What is a Messianic Synagogue (Congregation)

It is not surprising for many within the Messianic Movement that there is a divergent of opinions. This not only includes what is a Messianic Synagogue or Messianic Congregation¹, but who is it for and how it is to function. Some want to call their assembly a Messianic Congregation, when in reality it is another name for a church having similar cultural morays and visions. The term "Messianic" is a replaceable term for "Christian" in usage and in so doing the Jewish distinctiveness for the term "Messianic" disappears. Understanding the term "Messianic" requires it to be in its Jewish context and "Christian" in its gentile context. Both have different cultural and distinctive practices associated with their common usage and understanding. Just because a Church has within its worship some Jewish sounding songs, whether taken from traditional liturgy or from the Jewish community, or includes pieces from the Siddur, does not make it Jewish or a synagogue. Likewise, a Messianic Synagogue is more than following a Siddur or having Jewish sounding songs. A cultural distinctiveness and expression will be similar to any Jewish Synagogue². Any Jew walking into a service should feel that he is in a synagogue in spite of the fact there are some practices not normally found in a synagogue. These extra practices create the "Messianic" distinctiveness. They may include dancing during the service, raising of hands, and contemporary Jewish songs. The most important distinctive is the central theme that Yeshua is the Messiah.

Why a Messianic Synagogue

The why we have a Messianic Synagogue is tied to the fact that it is primarily for Messianic Jews. This is its central reason for existence. In doing so, there is less chance that Messianic Jews will assimilate and lose their Jewishness. Assimilation may seem unimportant for some as we see in the Jewish community at large. This, however, does not invalidate the fact that of the disdainful view in regards to assimilation within the Jewish community and it is a mitzvah to maintain one’s Jewishness in culture and practice. The Jewish community observes that once a Jew believes in Yeshua, they leave the Jewish community and no longer practice the Jewish holidays and customs³. To counteract this, the Messianic Synagogue allows and provides for their Messianic Jewish members a way to maintain the B’rith that G–d established through Avraham, Itzchak, and Yaacov. At the same time, it provides what any synagogue provides, a Jewish community of like–minded people.

Secondly, a Messianic Synagogue enhances the understanding and application of Biblical Torah Faith and a Torah centric lifestyle enhances one’s faith to non-Messianic Jews. Traditionally, Gentile believers in Yeshua view the Torah with askance or something no longer applicable. This is because of a misunderstanding or interpreting of Scripture, specifically Romans 10:4. "For Messiah is the end of Torah for righteousness to everyone who believes." Also in Matthew 5:17: "Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill." A closer look at the two key words invalidates the understanding that Torah is no longer applicable.

Finally, a Messianic Synagogue provides a place for Gentile believers who want to identify with Messianic Jews and to embrace Torah as their guide to living, and support and partake of the Messianic Jewish community. There are Gentile believers in Yeshua who attend a local synagogue. They participate in the service; help at all the functions, volunteer wherever they can, and even sponsor the Oneg after services. Many times, they are viewed by members of the kehelat as being more "Jewish" than the members are. Occasionally, the rabbi will offer membership to them if they do not talk of their faith to the other members. Although most will decline membership, they will always have something missing by not being able to speak openly of their faith in Yeshua. The Messianic Synagogue provides for these needs and desires when it is truly operating as a synagogue with Yeshua as the center.

Goals of a Messianic Synagogue

Without a doubt, a Messianic Synagogue must be Torah centric. This means the Torah becomes the guide as to what it means to be Jewish. G–d set forth the principles in Torah at Mt. Sinai to determine the course of Israel, i.e., the Jewish people. From the Torah, we learn of G–d’s statutes and precepts that He has set before us. The Psalmist in Psalm 119 declares that those who walk in them is blameless (i.e., someone who is complete or having integrity). The Psalmist, throughout the 176 verses, declares the greatness of living out Torah in our lives. The Torah becomes our instruction manual telling us how we can show our love for G–d and how we could live a G–d pleasing life. As the congregation wrestles with Torah seeking ways to apply it to their lives and their congregation, spiritual growth will follow.

An obvious goal of a Messianic Synagogue is to be culturally Jewish. The feeling of being in a synagogue pervades the whole service. The liturgical character of the worship service is not a sidelight but is central as the congregation follows the Siddur. It is obvious that the expressions are Jewish whether their faith is expressed in traditional or Messianic expressions. A visitor would know where they are.

With the liturgical character of the worship service, the music is obviously Jewish. One would expect to find liturgical music and chants of a synagogue service, as well as traditional Jewish and Israeli music and songs. Yet, the service would not be complete if it was missing Messianic music and songs that proclaim Yeshua as Messiah.

Like any synagogue, the preaching always assumes a Jewish audience. Therefore, it would be common to have Israeli or Rabbinic quotes, stories, or antidotes when appropriate. This does not necessarily mean that the conclusions are the same. While the preaching does emphasis the Jewishness, it must always have a central theme that Yeshua is the Messiah.

Holidays and observances define a people, a community. It is therefore important that each of the Jewish and Israeli holidays be observed similar to the rest of the Jewish community. This does not exclude the Messianic significance of the holiday, if any, but includes it.

Purpose of a Messianic Synagogue

The purpose of a Messianic Synagogue is not only to create a community, or to provide a place to worship, but also to instruct the congregation. Instructing people to apply Torah in their own lives is essential. One needs to understand Torah and learn how to put Torah in to use in one’s personal life. A congregation can not become Torah centric until instruction and application in Torah takes place. It will be in the application of Torah that each congregation will struggle to find ways to make each portion of Torah applicable in the congregation’s life.

It is also important to instruct people in the Scriptures and historic Biblical teachings, i.e., doctrines. As the congregation gets a systematic understanding of Scripture, it will help guard them from error and running after every wind of doctrine or experience. There are many movements and teachings that appear which look spiritual at first glance. It is only as one begins to understand the whole council of G–d that error can be spotted and rejected.

We are constantly under attack for our faith in Yeshua as the Messiah as well as the historicity of Scripture. It is then imperative to teach the congregation how to defend their beliefs from Scripture. This becomes even more crucial when we see the youth in the congregation. Their belief system is constantly under attack in school and their peers. They are our next generation. They need to be grounded in their faith and taught how to defend their beliefs before an unbelieving world.

In a Messianic Congregation, it is important that the congregation has an understanding and knowledge about our Jewish heritage, history, and customs. If we know why we keep a custom or tradition, we will be more likely to practice and pass on that tradition to the next generation. In addition, if we know and understand our history, we can then understand our people better.

EndNotes

1. The terms are synonymous in this article.
2. It should be obvious that whenever the term "synagogue" is used in this context that the adjective "Jewish" is not necessary. Whoever heard of a Hindu Synagogue? To do so would be to redefine the term "synagogue". Redefining of a commonly understood term so that only those in the group understand its meaning is the practice of cults.
3. It may be noted that the majority of times the Jewish community forces the Messianic Jew out of the community.