Types of Messianics by Marie Schryver

TYPES OF MESSIANICS

Messianic Christian – a non-Jewish Christian who has an appreciation for the fact that Jesus was Jewish and has a love for Israel. They likely practice a rabbinical type of Messianic Judaism that incorporates a synagogue style of service along with traditional Christianity. They believe that by having a synagogue style of service, they will draw Jews to Jesus but believe to give up traditional Christian practices/traditions such as Christmas, Easter, etc. would be wrong. They are not Torah observant.

Rabbinical Messianic – Jewish or non-Jewish Messianic who has incorporated some form of Judaism into their lifestyle and are also Torah pursuant. Many of them attend Messianic Christian congregations as well as Christian churches. Their dress code may be more conservative, especially for the women. They observe the Sabbaths and Feasts of Yehovah but may also attend Christian celebrations just to be a part of a fellowship.

Messianic Jew – has the same basic format and belief-set as the Messianic Christian but is of Jewish heritage. Their style of service may be even more Judaic but still incorporate Christian tradition as well. They are not likely Torah observant in the literal sense but may follow some parts of Talmudic religious observance which is perceived as Torah observance.

Messianic Hebrew – aka Hebrew Roots – aka Hebrew – one who has broken away from traditional Christianity and Judaism. Their goal is to avoid all types of religious dogma and style of service from both backgrounds and adhere as close to Scripture as possible,
i.e. ^*Torah pursuant believers in Yashua. *Believers in Yashua that keep Yehovah’s Feasts, Shabbats, and kosher diet.

Messianic Torah-Observant, Rabbinical Christian – I’ve been made aware of a small group of people who believe in Yashua, are Torah pursuant AND follow rabbinical traditions as well. They call themselves Messianic Christian but could be a subgroup of Messianic Hebrew due to the fact that they ARE Torah pursuant.

Dual Covenant Christian – one who believes that the Jews get to heaven because they are Jewish and keep Torah and Christians get to heaven through Jesus. They are discouraged from proselytizing Jews. They are not Torah observant.

Black Hebrew Israelites  – a cult of African Americans who believe that only people of African descent with dark skin are true Israelites. Their actions are vitriolic.

Further Thoughts

               Traditional Christian – a believer in Jesus, whether Catholic or protestant, that believes Israel is only relevant as Jesus’ family history. Otherwise, Israel/the 12 tribes, the Jewish bloodline, the religion of Judaism and anything that has to do with the Jewish culture, including the Torah, is irrelevant and their relationship with God is strictly Roman Christian in nature and practice.

               Gentile – out of covenant. Anyone, whether pagan or previously in covenant that left the faith in Yehovah, is a gentile. Therefore, to be a gentile believer is an oxymoron. Traditional Christians uses the word ‘gentile’ as though it means anyone not Jewish.

               Pursuant vs Observant – To say that one is “observant” implies that they are keeping ALL of the Torah. The term “pursuant” has been used to mean ‘attempting to follow’ even though some things the Torah instructs cannot be performed due to the fact that there is no physical temple built in Jerusalem and most of the tribes are scattered throughout the world. The Word says that we are the temple and therefore, we pursue what we CAN do of the Torah and do it to the best of our abilities.

               Rabbinical vs Ethnic – Rabbinical describes a person who has incorporated the same Judaic form of religious observance as is known in both orthodox and reform Judaism sects. They claim to be Torah observant but most of their religious training comes from the Talmud and Mishna and other rabbinical works which are held in the same regard as the Torah itself. Most people in that sect would not refer to themselves as ‘rabbinical’ but as orthodox Jewish or just Jewish. The problem with that is that “Jewish” can have an either/or, meaning they are either racially Jewish or they practice a form of the religion of Judaism. A Jew by race is determined by DNA but a religious Jew can be from any race of people. “Jew” is really a nickname for the tribe of Judah but over time it has taken different forms. The Hebrews that returned from Babylonian exile are known as “Yehudi,” in English, Jews. However, the tribes that went into captivity were Judah, Benjamin, and some Levites. When they returned the three were blended to become known as “Yehudi” and the claim is that the majority of the Jews that live in Israel today come from those Yehudi and are now referred to as “Jews.” According to those Yehudi/Jews the other tribes are lost forever despite all the prophecies in the Scriptures saying that they will return when Messiah returns and the fact that some Ethiopian as well as Chinese have proven their Hebrew heritage and made aliyah to Israel. To make aliyah, one must prove their legitimacy by DNA.

 

Someone said to me, “I thought Messianic and Hebrew Roots was the same thing.” My response was, you would think that to be so but many Messianic Christians in no way want to be associated with Hebrew Roots because they believe that Hebrew Roots is a camp that agrees with replacement theology. What does that mean? They believe that both Hebrew Roots believers and many traditional Christian denominations believe that they have replaced Israel in all her covenants with Yehovah. From experience, most Christian churches’ doctrines DO believe this, but most Hebrews do NOT. Hebrews believe that once you are in covenant with Yehovah through Yashua and are Torah pursuant, you are grafted into the authentic nation/family of Israel as the “seed of Abraham.” [Galatians 3:29] They are not better than nor did they replace the Jews.

The modern nation of Israel is a secular country. Yes, they have many orthodox and reform Jews living in Israel. Messianic Jews (whether they claim to be Hebrew Roots or not) are persecuted. There are also Israeli citizens that are Christian, Arab (whether Muslim or not) and several others but they are likely there because they were born there, married a Jew or are blood related to someone of Jewish DNA.

A grafted-in Hebrew is most definitely Messianic because they believe in Messiah Yashua, however, a Messianic Christian or Jew may believe in Yashua/Jesus, but they are not likely to be Torah observant because they don’t believe that they need to be since they still hold to many traditional Christian beliefs.

Most people who delineate their faith as “Hebrew” do so because they are both believers in Yashua and Torah pursuant. Some say that they are Ephraimite because they came from ‘the nations’ [Genesis 48:19; Romans 11:25] and some say that they are Netzarim [Isaiah 11:1] because they follow Yashua, the Netzer (Righteous ‘tsamach’ Branch).

The term gentile is avoided by many Hebrews because it means ‘out of covenant.’ Yes, it does mean ‘nations’ in Hebrew but the reason they are referred to as ‘nations’ is because they are not in covenant with Yehovah, and as such, not of the nation of Israel. That’s how they wound up being scattered to the nations in the first place.

Sadly, splinter groups are forming off the Hebrew Roots movement. I suppose this was bound to happen based on human nature, inherited lies and the fact that we have gone such a long time without accurate Scriptural teaching. It is my humble opinion that as the enemy leaves, he is tearing at his victims because he knows his time is short. Mark 1:26; 9:20, 26

But Yehovah is GREATER! HALLELUYAH!
Marie Schryver – December 29, 2019; Revised September 22, 2023