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Indeed, though the same scripture did not say that the Gentiles/strangers within the nation were unholy in all respect for eating it. Within that era, eating unclean meat (or dead meat) symbolized something and as the Lord wanted to maintain distinction, differing rules were given.
The goal for Gentiles was NEVER to become like the Jews, although they could try if they wished. They were to simply not pride themselves at ANY point on it or look down upon other Gentiles for not thinking it necessary since the Lord already worked with others outside of the Mosaic Law--be it with Job, or Jethro or Noah and others who effectively lived as the Gentiles based upon Genesis 9. To claim that those not following Mosaic Law were "more holy" than those without it doesn't go with the account of scripture, vis. There was a differing kind of holiness---but a sanctification occurred with the Gentiles nonetheless and the Lord utilzed them on multiple accounts.
Not really accurate, v--and again, as noted earlier, even the organizations discussing Gentiles trying to observe Torah have noted that often...Thomas Lancaster being one of the most prominent. If the Word is going to be the standard, IT alone should be the standard and it cannot be ignored selectively to see only one side.
"Halakah" is the wording I think you're looking for, concerning what you were uncertain of with spelling
From the OT perspective, Exodus 12:48 says that circumcision is optional for even a Sojourner living in Israel (much less a non-Jew living in Georgia or wherever other Non-Jews are). Exodus 31:13 says the Sabbath is a sign between Israel and God (not a universal command).
From the NT perspective, in regards to how often Paul and others were called "Torah Breakers", they made clear how both Jews and Gentiles are brought into the faith via the Blood of the Messiah...while the standards for holiness differ for both. It's why the council in Acts 15 was held and why Jews still sought to keep Torah, whereas Gentiles sought the Lord as God-Fearers just like others in the OT.
There are many other places besides that which deal plainly on the subject. And thankfully, for those within to become Messianic Gentiles, FFOZ has gone into exceptional depth covering the plain reality of how differing laws were given to the Gentiles while the Jews were given differently as well..all under the same Laws of the Lord. For Distinction was never a problem according to the Law---both in the OT and in the NT, even though both have been brought together in radical ways in Yeshua. For Places for one to go can be seen here:
- FFOZ Blogs : Sin and Torah
- FFOZ Blogs : Moral vs. Ceremonial
- Building Fellowship | Morning Meditations
- FFOZ Blogs : One Simple Verse: Galatians 5:3
- Frequently Asked Questions - First Fruits of Zion
- FFOZ Blogs : Part 1) "One Law" in Context
- FFOZ Blogs : Part 2) "One Law" in the Late Second Temple Era
- D. Thomas Lancaster The Holy Epistle to the Galatians, full review| Hope Abbey
- FFOZ and Messianic Judaism
- Eating Lizards . . . Acts 10 & 11
- Rereading on Torah and Gentiles « Messianic Jewish Musings
- Torah and New Testament #3 | Messianic Jewish Musings
- Non-Jewish Customs, Worship, Deuteronomy 14 | Messianic Jewish ...
Acts 13:36-41
I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
41 Look, you scoffers,
wonder and perish,
for I am going to do something in your days
that you would never believe,
even if someone told you.[e]
wonder and perish,
for I am going to do something in your days
that you would never believe,
even if someone told you.[e]
The Messianics over at the Rosh Pina Project said it best when it came to the issue of Gentiles in the Messianic Movement--as said here:
Whilst Orthodox rabbis tend to discourage Gentile conversions to Judaism, they encourage Gentiles to become Noahides or Bnei Noach (Sons of Noah). The late Lubavitcher Rebbe in particular stressed the value of Noahide evangelism, causing Chabad to establish the Institute of Noahide Code. The Reconstituted Sanhedrin actively attempts to convert Gentiles to become Noahides.
So whilst the Noahides do not become part of Israel, they do become Gods people. There is no competition to fight for an identity as Israel, and no obligation to keep halachah. However, as the modern Noahide movement is designed as a kiruv counter-weight to the Protestant missions, it is obviously not an option as believers.
But is there a parallel for Messianic Judaism?
Well firstly we know that the ekklesia the community of those saved by trusting in Moshiach - is made up of Jew and Gentile (Colossians 3:11):
We know that Messianic Jews are both physically and spiritually descendants of Abraham, but what of those who are not physical descendants of Abraham?
Are they still sons of Abraham in a special, spiritual sense?
We read in Romans 4:9-12:
This is the special role of Gentiles within the Messianic movement: to fully live lives which show that following Abrahams walk is only possible by knowing Yeshua for Jews and Gentiles alike. The bnei Avraham are exactly who God intended Gentile believers and Christians to be. You dont need to keep halachah or prove youre descended from a Lost Tribe in fact if youre a Gentile Christian who takes the right approach to Israel from the New Testament, then you already are a bnei Avraham without realising it!
Bnei Avraham are encouraged to share their physical blessings with Jews, as the bnei Avraham share in the Jews spiritual blessings (Romans 15:27). Indeed, if you read Romans 11, you see how God intended the bnei Avraham Jewish and Gentile followers of Yeshua to complement each other in a chain reaction leading to the full and final geula: the redemption of the world.
Paul writes (Romans 11:13-16):
As sadly much of the Church continues to be unaware both the significance and the identity of Jewish believers, the Messianic movement has a role to play in lovingly educating Christians about true Jewish-Gentile harmony. As Messianic Jews and Gentile Bnei Avraham, I believe we can all work together towards this goal.
So whilst the Noahides do not become part of Israel, they do become Gods people. There is no competition to fight for an identity as Israel, and no obligation to keep halachah. However, as the modern Noahide movement is designed as a kiruv counter-weight to the Protestant missions, it is obviously not an option as believers.
But is there a parallel for Messianic Judaism?
Well firstly we know that the ekklesia the community of those saved by trusting in Moshiach - is made up of Jew and Gentile (Colossians 3:11):
Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Whilst we know the Jews who believe in Yeshua belong to the House of Israel, what of the Gentiles?
We know that Messianic Jews are both physically and spiritually descendants of Abraham, but what of those who are not physical descendants of Abraham?
Are they still sons of Abraham in a special, spiritual sense?
We read in Romans 4:9-12:
Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abrahams faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
In other words, all believers in the Jewish Messiah Yeshua haMashiach are bnei Avraham - sons of Abraham through emuna (faith). Just as Orthodox Judaism considers Gentiles who observe the 7 laws of Noah to be spiritually sons of Noah (not in a physical sense, as we are all physically descended from Noah), so too Messianic Judaism should consider Gentile Christians to be spiritually sons of Abraham.
This is the special role of Gentiles within the Messianic movement: to fully live lives which show that following Abrahams walk is only possible by knowing Yeshua for Jews and Gentiles alike. The bnei Avraham are exactly who God intended Gentile believers and Christians to be. You dont need to keep halachah or prove youre descended from a Lost Tribe in fact if youre a Gentile Christian who takes the right approach to Israel from the New Testament, then you already are a bnei Avraham without realising it!
Bnei Avraham are encouraged to share their physical blessings with Jews, as the bnei Avraham share in the Jews spiritual blessings (Romans 15:27). Indeed, if you read Romans 11, you see how God intended the bnei Avraham Jewish and Gentile followers of Yeshua to complement each other in a chain reaction leading to the full and final geula: the redemption of the world.
Paul writes (Romans 11:13-16):
I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
My Messianic fellowship is a home to many Jews, but it would not be the same without the Gentile bnei Avraham who also put in hard work and make the fellowship a dynamic, loving community. Indeed, a Messianic community where Jews and Gentiles bless each other, and in humility serve each other is exactly what God intended the Church to be. Gentiles shouldnt feel inferior to Jews in any way, but should also be mindful of the purpose of Messianic Judaism: to provide a safe and loving environment where Jews can worship the risen, divine Messiah Yeshua as Jews.
As sadly much of the Church continues to be unaware both the significance and the identity of Jewish believers, the Messianic movement has a role to play in lovingly educating Christians about true Jewish-Gentile harmony. As Messianic Jews and Gentile Bnei Avraham, I believe we can all work together towards this goal.
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