Beit Ariel Messianic Jewish Congregation

Position on Jewish and non-Jewish members  

1. In the Messiah, with respect to salvation, there is neither Jew nor non-Jew, slave nor free, male nor female

“In the Messiah”, that is, as we are united with the Messiah through faith, there is no distinction between Jew or non-Jew, slave or free, male or female. There is no favouritism, no special position held by any one. We all are united with Him in his death and in his resurrection by our faith in God’s revelation in the Messiah alone (Rom 6:5).

In other words, as far as our salvation is concerned, there is no favouritism, no special treatment – Jew and non-Jew alike are all under sin; there is ‘no one righteous, not even one’ (Rom 3:9). But - thank God! -  both Jew and non-Jew are made righteous by God’s grace alone, for God is not only the God of the Jews but also of the non-Jews too (Rom 3:29).

2. In the Messiah, with respect to our relationship in the body of the Messiah, there is neither Jew nor non-Jew, slave nor free, male nor female

In the body of Messiah, in our being together, there is no separation between Jew or non-Jew, slave or free, male or female (Gal 3:28; Col 3:11). We recognise that Rabbi Saul wrote both the Letters to the Galatian and Colossian believers to warn them that there should be no favouritism between Jewish or non-Jewish members, and that Peter by name should not “withdraw him and separate himself from the non-Jewish worshippers” (Gal 2:12). Therefore, whether Jewish or non-Jewish, we agree that all should be treated equally. This is why we regularly ask Gentile believers to don a tallit (prayer shawl) and participate in removing the Torah scroll from the Ark. All are included.

3. That does not mean that there is no distinction between Jewish and non-Jewish believers

However, the fact that we consider all equal in Messiah does not mean that there is no distinction between Jew and non-Jew. In the Messiah there is no longer male or female (Gal 3:28), but that does not mean that we should pretend that there is no difference between males and females.

Similarly, there is a difference between Jewish and non-Jewish believers. Jews who come to faith in Yeshua have not ceased to belong to the people of Israel, with whom God still upholds the covenant He cut with the Patriarchs. Gentiles enter into this covenant by faith in Messiah’s atoning sacrifice, and not through natural descent! Abraham is the father of the Jewish people as well as all who believe that Yeshua is indeed ‘the way, the truth and the life’ (John 14:6).

And because of this difference, Jewish and non-Jewish believers have different callings and functions within the body of believers.

We believe Jewish believers in the Messiah are called to continue to carry the identity markers of the Jewish people – keep kosher and circumcision, for example and that they should endeavour to maintain these identity markers not in any attempt to earn salvation, but to confirm that they are still part of the people of Israel, even though they believe Yeshua is the Messiah and Lord.

At Beit Ariel, we believe that these ‘identity markers’ are not obligatory upon Gentile believers. That is not to say that non-Jewish members of Beit Ariel cannot keep kosher, if they sense the Spirit of God leading them in this way. Of course they can, but we do recognise that there is a distinction in our calling. Rabbi Saul clearly teaches this differentiation in his analogy of the olive tree in Romans 11:16-22. Jewish believers are called the natural branches of the olive tree whereas non-Jewish members are called ‘wild branches’, which are grafted into the natural olive tree by expressing faith in Yeshua, Messiah. However, both the natural and the wild branches draw their nourishment and sustenance from the same source - the Holy Spirit!

It may well be that some non-Jewish believers are led by the Spirit of God to keep kashrut (Jewish dietary code) and perhaps even more of the identity markers that are particular to the Jewish people. In Beit Ariel, they have the freedom to do that – but they should recognise that this is their specific calling, which does not apply to all other non-Jewish believers. In other words, should they personally feel called to keep kosher, they are free to do so – but not free to expect other non-Jewish believers to do the same. It is not obligatory upon the non-Jew.

4. What are the practical implications of this difference in calling between Jewish and non-Jewish believers?

It certainly should not create any division – socially or psychologically – between Jewish and non-Jewish believers. In Beit Ariel Messianic Jewish congregation, we adhere to basic kashrut rules which apply to everyone. At our bring-and-share meals, for example, the same food is served to everyone, Jew and non-Jew alike. We generally keep to ‘milchik’ i.e. no meat products to avoid any confusion. A further practical application is the wearing of kippot (scull caps) during our services. All men who attend our services are requested to wear kippot. However, if someone does not want to do so, he is not forced to do that. He is still welcome to participate and feel at home.

5. What if I do not agree with the Beit Ariel position explained above?

Then you are still welcome to worship with us at Beit Ariel. We do not force our theology upon any one and we recognise that people have different interpretive opinions. What we do ask is mutual respect; in other words, that those who hold to a different view from us, respect Beit Ariel’s position. And, we will listen to and respect your position. We can be sufficiently mature to agree to disagree and yet maintain bonds of fellowship, unity and peace (Eph 4:3).