Posted on 07/23/2008 5:59:45 PM PDT by Raineygoodyear
In Israel, a resurgence in the number of Jews who believe in Jesus is getting a lot of attention. Many leaders say it's the strongest growth since the time of Jesus and that the Messianic movement could be on the brink of a great revival.
"This is the first time where we've seen Israeli society in general being so open to consider who Yeshua is," said Messianic leader Asher Intrater. "This is a real miracle, and there's beginning to be grace and favor with us in the land."
Although Jesus and the early disciples were Jewish, for nearly 2,000 years the gospel has been viewed as a religion mainly for Gentiles. Even the name Jesus or Yeshua has been a forbidden word among many Jews. But in the last few years, Messianic leaders in Israel say something important is happening.
"I believe with all my heart, after we have come back to the land, we are seeing the Lord, the Holy Spirit, is removing the veil from the eyes of the Jews and more and more Jews are realizing," Tel Aviv pastor Avi Mizrachi said.
Although nobody knows for sure how many Messianic Jews live in Israel, it's believed there are about 120 congregations now and 10,000-15,000 Jewish believers in Jesus.
That may not sound like many given Israel's nearly six million Jews, but it's a far cry from 10 years ago when there were only about 3,500 Jewish believers and 80 congregations.
A good example is Shemen Sasson in Jerusalem, where attendance has nearly tripled over the past four years. Today, close to 300 people attend the meetings, most of them Jewish or people married to Jews. And salvations are increasing.
Meet the Ronens. Daniel, Ayelet and their five children are Israeli believers. Ayelet is an Israeli Jew and Daniel is a Finnish Gentile. But his family has been here since before Israel became a nation. They believe Jesus is the Jewish Messiah.
"When Jesus came, when Yeshua came, he came to talk to our people," Ayelet Ronen said. "He walked on our land, He spoke our language, He spoke in our synagogues. Really, He came for us! In addition to Israeli-born believers, many are from other countries. American Jews Eddie and Jackie Santoro became believers during the1970s Jesus Movement.
They made aliyah to Israel 11 years ago, learned Hebrew, and now lead a growing congregation in Jerusalem.
"Our current congregation, we started almost two years ago with about 20 people. Today we have over 100," Eddie Santoro explained. "We see salvations here and there, but we feel like there's something yet to come. It's definitely growing."
But being a Jewish believer in Israel isn't easy.
"I think probably the greatest challenge is that you always feel that the rest of society isn't accepting you. And so when you meet somebody and you want to talk to them and you want to tell them who you are, there's always that challenge of, 'should I say something,";Jackie Santoro said.
For the first time, the secular media are saying something, even mentioning Messianic Jews in a more favorable light. A recent wave of persecution, including the bombing of a young Jewish believer, have put Messianic Jews on the front page.
"At least we see that believers are being asked to explain who they are, what they believe in, why they are here...how they can be Israeli and believe in Jesus and be given an opportunity to tell their story and share their testimony," Knut Hoyland of the Caspari Center said.
What does this movement mean for the Body of Christ?
"If it wasn't for Yeshua, we would be lost," Ayelet said.
The time is growing close.
No joke. Got goosebumps.
I go through many emotions these days until I pray.
Sorry. From the title I thought this thread was about Obama.
Messianics have just been accepted as returning Jews in Israel.shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonaibaruch HaShem
Messianic Jew = Christian
A whole new phenomena, double boomerang heretics!
Messianic Jew <> Christan Gentile.
Wont be long now.
unfortunately it will be the anti-christ
Messianic Jew = Believer that Yeshua is Messiah
Christian = Believer that Yeshua is Messiah
Not really. An observant and ethnic Jew who accepts Christ as the messiah still must adhere to the biblical laws (the mitzvot) which uniquely apply to Jews. The Jews are still Gods chosen people to this day. This unique status does come with its special obligations. Christ himself was a highly observant Jew who said that he did not come to overturn the law, but to fulfill it.
They are not Jews. They are Christian.
Too bad not enough read the Bible and keep repeating history by putting their faith in men.
That he was is fine for me in that the United States could not have been founded without Christians, so in this sense, God's plans seem fulfilled.
It's much more challenging for me though to say, "Sh'ma Yisrael: Adonai elohenu. Adanai echad!"
One God, beyond spacetime, though not personified.
Search the scriptures Yah'shua performed all the miracles of the Messiah and he claimed to be YHvH.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonai
...Which is a Commandment violation, you know....
People bowed down to worship Jesus, and he never stopped them from doing so. He accepted worship that belongs to God alone. How can you explain that?
...Which is a Commandment violation, you know....
I prefer to follow my Jewish Messiah and call myself a Messianic. Many are offended by 1700 years of anti-semitism by so-called "Christians"
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonai
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