Messianic terminology: Dictionary to aid communication

A study in contextualization [ more ]

Language can both help and hamper us in cross-cultural communication.

The following material is written in Messianic Jewish terminology and style. It shows us the challenges we "Christians" [ more ] face in cross-cultural communication with Jews.

This material is based on Return of the Remnant: The Rebirth of Messianic Judaism by Michael Schiffman. © 1992, Messianic Jewish Publishers. Used by permission. Available through Messianic Jewish Resources.

Messianic terminology is used to express biblically-based faith in the Messiah because such terminology was how the New Covenant faith was expressed in its earliest stages. Messianic believers like talking about their faith in the Messiah in a manner consistent with Jewish heritage and culture. Belief in the Messiah is consistent with being Jewish. He is the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel.

Using Messianic terminology will stimulate faith in Messiah in children, friends, and family in a manner consistent with Jewish heritage. Messianic terms communicate biblical truth without the negative baggage of historical anti-Semitism.

Terms to use

Yeshua: Yeshua is the Messiah's name. Yeshua is a Hebrew word that has the root meaning salvation. "You shall call His name Yeshua [salvation]," a heavenly messenger said to Joseph, "because He shall save His people from their sins."
Transliterated into Greek as Iesous, (Ιησουσ) this word was spelled Jesus when it was imported into English. Messianic Jews use Yeshua instead of Jesus because Yeshua is how His name was pronounced when He walked the earth.
Through the centuries, Jewish people have suffered persecution "in the name of Jesus." Because of that, the name "Jesus" brings to their minds hatred and anti-Semitism. On the other hand, the name Yeshua proclaims Messiah as a Jewish option for Jewish people, as well as for non-Jews.
Messiah: Messiah is used instead of Christ. The English word Messiah is derived from the Hebrew word Mashiach (which means "anointed one"). Christ is the English equivalent of the Greek word christos (which, like "Messiah," means "anointed one"). Jumping back over the Greek word to the use of the original Hebrew term hammer home the fact that the Messiah is for Jewish people and not exclusively for Gentiles.; A second reason for using this term is that -- as with the name Jesus -- thousands and thousands (perhaps millions) of Jewish people have been persecuted and killed by those claiming to act on behalf of Christ. To many Jews, the word Christ is not simply a non-Jewish word derived from Greek. "Christ" is a word that has carried anti-Jewish connotations.
Believer: Instead of "Christian," messianic Jews use "believer." To many Jews, the word "Christian" brings up memories of people who have bullied, hated, and persecuted Jews for two millennia. While it can be argued that the word Christian is a biblical one, it is actually used only three times in the New Covenant Scriptures (Acts 1 1:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). An earlier term used for Yeshua's followers is "believer." The word "believer" can be used for those in Messianic circles, as well as for those in traditional churches who believe in Yeshua and truly seek to follow Him. By using the word believer, the focus is placed on a person's commitment to follow the Lord without the distraction of the negative baggage of those who used the label "Christian" but who did not walk as our Lord walked.
Messianic: Messianic refers to believers involved in Messianic congregations, Jewish or Gentile. Messianic Jews are those of Jewish descent in Messianic congregations. Messianic refers to that expression of the biblical faith which articulates itself in a Jewish manner.
Congregation: Messianic congregations are not called churches. Jewish people often associate churches with anti-Semitism. In the past, and in some places today, anti-Semitism has come from those who profess to be believers, both from clergy and laity. Ecclesia refers to people and not to buildings. The term congregation has the same reference point. A synonym in the New Covenant for ecclesia is "synagogue," as it is used in James 2:1-6. There, it points to a meeting of believers. For this reason, the term congregation, or even synagogue, is the most appropriate one to describe organized gatherings of Messianic believers.
Covenant: This is a reference to testament in the sense of agreement or contract. Instead of saying Old Testament and New Testament, Messianic believers refer to the two halves of the Bible as Older Covenant, or Tenach (its Hebrew name), and Newer Covenant, or Brit Chadasha (Hebrew for New Covenant).
Tradition: Jewish cultural and religious practices, whether in their original forms or adapted to reflect Messianic beliefs.
Liturgy: Jewish liturgical elements in both Hebrew and/or English, which may be part of a Messianic worship service.

In addition to the above terms, some Messianic believers substitute "-" for "o" in God and Lord, writing them as G-d and L-rd. This is a sign of respect in Jewish culture, just as many Gentile believers capitalize "G" in G-d and "L" in L-rd, even though there are no such capitalizations in the original texts of the Old and New Covenants.

Words and phrases to avoid

The following terms bring to mind historic anti-semitic images rather than reflecting a Jewish cultural expression. Therefore, most Messianic Jews do not use them.

Christian: Christian was first used to describe non-Jewish believers in Antioch (as recorded in the Book of Acts). Although the word Christian is used only three times in the New Testament, it eventually wound up being the commonly used title for Gentile believers. After the disappearance of ancient Messianic Judaism, Christian emerged as the primary title for members of believing congregations. Over the centuries, the term also became associated with those who hate Jewish people and who have rejected everything Jewish. Since Christian was (1) never directly used of Jewish believers in scripture, and (2) carries a negative historical reminder of anti-Semitism, the term Messianic is used instead. This word identifies Jewish believers as followers of the Messiah without the negative overtones that "Christian" has accumulated. [ See Believer ]
Conversion: To most Jewish people, conversion means turning away from being Jewish to become a Gentile (see above). Biblically, of course, conversion refers to repentance (i.e.,turning to God). To communicate this same idea, in Messianic circles, a person is said to have become a believer or has become Messianic.
Baptism: Messianic Jews speak of believer's immersion. That's because the word baptism brings to mind memories of the forced conversions and baptisms perpetrated against Jewish people by anti-Semites. Horrible things, including forced baptisms, were done in the name of Jesus. Sadly people have profaned the name of the Messiah by deeds contrary to His teaching.

Baptism is a symbol of joining a Christian -- that is, non-Jewish -- church. So, when Messianic Jews talk about the immersion of believers, they call it Messianic Mikvah, an act with origins in ancient Jewish practice. Calling it Mikvah avoids having the ritual linked to acts of anti-Semitism or other negative issues associated with the Christian Church. Saying Mikvah calls attention to the true Jewish roots of the faith.
Cross: To Jewish people, a cross calls up memories of persecution inflicted on them by people invoking Jesus' name and waving small crosses. Jewish believers prefer to focus on the real meaning of that cross and what happened because of it. That's why they often call the place where the Messiah was sacrificed the altar or execution stake.
Years as A.D. and B.C.: Dates are cited with the initials C.E. for "Common Era" or B.C.E. for "Before the Common Era." Jewish people prefer these neutral phrases instead of B.C. and A.D. initial meaning "Before Christ" and "In the year of our Lord."

Photo of book cover,
A Remnant Shall Return

-- Howard Culbertson,

Afterword: What is Mesianic Judaism?

The Messianic Jew movement is a movement that emerged in the late 20th century. It is made up of people who identify as Jewish but who also believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the long-awaited Messiah. Combining elements of Judaism and Christianity, Messianic Jews uphold Jewish traditions, observe Jewish holidays, and celebrate Jewish rituals while embracing the teachings of Jesus Christ recorded in the New Testament.

Messianic Jews often gather in congregations known as Messianic synagogues. Their meetings blend Hebrew liturgy with Christian worship. The movement's theology varies widely. Some adherents doubdown their Jewish heritage. Others focus more on evangelical Christianity. Despite controversy within both the Jewish and Christian communities, the Messianic Jew movement's unique and complex expression of biblical faith continues to grow.

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