A Christian answer to “Messianic Jews” borrowed from Ernest S:
Any who truly becomes a Christian is made anew and becomes a new creation in which there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor noncircumcised, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Christ is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace. Notice, to make in Himself of twain one new man.
Through death we lose our worldly allegiances and though Christ was born a Jew through His death and resurrection **He is no longer a Jew but the new Man.***
There are therefore three categories still in this world, Jews, Gentiles and Christians.
Messianic Jews make themselves an offence to both Jews and to Christians for they try to combine the two *contradictory* allegiances.
What did Paul, a Hebrew of Hebrews say? Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, ***those I counted loss for Christ.*** Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do ***count them but dung,**** that I may win Christ.
And if you understand the point, as the "Messianics" will, since we are using English he didn't say Moshiach or Yeshua either!!! Agreed, that at least would be more honest but it still creates divisions. Why is there any need to? Do Muslims who become Christians pretend to be Muslim Christians? How far do we take this? Atheist Christians? Alcoholic Christians? Do you see the point?People will either know or if they want to know they will ask or find out about, just as for anybody. We all have backgrounds but it is what we have become, a new creation in Christ, behold all things are become new, that is Who we follow. At least the honesty will be respected I am sure you will agree.
It is for people to reject us when we become Christians and if not, then fine, they accept us as Christians and each will know the difference, but ***if they do reject us then we respect that and accept the offence of the cross.***
Messies: Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League objected to the [Southern Baptist] Executive Committee recommendation of turning a mission to Jews over to the SBC's mission boards.
"The idea of the Southern Baptist Convention using a so-called Jewish messianic group--which misrepresents two faiths--to target Jews for conversion is disgraceful, insulting and dangerous," Foxman said in 2005.
Foxman decried "continuing efforts by the Southern Baptist Convention to target Jews for conversion." He termed the Southern Baptist Messianic Fellowship "part of a deceptive movement that falsely claims they are interested in Jewish practices when the real goal is to convert Jews to Christianity."
For Southern Baptists, however, it is simply a strategy for evangelism. Ed Stetzer, who now works for LifeWay Christian Resources, has said Messianic congregations are an example of a "missional" church, in that they are "indigenous to Jewish culture."
The SBC passed a resolution in 1996 pledging to “direct our energies and resources toward the proclamation of the gospel to the Jewish people.”
http://ethicsdaily.com/news.php?viewStory=12579
.