Messianic Jewish Alliance of America

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The Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) is a Christian denomination with roots in the Hebrew Christian movement. Founded in 1915 as the Hebrew Christian Alliance of America, it adopted its present name in 1975.[1] It follows on from the International Hebrew Christian Alliance between the Hebrew Christian Alliance of Great Britain and that of America.

As Messianic Jews, MJAA congregations teach a belief in Jesus Christ (Yeshuah) as their messiah, nevertheless they continue to perceive themselves as Jews, e.g. by continuing to celebrate Jewish customs. For Messianic Jews, the Bible, the Old Testament (Tanakh) and the New Testament (especially the four Gospels) form the basis of their faith. They are convinced that the Bible in its entirety is inspired by God. They further believe that one day all Jews will be Messianic Jews and that they will lead all of Israel, the Jews, and the gentile Christian world in worship of the one true God, understanding this to be the Messianic Age.[2]

History

The Hebrew Christian Alliance of America began in the early 19th century as a mission by Hebrew Christians to Jews. The organization was under the sponsorship of Philip Milledoler of the Reformed Dutch Church. Their efforts led to the formation in December 1816 of the first American Christian mission to Jews, which was incorporated on April 14, 1820, as the American Society for Meliorating the Condition of the Jews, spearheaded by Joseph Samuel C. F. Frey.[3] There were, however, few Jews in the US at the time, and the organization was run by Christian leaders of a variety of denominations.

Various independent efforts were united at the Hebrew Christian Alliance of the United States in 1905, in partnership with Hebrew Christian Alliances of other countries, most notably the Hebrew Christian Alliance of Great Britain founded by Carl Schwartz in 1866.

Youth organization

The Young Messianic Jewish Alliance (YMJA) is a national organization for members of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America between 13 and 30 years old.

See also

References

  1. ^ Hocken, Peter (2009). The Challenges of the Pentecostal, Charismatic and Messianic Jewish Movements. Ashgate Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7546-6746-9. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  2. ^ Hanna Rucks: Messianische Juden. Geschichte und Theologie der Bewegung in Israel. Neukirchener Verlag, Neukirchen-Vluyn 2014, ISBN 978-3-7887-2879-3
  3. ^ Linsley, Susanna (2014). "Saving the Jews: Religious Toleration and the American Society for Meliorating the Condition of the Jews". Journal of the Early Republic. 34 (4): 625–51. doi:10.1353/jer.2014.0075. JSTOR 24486663. S2CID 144324737.