and what do you see wrong with it?? I have heard them speak of 2 houses.....what is the truth behind this?