Written by Wendell E. Hutchins II, on Monday, 17 September 2007

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†Proselytes have enjoyed fellowship and community with Judaism from the earliest of times. The Law of Moses gave specific instruction to, and established explicit regulations for, the admission of those who were not born of Hebrew blood into Israel’s Kehilla.

The Kenites, Gibeonites, Cherethites, and Pelethites were among those admitted into different levels of Israelite privilege. We also note individual proselytes who rose to positions of prominence in the Kingdom of Israel. Among those was Uriah the Hittite, Araunah the Jebusite, Zelek the Ammonite, and Ithmah and Ebedmelech the Ethiopians.

During the reign of Solomon, there were 153,600 proselytes in the land of Israel. The prophets preached of a time in which proselytes would share in all the privileges of Israel and accordingly, in the New Testament we read of proselytes trafficking in the Synagogues of the Jews.

Becoming Jewish is much different, and much more difficult than converting to Christianity. First and foremost, to be accepted into Judaism, you must be accepted and agree to follow a lengthy process of conversion.

This process includes, but is not limited to,
1) Learning Judaism.
2) Being examined and passing oral exam in Bet Din.
3) Circumcision
4) Baptism in Mikveh
    a) the Mikveh
    b) the procedure
    c) the meaning
5) You must bring offering – and your offering was qualified
6) Receive a new Jewish Name
7) Participate in Public Ceremony

Learning Judaism –
The Jews believed that if a Gentile kept the Noahite Laws and renounced the pagan gods of his culture, while he was not regarded as a Jew, this person would be esteemed among “those who fear God” (yir’e shamayim). The Jews believed these proselytes were beloved of God and would ultimately find their reward in the world to come.

The Noahite Laws generally consists of seven items, with respect to:
1) idolatry;
2) blasphemy;
3) homicide;
4) incest and adultery;
5) robbery;
6) eating the flesh of a live creature;
7) establishing a system of justice.

However, to convert to Judaism, the Gentile must learn, agree with, and obey all 613 mitzvot. These commandments, unlike the seven Noahite Laws, are only binding upon the descendants of those who accept the commandments at Sinai and have taken the “yoke” of the law voluntarily by conversion.

At the heart of halakhah (the collective corpus of Jewish Religious Law) is the 613 mitzvot as well as the Talmudic & Rabbinic Law and all Jewish customs and traditions.

What is interesting about the mitzvot is that it is comprised of the 613 laws that God gave to the Jewish people in the Torah (first five books of the Bible). Of those 613 laws, 248 are positive laws, and 365 are considered negative laws. For ex: Positive Law #10 – Reading the Shema twice daily; Negative Law #3 – Do NOT make an idol (even for others) to worship.

Watch this now, the mitzvot is broken down into 248 positive mitzvot which represent one for each bone and organ in the male body, and 365 negative mitzvot which represent one for each day of the solar year.

To become a “law-keeper” or Jewish proselyte, an individual must dedicate themselves to a year of diligent study and during the course of that time, embrace and keep every Jewish holiday and ritual. This is to be done so that the proselyte could qualify for the examination of Beit Din (the rabbinical court).

In this introduction, I believe that the point is sufficiently made that becoming a “Judaic Proselyte” requires a dedication to dutifully learn and live the “yoke” of the Law. A "yoke-bearer" is to "wear" the law in every bone and organ of his body as well as live the "Law" every day of his lunar year.

Jesus, the first century Rabbi, of whom it was said “…He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matt 7:29

This Rabbi, one Jesus of Nazareth told his followers, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:30

It is in the context of our society vs. the “ecclesia” of God that we appreciate the fact that the Church is a separated people unto God, for God. From Scripture, we learn that those things written to the Jews in an external format reveal an internal blessing that is hidden within. We learn from Hebrews, that Israel is an example to be duplicated, because Israel is in fact a duplicate found in heaven.

Today, this generation desires to “belong” before they “believe.” This poses a challenge for those leaders who are stuck in a single-faceted paradigm fashioned by the hands of spiritual leaders whose basis of thought is rooted in the post- World War II era, whose values include hard work, law and order, and respect for authority. Today, the Millennial’s (post-modern thinkers) value diversity, civic duty and achievement. They seek to please people more than God. This generation tolerates what “absolute” truth warns us to shun and as a result, seeks a massage rather than the Message.

As leaders, we are challenged to provide our present generation with a “Christianese” message that is laced with the language of pluralism; a philosophy that embraces all religions. Pluralism states that all religions lead to the same place, thus making them all valid paths to salvation.

This post-modern culture rejects traditional authorities and follows subjective feelings and group consensus. Their faith is based on their feelings, imagination, and group consensus.

Paul, in his epistle to the Corinthians declares, “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted” (I Cor. 10:6). This epistle tells us plainly that Israel, and all things Jewish, are given to us as examples. They are patterns and guides to set a course for our actions as well as our expectations in our relationship with God.

We have been given a detailed blueprint of the Love of God toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! He gave Himself as ransom for our souls. He boldly declared “My yoke is easy.” While we cannot inherit the kingdom of God keeping every law by works of flesh, we must never believe that Christianity is a free-for-all where inclusivity comes at the price of the forfeiture of His “ecclesia.” Jesus did not destroy the law, He fulfilled the law. He became our “yoke-fellow” so that we might be freed from its weight. We lift our brow in the joyous knowledge of redemption by Jesus Christ meeting and fulfilling the Law's demands. We have been redeemed!

Christianity is not free. Identity is involved! Do you still retain yours? Or, are you easily identified as the “crucified.”

Every church leader should be motivated to make your membership classes some of the most exciting events you offer in your church. This is the place where culture collides with philosophy and truth meets with mercy to answer the questions of seeking hearts! Review & Renew your membership events. At the Church of Champions, we DO NOT hold minimalistic series for membership. We host an "event" where people from the community can come and learn "who" we are and "what" we are offering thru membership services. Try it and you will immediately see a gain in your membership retention rates.

An idea worth consideration.

†Proselytes -- is used in the Scripture as "stranger" (1 Chr. 22:2), i.e., a comer to Palestine; a sojourner in the land (Ex. 12: 48; 20:10; 22:21), and in the New Testament for a convert to Judaism. There were such converts from early times (Isa. 56:3; Neh. 10:28; Esther 8:17). The law of Moses made specific regulations regarding the admission into the Jewish church of such as were not born Israelites (Ex. 20: 10; 23:12; 12:19, 48; Deut. 5:14; 16; 11, 14, etc.).

Last update: Tuesday, 18 September 2007

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