Questions

[capnator]

I really know very little about Messianic Judaism and in fact I didn't even know such a thing existed until I had visited this website! Although it does make sense now that I think about it that you guys would be around. Following the bible you had throughout the OT the Jews who were G-d's people as his light in the world and looking for the promised one to come, who when he came was crucified by some Jews but others who you would rightly call messianic Jews followed him and were the first of the believers until paul was sent to us Gentiles :)

So after my little ramble I am just curious about a few things, having really only just found out that such a people as yourselves exist. In fact if there was a congregation anywhere near where I lived I'd go and check it out.

1. Firstly I am a Seventh Day Adventist, do you guys have much in common with SDA's, the sabbath seems to be one thing. http://www.christianforums.com/t2180221-official-sda-fundamental-beliefs.html that's the SDA fundamental beliefs incase you don't know what they believe.

2. The OT Jewish system of sacrifices and all the rituals that went with it were pointing to the messiah and his sacrifice, after the lamb was slain there was still things the priest did after this point, do you believe that Jesus is our high priest and that there is a heavenly sanctuary in which he ministers today?

3. What is your view on the holy spirit and his role?

4. Do you believe the bible, OT and NT is inspired by God and our beliefs are to be based in them.

5. Just something I've been thinking about lately from my reading of the bible, In the OT there was the temple which in the most holy place contained the law and the presence of G-d, but in the NT we are told that we are the temple of G-d, so in us as told in the new covenant the law is written in our hearts and the presence of G-d dwells in us.. not really sure of my thoughts about this yet but it seems that it is G-d calling me to a holy life or something, any thoughts on this.

[HadassahSukkot]

Shalom & Welcome to our little corner!

Unfortunately I've got to run right now, but I want to point you in the direction of our FAQs & Links (http://www.christianforums.com/t3958909-messianic-judaism-information-central-faqs-links.html), and Code of Conduct (http://www.christianforums.com/t4435593-mj-forum-code-of-conduct.html)so you have most of your questions filled as quickly as possible.

With today being preparation day, most of us are out and about or at work. :hug:

[Wags]

What the SDA and Messianics have in common is Shabbat and keeping biblical kosher. However SDA keep kosher becuase they are "health principals" that were recommended by EG White and Messianics keep kosher because it is commanded by Adonai.

I believe tha all of the Bible is relevant and applicable to the life of every believer; and that Torah (the first 5 books of the bible) is the foundation by which all Scripture is to be understood and holds the definition of sin and the expectations for righteous living.

Where Messainics (in general) differ from SDA is that they have embraced Torah as being the divine instructions of the Holy One, blessed be He, on how to live a life pleasing to Him. We therefore, through the power of the Holy Spirit, seek to observe the Torah. We keep the Times Appointed by God and ignore those appointed by man that have their roots in pagan rituals (christmas, easter etc...)

SDA scholar Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi has written a couple of books on the Festivals of Adonai.

Here is an excerpt from his site: (http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/books/festivals_1/)

Most evangelical churches no longer observe the annual Biblical Festivals today, partly as a result of the radical anti-feasts attitude of the Puritans, who swept away all religious holy days except the Lord’s Day. The Puritans viewed the church calendar, which was filled with saints’ days and Marian feasts instituted by the Roman Catholic Church, as indicative of the apostasy into which the church had fallen. To rid the church of all the pagan superstitions which had become part of the popular piety, the Puritans in Colonial America did away with all the annual holy days. In doing so, however, they left Christians without a religious calendar to commemorate the great saving acts of God.

In God’s Festivals in Scripture and History Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi challenges Christians to bring about worship renewal by developing a church calendar patterned after the religious calendar God gave to Israel.



He scholarship in tracing the history and practices of the feasts is first rate, but why should we make up a calendar when God has already given us one? Oh and apparently there are a number of professors at the SDA seminary who are keeping the feasts, but are doing so behind closed doors - afterall they have their jobs to consider. There is also a growing contingent of Messianic SDA churches too - mostly on the east coast.

Yes the feasts were pointing to the work of Messiah - but not all of his work is complete is it? There are still the fall feasts to be fulfilled. So observing those reminds us of what is yet to come and keeping the spring feasts helps to remind us of what has been done for us.

[capnator]

Lot's of stuff in the FAQ, thanks for the link

Not much I could see about Q2 or 5 tho

[visionary]

2. The OT Jewish system of sacrifices and all the rituals that went with it were pointing to the messiah and his sacrifice, after the lamb was slain there was still things the priest did after this point, do you believe that Jesus is our high priest and that there is a heavenly sanctuary in which he ministers today?absolutely.... Yeshua is our High Priest officiating in the Heavenly Temple of God.

3. What is your view on the holy spirit and his role? Holy Spirit's role is to lead and guide us closer to God and obeying the truth found in the commandments.

4. Do you believe the bible, OT and NT is inspired by God and our beliefs are to be based in them.We do believe the entire bible as inspired by God, and it takes God to show us the true meaning and how to apply it in our lives. That's where the Holy Spirit comes in.

5. Just something I've been thinking about lately from my reading of the bible, In the OT there was the temple which in the most holy place contained the law and the presence of G-d, but in the NT we are told that we are the temple of G-d, so in us as told in the new covenant the law is written in our hearts and the presence of G-d dwells in us.. not really sure of my thoughts about this yet but it seems that it is G-d calling me to a holy life or something, any thoughts on this.You are on the right track. We are the temple of God and God is knocking at the door of our hearts, if we hear His voice, we are to let Him in, so that He can chase out the money changers, and make this place a House of Prayer. He will then sup with us and we can sup with Him. It is a personal one-on-one experience.