150 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, … whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets…” (Acts 3:19,21).

Not since the Pensacola Outpouring that was birthed out of the teachings of Dick Reuben (a Messianic Jew) have I been so excited about anything within the context of mainstream Christianity. From what I’m finding out the Assemblies of God had a helping hand in the formation of the MJAA (Messianic Jewish Alliance of America) and the IAMCS (International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues). This is curious to me and exciting. The Assemblies of God has been involved in much of if not most of the Pentecostal Revival’s and Awakenings of the 20th Century (From Azusa to Brownsville AG) will they be apart of the next wave of Gentiles returning to the First Love or Hebraic Christianity-Messianic Judaism? With the acceptance of Messianic Judaism within the Assemblies of God and the recent positive coverage of Messianic Jews in Israel in secular news, does this signify a new level of acceptance for the Messianic Movement? Is another Revival coming through Messianic Judaism? I believe so. It’s already started.

I have friends who are Assemblies of God and others who are Messianic and have come from an AG background. I’ve known AG Pastors who have started Returning to the Jewish Roots of Christianity. My personal testimony if full of Hebraic Roots and Jewish Influences on Christianity that I experienced through Assemblies of God Churches and ministries. I’ve met many Assemblies of God believers who seek to observe Shabbat with the families, who take part in a Passover Seder, enjoy Messianic Worship and seek to understand and teach the Hebraic Roots of Christianity. One of the things I like about the Assemblies of God is the belief in the Autonomous Local Church so there is freedom of expression and difference. That is why you see some Congregations that are clearly Messianic Jewish, others are Conservative and a few are simply Hebrew Christians. As long as you believe the Fundamentals they allow for each Congregation to decide, since they are Congregational in focus including local Elders, Deacons and a Pastor. They are also Episcopalian in the sense that they have Bishops or Overseers that they call a District Super-Intendants. There is a General Council for the major doctrinal issues in the same way that a Bet Din is. They follow the example of the Jerusalem Council with the General Council, allow for Autonomous Local Churches, have Bishop’s-Super Intendants and a solid Bet Din-General Council in matters of Fundamental Doctrine.

I have been encouraged to find out that there are Assemblies of God Congregations that are Messianic and even ministries that establish and support Messianic Congregations. This support is far more than say groups like Jews for Jesus which is only an evangelistic organization. Jews 4 Jesus doesn’t promote any Biblical Festivals, they actually advocate Christmas and Easter over Passover and other Biblical Festivals. The keys points that stick out to me about the Messianic Congregations within the Assemblies of God is a focus on the Hebraic Roots of Christianity, Observing the Biblical Festivals, Maintaining the Jewish Lifestyle, Reaching out to the Jewish Community, Following Jewish Life Cycles, Openness to Jews as well as Gentile Involvement, and of course the Presence of the Ruach haKodesh.

The This kind of support from a larger denomination is good and beneficial for the Messianic Movement. There is also a ministry being developed to support Messianic Ministers called the National Jewish Fellowship within the Assemblies of God. Honestly when I came to Messianic faith in Messiah I was a member of an Assemblies of God congregation when I felt the call to the Hebraic Roots at that time I didn’t know that there was ministry and support to believers in Messianic Judaism. Had I known then what I know now I would have sought to plug-in there.

I went to SAGU (Southwestern Assemblies of God University) focused on Pastoral Ministries and Church Planting and Revitalization. I still feel called to be a Congregational leader within a Messianic and Pentecostal context. I would like to complete Yeshiva and make Aliya to the Torah before this happens. God gave me a vision of working within the Assemblies of God to establish Messianic Congregations this news is so exciting to me because this means it is possible. That it may be completely viable not just a dream of vision. I’ve known many Assemblies of God pastors who participate in Messianic Jewish Passover Seder’s and seek to incorporate other Hebraic Roots Elements including Shavuot (Pentecost) celebrations, etcetera. I have to say I am excited to know that a mainstream denomination has Messianic Congregations within their fellowship and that they have support for Messianic Ministers. I am blown away by this fact. I honestly don’t know what to do with my self. Many Assemblies of God Congregations leaders are also credentialed under the MJAA, MIA or IAMCS.

After doing some research I came across some information on the Jews for Judaism site that seems unfavorable in the light that they don’t want to be converted to Messianic Judaism however this is good news to me. According to Jews for Judaism the Assemblies of God support for Messianic Judaism is a bad news. This is what they had to say about the Assemblies of God’s involvement in the Messianic Movement.

“The Assemblies of God (AOG) is one of the fastest growing Christian groups in America. They are Pentecostal, meaning they are fundamentalist in theological belief and practice, affirming that Israel and the Jews play a critical role in “The End Days and the Final Retribution.”” – Jews for Judaism

This is statistically true. The AG is one of the oldest and most solid Pentecostal denominations and one of the fastest growing in the world. Birthed out of the Azusa Street Revival and the teachings of Charles Fox Parham the AG has been a flagship of stability and doctrinal purity among the Protestant, Charismatic, Evangelical and Pentecostal denominations. With one of the best and most thorough explanations of the Godhead, understanding rightly the Priesthood of the believers, salvation in Yeshua and the soon return of our King. I still believe and agree with the 16 Fundamental Truths as they are taught about who God is, salvation and the basic essentials of faith. It’s a pretty solid Statement of Faith. Of course issues like Sunday worship (within the AG Denomination) or other Halkhah related issues may concern Messianics. What is encouraging is the rising number of Officially accepted Messianic Congregations within the Assemblies of God and the ministries for Messianic Jewish Communities and Congregations that are rising up within that denomination.

“The AOG is one of the oldest denominations to adopt the “Jewishness” approach of converting Jews to Christianity.  What began in 1983 with only 18 “Jewish Centers”  and a  “Home Missions to the Jews Department,” has culminated in the formation of the NJF or “The National Jewish Fellowship .” The NJF specifically targets Jews to “proclaim, educate, and encourage the furthering of the truth of Messiah (Jesus) among the world’s Jewish community.” Hebrew Christian “Rabbi” Felix Helpern, President of the Assemblies of God NJF,  calls upon gentiles and Jews a like to “plant” more “synagogues” within their church framework. “I see the fellowship acting as a catalyst to planting more synagogues within the Assemblies of God and facilitating more (Hebrew Christian) Messianic fellowships within our churches,” he stated. “– Jews for Judaism

I didn’t know any of this before reading this article. The NJF of the AG is calling for Jews and Gentiles to plant more Messianic Synagogues. I definitely want to get involved with this. I was ministering in AG Churches going to SAGU to become a Pastor. I had a desire to get Credentialed in the AG. I have been on staff at a couple AG Churches lead Youth Groups, Bible Study’s, Young Mens Groups, Short Terms Mission Teams, Prayer Teams, Outreach Groups and even been a Set Designer and Maintenance Worker. When I started going towards the Messianic movement I didn’t have any connection or support other than from word of mouth discussion with other sympathetic AG pastors. It would have been nice to know that they’ve had a movement since the early 80’s. Its kind of humorous that I found out from a anti-Jewish-Missionary site. I want to know how to sign up to help plant more Messianic Fellowships. Sign me up please.

“In addition to the NJF, the AOG was instrumental in the development of the MJAA or “The Messianic Jewish Alliance of America ” and the IAMCS or “International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues .”  These umbrella organizations support  a huge web of Jewish ministries and global outreach projects that endorse the philosophy of ” winning Jewish people to the Lord Jesus Christ without divorcing them from their Jewish cultural heritage…” “– Jews for Judaism

I would like to see the documentation on this. I didn’t know that the Assemblies of God was key in establishing the MJAA and IAMCS. I signed up for the IAMCS Yeshiva recently. This is interesting information. I can say proudly I come from an Assemblies of God background and am Messianic and would love to help establish the Messianic movement within the Assemblies of God. Having found that the Assemblies of God is involved in Messianic ministry and Messianic Congregation I am encouraged especially in light of my own Assemblies of God peppered testimony and ministry experience on how I came to Messianic-Hebraic faith in Messiah. Here are some excerpts from my testimony.

I got saved and healed of a Torn Rotator Cuff at a Wyman Mitchel Healing Crusade at the Pier Amphitheater in Oceanside on August 17, 1996 at about 8:30 pm. I got connected, discipled and baptized at Family Fellowship Church – Assembly of God, that was experiencing and outpouring of the Holy Spirit after its leadership had went to the Brownsville Assembly of God Revival in Pensacola, Florida. I hadn’t heard of it before, however the presence of the Spirit was strong, I received healing and was Baptized in the Spirit. I started going to bible school and went to visit the Pensacola Outpouring myself.

I found some interesting things about the revival that have changed my life and perspective. Upon reading “When The Heavens Where Brass” I found out that Pastor Kilpatrick credits Dick Reuben (A Messianic Jew) for laying the foundation for the revival that happened there. While I was down there I picked up Dick Rueben’s teaching on the Pattern For Revival (which teaches on the Hebraic Roots of Christianity, Prayer, the Tabernacle, Passover and Yeshua our Great High Priest). About this time they were starting the Brownsville School of Ministry with Dr Michael Brown (Another Messianic Jew) as the head of the school. I was really feeling the Holy Spirit and thinking this can’t be a coincidence.

I had also been listening to a teaching series from Tommy Tenney (another Pentecostal who focused on Hebraic Roots teaching for a season) on the Tabernacle and the revival he was experiencing. This really started to wet my appetite for studying the Jewish and Hebraic heritage to the bible. I started doing a lot of studying of the Temple, the Tabernacle and the Feasts of the bible. I even started seeking out to participate in them and experience them for myself. I kept meditating on this statement that Dick Reuben was saying “when the pattern is right the glory will fall,” I couldn’t get it out of my spirit. The “pattern” he was talking about was that of the “tabernacle of Moses.” Since then I’ve done a lot of study on the Tabernacle or Israel.

As you can see I’ve had quiet a few encounters with minister’s and ministries that have been involved or are involved in the Assemblies of God and the Messianic Movement. I have talked to a few pastors who seek to Observe Shabbat with their families, take their congregations through Passover Seder celebrations, who celebrate Shavuot and teach the Hebraic Roots and influences of the Gospels as well as the prophetic symbolism of the Feasts of the Lord. There are many within the Pentecostal movement who enjoy Messianic Worship, participate in Congregational Passover Seder’s, pray for Israel, seek to Observe Shabbat and teach the Hebraic Roots. This is encouraging and maybe we can build better bridges and minister healing across the lines.

Official AG Press Release:

Spotlight on AG Ethnic/Language Fellowships: National Jewish Fellowship

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 – 1:29 PM CST

This is part four in an ongoing series highlighting the
Assemblies of God Ethnic/Language Fellowships and their ministry to the
culturally distinct people in the United States. The following
information is intended to help individuals and churches connect with
these fellowships and increase awareness about what each fellowship is
doing and where God is leading them.

National Jewish Fellowship

President: Rabbi Felix Halpern

Halpern

Mailing Address: 573 Valley Road, Suite 7 Wayne, NJ 07470
Phone: (973) 333-5526
Web site: http://nationaljewishfellowship.org
E-mail: president@nationaljewishfellowship.com
Year established: May 2008
Number  of synagogues represented: Approximately three dozen, in addition to formal synagogues there are also messianic Jewish fellowships represented beyond that.

Number of people in fellowship: Estimated at a little over 2,000

Number of states represented: 24

The  National Jewish Fellowship was established in May 2008 to “proclaim,  educate, and encourage the furthering of the truth of Messiah among the  world’s Jewish community.” According to the fellowship’s president,  Rabbi Felix Halpern, its creation is timely.

“There is a growing  hunger, especially in the economic times we’rein, of Jewish people  searching for truth,” he explains. “They are coming to Messianic  congregations, where before they never would have considered it, to  discover the meaning [of these times], because there’s great fear,  causing them to ask eternal questions.”

The National Jewish
Fellowship also serves as a credible resource to help Assemblies of God  churches and pastors develop a better understanding of the Jewish people  and how to effectively reach them.

“We want pastors to become  fellowship partners with us, and pastors who are Jewish to come  alongside us as well,” says Halpern. “I see the fellowship acting as a  catalyst to planting more synagogues within the Assemblies of God and
facilitating more [Messianic] fellowships within our churches.”

On  October 28, the National Jewish Fellowship will have its first day of  fasting and prayer. Charter members will pray via conference call at 1  p.m., but Halpern asks others in the Assemblies of God to lift up the  fellowship in prayer on that day.

Source: http://ag.org/top/News/index_articledetail.cfm?Process=DisplayArticle&targetBay=c97d4d5c-a325-4921-9a9e-e9fbddd9cdce&ModID=2&RSS_RSSContentID=8621&RSS_OriginatingChannelID=1184&RSS_OriginatingRSSFeedID=3359&RSS_Source=search

Official AG Messianic Ministries

Here is some information I found on the ministries officially supported by the Assemblies of God. Here are a couple of the Official Ministries that Assemblies of God supports.

The National Jewish Fellowship for Messianic Congregations which is still in the developing stages from what I can tell. The official site appears to only be a landing page. There is however and .info page full of information and resources here.

The NJF is a non-profit networking organization to the Messianic Jewish Community and the Gentile Body that is connected to and in unity with the Assembly of God and committed to the preeminence of Yeshua as Messiah and the empowerment of the Ruach haKodesh. This is my kind of Messianic Movement, Gentile’s are encouraged to worship as the early Church did, return to the Jewish Roots, Observe the Festival’s of Messiah and Operate in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. This is a part of a mainstream denomination, now it isn’t the focus of the denomination however it is something that they offer in an Official capacity.

The National Jewish Fellowship exists for the purpose of providing support and encouragement to those in the field of Jewish Ministry in the United States and abroad, through forums, national conferences and publications. We seek to formulate strategies, teaching, leadership development, and foster Messianic Jewish life and awareness.

The purpose of the National Jewish Fellowship is to proclaim the truth of Yeshua as the Messiah, to establish Messianic Jewish outreach and communities, and to serve as a resource to the AG General Council and the greater body of Messiah.

The General Council of the AG has endorse a ministry that establishes Messianic Jewish Communities that foster Messianic Jewish life and awareness. This is amazing to me.

Jacob’s Hope Ministries is another ministry that focuses on ministering to Jewish people and at times facilitates the establishment of Messianic Congregations. According to their official brochure part of their mission is to:

Working around the world to bring hope to Jewish people, the “children of Jacob”, by bringing them humanitarian and medical aid, and sharing the good news of Messiah

As well as provide

Training and Resources - Providing bibles, books, equipment, and training to enable local Pastors and Messianic Rabbis to minister more effectively to their communities.

This is awesome. They provide resources and training to Messianic Rabbi’s and Pastor’s to more effectively minister to their communities. This is good.

Official AG Messianic-Jewish Interculture Ministries

Here is some information I found on the ministries officially supported by the Assemblies of God. Here are a couple of the Official Intercultural-Ethnic Ministries that Assemblies of God supports.

The Center For Jewish Ministry is focused on reaching, preparing, equiping and training Messianic Leadership. As there site states:

“This is a crucial time. It is your time to speak up for the Jewish people and reach out to them. It is your time to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and be a watchman on her walls.”

His Highest Harmony is a ministry of reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles. The Educate Gentile Churches about Hebrew Roots of Christianity and the Biblical Feasts and Festivals (as outlined in Leviticus 23) from a Messianic perspective is essential. This is wonderful to see in action. Taking the Good News to Churches, Synagogues and Missions is exactly what I want to see. The topics they cover when ministering to Gentile Congregations are Messiah and the Passover, The Fall Feasts of Israel, The Feasts of the Bible and Gods Plan, Messiah In the Old Testament, Future of Israel, The Church and The Jewish People, Jewish-Hebraic Roots Messages and Israel in Prophecy.

Israel’s Redemption is focused on reaching the 6.1 Million Jews in the United States. There mission is to reach Jewish friends, co-workers, family members, and classmates with Gospel of Yeshua the Messiah. The involvement of counteless Pentecostal Churches in America can help facilitate this ministry. Their goal is to train, equip and mobilize Spirit-filled believers to reach the Jewish people, as well as estlablish local Congregations so that Jewish believers can worship in a Jewish Cultural Context.

Rock of Israel Ministries is dedicated to reaching Jewish people in a Jewish Way.

Official Messianic Congregations in the Assemblies of God Church Directory

Here are some Messianic Congregations that I have found listed on the Official AG Church Directory Site for AG Congregations as well as the National Jewish Fellowship.

The President of the NJF is Felix Helpern is also Rabbi at Congregation Beth Chofesh. Here are a couple of excerpts from their website:

“Beth Chofesh (House of Freedom) is a Messianic Congregation celebrating the “One New Man” – Jew and Gentile as one in Messiah.” – Beth Chofesh

“Kulanu K’echad – All of Us as One: Jew & Gentile, one in Yeshua, one in Messiah” – John 17:21”– Beth Chofesh

There is a focus on “Jews and Gentile” being “One New Man” in Messiah which is essential. Here is a good article on this Congregation Beth Chofesh becoming a Messianic Synagogue.

“Our desire to passionately pursue the presence of God and seek deeper intimacy with the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) lies at the heart of this house.” – Beth Chofesh

I am both Messianic and Pentecostal, so I love the focus on the correct operation of the Spiritual Gifts in a Messianic Context. I enjoy both Pentecostal and Messianic Worship. Here is what Beth Chofesh has to say about Messianic Gentiles:

“Many think that Messianic Judaism is exclusively for Jews. This couldn’t be further from the truth and is a great misconception.

Messianic Judaism is a standing invitation to Gentile believers to seize an opportunity to turn the clock back 1,900 years to what New Covenant Faith was in those formative years. To observe the Biblical feasts and celebrations as Yeshua and the early believers did. To appropriate for their lives the Biblical rhythms and cycles that God Intended, as it introduces a lost dimension to New Covenant Faith, bringing “Jew and Gentiles” into a Biblical, original and intentional expression.

In addition; Messianic Judaism provides Gentile believers with a vital setting for their role in reaching the Jewish people with the truth of Messiah. This is what God intended as seen in:

Romans 11:11 “Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.”

Rom 15:27-28 “They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessing.” – Beth Chofesh

It is good news to know that the President of the National Jewish Fellowship within the Assemblies of God, understand and respects the Gentiles involvement in the Messianic Jewish Movement.

Beth Emmanuel is another key Congregation lead by Rabbis Michael And Carol Calise who are The North Eastern Regional Representatives for the NJF. I like their description-definition of Messianic Judaism.

By Messianic we mean that we are Jews and non-Jews who have accepted Yeshua (Jesus) as Messiah and Savior of Israel and the nations. We believe He sacrificed Himself to atone for our sins.

By Jewish we mean that we strive to live a Jewish lifestyle in our homes and congregation based first and foremost on biblical instruction and secondly on the traditions of our ancestors. We have not abandoned our Jewish identity or cultural expression because of our faith in Messiah Yeshua.

By Congregation we mean that we are a body of people from many different ethnic, social and religious backgrounds who have been brought together by our faith in the God of Abraham and are committed to one another. It is our desire to be a spiritual, emotional and social support to one another. We recognize that as a Jewish congregation we are a unique expression of the larger congregation of believers in the Messiah.

Check out their official website here.

Blue Thread Ministries is lead by Rabbi Cliff A Maynard who is the South Eastern Regional Representative for the NJF looks like a really cool ministry. Their focus is on helping Jewish people accept Yeshua as Messiah and bring the church back to its Jewish Roots as examplified in Yeshua.

Beth Yachad Messianic Congregation Rabbis Harlon and Joyce Picker are also the Southwestern Region Representatives for the NJF. This Congregation and Ministry features ministry to Jew’s and Gentiles who can experience the moving of the Ruach HaKodesh and His Shechinah in unity. As One Body the ministry features Davidic Praise and Worship, as well as teaches Christian’s the Hebraic Roots of their Faith so that they may provoke the Jewish people to jealous to turn to Messianic Faith. Beth Yachad means House of Unity, and as a Congregation they seek to establish a place were Jews and Gentiles can worship in unity. They Observe the Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and Gods Moedim (Festivals and Appointed times) in the fullness of Messiah.

The Scriptures teach that believing Jews and Gentiles are like branches in an olive tree—both the natural branches (Jews) and the wild branches (Gentiles/non-Jews) together share the same root (Romans 11). We believe this message of unity and harmony needs to be delivered to all people groups so that Jew and Gentile will be one in Messiah, one in Yeshua! Baruch HaShem! (Bless the Name!)

Where the brethren dwell in unity God will command a blessing. This is a place that we need to get to. In Yochanan Chapter 17, Yeshua prayed “may they all become one (Echad) as We are One (Echad).” It is time we become one in Messiah as true Judeo-Christians.

Beth Yachad is also active in reaching out to the Gentile Churches, teaching them the Hebraic Roots of Christianity. We desire to educate both Jews and Gentiles about how the whole of Scripture—both the Tanakh (Hebrew/Old Covenant Scriptures) and the B’rit Chadashah (Apostolic Writings/New Covenant Scriptures) are brought to their fullness in Yeshua. He is the Mashiach (the Messiah, Anointed One)—the Son of the Living God of Israel—in whom “all the fullness of Deity dwells!” (Colossians 2:9)

Educating Gentile Churches about Hebrew Roots of Christianity and the Biblical Feasts and Festivals (as outlined in Leviticus 23) from a Messianic perspective is essential. This is wonderful to see in action. Taking the Good News to Churches, Synagogues and Missions is exactly what I want to see. The topics they cover when ministering to Gentile Congregations are Messiah and the Passover, The Fall Feasts of Israel, The Feasts of the Bible and Gods Plan, Messiah In the Old Testament, Future of Israel, The Church and The Jewish People, Jewish-Hebraic Roots Messages and Israel in Prophecy. These are crucial and essential topics that the Body of Messiah needs to hear. This is far beyond just Christian Evangelism or Jews 4 Jesus saying you need to become a Christian and observe Christmass and Easter. I am thankful for this ministry. The focus on Unity and Harmony, as well as the Hebraic Roots of Christianity.

Rabbi Manuel Rodriguez Jr. is the Congregational Leader of Baruch HaShem Assembly (a Messianic Congregation) and the Texas Regional Representative for the NJF. BHS Del Rio Texas is a community of both Jewish and Gentile believers discovering the Roots of their faith. Their mission includes the phrase “Honor the L-RD G-D with our lives according to His commandments in Torah.” I find this statement rather significant. It says according to His commandments in Torah, not His suggestions in the bible. There Order of Service that includes the Sounding of the Shofar, Opening Psalm, Blessing of the Service, Liturgy, Shema and V’Ahavta, Torah Reading, Praise and Worship, Blessing over the Family, Teaching, Aaronic Benediction, Kiddush and HaMotzi and Oneg. I like the focus on the Torah, the Hebraic Roots of Christianity, the Festivals of Messiah and Evangelism to Jews.

Another Messianic Congregation of the Assemblies of God is Congregation Beth Shalom lead by Phillip Goble. Phillip Goble is the Author of The Orthodox Jewish Bible. The Orthodox Jewish Bible is much like the Complete Jewish Bible, the Hebrew Names Version and the Scripture as they seek to establish the Jewishness of the bible. As we can see in the first two Messianic Congregation’s that I found as apart of the Assemblies of God that they have a right understanding of the Jewishness of the Gospel and want to see that restored to both Jew and gentile.

Adat Yeshua Messianic Congregation is also an Official Fellowship listed on the Official AG Directory of Congregations. Here is what they have to say about themselves.

At Adat Yeshua, we are a congregation of Jewish and non Jewish people
This call to love, faithfulness and witness to the greater community includes the celebration of G-d’s grace in Israel’s history (Sabbath, Passover, Sukkot, Purim, Chanukah, etc.). We observe many of these holidays as Yeshua did.

Again the focus on Jewish and non-Jewish believers who want to connect with the Jewishness of the Gospel, including Observing the Festivals as Yeshua and His Talmidim did. These were some of the burning questions I had when I was seeking out Messianic Judaism

• “How Did Yeshua Observe Religion-Faith?”
• “What Did Yeshua Do?”
• “What Was The Language And Culture Of The Bible?”
• “What Did Paul, Peter & John Do In Their Lifetime?”
• “What Does That Mean To Me?”

Some of these questions about the Language, Culture and Context I learned about in Bible School, however I never experienced it or grasped it on a deeper or personal level. I desired to experience them on a personal level and that desire is what started my journey. To go beyond theory and thought and lead to a fruitful understand of its practice and implication. These are key things to study and explore in our faith. The Official Site for Adat Yeshua Messianic Congregation is here.

Another Congregation I found within the Fellowship is Baruch HaShem Arizona who has a link to the Messianic Congregation I came from Baruch HaShem in Dallas on their website. The leader of this Congregation is Ordained with the Assemblies of God, and licensed through the MJAA as a Congregational Leader, which is interesting since the J4J (Jews For Judaism) claim the AG helped to establish the MJAA. According to the BHS-AZ website they state that:

We are a member congregation of the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS), which is a ministry of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA).. Support for this ministry is also provided by the Arizona District of the Assemblies of God.

This is amazing to me as for one they state it clearly on their website. This is very encouraging for me and when you look further into their positions and practices I am encouraged. For example here is their view of non-Jewish believers who desire to worship in their congregation:

Q. I am not Jewish; can I come and worship with you all?
A. ABSOLUTELY!!! We welcome everyone who would desire to come to worship with us whether Jew or Gentile.

I am a Gentile and I observe the Messianic branch or form of Judaism so I want to know its okay for me to worship with you in the way I feel lead. I do believe that it’s the right foundation, as we have seen the first few Congregation’s acknowledge it’s the ancient way and the right way, and they allow Gentile’s to join in and encourage them as an essential part of the Messianic Movement. They follow a traditional Order of Service that includes the same elements found at BHS Del Rio Texas. The focus on teaching, applying and practicing the whole word of God, unity Jew and Gentile, and to bring reconciliation of believers in Yeshua to their Jewish Roots is powerful.

Messianic Judaism is a biblically based movement of Jews and non-Jews who, after studying the Jewish Scriptures, have come to believe that Yeshua is the promised Messiah of Israel. Today we are seeking to put the Messiah back within His Biblically-Jewish context.

Looking a Messianic Judaism as a revival or renaissance in which we return to the same faith as the Messianic Jews of the first century. The focus on having a relationship with the God of Avrham, Isaac and Jacob is refreshing. We are seeking to put Jesus in His Biblically-Jewish context.

Temple Aron Hakodesh is another Official Fellowship that is listed on the Official AG Directory of Congregations. TAK’s focus is on being a New Covenant community of Jews and non-Jews who are one in the Messiah Yeshua, who study Torah and Hebrew, participate in Davidic worship, support the nation of Israel, celebrate the Shabbat, all the Feasts of the Lord (which are traditionally called the Jewish holidays), as well as traditional Jewish life-cycle events such as Brit Milah (Circumcision), Bar and Bat Mitzvah, Chuppah (Wedding), and saying Kaddish upon the death of our loved ones. I find it significant that they mention Brit Milah, Kaddish and the Chuppah. My wife and I got married under a Chuppah. These are things I expect in a Messianic Community. The Official site of Temple Aron haKodesh is here.

Beit B’Resheet is another Official Fellowship that is listed on the Official AG Directory of Congregations. They are a Messianic Congregation with ties to the MIA (Messianic Israel Alliance), and the AG (Assemblies of God). They appear to be Hebrew Christians, from my observation. The Official site to Beit B’Resheet is here.

Beth Tefilah Assembly of God is another Official Fellowship that is listed on the Official AG Directory of Congregations. Yet there is no other information other than location and contact information.

Temple Shalom Yisrael is another Official Fellowship that is listed on the Official AG Directory of Congregations. There is no other information other than location and contact information.

Beth Shalom is a congregation that was once Shalom Fellowship with connections to the Assemblies of God.  Which like other AG Messianic Fellowships maintains the Jewish Roots of Christianity. It does not retain any connection to the Assemblies of God that I can tell at this time however they seem to be in line with the AG Messianic Congregations for the most part. This is a Messianic community of Jews and Gentiles who have a passion and commitment to our Jewish Messiah, and Jewish heritage, while seeking to be a community filled and touched by the presence of God. This Congregational site states they are:

“a covenant community where Jewish and Gentile believers in Yeshua are called to serve the Lord as fellow-heirs in Messiah, worship in a Jewish way, sharing the Good News of Messiah Yeshua to the Jew first and also to the Gentile, and training Jews in their covenantal responsibility for the purpose of extending the Kingdom of Heaven locally, in Israel and the nations.”

I like the emphasis on Covenantal Responsibility, being Fellow-Heirs in Messiah and Worshipping in the Jewish-Biblical Way. There website also states that their Core Values include:

Involvement in and appreciation of Jewish life in the context of Messianic Faith.
Equal inclusion of Gentile and Jewish believers as Full Partners in Congregational life and purpose.
Continuance of Jewish identity for Jewish believers in Yeshua and for Gentile believers who choose to live a Jewish life, like Ruth.

I especially like the Involvement and appreciation of Jewish Life and Equal Inclusion of Gentile Believers as Full Partners. I’m not so sure about the “Gentile believers who choose to live a Jewish life, Like Ruth.” I do agree with the sentiment and it is what I have chosen to do. However I do believe the Hebraic Roots are the true Foundation of the Church and should be taught and advocated until the “restoration” of all things. The fact that the Right Foundation is taught and Gentiles are full partners by choice is significant. I am and will continue to be involved in the Messianic Movement.

Baruch haShem in San Antonio, TX is listed on the BHS Del Rios TX as a sister Church. This Congregation follows the same Liturgy and Torah Service at BHS Del Rios.

Is this a part of the End-Time Revival? I have said that “until the restoration of all things” that Jews must come to Yeshua and Christians must return to the Hebraic Roots of Christianity as a whole or at least a majority before Yeshua returns. There will be 144,000 saved Messianic Jew’s declaring Yeshua as Messiah in Israel before He returns. This is proof positive that Spirit-Filled people are listening to the Lord and He is directing them to follow Him. The AG has been on the front edge of Revival since the early 1900’s if they continue to seek to be obedient to Yeshua and walk in the Holy Spirit, they will continue on this Right-Just path. I pray that many more Congregations embrace these Congregations. May we come together to pray for, lift each other up and help build toward the day that the Jews turn to Yeshua and the Christian’s return to The First Love, Yeshua the Jewish Messiah of the whole World in its right Hebraic Context. Until that day I will pray, preach and prophesy. Its is coming. Which side are you on?

Shalom Aleichem,

Jeramiah Giehl

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