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Post by zionlion on Jan 4, 2010 19:02:13 GMT -8
When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of Elohim in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper.
[Acts 13:5 / Brit Chadashah]
The Apostles went into the synagogues to speak of the New Covenant which caused no small stir. Should believers, especially Jewish believers, do the same in the synagogues of our time?
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Post by garrett on Apr 28, 2014 14:21:56 GMT -8
My first response to this question is, "NO". I worship in a synagogue and I know what the overwhelming response would be. Would I share my belief in Messiah through a safe relationship with an observant Jew? YES. The difference in this question is that we are not apostles. And this is 2000 years after news of Messiah was given to the Gentiles because of Israel's rejection of this latest move of G-d. Silence, accompanied by G-d in us, can often leave the biggest impression. Talking often creates mayhem. The times are such that the majority of the descendants of Abraham aren't going to believe. I'm not John, I'm not an apostle and I've never had the privilege of being in the literal presence of the Messiah. So.....I think these are two very different scenarios. I guess my approach would be to start praying for everyone that you see in the synagogue. Look at their humanity, the kids as they run around, pray for their safety and pray that they would ask G-d to show them the Messiah. ......in Jesus' name, Amen. Praying is fun! It's intense! And talking too much about something so volatile and sensitive could spell disaster, and I'm not interested in disappointing or embarassing the Lord........I'm not too concerned about embarassing myself though Understanding our audience and the demographic is very important. I realize this question was posted four years ago but hey.... Have a good night.
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Post by alon on Apr 28, 2014 15:03:05 GMT -8
Understanding our audience and the demographic is very important. Agreed. In the early 1st cen. CE the Natsarim, Jewish followers of Yeshua, were considered just another sect of Judaism. This was a common and accepted practice then to preach and debate these issues in synagogue. It wasn't until after the destruction of the Second Temple and defeat of the Bar Kochba revolt that Natsarim started to be viewed separately. When Bar Kochba declared himself to be hamoshiach and demanded everyone acknowledge him as such, believers in Yeshua could not do this. So they had no choice but to leave the rebellion. Many Jews held them largely responsible for the defeat, and a schism started to grow. Then around 100 CE the Sadducees, who had survived as the dominant sect started to codify Jewish "law" (tradition) and reorganize along a harder, more exclusive line, and the separation was completed. Since that time no Jewish believer would be accepted in a Jewish synagogue. We, as "pagans" (and most of us are really hardly more than that, being relatively new to this) would certainly not be accepted to speak there. So I agree with garrett, we should not go into any synagogue and try to preach. Dan C
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Post by Questor on Apr 29, 2014 0:09:48 GMT -8
Understanding our audience and the demographic is very important. Agreed. In the early 1st cen. CE the Natsarim, Jewish followers of Yeshua, were considered just another sect of Judaism. This was a common and accepted practice then to preach and debate these issues in synagogue. It wasn't until after the destruction of the Second Temple and defeat of the Bar Kochba revolt that Natsarim started to be viewed separately. When Bar Kochba declared himself to be hamoshiach and demanded everyone acknowledge him as such, believers in Yeshua could not do this. So they had no choice but to leave the rebellion. Many Jews held them largely responsible for the defeat, and a schism started to grow. Then around 100 CE the Sadducees, who had survived as the dominant sect started to codify Jewish "law" (tradition) and reorganize along a harder, more exclusive line, and the separation was completed. Since that time no Jewish believer would be accepted in a Jewish synagogue. We, as "pagans" (and most of us are really hardly more than that, being relatively new to this) would certainly not be accepted to speak there. So I agree with garrett, we should not go into any synagogue and try to preach. Dan C Only a well known Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform Rabbi who recently entered the New Covenant, and who still walked in the ways of his Fathers, could have any hope of entering an Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform Synagogue, and not be in danger of violence at attempting to teach the New Covenant.
A Messianic Jew or Gentile should be wary of overstepping their bounds.
We must wait for one on one opportunities, or for the Two Witnesses...they certainly could do what they wish.
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Post by alon on Apr 30, 2014 21:40:43 GMT -8
Only a well known Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform Rabbi who recently entered the New Covenant, and who still walked in the ways of his Fathers, could have any hope of entering an Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform Synagogue, and not be in danger of violence at attempting to teach the New Covenant. Honestly, I doubt his reception would be any better. In fact, it could be worse. He would be seen as a traitor, one who had turned his back on all his fathers back to Abraham; one who had spit on the graves of Holocaust victims, and was now insulting them by being there. This perception is one of the problems which must be overcome when witnessing to a Jewish person. I am told it typically takes over a year of intense witness by someone who knows how to win a Jewish person over to accept Yeshua. Remember the play/movie "Fiddler on the Roof"? Tevya the Milkman has three daughters, all of who defy tradition when they marry, and all to the consternation of Tevya. The first two he forgives and blesses their marriages. The third, however, is Havalah, who marries a Gentile. Since one of them has to convert, she then has to leave the faith. This time he cannot forgive her. In the play/movie, he eventually relents. However in the original story by Sholem Aleichem he decides to sit shiva for her and declares her dead and worse, never existing. He does not relent. Eventually she learns the mistake she has made and returns, apologizing to Tevya. But until that time he refused to even acknowledge her presence when she tries to speak with him. It is a huge thing with most Jews. On a personal note, taking the view of Sholem Aleichem towards life, I'd have to say the Almighty loves ironies. My wife converted to mainC with a passion, while I am learning to be more Jewish. And she, the Jew, has a problem with me converting to anything that even resembles Judaism! I sometimes feel like Tevya, the 'self made Jew', always quoting things from the 'Good Book' which are not there- living out of town as it were, here with the heathens! Worse, one of us will have to sit shiva for real if G_d doesn't step in and referee ... couldn't I have just gotten a good horse instead? But I'm off topic. While some do convert quickly, like my wife, it is typically an anomaly. She more rejected Judaism because of the hurts done to her in her childhood which were done by other Jews, particularly her stepmother. And they do still remind her, seeing her now as an interloper as well, which keeps the wounds open. Believe me, there is no love lost in most of the Jewish community for someone who left the faith. Dan C
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