By Rabbi/Brother Moshe Yoseph Koniuchowsky

The Church

Messianic Judaism views the church as a separate and predominantly "gentile" entity, apart from the people of Israel (i.e. the Jews). Both make up the body, yet remain distinct and separate never actually fully coming together this side of heaven. The best that can be hoped for is toleration and understanding, not full unity such as joint services.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael does not recognize the church as a separate entity apart from the covenant people of Israel. According to Messianic Nazarene Yisrael, there is no such thing as "the church", rather the ekklessia of New Covenant Israel consists of saved Jews, saved Israelites (remnant of the 10 tribes), along with non-Israelites, all making up Yahshua’s ekklessia. The ekklessia is one both now and forever.

Messianic Judaism views saved gentiles as non Israelites, who have no Israelite blood whatsoever, having no legitimate claim to be physically descended from the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They believe that any born again "gentile", who claims physical descent from the patriarchs, either has a drop of Jewish blood from an ancient grandparent, or are just Jewish wannabe’s, engaged in delusion. Views the concept that any saved non-Jewish believer, could be a lost non-Jewish Israelite, as utter nonsense.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that most of the non-Jewish followers of Yahshua are Ephraimites, those who were scattered amongst the gentile nations starting in 721 BCE. They were the Lo Ami of Hosea one, who were not a people, but have now been restored as individuals as promised by the prophets, through Israel’s Messiah. These latter day "gentiles", are washed and then awakened to their Israelite heritage by Messiah Yahshua, in fulfillment of many promises. Their recognition of their identity as the seed of Ephraim and their union with Jewish Israel, is a necessity for all Israel to be saved and for the Kingdom to be restored to Israel.

Messianic Judaism views the re-gathering, identification and claim of non-Jewish believers as the other House of Israel as heresy. Believe the concept of the two houses of a single entity known as Israel, to be DNA salvation, or salvation by one’s bloodline, instead of grace through faith. Falsely accuses two house proponents of teaching that salvation is only for Israelites and not for non-Israelites. View Yahshua’s blood as the means by which Yahshua saves any individual who calls on Him, yet excludes the reality of scattered Israelites (10 tribe Ephraimites), being saved. Salvation is to Jew and Gentile.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael views the gift of salvation as a free gift for whosoever will. Having said that Messianic Nazarene Yisrael does in fact teach that Ephraim’s seed has fulfilled the promise of physical multiplicity given to the patriarchs and views the re-gathering of the latter day "gentiles", as consisting mostly of lost Israelites. View Yahshua’s blood as the power of salvation for every human being, including the 12 tribes scattered worldwide. Salvation is to Jew, the lost Israelite individual and non-Israelite.

Messianic Judaism views this commonwealth as the Messianic Jews plus "the church", as being the Commonwealth. Within the Commonwealth of Israel, Messianic Judaism separates Jews and non-Jews into separate entities, despite claims to the contrary. They hold two different sets of standards for believers in the "church" and in the Messianic Jewish movement. Torah is a privilege and burden that only Messianic Jews can carry and participate in, but "gentiles" cannot and should not practice Torah, outside of either the limited Acts 15 Jerusalem Council requirements, or the manmade rabbinical Noachide laws.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that all in the Commonwealth of Israel purchased by Yahshua’s blood are Israelites, with full privileges of citizenship. Believes that the believer’s identity as Israel supercedes any identity as a Jew, a "gentile", male, female, bond, free etc. All members of the body are Israelites, either through physical birth (two houses) or engrafting (Gerim), thus producing one holy covenant nation called New Covenant Israel, or the body of Yahshua. These Israelites are at the same time both physical and spiritual Israelites, since all disciples are physical beings that have received the Ruach Hakodesh. All Israelites not only can carry the obligations of Torah, but are required to do so, making no differential between a Jewish Israelite believer and a non Jewish Israelite believer.

Messianic Judaism believes that Jewish believers are physical Israel and that non-Jewish "gentile" believers are spiritual Israel. These two entities are supposedly both Israel, thus establishing two brides. Messianic Judaism’s main concern is that this spiritual Israel "i.e. the church", does not replace or nullify the promises made to physical Israel "i.e. the Jews." While on one hand strongly dedicated to fighting replacement theology, they perpetuate its very survival by recognizing non-Jewish believers as some sort of a spiritual Israel. Thus Messianic Judaism propagates the war between these two claimants of the title of Israel, where one or the other can claim superiority or a more chosen status over and at the expense of the other.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that there are not two brides of Messiah Yahshua, but in fact just one. This bride is called Israel and is made up of those rescued from the nations among all 12 tribes. Thus the House of Judah and the House of Israel along with non-Israelites, are all Israel. Since all these believers regardless of background are physical and since in order to be accepted and pleasing to the Father all must be spiritually aware or regenerated by the Spirit, this single nation is both and at the same time both physical and spiritual Israel. Since this is the case, there is no need for a separate entity claiming to be spiritual Israel i.e. "the church", thus eliminating the competition and the 2000-year-old battle royal, over which entity really is the true Israel.

Messianic Judaism while claiming that there are no racial distinctions in the body of Yahshua, practice their faith quite differently. Jews and "gentiles" are not only different people groups, but are identified as such. Terms like Jewish believer or "gentile" believer are common terminology, thus emphasizing the national and ethnic difference between brethren. Messianic Judaism refuses to see returning Ephraimites as long lost brethren, who had been mixed into the nations. This results in the establishment of Jewish synagogues and "gentile churches."

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that when the members of the body realize that they have all been made citizens of the Commonwealth of the Israel of Yahweh, that the racial origin of the individual loses its importance. Messianic Nazarene Yisrael sees all believers as redeemed Israelites, who have been rescued from the nations and does not focus in on the lesser titles of Jew, gentile, male and female, bond, or free. As Abraham’s seed, this nation is a royal priesthood and a peculiar nation as Israel. Thus the focus becomes restoring the Kingdom to all Israel, rather than breaching the gap between two separate entities known fallaciously as physical and spiritual Israel. This concept of physical and spiritual Israel, is a work of the flesh, a figment of the religious imagination, found nowhere in scripture. All brethren are fellow Israelites, regardless of their family descent!

Messianic Judaism views this as totally optional for non-Jewish believers. Leaves Torah observance to the individual conscience. Does not recognize the fact that the latter day "gentiles", who are called the "melo hagoyim" or the fullness of the nations, came from Ephraim’s physical seed. This rejection of the "melo hagoyim" as legitimate Israelites has kept up a wall around Torah that traditional Jews have erected many years ago. A wall around Torah has been erected to keep non-Jews away and observant Jews inside protected from straying away. Views Torah keeping amongst "gentile" believers, as confusion and legalism.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael views most of the saved non-Jews as the promised seed of Ephraim, that in the latter days would make up the fullness or the majority of non Jews in the world. Therefore when Yahshua rescues a non-Jewish believer from the nations, he or she not only has the privilege of Torah observance, but a divine mandate as well. Since Messianic Nazarene Yisrael views all believers as New Covenant Israel (not replacing first covenant Israel, but merely a renewed invigorated people of Israel), all Israelites are encouraged to join Jewish brethren in keeping Torah, thus removing the wall erected around it by traditional Judaism. Since Ephraimites trace their ancestry to Jacob/Israel, through Joseph Jacob’s son, they rightly believe that their forefathers were at the foot of Mt. Sinai receiving Torah, just as much as the forefathers of Jewish Israel. Therefore all Israel’s children enjoy the blessings of Torah obedience, making no distinction between Torah observance for Jews and non-Jews.

The Olive Tree

Messianic Judaism believes that the olive tree of Romans 11 is the Jew and the "gentile", or the natural and wild branches. Uses the Christian church’s definition to define the olive tree.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that the olive tree is the two houses of Israel, while the natural OLIVE branches are Jewish and the wild OLIVE branches are non-Jewish Israelites or Ephraimites. Uses Jeremiah the prophet’s definition to define the olive tree of Israel.

Messianic Judaism believes that this event is past and that it took place either in the time of King Josiah, or at the time of the return of Jewish Israel from Babylon. Believes that the two sticks of Ezekial came together as prophesied at that time, therefore negating the need for a future restoration of both houses of Israel. Believes that the reunion has already taken place and that those who claim otherwise simply have missed the reunion.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that the restorations has definitely not been fulfilled due to several key issues. First the disciples asked Yahshua when the event would take place, 586 years after the reunion supposedly took place! Had the restoration been a past event, the disciples would not have asked Messiah Yahshua the question in a still future setting. Thus it is clear that the New Covenant disciples of Yahshua, still looked forward to the reunification of both houses. Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that according to Ezekial 37, the reunion will be highlighted by a full return to the land of Israel, not a partial ones referenced by Messianic Judaism! Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that when this full return takes place, that there will be sinless perfection with no idolatry found in either stick or either house. Obviously, not only is the full nation not back in the land, both houses have massive perversions in their belief systems, such as Ephraim’s celebration of pagan holy days and Sunday Sabbath and Judah’s love of Babylonian wisdom, writings and practices. According to the same Ezekial 37 passages, one King will rule over both houses. Unsaved Jewish Israel is still in the majority and still is stiff-necked and still refuses to let Yahshua, Yahweh’s blessed Son rule over their affairs. Therefore Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that the fullness of this scripturally promised reunion, has never fully come to pass.

Messianic Judaism loathes it and does everything in its power, to rid this doctrine of demons from theological circles. Yet tragically and ironically, it propagates it by their misunderstanding of the church as a distinct and separate spiritual Israelite entity.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that the body of New Covenant Israel is both physical and spiritual, thus eliminating the theological straw man built by religion called the church. Once one of the two competing brides is recognized as a demonic manmade straw man, then we are left with one bride known as the Commonwealth of Israel, where there are no distinctions in race or nationality. Thus while loathing replacement theology as well, Messianic Nazarene Yisrael has been given the correct theological understanding and insight, to eliminate the theological straw man.

Messianic Judaism is committed to 7^th day Shabbat keeping, Rosh Chodesh (New Moons), as well as all the Feasts of Yahweh.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael is also committed to celebrate the 7^th day Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh (New Moons), as well as the Feasts of Yahweh. All those who do so are viewed as Israelites, not as saved "gentiles."

The Ten Tribes

Messianic Judaism believes that the ten tribes ceased to be an identifiable nation and as individuals were swallowed up by identifiable Jewish Israel. Messianic Judaism believes therefore, that the Jewish people today are the reunited, reconstituted visible nation of Israel, made up of a re-gathering of all 12 tribes. These 12 tribes today are known strictly and only as Jews, thus eliminating the need for a future and further re-gathering of the House of Israel.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that the nation of Israel remains blind and that blindness is found in two separate houses, as Yahshua Himself found when both houses stumbled over His Messiahship. Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that scripture is clear that Ephraim’s (10 tribes) punishment, was for them to be swallowed up and become one flesh with the pagan nations of the world, outside the land of Israel. Thus in order to find them, Yahshua has been saving the gentile nations, looking for these individual lost sheep, who make up the nation of the House of Israel. To locate them you would have to preach the gospel to the whole wide world of non-Jewish nations. Messianic Nazarene Yisrael does not believe that scriptures ever promised, that the 10 tribes would be swallowed by Jewish/Israel, but rather would be scattered and hidden in the gentile pagan nations, only to be rescued by Messiah, in the last days of this age.

Messianic Judaism believes that the Tabernacle of David is only the Jewish people. Therefore in order to bring biblical reconciliation in these last days, efforts must be made to reconcile the Jews and "the church", or to put it another way, to bring "the church" back to her Jewish roots. Messianic Judaism is actively engaged in restoring the broken relationship between these two separate Israel’s, or the two separate brides of Yahweh.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that the Tabernacle Of David by historical and biblical definition must resemble and be an exact replica of the people of Israel, over which David ruled and over which David established his tabernacle. By definition then, Messianic Nazarene Yisrael is actively engaged in restoring the broken relationship between Israel’s two houses or two chosen families, that will lead to the Kingdom being restored to Israel. Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that restoration amongst brethren is biblical and believes that restoring New Covenant Israel to "the church" is both unscriptural and fictional, especially in light of the so-called "church’s" commitment to anti-Nomianism.

Messianic Judaism (MJAA-IAMCS), will only ordain a rabbi who is thought to be Jewish, as a Messianic Rabbi. The UMJC-AMB, will however recognize and ordain a non Jew as a Messianic rabbi.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael ordains and recognizes that a messianic rabbi can be produced from either House of Israel. Therefore a non-Jewish man, can also be called to be a rabbi in a messianic congregation, since he is most likely still a physical Israelite, from the non-Jewish side of the Israelite family, or becomes an Israelite as a Ger.

Messianic Judaism (MJAA), will only grant full membership with voting privileges to Messianic Jews. Non Jewish or "gentile" believers are invited to become associate members. Associate members are however allowed to tithe and to donate funds, just like any full Jewish member. The MJAA denies this policy as racist, rather viewing it as a protection of the Jewishness of the movement. The UMJC does allow all believers into full membership.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael views it membership as open and full to anyone who is blood washed. Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that associate memberships are discriminatory and heretical. Messianic Nazarene Yisrael’s position is that if one is good enough for Yahshua’s assembly, they ought to be good enough to be full members in any organization claiming to represent Him.

Messianic Judaism views the pronunciation of YHVH as Yahweh or Yahveh, as inconclusive and beyond finding out. Also believes that the common usage, or the mere pronunciation of the Name, is a blatant violation of the commandment not to use it in vain. They tend to interpret the phrase "in vain", as meaning common everyday usage. Messianic Judaism is offended by those who do use it within it’s circles and do everything possible to discourage the Sacred Name from being used, preferring instead to use Hashem, which means "the Name".

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael’s congregations and ministries, tend to be more open to its use. Though pronunciations may vary from person to person, there is a general consensus that since Yahweh is restoring all things in and about Israel, that it must also be His desire to restore His eternal redemptive, memorial covenant Name. Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes in most part, that any attempt to restore all things spoken of by Israel’s prophets to Israel’s people, without restoring the Father’s eternal memorial everlasting Name, would leave the movement short of its goals and vision. Usage of the sacred Name is prevalent throughout Messianic Nazarene Yisrael and those who do not use it, are not offended by those who do.

Messianic Judaism has a mixture of those who do and those who do not believe in the sign gifts and in their perpetuity. Attitudes and doctrines vary.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael has a mixture of those who do and those who do not believe in the sign gifts and in their perpetuity. Attitudes and doctrines vary.

Messianic Judaism believes that those who are not Jews in order to join Israel must convert. This process takes on various means and modes. This practice at its core is due to Messianic Judaism’s rejection of the historical reality of non-Jewish Israelites being redeemed by Yahshua’s blood. They fallaciously believe that the Jewish people today are all of the Israelites that exist today, therefore one must become a Jew through conversion, to become an Israelite if one was not born Jewish. There has been much debate and controversy as to what conversion standards should be accepted, ranging from Messianic Beit Din, to the opinion that traditional Orthodox Jewish standards are in order. This understanding results from the misunderstanding regarding the survival and preservation of the other House of Israel as and among the latter day "gentiles."

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael views all conversions with skepticism and disdain. To Messianic Nazarene Yisraelites, all believers became physical-Spirit filled Israelites, regardless of racial origin. Thus no conversion is necessary, since an Israelite need not be adopted into the nation of Israel, that according to scripture, he or she already belongs to either by birth or by grafting. Messianic Nazarene Yisrael believes that Yahshua allowed us all to become Israel, so as to avoid the very manmade decisions and rulings handed down by man made and man generated committees, as to who is and who is not a Jew. Messianic Nazarene Yisrael views the entire conversion process of Ephraimites and non-Israelites to Messianic Judaism as a sad scenario, played out by those who do not realize that Israel has two chosen families. As such no conversion is necessary, since a conversion merely transfers a believer from one side of the family, to another, not from one faith to another. Furthermore Messianic Nazarene Yisrael views conversions as a heretical practice, designed to cheapen Yahweh’s grace who accepts an individual as they are, where they are and places them into Israel’s Commonwealth Himself. Messianic Nazarene Yisrael therefore views conversions as dangerous and as a direct attack against divine sovereignty.

Circumcision or Brit Milah

Messianic Judaism abides by differing versions of Acts 15 and the Jerusalem Council. By and large non-Jews are taught that they need not be circumcised unless they convert to Messianic Judaism through a man appointed Bet Din. "Gentiles" are taught that they are in most cases already circumcised by the hospital and even if they are not they need not be.

Messianic Judaism permits those who are not circumcised in the flesh to participate in the Passover Seder.  Torah teaches in Exodus 12:48 that the uncircumcised are not permitted to participate in Passover.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael views all members of the Olive Tree as Born Again Israelites. Therefore,  all believing parents should circumcise their sons on the 8th day following birth, in accord with the covenant of Abraham as given in Genesis 17. Since Torah commands the 8th day circumcision, it is up to the believing parents to oversee a Biblical Brit Milah for an infant son.  The parents are accountable to Yahweh to properly perform this upon their son on the 8th day.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael does not accept hospital circumcision at birth as being a legitimate fulfillment of the requirement for parents to perform the Brit Milah on Messianic Nazarene Yisraelite sons.  All Messianic Nazarene Yisraelite families that produce a newborn son, should have the Brit Milah performed on the 8th day in accord with the command of Torah in Genesis 17.  However, we do recognize that circumcision among the non Jewish nations, has become commonplace in the 20th century.  We feel this has been the Guidance of Ruach Hakodesh in preparing the remnant from the fullness of the nations (Ephraim), to recognize their position in Torah as descendants of Israel.  This being the case, we give gospel grace to those males who were already circumcised in the hospital and do not require a recircumcision or a Hatafas Dahm (drawing of blood from the spot of past hospital circumcision on adults) ceremony upon them.

As for uncircumcised men who have come into a realization of their Israelite heritage through the revelation of the Ruach Hakodesh, it would be Scriptural for an adult male to have himself circumcised on the 8th day, following the revelation of his heritage. This would apply to any believer who, though saved, had not been cognizant of Israelite blood or their place in Israel's Two Houses. We have the example of Timothy who was a descendant of the Tribe of Judah on his mother's side who had himself circumcised later in life.  An entire generation of Israel -- those born in the wilderness -- remained uncircumcised until later in life.  But when it was time to enter into the Promised Land, they all became circumcised (Joshua 5:2-8). The Messianic Nazarene Yisrael Movement is now moving into our spiritual Promised Land, so it is now time for all our adult men to be in proper circumcision, so as to partake of the Passover (Master's) Supper Messianic Nazarene Yisrael does not believe that the act of circumcision has any effect upon the process of salvation.  Circumcision is a requirement for those descended from Abraham, but lack of circumcision does not keep one from being saved.  Messianic Nazarene Yisrael views the warnings and forbidding of Rav Shaul (Paul) against circumcision, not as the forbidding of the token of the Abrahamic Covenant, but rather as a forbidding for Ephraimites and non-Israelites to become part of "the circumcision", or to convert or become Jews. Thus the many verses forbidding circumcision (Galatians), are a warning not to equate conversion to Judaism (becoming Jewish or joining the circumcision), as having any bearing on Salvation. All male offspring of believing parents must be circumcised as Abraham's seed, and all male adults should seriously consider Brit Milah for the 8th day after their recognition of their true Israelite heritage.  

 Bar & Bat Mitzvah

Messianic Judaism views these practices as mitzvoth and holds them equal to the scriptural commands. Views these observances as binding on all Jews and converts.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael views these practices as traditional additions to Judaism and as strictly optional and not binding on Israelites in any way.

Messianic Judaism respects traditional rabbinical halachah and often times chooses to submit to it. Obedience to traditional rabbinical halacha varies from congregation to congregation. As a whole Messianic Judaism seeks to become the recognized and established fourth major branch of Judaism after Orthodox, Conservative and Reform. This can only be done by Messianic Jewish leadership’s acceptance, of a large portion of traditional rabbinical halachic teachings and rulings.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael views traditional rabbinical halachah as dangerous in many instances and views Yahshua alone as "The Way", therefore He alone is halachah. Messianic Nazarene Yisrael views traditional rabbinical rulings with interest, to be used for wisdom and insight but not for practical doctrine and living.

Messianic Judaism in general follows all of biblical kashrut such as the avoidance of pig and shellfish. Some segments follow the rabbinical halacha of the separation of milk and dairy. This segment uses different pots and pans for meat and dairy products, never mixing the two. This is a minority segment.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael in general follows all of biblical kashrut such as the avoidance of pigs and shellfish. Most segments do not follow the halachic laws of separation between milk and dairy products and different pots and pans, though a few do.

Messianic Judaism believes that the "gentile" believer, is a type of the House of Israel (10) tribes and not the redeemed physical remnant of the ten tribes itself. Proliferates the fallacious and dangerous understanding of the so-called "church", as the "Ephraim of the Spirit", or "spiritual Ephraim", thus engaging in reverse replacement theology. Reverse replacement theology, is substituting a man made spiritual entity called "the church", for the re-gathered, rescued, redeemed remnant of the physical House Of Israel (Ephraim). Thus while rightly loathing "the church’s" replacement theological practices of trying to use the "church" to replace the Jews as the "New Israel", most of Messianic Judaism seems to have no problems with using the same "church", to replace the physical House of Joseph. The House of Joseph is just as biologically Semitic, as are the Jewish people and thus sadly and tragically Messianic Judaism in great ignorance, often practices anti-Semitism through reverse replacement theology.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael does not engage in any kind of replacement theology, including steering clear of reverse replacement theology.  By proclaiming that two physical Houses of Israel are being restored through the Messiah Yahshua, neither house is ignored, or replaced by one another, nor by an outside manmade third party entity called "the church". The "church", is not used to replace either house in Yahweh’s eternal plans and thus all three parties that make up New Covenant Israel thrive, survive and dwell together as brethren in greater Israel. Judah, Ephraim and Gerim (strangers), all live in unity as Spirit filled physical beings, united by Yahshua’s cords of love, in a single entity known as His body, the ekklessia, or the Commonwealth of Israel. All forms of replacement theology are utterly rejected as anti-Semitic, including reverse replacement theology, as is often practiced in other forms of Messianism.

Messianic Judaism (the modern movement), was established upon a strong foundation, by men who held fast to the absolute deity of Messiah Yahshua. The leadership was and remains one hundred percent committed to teaching His deity. Yet recent years have found widespread apostasy in it ranks, as literally scores of Messianic Jewish adherents, as well as numerous rabbis, have become apostate by denying this cardinal truth upon which all major Messianic Jewish organizations were originally established. As one major leader recently put it "it (this heresy) is destroying the movement."

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael requires that any congregation or Messianic Nazarene Yisraelite leader, must make a full and compete confession of Yahshua’s deity, prior to acceptance and recognition in Messianic Nazarene Yisrael. Several leaders and ministries have been refused membership, due to their unscriptural position regarding Yahshua’s deity. Yahshua’s deity is a main bedrock of the gospel, which Messianic Nazarene Yisrael cannot compromise. Messianic Nazarene Yisrael seeks to weed out those holding this view, before infiltration of this hideous doctrine into its ranks.

Messianic Judaism does not actively promote or encourage women to the five-fold ministry.

Messianic Nazarene Yisrael does encourage and actively allow women to function as five fold ministers.