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Line 3: − + − *follows an [[Evangelical Christian]] [[theology]]. − + − <!-- We need more here about this rejection. I'm not "fact-tagging" this. I'm fairly sure it's true. But we need to know who says this and WHY they say it. For example, WHY does believe in Yeshua automatically exclude a person from the Jewish community? When did this this exclusion become automatic? -->+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + − However, Reform [[rabbi]] Dan Cohn-Sherbok, Professor of Jewish Theology at the University of Wales, has pointed out that the Jewish community, and Judaism itself, no longer holds to a single authority to determine correct belief and practice, and as such Messianic Judaism is as valid a form of Judaism as any other.<ref>Cohn-Sherbok, Dan. "Messianic Judaism" (Continuum International, 2000)</ref> David M. Hargis stated: ''"Since the first Jewish followers of Yeshua never left the faith of the God of Israel, [[YHWH]], but rather came into a more personal covenant with Him through trust in Messiah Yeshua, their faith was and is the only complete Biblical Judaism and thus a superior Judaism."''<ref>Hargis, David M. [http://www.messianic.com/articles/basics.htm ''Basics of Messianic Judaism''] Messianic Bureau International. Accessed 21 February 2008</ref>
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*regards its members to be committed [[Jew]]s.
*regards its members to be committed [[Jew]]s.
*believes that [[Yeshua]] of Nazareth ([[Jesus Christ]]) is the [[Messiah]] spoken of in the [[Tanakh]] ([[Old Testament]]).
*believes that Messiah [[Yeshua]] of Nazareth ([[Jesus Christ]]) is the [[Messiah]] spoken of in the [[Tanakh]] ([[Old Testament]]).
*believes that it is following the practices and beliefs of the very early church.
*believes that it is following the practices and beliefs of the very early church.
They differ from other Jews over their beliefs about the Messiah. Messianic Congregations are made up of people of Jewish and non-Jewish backgrounds, and are distinctly Jewish in [[culture]]. All celebrate Jewish [[Holy Days]] and support the State of [[Israel]], and most have their main service on the seventh day [[Sabbath]]. They believe that all of the [[Bible]], both the Tanakh and the [[New Testament]], is inspired by [[God]], and that the New Testament was written by Jewish writers to announce to the world the arrival of the long awaited Jewish Messiah.
They differ from other Jews over their beliefs about the Messiah. Messianic Congregations are made up of people of Jewish and non-Jewish backgrounds, and are distinctly Jewish in [[culture]]. All celebrate Jewish [[Holy Days]] and support the State of [[Israel]], and most have their main service on the seventh day [[Sabbath]]. They believe that all of the [[Bible]], both the Tanakh and the [[New Testament]], is inspired by [[God]], and that the New Testament was written by Jewish writers to announce to the world the arrival of the long awaited Jewish Messiah.
Virtually all other Jewish [[denomination]]s reject Messianic Judaism on the principle that belief in Yeshua automatically makes them Christian, and therefore outside of the Jewish community. Many view Messianic Judaism as a dangerous and subversive form of [[apostasy]].
Virtually all other Jewish [[denomination]]s reject Messianic Judaism on the principle that belief in Messiah Yeshua automatically makes them [[Christianity|Christian]], and therefore outside of the Jewish community. (<small>''See [[Jewish opposition]] below.''</small>) Many view Messianic Judaism as a dangerous and subversive form of [[apostasy]]. However, Reform [[rabbi]] [[Dan Cohn-Sherbok]], Professor of Jewish Theology at the University of Wales, has pointed out that the Jewish community, and Judaism itself, no longer holds to a single authority to determine correct belief and practice, and as such Messianic Judaism is as valid a form of Judaism as any other.<ref>Cohn-Sherbok, Rabbi Dan. "Messianic Judaism" (Continuum International, 2000) ISBN 0-8264-5458-5</ref> David M. Hargis stated: "Since the first Jewish followers of Yeshua never left the faith of the God of Israel, YHWH, but rather came into a more personal covenant with Him through trust in Messiah Yeshua, their faith was and is the only complete Biblical Judaism and thus a superior Judaism."<ref>Hargis, David M. [http://www.messianic.com/articles/basics.htm ''Basics of Messianic Judaism''] Messianic Bureau International. Accessed 21 February 2008</ref>
==Ambiguity==
The phrase "Messianic Judaism" is ambiguous in popular usage, as many sects and people, including members of [[Jews for Jesus]] and some [[Charismatic]] Christian organizations also refer to themselves as Messianic Jews, a stance rejected by the mainstream Messianic congregations and bodies. Jews for Jesus, for example, is a [[Baptist]] Christian missionary organization, whose aim is to [[Conversion|convert]] Jews to Christianity. Rabbi Adam J. Bernay of the Beit Tefillah Messianic Fellowship summarizes the Messianic stance towards Jews for Jesus as: "We do not approve of their [[theology]], their ideology, or their methods... They are not a part of the Messianic movement and [they] have never been in favor of Messianic congregations."<ref>Bernay, Rabbi Adam J. [http://beit-tefillah.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=40 "Who we are"] Beit Tefilah.com. Retrieved 20 November 2008.</ref>
==Governing bodies==
Some of the major organizations within Messianic Judaism include:
*the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA)
*the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC)
*the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS)
*the Fellowship of Messianic Congregations (FMC)
Two further organizations, while smaller, are still influential:
*the Association of Torah-Observant Messianics
*the International Federation of Messianic Jews
There are several hundred Messianic congregations worldwide, with a membership somewhere between 250,000 - 300,000. Israel alone has around 15,000 Messianic congregants. They are believed to be the most rapidly growing group in Judaism.<ref>Cohn-Sherbok "Messianic Judaism" op cit p.ix</ref>
==Early history of Messianic Judaism==
==Early history of Messianic Judaism==