Expert: Messianic Rabbi Yochanan - 2/2/2012

Question
Have you come across any "Messianic Noahids"? This is a term that I tend to refer as myself as more and more but I may be the only one.

Answer
Hi Tim,

Terminology is important and a potential hindrance. For years I preferred the term "Noahide Nazarene" and published using that term (for instance <a href=http://www.allfaith.com/Religions/Noahide>HERE</a>), however the more I studied the more I saw an inaccuracy connected with it. This negative applies to the term "Messianic Noahide" as well in my opinion. Here's why:

Noahides are, as you know, Gentiles who embrace HaShem without conversion to Judaism. Many Noahides can be and have been blessed by the teachings of Rebbe Y'shua. Such people can accurately be addressed as "Messianic Noahides" or Noahide Nazarenes however this is not what I am and, if I am hearing you correctly, not what you wish to be.

Those who have truly embraced the authentic teachings of Rebbe Y'shua will wish to convert into the religion he taught, Judaism. As converts to Judaism one is no longer a Noahide, one is a Jew. Therefore neither of these terms adequately reference what you are seeking to identify.

Modern Judaism is composed of movements (or denominations): the Orthodox Movement, the Conservative Movement and so on. Those who embrace the Jewish teachings of Rebbe Y'shua and who are formally "grafted into" or "adopted into" Judaism through him, are therefore most accurately referenced as members of the "Messianic Movement" of Judaism.

Unfortunately, some Nicene Christians (like "Jews for Jesus" etc) inaccurately refer to themselves as "Messianic Jews" when they are not, they are Nicene Christians (i.e. they embrace the Nicene Creed and the non-biblical religion of Christianity: <a href=http://jewtoo.org/nicene.html>See here</a> for more on this.

We append the term "authentic" to state that a distinction exists. We are not Christians, we are Jews.

For this reason I have embraced the term "authentic Messianic Judaism" as the most accurate descriptor for my beliefs.

To share our understandings we offer a free on-line school: <a href=http://yeshivabethhashem.org>http://yeshivabethhashem.org</a> if you are interested.

I hope this helps,
~ Rabbi Yochanan