More about Messianic Gentiles

Not every law in the Torah applies to everyone equally. There is a difference between Jewish and Gentile disciples and their respective obligations to the Torah. Here's a quick overview of Distinction Theology and the commandments in the Torah that apply to non-Jewish followers of Yeshua.

Endurance and Encouragement

What's the purpose and intention behind the Book of Romans? Is it eternal security, predestination, or God's soveriegn choice? Try "None of the Above." Romans 15 summarizes Paul's intention for writing the epistle and sets the record straight. Romans 16 introduces us to the original recipients of the epistle. This final installment from the 2015 Beth Immanuel class "Paul's Epistle to the Romans" features a completely unedited and poor-quality audio recording made on a cell-phone voice recorder. Enjoy!

Can a Gentile be Messianic?

Perhaps you have heard of a Messianic Jew. But is it appropriate to refer to a Gentile as “Messianic”?

A Messianic Jew is a Jewish person who practices Messianic Judaism. They share the same basic faith as other observant Jews throughout history. Their specific kind of Judaism, however, is one that acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah.

The Reason Why (It's Too Jewish)

Where would Jesus go to church? Everyone knows that Beth Immanuel Messianic Synagogue is "too Jewish," but is it too Jewish for Yeshua and the Apostles? This second teaching in the series "It's Too Jewish" tries to get to the bottom of the problem of "too Jewish" and explain the kingdom-based rationale behind a traditional "orthodox-styled" Messianic Jewish syangogue. At the same time, we consider the need for a more culturally adaptable expression of our faith for the other seven billion people on planet earth.

Beth Immanuel Messianic Synagogue (15 Years)

Where are we going with this? What's the end goal? And why is Beth Immanuel so Jewish?

On the occasion of the fifteenth anniversary of the community, Pastor Lancaster tells the story of our transition from Beth Immanuel Sabbath Fellowship to the Beth Immanuel Messianic Synagogue. Listen along to part one of a four part series titled "Its Too Jewish," and learn about the vision and direction of our community in beautiful, historic, Hudson, Wisconsin.

The Rule of Love

What does it mean that “the one who has loved another has fulfilled the Torah” (Romans 13:8). What commandments are incumbent upon a Gentile disciple? If the Gentile disciples are not “under the Torah,” then to what are they obligated? Paul addresses this question in Romans 13 and lays out some overarching principles and specific examples. This audio file, recorded in January of 2013, has poor quality audio but great content.

Grafted In

In Romans 11, Paul speaks of the Gentile disciples as branches from a wild olive tree, grafted in to a cultivated tree, but the symbolism leaves room for ambiguity. Who is who in the metaphor, and where does the rest of Israel fit in to the picture? Who are the broken branches, who are the roots, and how do they all fit together? This teaching examines the famous "grafted-in" passage in the context of the broader discussion of Romans 9-11 and by comparing it with a similar Talmudic teaching.

The Remnant

Has God rejected his people? Did Israel stumble and fall? Romans 10-11 offers us a crash course on Paul's theology regarding the election of Israel, the Messianic Jewish remnant, the inclusion of the Gentiles, and the final redemption. This Bible study fills in the missing pieces in Paul's arguments to make sense out of these difficult passages:

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." (Isaiah 52:7)

Sukkot and the Journey's End

How about a little seasonal teaching to enjoy while sitting in the Sukkah? A short teaching about the signifiance of Sukkot, the meaning of the Sukkah, Gog and Magog, the Talmud's view of Gentiles keeping Sukkot in the kingdom, and the festival's relationship to the all of the other festivals and the coming Kingdom of Heaven.

Father of the Faith

Are you a son or daughter of Abraham? Abraham is the father of us all, right? Does being a "child of Abraham" make you the same as a Jewish person? Romans chapter four introduces Abraham as the father of our faith for both Jews and Gentile believers in Yeshua. This teaching contains discussion on Paul's one rule for all the churches and the apostolic teaching regarding distinction between Jews and Gentile believers.