Terms such as "Messianic", "Jewish Roots', "Hebrew Roots', and others, although like concentric circles that share some common territory, are not necessarily the same concepts and this little article is written in an effort to clarify and or correct some of the 'gray areas' and possible misconceptions. Not for the purpose of magnifying differences or divisions, but so that when we speak of these things we are 'singing from the same page out of the same book'.
First, let this issue be laid to rest. Those of us that are viewed as being part of this movement believe and adhere to the fact that Jesus - Yeshua - is the Only Begotten of the Father, full of glory, truth and grace, was born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life as our example, was crucified and died and was buried and raised on the third day, ascended back into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of Yahweh (God the Father) making intercession for those that are part of his eternal kingdom, the group that HE calls the 'citizenship of Israel', according to Ephesians 2, and who is preparing to return soon to finish what was started almost 2,000 years ago - the restoration of ALL things spoken by the prophets of old and initiated, according to Yeshua, by the man we refer to as John the Baptist.
The 'Hebrew Roots Movement' is an effort to return to the 'faith once delivered' described in the book of Jude. It is the recognition, acceptance and practice of the 'good works prepared from beforehand' mentioned in Ephesians 2 'that we would walk in them'.
'Hebrew Roots' does not teach that 'Israel equals Judaism'. Israel is a place, a people, a kingdom - both physical and eternal. Judaism is just what it says - an 'ism'. Please do NOT interpret that statement as 'anti-semitic' for it is NOT. We and many others like us have a love for the land of Israel and the Jewish people that goes beyond explanation.
By the same token, Judaism is a theology, a religion, a denomination if you will, not unlike other 'ism's' such as Catholicism or Protestantism. GOD (Yahweh) is not interested in or concerned about our religions, our theologies, or least of all our denominations and divisions. HE is looking for a people that will worship HIM in Spirit and in Truth and walk in obedience to HIS Word - the whole Word.
And likewise, 'Hebrew Roots' does not teach that the church has replaced Israel in any way. The gentiles - me and perhaps you - have been brought into (grafted into) this group that GOD calls Israel. The Apostle Paul - a Torah scholar - says in his letter to the congregation in Rome that 'not all Israel is Israel'. He goes on to explain that this is not the fact of who your earthly father is that matters. The issue is this - are you related to the heavenly Father (Yahweh) through the blood of HIS Son. Also, he says that WE former gentiles are grafted in to this tree known as 'Israel'. He does not teach that we are grafted into the 'church'. This entity that we call 'the church', 'thebody of Messiah', 'the eternal kingdom' - GOD calls this group 'Israel'.
'Hebrew Roots' is NOT another version of 'British Israelism', 'The Identity Movement', 'The Church of Israel' (and the list goes on), which all teach as a pivotal premise that your relationship to GOD is based on your physical geneology - a doctrine that is refuted time and time again in the Old (Original) Testament as well as the New (Renewed) Testament.
This movment is NOT about being 'Jewish' or 'not being Jewish'. That is not a negative statement, it is just a fact. If you were born Jewish, you were born Jewish by design, according to the Word of GOD - the Bible. By the same token, if you were born gentile you were borne gentile by design. GOD does NOT make mistakes. Remember, this is not about being 'Jewish', it is about realizing and accepting our true - perhaps NEW - identity brought about by the redemptive work of Messiah Yeshua.
A point to ponder - Israel (Jacob) had 12 sons. Judah was but one of the twelve. How many gates are there in the 'New Jerusalem'? There are twelve - named after the 12 sons of Israel. If you or I plan on gaining access to this new city, how shall we enter? The Bible does not speak of a 'church gate' or a 'gentile gate'. And the Scriptures do not speak kindly of those who try to climb in another way and bypass the door.
Why does the 1st Epistle of John tell us that the way in which we are to show our love of GOD and for GOD is by keeping HIS commandments...and they are NOT too difficult...and there are NOT two sets...but one and the same law for the alien and the native-born. (Exodus 12:49)
Yeshua (Jesus) did NOT come to teach NEW truth, but to reinstate the WHOLE TRUTH. No new religions, just the restoration of all things. Do you want to know how things are supposed to be now and in the end? Go back and look at the beginning.
Hewbrew Roots...Messianic...Jewish Roots...Restoration...call it what you will. This is a movement of GOD in these last days to bring HIS people back to an understanding of the truth of HIS Word through an understanding of the foundational work and truth of Torah, the culture and language in which this truth was delivered, and this 'last-days' revival that is bringing it to pass through the power and reality of the Holy Spirit of Yahweh...turning the children to the fathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Israel) and the fathers to the children.
Shalom U'Vrachot - Peace & Blessings to you and yours...
