Submitting Torah Observance To New Covenant Principles

There is only one Gospel whose power and gracious freedom overcomes sin and death throughout the world. But if the Gospel’s freedom is suppressed for the sake of upholding the Law (Torah), then those that put Torah above the Gospel must abandon the contradictory elements of their theology and submit their Torah observance to New Covenant principles. This does not mandate the banning of Torah observance however, it does restrict Torah observance to that of "non obligatory" compliance in Messianic Jewish worship and daily practice.

In Messianic congregations in the USA and abroad, doctrinal error due to explicit Torah observance appears to be wide spread. One must ask Is it that hard to determine error from correct doctrine? What initially appeared to be a clear-cut issue of historical inaccuracy and miss-interpretation of Scripture twenty years ago, today appears to be a mute point among most Messianic brethren. Why so? Some of this lack of interest in historical and biblical accuracy is due to the human tendency to accept only the interpretation of scripture that fits one’s doctrinal stand, no matter how absurd it may be. The other tendency is to believe false doctrine simply because it has not been rejected yet by its constituency. In either case, the reasons for accepting such doctrine are weak indeed.

In the 1980s some Messianic Jewish teachers came up with the idea that they could reshape Messianic believers perception of the "Gospel of Grace" and "Torah Observance" by simply re-inventing the persona of the Apostle Paul into the "Torah Observant "Rabbi Shaul", all accepting of modern Messianic Jewish thought. In doing so, they had to develop an approach that would disregard the accurate history of Paul in his evolution from "Saul of Tarsus" persecutor of the Church in Israel and the Diaspora, to "the Apostle Paul", church founder, teacher and evangelist to both Jew and Gentile alike. They would have to sell to their flock the idea that Paul remained Torah observant, even while ministering to the Gentiles in the Greco Roman provinces of Asia Minor. They also had to assert that the proselytes of Rav Shaul were Torah observant. The task of selling this "spin" was simple for most of the devoted believers within the Messianic Jewish movement, but much less so for those educated in Church history and New Covenant teachings. Was this error one of confusion or design on the part of some Messianic leaders? I am sure we will know one day.

To be more specific, in the mid 90’s David Stern’s revolutionary book , "The Messianic Jewish Manifesto" started turning belief towards strict Torah Observance. I believe that Stern’s intent was that of dismantling the "Pauline" teachings of Grace, to revert back to the Law. He and other supportive Messianic Jews resented the teachings of Grace having supremacy over Torah. He therefore intentionally rebelled against New Covenant doctrine believing that Jews would not accept any Gospel except one that was totally Torah observant. In doing this, he and other supportive teachers adopted a dangerously heretical course. Strict Torah observance has now become the standard in much of the Messianic Jewish movement. Stern’s book adopts a "Social Darwinist" form of deception by promoting an erroneous historical portrait of Paul to conform to his religious and social agenda. Social Darwinists justify promoting the "big lie" if it serves to promote the continuity of their social cause. It may have been a ‘Freudian slip" when Stern used the term "manifesto" in his revolutionary book. Stern’s use of Marx missed the Biblical mark!

There are also erroneous motivations underlying Torah Observant Messianic Jewish believer’s acceptance of either the "Rav Shaul" or "Heretic Paul" historical scenarios. If you read between the lines in some of their statements, you will find that Torah Observant Messianic believers who know their history only give "lip service" supporting "Rav Shaul", and are actually Anti-Paul and consider his teachings heretical. In the USA, most Anti-Pauline Messianic Jewish believers hide behind the "Rav Shaul’ history nonsense. In Israel though, most Anti-Paul MJs do not hide their sentiments concerning their oppostion to Pauline doctrine. Most Messianic Jews that support the Rav Shaul or Heretic Paul historical scenario, do so for the sake of what they perceive to be a necessity. They truly believe that only by holding to an erroneous viewpoint that supports obligatory Torah Observance will they successfully evangelize the Jewish people.

We should question Torah Observant Messianic Jewish doctrine seriously by first concentrating on the teachings in the epistles to the Hebrews, Romans and Galatians. Above all the other apostles, Paul was given the divine task of proclaiming the principles of the New Covenant to Jew and Gentile believer alike. Let us endeavor to take His new revelation to heart. The "Messianic Literary Corner" has published a study series entitled "Submitting Torah Observance To New Covenant Principles" to discuss this very important doctrinal topic.

Submitted by: meslit, July 26th, 2010 Topic: Education Forums

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12 Comments

alanisagear commented on March 04, 2011:

I would encourage all Messianic Jews to count the Commandments of the renewed covenant. Leave nothing out, like, "do not allow your heart to be troubled!" John 14, 1. Also remember that we are commanded to recieve the Ruach Ha Kodesh. This was so important that Yeshua said it would be better for us if He left so that the Father could send the Holy Spirit to us in His name. He also commanded us to heal the sick, blind, deaf, and raise the dead. Yeshua also said in John 14, vs 12, that we would do greater works than He did. He also taught that we would recieve power from above that will remain with us forever. All you need do is ask for the Ruach, recieve and welcome Him into your life. What a blessing beyond compare to all that God has given. He breaths HIS LIFE INTO US ENABLING US TO BE THE SONS OF THE LIVING GOD. BLESSED BE HIS HOLY NAME!

Shloimi commented on January 21, 2011:

There is a fine line between observance of the commands out of thankfulness and love as Alan says and making it a requirement as Stern did. Since it is impossible to keep Torah, Paul's exhortation that everyone should "work out his own salvation in fear and trembling" is key here. Whatever convictions God lays on our hearts is what we must follow but we cannot make a case for the abrogating of even one command, lest we be called least in the kingdom of heaven (Mat 5:19)

tjkoehn commented on January 17, 2011:

I have some family that was brainwashed into this. I was close, but I didn't watch the dvd's, and listen to their cd's, I just studied the word. It sounds legit, but I now think they are dangerously wrong. Jesus says I am the way, the truth, the light, the oil, the wine. Everything that they say means torah. He says I am the NEW and EVERLASTING covenant. No one can come to the father except through me. The messianic jews, are taking away from what Jesus did for us on the cross, what he did is not enough. It is a very selfish religion, it does the opposite of show love. It causes family problems, and is looked down upon by the community I live in. I don't buy it!! Please read the word for yourself, and don't listen to someone elses interpretation. Thanks!!

cherokeewind51 commented on September 30, 2010:

The same commandments must apply to the new covenant or the obedience of righteousness would devour the faith and grace in the salvation. The sacrifice would have been pointless. Man can not keep the law by his own nature because of the weakness of the flesh and expired spirit there in. Proven many times during the wrath of God.

meslit commented on September 28, 2010:

Hello Alan, I have been a Messianic Jew since 1973 and around the Messianic Jewish Movement since 1979. Earlier Messianic Pastors refrained from getting wrapped up in Torah observance because they were rooted in a "grace oriented gospel". Not so in 2010. The "gospel of grace" has been twisted to conform to Torah Observance, rather than Torah Observance being submitted to New Covenant Principles. I have a great satirical article called "Having Fun With Torah Observant Messianic Doctrine" that you may or may not enjoy. Feel free to check it out at http://www.messianic-literary.com/fun_with_torah.htm . In Messiah's grace, Meslit

alanisagear commented on September 27, 2010:

To Meslit; What I should have said is that Paul was a Pharasee before the trip to Damascus. And that the gentile believers had circumsized their hearts, received and honored the SON OF GOD, resulting in YAH'S accepting their sacrifice of praise and reaping SALVATION. I speak figurativly of things that cannot be seen with the eyes but the fruits can be clearly seen. Repentance is what a man changes in his deeds or life for all to see.

alanisagear commented on September 27, 2010:

To gratefullgentile; Yes it is true that the Gentile believers were accepted by God's gracious-favor because they believed and trusted God. So therein lies the question, " who is it that trusts God? Would it be the one who worships according to whatever is right in his own eyes, or the one who enters into His rest {Shabbot} with thanksgiving and joy?" You decide today cause God will accept your decision. I keep the commandments out of loyalty and thanksgiving to the ONE who loved me and gave me breath. Should I break a commandment, as I sometimes do, He bore the punisment for my own transgression. Alan

gratefulgentile commented on September 20, 2010:

To Alan: First,Messiah,not Moses,is the Lawgiver. For example,Matt.5:21-22,27-28.31-32,and 12:8 clearly reveal His authority over Moses,since it was Him that gave Moses the Torah at Mount Sinai. Secondly,Moses States in Devarim 18:5 states that YHWH will raise up a Prophet for Israel like Moses;to Him they shall listen.Someone greater than Moses now speaks. Thirdly,in Acts 15:6-11 Kepha makes it very clear that both Jew and Gentile believers in Messiah are saved by gracious-favor alone. The instructions given by Jacob to the Gentiles was for testimony's sake to the Jews.

meslit commented on September 18, 2010:

Dear Alan, I am not sure where you read your history of the Apostle Paul, but none of his epistles were written while he was a Pharasee. Many Torah Observant Messianics in the US hold to the "Torah Observant Rav Shaul" historical scenario not realizing that it was contrived by Messianic Jewish teachers that were actually Anti-Paul and believed Paul was a heretic. I am sure you know the old saying "There is more than one way to skin a cat!" Those Messianic teachers contrived a decietful historical portrait of Paul because they knew most MJs would believe it. They achieved the same results of propagating Anti-Pauline doctrine by using the "Rav Shaul" historical scenario than by convincing believers to beleive that Paul was a heretic. The truth can be a bitter pill to swallow if you have been fed false doctrine. Meslit http://www.messianic-literary.com/teaching1.htm

alanisagear commented on August 19, 2010:

In this country it is not lawfull to intercept or open mail or letters not addressed you. Paul was a pharasee and when he made deragatory remarks about the law he was not speaking of God's Holy Law but of the nation of Israel who added to God's law with the oral torah, the traditions of the elders, and rabbinical jewish superiority that enslaved the masses through manipulation, threats, and unlawfull casting out on the testamony of lies. Even Kefa said his letters were hard to understand in his day. Besides all that, Paul taught that we should avoid controversal issues that lead only to division.

alanisagear commented on August 11, 2010:

There is one God, one nation, one people, one TORA. To even suggest that the gentiles do not have to keep the Law of God especially in reguard to observing His rightousness revealed into entering His Rest or Holy convocations is folly. Do you really want to mislead people and incur bloodguilt? God is calling all men to repentance and to be filled with the Ruach of the living God. From the lowest slave to the great ones in the Kingdom all get the same reward in that they are Holy. Alan

alanisagear commented on August 10, 2010:

You will do well if you do these things. 1 Don't eat meat sacrificed to idols. 2 Do not eat anything that has been strangled. 3 Do not eat blood. 4 Abstain from sexuall immorality. Here we see just the beginnings of the Jerusalem Council and the Ruachs' instructions to bring in the goyim to fellowship at the same table with the SONS OF ABRAHAM! This is the Law, and the gentiles believers needed a place to start to be law keepers and not be lawless. Why is this so hard for some to understand? Alan

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