Nazarene (Messianic) Judaism

Most people are familiar with the terms Orthodox, Conservative, and Reformed Judaism. Some may even have heard about Reconstructionism! But, Nazarene Judaism? By definition, Nazarene/Messianic means "of, like, or characteristic of the Messiah from Nazareth." The title Messiah, in Hebrew Mashiach and means anointed. Thus, Nazarene Judaism believes that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Messiah, the Anointed One, the deliverer long promised to our people by Elohim throughout the Holy Scriptures.

Although differences exist between these branches of Judaism, one central thought embraces the hope of all Yisrael and permeates to the very heart and soul of a Yisraelite. This can best be explained by Article XII of the Thirteen Principles of the Faith by Maimonides which states, "I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah; and, though he tarry, I will wait daily for his coming." Sadly, most of our Yisraelite people await his first coming, while we as Nazarene Yisraelites eagerly await his second coming.

Within Nazarene Judaism, Nazarene terminology is used to express the biblical faith in the Messiah because this was the culture and expression of the Re-newed Covenant faith in its earliest stages. Nazarene believers wish to express their faith in the Messiah in a manner consistent with Yisraelite heritage and culture. This is because belief in the Messiah is consistent with being an Yisraelite. He is the fulfillment of Elohim's promises to Yisrael. Nazarene terminology imparts faith in Messiah to children, friends, and family in a manner consistent with a Yisraelite heritage. It communicates Scriptural truth without the excess baggage of historical anti-semitism. Thus, Yeshua is the Hebrew for Jesus, Mashiach or Messiah is used for Christ, Nazarene Jewish or Yisraelite is used instead of Christian, and Synagogue or Congregation is used for Church.

Before the emergence of what is commonly referred to as the early church, there were Nazarene congregations. The first was located in Jerusalem, led by the talmidim (disciples) of Yeshua. Its membership and worship style was characteristically Jewish, and from these congregations, the Good News of the Messiah went out to the peoples of the world.

In the centuries following the Nicean Council of 325 C.E., Nazarene believers in Yeshua lost the option of living and worshipping as Yisraelites. They found themselves in the position of either joining existing Gentile churches and renouncing their Jewish/Yisraelite identities, recanting their faith in the Messiah to remain in the Jewish/Yisraelite community, or maintaining their identities and faith, but not attending any worship service.

When they joined traditional Christian churches they were cut off by their family and friends, counted as having left the Jewish/Yisraelite faith and people. They were perceived as joining the Gentiles because the churches, composed primarily of Gentiles, reflected a distinctively non-Jewish culture. This change from Yisraelite to non-Yisraelite emphasis was also the result of a decidedly anti-Jewish bias in Church leadership which was manifested at the Nicean Council and thereafter in Church policies. The sad result of the millennia and a half of Christian anti-Semitism is the Jewish perception that belief in Yeshua the Messiah is both non-Jewish and anti-Semitic.

In spite of historic anti-Semitism, the relationship between Jewish people and the Nazarene faith has changed dramatically. Beginning in the nineteenth century, Adonai began moving upon the Jewish people and many became believers in Yeshua. This constituted the largest number of Jewish/Yisraelite believers since the first century. In the early 1970's, the Nazarene Jewish movement emerged out of this earlier Jewish revival of the nineteenth century. The Nazarene vision of the 1970's shared the same view of Yisrael's Messiah and desire for the salvation of the Jewish people. What differentiated this latter development within the believing Jewish community from its earlier stages was the vision to continue living a Yisraelite life-style as people having accepted the Messiah.

While most Jewish believers joined traditional churches, many did not. They did not see themselves as accepting something non-Jewish when they believed. They saw the Good News and the Messiah they embraced as Nazarene and as a fulfillment of Elohim's promises to his people. Gradually, these groups of believers began to meet regularly in home fellowships and in monthly meetings. At that time there was a handful of Nazarene congregations, but they were few and far between. Yisraelite believers meeting in Nazarene congregations found they were perceived by Jewish people to be Jewish even though they believed in Yeshua. Participation in a Nazarene congregation was not only a point of common cultural identity, it was a positive testimony to a skeptical, but slowly opening Jewish/Yisraelite community.

Today, there are hundreds of Nazarene/ Jewish congregations bound together through a common Nazarene vision and heritage, and a common desire to share the Good News to the Jew first as well as to the non-Jew. The Nazarene Jewish movement is a nineteenth/twentieth century phenomenon which parallels the reestablishment of the modern State of Yisrael. The Nazarene movement is young, yet it has an ancient heritage. Because of its youth, the movement is in many ways a pioneer movement, blazing new trials as well as some which have not been traveled for over 1,500 years.

As Nazarene Jews and former non-Jews, together as Yisrael, we believe in the Deity of Yeshua, as both Adonai and Messiah, Savior of the world, and the one and only begotten Son of the Father, conceived through "Almah" (a virgin - Isaiah 7:14), in a miracle way, by the power of Elohim's Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). Yeshua is the Anointed One, the deliverer long promised to our Yisraelite people by Elohim throughout the Tenach (Holy Scriptures - Deuteronomy 18:15). We believe that through faith in Yeshua and the atonement He provides, Elohim credits us as righteous in His sight.

At  Shearit Yisrael Nazarene Congregation, we believe that Elohim has NOT annulled His covenant with the Jewish/Yisraelite People or the Nation of Yisrael and that Elohim continues to have a plan and a purpose for both in the present time and in the future to come (Jeremiah 31 & 32:40-41, Romans 11:1-2). We believe our freedom in Messiah Yeshua grants us the liberty to preserve our physical and spiritual identity as heirs of Avraham, Yitshaq, and Ya'acob through our praise, worship, dance, holidays, customs, and lifestyle. Our trust in Messiah brings new meaning to our faith, causes rejoicing within our soul, and renews our relationship with Elohim.

If you are a Jewish or non-Jewish person seeking a personal relationship with Elohim, a Jewish/Yisraelite Believer in Messiah desiring to serve Elohim in a Nazarene Jewish manner, or a Christian wanting to better understand the Hebraic roots of your faith, and experience the kind of worship Messiah Yeshua practiced, you are warmly invited to attend our Shabbat Services on Saturday mornings at 11:00 a.m. Our telephone number is (210) 478-1631.

We believe that Elohim has steadfastly maintained a believing remnant of His people Yisrael throughout the ages to be the oracles and depositories of His Holy Scriptures and to be a witness of His love and faithfulness to the nations of the world (Isaiah 10,11 & Romans 11:5). In these last days Elohim is mightily using this believing remnant to lead His people Yisrael to the fullness of a personal relationship with Him through Yeshua.

As the return of the Messiah approaches, Jewish people are back in the land. Yisrael is once again a national entity. Jewish/Yisraelite people are believing in Yeshua. Believers, both Jew and non-Jew, need to stand with the Nazarene Jewish movement, as one in the Messiah. Nazarene Jewish believers in the first century looked for Yeshua's return and for the redemption of the Yisraelite people. So do modern-day Nazarene Jews.

Nazarene Jewss often express the heart of Rav Shaul (Apostle Paul), an early Nazarene Jews. "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to Elohim for the Yisraelites is that they may be saved" (Romans 10:1). "Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Messiah, who is Elohim over all, forever praised! Amen" (Romans 9:4-5). If you would like to share in this vision to see "all Yisrael saved," (Romans 11:26) prayerfully read the book of Romans Chapters 9 through 11 and solemnly consider becoming a regular supporter of this much needed ministry to the Yisraelite People through your prayers and financial endorsement. Genesis 12:3 says, "I will bless those who bless you ... and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

We look forward to a fruitful relationship with you and appreciate your prayers and support of this ministry to the lost sheep of the house of Yisrael.

For Additional Information:

Shearit Yisrael Nazarene Congregation

507 Pleasanton Road

San Antonio, Texas 78214

(210) 854-5581

e-mail:  shearit@shearit.com