Messianic Jews vs Christians
While both Messianic Jews and Christians believe in Jesus, there are tremendous differences between these two groups. However, you have already probably heard that some religions confused Messianic Jews with Christians because both believe in some core teachings from the holy writings especially when honoring Jesus. These two influential religions have quite a comparison. To give us basic definitions of these two religions, it is vital to know something of their beliefs.
Messianic Jews (sometimes called Messianics):
Simply put, Messianic Jews believe that Yeshua (Hebrew name for Jesus) is their Messiah, or the ultimate deliverer. They claimed that Jesus is not from human origin but he is really “God the Son.” In fact, Messianic Jews’ core doctrines dictate that Jesus is the promised Messiah written in Genesis 3:15. They also adhere to the fact that the native Israel, is still the chosen nation. They claimed that even in our modern times, the Torah should still be loyally followed.
Christians:
Christians mainly adhere to the teachings of Christianity. Their teachings are solely based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The name itself, “Christians,” originally came from the name “Christ, “a Greek name for Messiah. They firmly believe that Jesus is the Messiah promised in the bBible, wWho delivers them from sins. They literally follow the Christ not only with itsHis teachings but ,more importantly, their relationship with God and with their neighbors.
Though there may be a touch of similarities between these two religions, it is pertinent to know their differences as well to distinguish one from another.
While some claimed that Messianic Jews are modern Christians, this is far from the truth. With their differences springs their uniqueness. But both their faith to Jesus or Yeshua are both uncompromised, whether as a Messianic Jew or a Christian. Both honored Jesus as the sSavior. But wWhether being a Messianic Jew or Christian, the important thing is that both religions are doing their best to follow Jesus, not just to spread hHis words but, more importantly, to live by example every day of our lives.
Summary:
1. Traditional Jewish holidays are religiously observed by the Messianic Jews such as Purim and Chanukah. Christians do not observe these traditions.
2. Messianics still observe biblical holidays up to this day like the Day of Atonement, Feast of Trumpets, and Feast of Booths. The only holidays the Christians observe are those that were with paganism origin like Christmas, Easter Sundays, and other modern traditions that are not scriptural.
3. Messianic Jews’ preaching is mainly from the Hebrew Scriptures (Genesis to Malakias) whereas Christians believe in the whole sixty six66 holy books of the Bible.
4. Messianic Jew believes that the Torah, modified by Yeshua, is still in effect. These are the first five books of the bBible: (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Christians believe that once Christ fulfilled the all the holy laws, Tthe Torah should not to be applied anymore. 5. Especially when the Greek Scriptures are already completed (books of Matthew to Revelation).
6. Messianic Jews believe in Tanakh and B’rit Chadasha as their divinely inspired scriptures. Christians believe that both Hebrew-Aramaic and the Greek Scriptures which comprise the whole Bible are their hHoly sScriptures inspired by God.