WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE MESSIANIC?
The term “messianic” is based on the truth of Scripture, that Yeshua is the Messiah. The apostle's consistent message throughout the epistles is that Adonai Yeshua is the Messiah (not Lord Jesus Christ). Acts 9:22; 17:1-3
The hope of Israel and the Good News of salvation and entrance into the Kingdom of God required the identifying of who the Messiah was and is prophetically. Without this understanding that hope was lost!
Those who embraced Yeshua as their Messiah “were first called Messianics” or Messiah’s Community (not Christians or the Church). Acts 11:25-26; 26:27-28. Hebrew: Mishiach or M’shichi meaning Messianic.
The term Messianics and Messiah’s Community identified the followers of Yeshua and the apostles as separate (Kadosh - set apart) and distinct from Judaism under the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Rabbis of the day. It also identified them from all other false religions, teachings, traditions and emphasis that developed around them and from among them, such as the various gnostic groups, false teachers and prophets of the day. Roman Catholicism, the founders of Christianity, sprung up from these false teachers and other anti-semitic leaders, influencing the whole of Christianity with many false doctrines, traditions and pagan-influenced celebrations and beliefs.
As a Messianic fellowship, we are neither Christian or Judaistic in our emphasis, traditions or doctrines. We take seriously the writings of Moses, called the Torah in Hebrew (Law by Christianity), the prophets, called the Tanak in Hebrew, (the Old Testament by Christianity) and the teachings of Yeshua and the apostles (The New Testament by Christianity). Matthew 22:29; 40; 23:34. Luke 16:16-17
As a Messianic fellowship, faithfulness to the Scriptures, accuracy of translation and understanding the truth of the message according to the culture, language and traditions of the Hebrew writers is essential. All Scripture and the Apostolic Writings, that is from Genesis to Revelation is foundationed on Hebrew thought and understanding. “All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for restoration, and for training in righteousness…” 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 4:1-5. 1 Timothy 1:3-11. Luke 24:25-32; 44-49
