Messianic Jew or Gentile

[A.J.]

If asked, would I be considered a Messianic Jew or Gentile. I don't go to church, I observe the feasts, I worship on Saturday, but I also celebrate Christmas and Easter, but only because my parents always have. It's more of a family tradition then part of my religion. My heritage is of mostly all Christian descent, but I also have some Jewish mixed in.

 

[Henaynei]

If asked, would I be considered a Messianic Jew or Gentile. I don't go to church, I observe the feasts, I worship on Saturday, but I also celebrate Christmas and Easter, but only because my parents always have. It's more of a family tradition then part of my religion. My heritage is of mostly all Christian descent, but I also have some Jewish mixed in.

While not the definition most of us (there I go assuming) would like to associate with MJism - the fact that most of non-Jew MJism easily fits into your description - sooooo - you qualify as normative Messianic.....

Since you are not Jewish (at least you make no claim to Jewish parentage) you are non-Jewish, a.k.a. Gentile.......

That equals Messianic Gentile by my reckoning

 

[SonWorshipper]

Henaynei, do you mean to say that most gentiles that consider themselves Messianic also celebrate the Christian holidays?

 

[Henaynei]

Henaynei, do you mean to say that most gentiles that consider themselves Messianic also celebrate the Christian holidays?

Yes, that is my experience and is reflected in the experience of many I know around the country. As well, many still go to church several times a year - not a few going every Sunday and have their children in Awana, Royal Rangers and vacation bible school.

There are "a remnant" of non-Jewish Messianics that have totally left the greco-church culture - but they are the minority.

As you well know - MJism is nothing if not a broad and deep 'spectrum' of "observances."

 

[SonWorshipper]

Oy, well I guess I am in the minority, I left the church years ago and the holi days as well. I take 2Cor 6:14 seriously. Although I do see this in my synogogue and it bothers me greatly. I have been seriously debating with myself about going to the Rabbi about it, but don't want to be accused of promoting a "6-fold ministry"

 

[yod]

I don't think being messianic should be defined by anything except the Messiah.

These other things make us just another denomination. For instance, someone who is christian can be Baptist, Pentecostal, or Catholic (sometimes)

We claim the jewish faith yet we are also christian in the classic sense of the word. To add "jew" or "gentile" to the end of the word "messianic" makes an unnecessary distinction.....except for defining ourselves to men.

In the flesh we are either one or the other but being messianic is not about the flesh. He has made us One New Man. Neither jew nor gentile anymore because those things are defined by our flesh

...yet we are also both in some mystical ways as we are joined to the Commonwealth of Israel....the Israel of God.


But let me pose a question to the die-hards;

1. Is someone who celebrates Christmas & Easter going to hell for it?
2. What about going to church on Sunday? Will they be zapped for having chosen the wrong day?
3. Is someone who observes the Sabbath "spiritually enlightened" more than someone who doesn't?
4. Is there any righteousness found in observing Torah that makes us more spiritually advanced than christians?

 

[SonWorshipper]

The choice is simple, obedience to G-d or man?

 

[yod]

I don't think it's quite that simple because breaking any law is breaking the whole law.

Don't forget that I'm on your side in this discussion, SW.

But I asked your opinion and you avoided it quite well so I'm going to try this one question at a time.

A simple yes or no will do.

Is a born again christian who celebrates Christmas and/or Easter going to hell for it?