Conversion. Please help!

[MamaStacey]

Hi all, :wave:
I'm new around here. My name is Stacey, I'm a mother of a beautiful girl (Rivkah, age 2), and I've been a reader for some time. But now I have a question I was hoping you could help me with.

I am currently attending a Messianic shul but recently I've decided to move on, further into the original Jewish practice, and thought about converting to traditional Judaism. Does anyone have any idea of how I can do that? Is there any online resource for those willing to practice traditional Judaism.

Todah!!! :kiss:

[jgonz]

Why do you feel the need to convert to Judaism? Do you realize that to do that you will have to deny Yeshua?

I understand the love of Jewish things, wanting to be a part of a bigger body, etc. but to convert to Judaism is to walk Away from Messiah. I don't understand how someone could do that... :o

[christianmomof3]

Hi Stacey,
I pray that you will turn your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ and pray to Him for guidance about your decision. :prayer: To become a Jew is to deny that Jesus Christ is God, to deny that He died for our sins, and to have merely the outward knowledge about God, but not the inward knowledge of God.
If you have not yet confessed your sins and prayed to Jesus and accepted His gift of life, I pray that you will do so. Please look at the become a Christian link under FAQ at the top of the forum - here is what it says: http://www.christianforums.com/faq.php?faq=gospel#faq_christian
How to Become a Christian

The central theme of the Bible is God's love for you and for all people. This love was revealed when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world as a human being, lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. Because Christ died, your sins can be forgiven, and because He conquered death you can have eternal life. You can know for sure what will become of you after you die.

You have probably heard the story of God's love referred to as the "Gospel." The word Gospel simply means "Good News." The Gospel is the Good News that, because of what Christ has done, we can be forgiven and can live forever.

But this gift of forgiveness and eternal life cannot be yours unless you willingly accept it. God requires an individual response from you. The following verses from the Bible show God's part and yours in this process:

God's Love Is Revealed in the Bible

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." --John 3:16 (NIV)

God loves you. He wants to bless your life and make it full and complete. And He wants to give you a life which will last forever, even after you experience physical death.

We Are Sinful

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." --Romans 3:23 (NIV)

You may have heard someone say, "I'm only human -- nobody's perfect." This Bible verse says the same thing: We are all sinners. We all do things that we know are wrong. And that's why we feel estranged from God -- because God is holy and good, and we are not.

Sin Has a Penalty

"For the wages of sin is death." --Romans 6:23 (NIV)

Just as criminals must pay the penalty for their crimes, sinners must pay the penalty for their sins. If you continue to sin, you will pay the penalty of spiritual death: You will not only die physically; you will also be separated from our holy God for all eternity. The Bible teaches that those who choose to remain separated from God will spend eternity in a place called hell.

Christ Has Paid Our Penalty!

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." --Romans 5:8 (NIV)

The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, has paid the penalty for all your sins. You may think you have to lead a good life and do good deeds before God will love you. But the Bible says that Christ loved you enough to die for you, even when you were rebelling against Him.

Salvation Is a Free Gift

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast." --Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

The word grace means "undeserved favor." It means God is offering you something you could never provide for yourself: forgiveness of sins and eternal life, God's gift to you is free. You do not have to work for a gift. All you have to do is joyfully receive it, Believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ died for you!

Christ Is at Your Heart's Door

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." --Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

Jesus Christ wants to have a personal relationship with you. Picture, if you will, Jesus Christ standing at the door of your heart (the door of your emotions, intellect and will). Invite Him in; He is waiting for you to receive Him into your heart and life.

You Must Receive Him

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." --John 1:12 (NIV)

When you receive Christ into your heart you become a child of God, and have the privilege of talking to Him in prayer at any time about anything. The Christian life is a personal relationship to God through Jesus Christ. And best of all, it is a relationship that will last for all eternity.

Receiving Him Now

If you want to receive Jesus now, and accept His gift of salvation, it's a matter of believing in Jesus Christ, repenting of your sins, and turning the rest of your life over to Him. This is not a ritual based on specific words, but rather, a prayerful guideline for your sincere step of faith.

“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

If you decided to become a Christian today, welcome to God's family. Now, as a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment.

Get baptized as a public statement of your new faith in Christ.
Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
Seek fellowship with other Christians. Develop a group of Christian friends to answer your questions and support you.
Find a local church where you can worship God.

If you are making this commitment to Christ today, please let us know by clicking here (http://www.christianforums.com/gospel.htm).

[HaNotsri]

Hi Mama,

This forum is not a forum that advocates anyone pursue conversion to Orthodox Judaism or any form of "traditional" Judaism.

We are a forum that professes Christ as our King. He is the One who will save you. He died for you. And it's in Him and only Him that you will find what you are looking for.

There is onle ONE Name...:thumbsup:

Michael

[MyZz]

Hi Stacey
you had stated
I am currently attending a Messianic shul but recently I've decided to move on, further into the original Jewish practice, and thought about converting to traditional Judaism

and I'm wondering if you knew that believers in Messiah actually predate the temple and sacrifice-less judaism that you consider to be more original jewish practice.
At the time of Yeshua, believers actually outnumbered the pharisees which are the fore fathers of the rabbinic judaism we have today.
Also in Yeshua's time Judaism was composed of various sects such as the Essenes,Saducees and Pharisees, so if we go back we don't find one uniform type of judaism but rather different sects as the ones I just mentioned.
It would be interesting to know why you feel led to do this..many of us here will identify with ur feelings to some extent since many of us, for various different reasons at one point in our lives have been drawn to conversion.However I would urge you to read and inform yourself well before you make any decision and also since you are a believer to pray for guidance and wisdom.Many messianics I have met see orthodox Judaism through rose coloured glasses especially if they have never lived in a jewish community and are not very well accquainted with it.
keeping u in prayer that the Ruach will guide u and give you discernment b'shem Yeshua.

[Sephania]

Hi all, :wave:
I'm new around here. My name is Stacey, I'm a mother of a beautiful girl (Rivkah, age 2), and I've been a reader for some time. But now I have a question I was hoping you could help me with.

I am currently attending a Messianic shul but recently I've decided to move on, further into the original Jewish practice, and thought about converting to traditional Judaism. Does anyone have any idea of how I can do that? Is there any online resource for those willing to practice traditional Judaism.

Todah!!! :kiss:

With all that has gone on here recently from what I've seen, I have to doubt the sincerety of this very new poster. It's almost like the 'proof' that was being asked for a few days ago by another poster that this is what happens in this forum and in MJ mainstream of late.

:scratch:
Is this a test of Love?:scratch:

[Charles YTK]

Zayit,

I agree it SEEMS strange even suspicious. However what about JosephfromKansas, I think it is on page three, who made the same jump a few days ago. And what about other who have also made that conversion in the past? Should we consider them with suspicion?

There are more here who have left a biblical approach and taken a more rabbinical approach to Messianic faith as a result I suspect of fellowshipping here. You may see no danger in that which is OK, however Paul was furious with the Galatians who believed in Yesha and yet thought that their salvation was not complete or rich enough without adhering to a Rabbinical life style. This forum presents a Neo-Galatian theology and that is a confusing message to many new believers in my opinion.

At one time I considered making the conversion because the Christian church doctrine was so far from the truth of scripture. However I would not do it because I would not surrender faith in Messiah which is the very thing that the Tanakh pointed us to. Why stop at the road sign rather than proceeding to the destination it directs us to?

[Sephania]

Hi all, :wave:
I'm new around here. My name is Stacey, I'm a mother of a beautiful girl (Rivkah, age 2), and I've been a reader for some time. But now I have a question I was hoping you could help me with.

I am currently attending a Messianic shul but recently I've decided to move on, further into the original Jewish practice, and thought about converting to traditional Judaism. Does anyone have any idea of how I can do that? Is there any online resource for those willing to practice traditional Judaism.

Todah!!! :kiss:

B"H

Dear one, why forsake the light and return to darkness? If your shul is a concern, leave, or find somewhere that uplifts you. Why would you , a gentile who was in darkness, and has been given the light of knowledge of the glory of G-d in the person of Yeshua, wish to return?

You are going backwards dear one, and in doing so, making a very serious eternal decision.

Please seriously consider this decision and pray long and hard, and I too will be praying for you.

May you experience His Shalom

[ORI]

This observation of conduct is sad. It has been some time since I have posted but it is with good reason. It is not for us to decide the path that MamaStacey has elected to follow. The number of post should not be relative to the question. If those associated with this forum are sincere, send a PM don’t chastise her in open forum- poor form indeed ! Remember all that we claim to be or observe has come from Judaism. The path that she is contemplating is a difficult one. There will be ample occasion to stop and reflect upon her decision. If possible be supportive or be quiet !
Callaway 1

[jgonz]

I'm sorry Callaway1, but I can not support someone's decision to walk away from Messiah, therefore I could not stay quiet. Converting to Judaism is going the Wrong way.

There are plenty of ways to absorb Jewishness in a Messianic setting (or Alone, with HaShem) than to go backwards into a setting before Messiah, filled with traditions that aren't in Torah. I'm sorry, but that's the way I feel.

[HadassahSukkot]

Hi MamaStacey,

While none of us can control your situation, or your destiny, I am sure you see that many of us are concerned wether or not you have truly thought about all aspects of your journey towards formal conversion.

I agree with what many have said, it would be difficult if you are following Y'shua to get a formal conversion, unless you do deny Him as the Messiah.

I would suggest a lot of alone time with G-d, (if you haven't already); to find out if this (formal conversion) is where He is truly leading you.

There are other ways to make Teshuvah and return to the path your ancestors may have forsaken; or the path you are drawn towards due to extenuating circumstances.

Considering that this forum is for those who are within Messianic Judaism, we do not typically condone nor encourage formal conversion, as one is 'converted' when they truly seek to follow Y'shua in His ways.. it becomes a matter of halacha afterwards that defines how observant (halachically) we are, or how similar or dissimilar to traditional Judaism that we as individuals or groups or congregations are.

Please keep in mind our forum rules (which you may or may not have seen... which are here (http://www.christianforums.com/rules)), and if you feel that you need your faith icon changed, please contact one of us moderators.

I will be closing this thread as of this post, as our rules do state:

1.2 No Proselytizing for Other Religions or Faiths
You will not use any aspect of CF to promote a religion, belief, faith or doctrine other than "Christianity" as stated in the Nicene Creed.

A post that merely provides information about a non-Nicene Christian belief is allowed for informational purposes only (with references provided) and without promotion.

Promotion is defined as encouragement of the progress, growth, or acceptance of something including advertising and publicity. For the purposes of this rule, atheism and witchcraft/psychics are to be considered faiths.

I will be praying about your situation. If you have any questions, please let me/us know.