Aug 06 2008
Messianic Jewish Conversion - A Natural Progression for any Believer in Messiah Yeshua
Unlike all other sects of Judaism, Messianic Judaism views all believers in Yeshua as full-fledged Covenant members the moment they accept Yeshua as the Messiah, and submit to Him which means to also submit to his Torah teaching.
Those who do, have a right (and responsibility) to fully participate in the Torah that God gave to Israel; and as a new convert to HaDerech (The Way / Messianic Judaism) aligns his lifestyle with that of the Torah and how Rabbi Yeshua lives it out, then circumcision (if a male), commitment to the Torah, and even going through a mikvah in Yeshua’s name will eventually be the fruit.
That this process of getting circumcised, keeping the Torah, and going through a mikvah is also shared by other sects of Judaism as a means of conversion to Judaism, lends weight that this is a natural progression for any sincere believer in Messiah Yeshua as they continue to submit to the Torah. This process is purely scriptural and is the means by which converts to Messianic Judaism can clearly identify with the greater Jewish community as “Jewish.”
The only difference between conversion into Judaism through HaDerech, and conversion into say orthodox Judaism (or any other sect of Judaism), then, is in the certifying authority. Who in Messianic Judaism has the authority to certify that converts have been circumcised, keep the Torah, and have gone through a mikveh? Other Messianic Jews! How so? Because the first Messianic Jews were themselves recognized as the certifying authority for converts to the sect: the Jerusalem Council, made up of the first disciples of the Messiah and our Master Rebbe, Yeshua himself. Thus we have the Messiah, Yeshua, as our certifying authority.