Messianic Jews in Israel

[yod]

MESSIANIC JEWS - have been considerably reinforced by recent immigration and now comprise some 10,000 Israelis, according to Messianic leaders and their Jewish opponents. Eitan Shishkoff, who heads the Messianic community outside Haifa, said there are 10,000 members in roughly 80 Messianic congregations across the country. This figure has approximately doubled since the immigration from the former Soviet Union began in the late 1980's. The Yad L'Achim organization, which has been dedicated to fighting Christian proselytization since 1950 say the Russian-speaking population is being deliberately targeted because of relatively weak ties to Judaism and poor socio-economic status. "Maybe a few of our members first came to us through the charity, but 98% of them didn't – make that 99.9%," said Shishkoff. (JP) *"And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh." Joel 2:28 –Continue to pray that the Messianic Believers will have effective inroads to share the Good News amongst all people groups in Israel.

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Brought to you by

www.visionforisrael.com

[beej7]

Todah, Yod, for the encouraging update. Thanks, too, for the link.:wave:

Beej

[insaneinthebrain]

Brought to you by

www.visionforisrael.com (http://www.visionforisrael.com)
Our little forum now has Public Service announcements. :P

Actually, the whole reason I got interested in MJ a fews years back was due to the fact that I thought all Jews rejected Y'shua, and finding out I was wrong absolutely fascinated me. It's good to see the numbers increasing.

[Warren Peace]

Actually, the whole reason I got interested in MJ a fews years back was due to the fact that I thought all Jews rejected Y'shua, and finding out I was wrong absolutely fascinated me. It's good to see the numbers increasing.Same here actually...

[yod]

that link of "vision for Israel" is Barry and Batya Segal's news service.

[Yehuda]

The Yad L'Achim organization, which has been dedicated to fighting Christian proselytization since 1950 say the Russian-speaking population is being deliberately targeted because of relatively weak ties to Judaism and poor socio-economic status. "Maybe a few of our members first came to us through the charity, but 98% of them didn't – make that 99.9%," said Shishkoff.

I certianly don't take the side of this anti-missionary group (The Yad L'Achim organization) however, this they said about Russian-speaking population being deliberately targeted is true. And I am glad it has been targeted.

But here is where one must be careful in Israel.

Christian proselytization is not illegal in Israel, however, it is illegal if it is involved with material benefits such as humanitarian aid.

On the other hand, there have been so many Christian organizations in Israel to have signed statements and to have agreed to withhold presenting the gospel to the Jewish people, and some to even teach against it, I am sad to say. That this makes me even to all the more appreciative of those who have not bowed the knee to Satan, and that still do present the gospel to the Jewish people in Israel.

[yod]

That is a tricky issue because I believe that feeding the hungry and helping the poor is presenting the gospel and it says more than words....

And whether someone accepts Yeshua (or not) doesn't release us from the responsibility to help them if they are "one of the least of these my brothers"

A christian humanitarian group might sign agreements that say they won't preach in Israel but if they are asked they can legally and lawfully explain the reason for the hope that is in them. The humanitarian aid builds a bridge of trust where there once was only an ocean of offense and mistrust.

Truly "one man sows and another man reaps" and all things work together for the good of those who are called.

[Yehuda]

That is a tricky issue because I believe that feeding the hungry and helping the poor is presenting the gospel and it says more than words....


There are some people who feel comfort to support organizations that have signed statements and to have agreed to withhold the gospel to Israel, and also to even support those organizations that will even teach against presenting it.

But I am not one of them.

I am not a Christian Zionist, I am a Christian who is pro-Zionist which is very different thing than being a Christian Zionist.

I, personally would not want to be involved in a kind of Christian Zionism that supports an organization which not only refuses to evangelise Jews, but diverts support away from those who do, or which tries to bless Israel without giving Israel, Jesus. I would have to say that any one who is doing that is being taken for a ride by the Devil.

[yod]

There are some people who feel comfort to support organizations that have signed statements and to have agreed to withhold the gospel to Israel, and also to even support those organizations that will even teach against presenting it.

Oh c'mon Yehuda....you are taking too narrow a view of this. Do you not think that the Lord can use this? Do you not realize that this has been instrumental in the number of jews receiving Yeshua in Israel?

While I agree that presenting the gospel is paramount, there are centuries of distrust being broken by the actions of groups like "Bridges for Peace" etc, etc, etc....and this IS presenting the gospel in a very powerful way when combined with agape love....and with other groups who do preach the gospel.

The humanitarian efforts of organizations who are KNOWN to be christian says a lot about the love of Yeshua. These people are not restricted from telling anyone about Yeshua who would ask why they do this. They are only disallowed from setting up a soapbox and requiring someone to listen to a sermon before receiving aid.

The humanitarian efforts of these groups give ALL christians an open door to speak to jews where there was only suspicion before. They have added credibility to the words of those who say that Jesus loves the jews..

So again...."One man sows and another man reaps..."

[Tishri1]

Yeh We have the same thing here in the States. In most of our service jobs we can't talk to customers about our Faith but we still do when asked, and that seems to be where the Father spends most of the Time drawing people in: during those precious one on one times we have with people who need Him.


Hey I've never seen this Organization before Yod...thanks for showing it to us. I'm gonna point it out to my DH when he gets home from work...thanks:thumbsup:

[Yehuda]

Yod wrote:

Oh c'mon Yehuda....you are taking too narrow a view of this.

Do you not think that the Lord can use this?

Do you not realize that this has been instrumental in the number of jews receiving Yeshua in Israel?


My Response:

Perhaps this may serve to answer your questions in a way, that you may begin to better understand my veiws.

Firstly, I want to note that it has been my observation that when the Devil is unable to blind the Christian to the prophetic purposes of God concerning Israel and the Jews, his next deception is to divert Christians into the errors of Christian Zionism.

I would preface matters by pointing out that there are valid evangelical organizations and just to name one for example, "Christian Friends of Israel," and there are some others also that I could name, that I know to be both Christian and Pro-Zionist. They are moderates, Christo-centric as opposed to Israel-centric, and therfore bibilically balanced in their approach.

They do stand for Israel's right to exist, warn of the dangers of Islam to Judeo/Christian civilisation, amd work to point the Christian church back towards its Hebrew root. They do not, however, turn their backs on the local Israeli Body of Christ, in order to placate the Rabbis, and to cultivate good relations with Israeli politicians.

While these organizations are not evangelistic, they do stand with Israeli Messianic believers in their quest to evangelize Israel, and the people in these organizations will often share their faith on a personal low key basis.

So let me make it clear, my argument is with those organizations like "Bridges of Peace" and others that could also be named that have agreed to withhold the gospel to the Jewish people, and in some cases have even taught against presenting it.

[davidoffinland]

From Finland.

I heard there is a controversy between Messianic Jews over their beliefs in Yeshua.

As a gentile believer, I wonder what the take is on this:

1) Messianic believers who believe that Yeshua pre-existed as God and was then incarnated accordingly to John 1:1.

2) Messiaic believers who do not believe that Yeshua pre-existed?

I know there are other posts in history and theology that deal with this, but it seems nothing is coming from the Jewish perspective of this. Can you help?

Thank you and shalom,
David.

PS: I would like if possible the discussion to focus on the Jewish roots of this instead of the Trinitarian development from the later church.

[Yehuda]

From Finland.


I heard there is a controversy between Messianic Jews over their beliefs in Yeshua.

As a gentile believer, I wonder what the take is on this:

1) Messianic believers who believe that Yeshua pre-existed as God and was then incarnated accordingly to John 1:1.

2) Messiaic believers who do not believe that Yeshua pre-existed?

I know there are other posts in history and theology that deal with this, but it seems nothing is coming from the Jewish perspective of this. Can you help?

Thank you and shalom,
David.

PS: I would like if possible the discussion to focus on the Jewish roots of this instead of the Trinitarian development from the later church.


I wouldn't mind commenting on these things you asked about, however. If I did, I it may would lead this discussion "off topic."