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The Messianic
Times reported in their July/August 2005 edition
that a number of Messianic Jewish leaders are
attempting to convert Gentiles to Jews! This type
of “conversion” is wrong for so many
reasons: It violates the clear command of Scripture:
“Was any man called when he was already
circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised.
Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is
not to be circumcised ... Let each man remain
in the calling in which he was called”
(1 Corinthians 7:18-20). It encourages Gentiles
who are dissatisfied with who God made them to
be, to despise their God-given identity. It encourages
Gentiles who are envious of the Chosen People
to deal with their envy in the wrong way - by
attempting to become Jews, rather than realizing
that all of us who are joined to the Messiah are
complete. Jews and Gentiles have equal access
to the God of Israel. He is equally our Heavenly
Father. We are all His sons and daughters. We
are brothers and sisters. We are fellow citizens
of the New Jerusalem and co-heirs of eternal life.
We all share His Spirit! What more does anyone
need? The focus of the Judaisers is wrong. Instead
of focusing on being filled with the Spirit of
Yeshua and preaching the Gospel to all nations,
the focus becomes one’s ethnic identity.
The Judaizing offenders: The
“North American Halakhic Council”
(never heard of it before) which consists of approximately
a dozen confused men, most of whom are leaders
in the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations.
Specific men in error: Paul Saal,
Rich Nichol, Stuart Dauermann, John Fischer, Derek
Lehman; and confused Gentile “convert”
Sam Richardson. Important background information:
in 1983 the UMJC’s theology committee presented
a paper concluding that conversion within a Messianic
Jewish context is unscriptural. Will the UMJC
aggressively correct this very serious error in
their midst? I have my doubts. What should
be done? These men should be rebuked
and publicly disavowed by all who care about doctrinal
soundness. Their ministries should be isolated.
Refuse to attend conferences where these men are
held in esteem or recognized as legitimate leaders.
Don’t support them or the organizations
that tolerate them (UMJC, Messianic Jewish Theological
Institute, and Hashiveinu).
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