Eternal Life Church

A Messianic Jewish Ministry

"The world stands upon three things: Torah, the Temple service, and acts of covenant kindness (Gemillut Chassidim). " Pirkei Avot (Sayings of the Fathers)

The sages of Israel showed remarkable insight with this saying. The Torah, which contains the foundation of all biblical doctrine, has rightly been called the "blueprint of the universe." Temple service, which included praise, worship and prayer satisfies our aspiration to fulfill what Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) called the greatest commandment: "To love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." (Mt. 22:37) Gemillut Chassidim gives expression to the second greatest commandment, "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mt. 22:39)

Gemillut Chassidim (pronounced Geh-mih-loot khah-sih-deem) is perhaps best

translated as "acts of covenant kindness". "Acts" implies that good intentions are not enough. Yeshua confirmed this truth in the parable of the two sons. One son told his father that he would work in his vineyard, but later did not. The second son said he would not go, but later reconsidered and went. Yeshua asked the rhetorical question of which son fulfilled his father's will. (Mt. 21:31) "Acts" is also in the plural, demonstrating the need for continuing action. Yeshua said: "Ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking." (Mt. 7:7) The writer of Hebrews enjoins: "Let brotherly love continue" and then provides examples of Gemillut Chassidim such as hospitality to strangers, remembering prisoners, holding marriage in high regard and remaining content in all circumstances. (Heb. 13:1-5)

A "covenant" is an agreement between parties. The covenant referred to here is between God and His people, with special attention to the sense that on one side of the equation is a multitude of people standing together and on the other side is God, standing alone. Since believers are bound together in a mutual covenant, there are, by definition, no "Lone Rangers". How His people are to act toward each other is outlined in the Torah, which contains many laws covering interpersonal relations under the overall principle "Love your neighbor as yourself'. Yeshua, the embodiment of the Word of God, fully demonstrated the intended depth of this commandment when He said," There is no greater love than this that a man lay down his life for another." (Jn.1:14,15:13) He not only understood the commandment but fulfilled it through His bloody sacrificial death on the cross.

The Apostle Paul recognized this covenantal aspect of Gemillut Chassidim with his command: "Be good to all men but especially to the household of faith." (Gal 6:10)

"Kindness" is the caring quality of action expected to be portrayed by those bound by a mutual covenant. An entire portion of Torah (Ki Tetze, Deuteronomy 21-25) is almost entirely dedicated to specific commanded acts of kindness. Therein we find that a believer's entire way of life is to be characterized by kindness. Examples range from allowing a woman captured in battle to properly grieve for her parents before marrying her, caring for the lost property of others, conducting ethical business practices, maintaining proper behavior toward members of the opposite sex, allowing newlyweds a sufficient time of bliss and concern for the poor and afflicted. Even animals benefit from believers who are compassionate, caring persons in a commandment to demonstrate concern for a mother hen if taking her chicks and another to help an ox or donkey collapsed on the road. In short, kindness is the hallmark of a follower of the God of Israel.

In summarizing the importance of the two greatest commandments, Yeshua said that upon these two commandments (Love God, Love your neighbor) hang all the Law and Prophets. (Mt. 22:40) In other words, each individual commandment is a facet of one of these two great commandments. Since Gemillut Chassidim points to the second greatest commandment, it is of paramount importance. In naming a ministry Gemillut Chassidim, the emphasis is therefore on the expression of "acts of covenant kindness" toward others. Kindness takes many forms which can range from simply paying attention to the thoughts of others, satisfying physical or material needs, providing religious instruction, providing a believing community for meaningful interaction with others, assisting in understanding and fulfilling commandments or caring for the poor and downtrodden.

In referring to Gemillut Chassidim as a Messianic Jewish ministry, the question should be asked: "What is Messianic Judaism?" Messianic Judaism is a movement of Jewish and non-Jewish people who believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Messiah and Savior for Israel and the entire world. Messianic believers express that faith in a manner more typically "Jewish" than mainstream Christianity. It is described as a "movement" because there is not a central governing body but rather Unions, Alliances, Associations, and independent congregations. While there is considerable difference of opinion within the Messianic movement, there are many more commonalities. There are estimated to be up to 800,000 Messianic believers in the United States and 2 million worldwide.

There are two primary differences between Messianic Judaism and Rabbinic Judaism. First, Messianic believers see Yeshua as the promised Messiah and our faith is centered on Him. Some within Rabbinic Judaism still look fora Messiah (other than Yeshua) but they are the exception. Secondly, Rabbinic Judaism is centered upon teachings and writings of the Rabbis as reorganized after the destruction of the Temple in 70 C.E. Messianic Judaism, while respecting and learning from Jewish practice and thought, derive the authority for belief and practice solely from the Scriptures: the Torah, Prophets, Writings and Apostolic Scriptures (Old and New Testaments or Bible).

There are two primary differences between Messianic Judaism and Gentile Christianity. Messianic Judaism believes that the "faith once delivered to the saints" (Jude v.3) was Biblical Judaism as fully revealed by Messiah Yeshua and is Jewish in nature. Gentile Christianity engaged in a de-Judaizing process and separated itself from the Jewish roots of the faith and the Jewish people. Some segments of Christianity are slowly re-examining their historical positions but others are still openly hostile to the idea. The Messianic movement is a vital and dynamic catalyst for this positive change in the Body of Messiah today. Secondly, Gentile Christianity developed a theology that does not recognize the authority of Torah over the life of the believer. Messianic Judaism believes that "All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, reproof, convicting of sin, correcting faults and training for right living". (II Tim 3:16)

One aspect of covenant kindness is conveying biblical truth in the least offensive way. This ministry promotes the idea that in order to properly understand the message of the Bible; one must first understand the cultural, philosophical, political, and religious outlook of the writers of the Sacred Script. Once understood, we must then traverse the intervening twenty plus centuries and apply the lessons to our age and time. This is easier said than done. It is much more natural to superimpose our modem values and ideas upon the biblical text than to step back in time and understand it on its own terms. In fact, some theologians argue that it is impossible to discard our modern frame of reference and largely ignore the original intended meaning. Worse yet, others view the writers of the Bible as primitive in their societal, ethical and moral values and discard large portions of  Scripture in lieu of what is currently politically correct or fashionable.

While it is hard work to accurately understand the original writers, reading and understanding the historical and religious writings of the several centuries

before and after the first century is the easy part. Far more difficult is to challenge the numerous layers of religious ideas and traditions which have crept into our thinking through the intervening centuries. The idea here is not to be critical of historical Christianity because the Messianic movement and Christianity agree on all essential doctrine. Consider the Statement of Faith of "Messianic Times ", the principal newspaper of the Messianic Jewish movement:

We believe...

... the Tanakh (Jewish Scriptures) and the Brit Chadashah (New Covenant) are the inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God

... that there is one God, Who exists eternally in the "Trinity" of God the Father, Yeshua the Messiah and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).

... in the deity of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection after three days, His ascension to the right hand of God the Father and His personal return in power and glory.

... regeneration by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) is essential for salvation and the indwelling of the Ruach is necessary to live a godly life.

... in the resurrection of the saved and the lost. Those who receive salvation through Yeshua will live forever with God; those who reject Him will know

through

 separation from God, as the Scriptures describe.

This is standard Orthodox Christian doctrine! There are differences of emphasis and interpretation of Biblical concepts but we are more alike than different. We can learn from each other as long as we keep love for God and love for each other as the primary focus.

To follow are a series of articles explaining some of the differences of Messianic Jewish thought with what you may have previously understood. Hopefully this will enhance your understanding of Messiah and the people of the Bible. Even if you do not agree with some or all of the ideas and conclusions, it should draw you deeper into the Scriptures to examine why it is you believe the way you do. May the Lord bless you and keep you blessed. In the Name of our Lord and Messiah, Yeshua: Shalom.