Now that I believe in Yeshua, what am I?

You are a Messianic Jew, a follower of the Messiah of Israel. You can rejoice in the fact that you are not only physically a Jew, but a Jew spiritually as well.

 What has happened to me?

 You have been born again (1 Peter 1:23-25) and you now have eternal life (1 John 5:13). Your sins have been atoned for once and for all (Hebrews 10:10-12) under the conditions of the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:10-13). You have been redeemed (Colossians 1:14) by the Blood of Yeshua, the Lamb of God (Hebrews 9:11-14).

 Am I still a Jew? 

YES! This will never change. You were born a Jew and nothing can change that. But now you're not only physically a Jew, but spiritually a Jew because you've accepted the Jewish Messiah.

 Is there a difference between Jewish and Gentile believers? 

There is no spiritual difference between Jewish and Gentile believers (Ephesians 3:6). There is also no spiritual difference between men and women, black and white, etc. (Galatians 3:26-29). We are all members of one Body and we are told inGalatians 3:29 that all who believe in Messiah Yeshua are of the spiritual seed of Abraham. We are all heirs of the same promise.

Physically and culturally, there is a difference between men, women, Jews and Gentiles. Spiritually, however, there is no difference. 

Am I being a traitor to my people and to my Jewish faith?

 Absolutely not. You are being loyal to your people and to your faith. You are being loyal to the God of Israel and His Word. You are following true Judaism, which centers around the Messiah. (See Mark 9:2-13, John 1:17 and Acts 13:16-41)

Can I still go to the regular Synagogue? Would I be denying my faith by doing so? 

No, you would not be denying your faith. However, you must ask yourself these questions: "Why do I want to go to a non-Messianic synagogue? Will it help me grow in the Lord? Will it bring me closer to God and to the Truth? Will I learn more about Messiah? Does God want me to go?" When you have answered all of these questions, act according to your conscience.

 Should I celebrate the holidays? 

There is no reason not to celebrate the holidays. Yeshua Himself celebrated them. Under the New Covenant, we are free. Celebrating the holidays does not grant salvation, but it does not deter it either. This is an individual choice. The Jewish holidays are beautiful expressions of God's plan for the earth. For example, Passover is a type of the sacrifice that Yeshua made for us. Yom Kippur has been fulfilled by the atonement of Yeshua. The question was never whether or not the Jewish people should celebrate the Holy Days - it was assumed they would. The question was did Gentile believers have to celebrate them, and the answer is no! They are free to celebrate or not to celebrate as their faith directs. Actually, the holidays are not just the "Jewish Holidays", they are The Feasts of the Lord. All believers are entitled to partake of them. 

What about the kosher laws? 

As we have said before, Yeshua has truly liberated us. Romans 14 makes it clear that whether or not you keep kosher is up to the individual's conscience, tastes and convictions. You are not bound by Kashrut or Halachah. (Kashrut is the Jewish system of dietary laws while Halachah is the whole system of Jewish law, including the dietary laws.) An important point to consider is that much of the system of dietary laws does not stem from the Torah. It comes from the Talmud and other Jewish writings. However, remember that the Biblical kosher laws were given by God for a reason - they are a good and healthy way to eat. 

Do I pray to Yeshua (Jesus) or to God?  

Yeshua is God. So it is the same to pray to God or to Yeshua. The plurality and "oneness" of God (sometimes referred to as the Trinity) is a concept that is difficult to understand. However, no matter which 'person' you are praying to, whether the Father, the Son or the Ruach Hakodesh (the Holy Spirit), you are praying to God. 

How can I be sure that I am really born again - Atoned for?

 If you have fulfilled the Scriptural requirements, you are saved. Those requirements are the following: repentance from  sin, believing in Yeshua the Messiah and confessing Him as your Lord. (Acts 3:19, Romans 10:9,10) Also, God's Spirit will bear witness with your spirit that you are His child. 

Can I continue to live the same way? 

No!  If you have truly repented and are born again, you will be different. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that when you accept Yeshua, you become a new person. The old man is passed away and all things have become new! But you need to co-operate with God in this.

 Where do I get the strength to live a holy life?  

Through the power of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), and through the Word of God (Acts 1:8, 2:1-39; Galatians 3:3, 5:22-25; Luke 24:48-49; Ephesians 5:18), and through Bible

Study and Prayer, and fellowship with other believers.

Here are some Scriptures from the Tenach (Old Testament) that you can use when witnessing to the Jewish people: 

TOPIC                                    SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

The Trinity                                Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3:22; Genesis 11:7;

Genesis 19:24; Isaiah 48:16-17; Isaiah 9:5-6  

The Son of God                  Proverbs 30:4; Psalm 2:7-8; Isaiah 9:5-6  

The Son of Jacob               Numbers 24:17-19  

The Son of Judah               Genesis 49:10  

The Son of David                Psalm 132:11; Jeremiah 23:5  

Prophet like Moses                          Deuteronomy 18:15-19  

Virgin Birth                                Isaiah 7:14  

Born in Bethlehem                    Micah 5:2  

Messiah of Israel                Isaiah 42:1-7  

Redeemer of Israel                Isaiah 49:7-8; Isaiah 53  

Rejected by Israel                Isaiah 53  

New Covenant                          Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 53:3-4; Jeremiah 31:31-34  

Twofold Mission                         Isaiah 61:1-11

 Called Lord                               Jeremiah 23:5-6

 Crucifixion                                Psalm 22; Psalm 69:21; Zechariah 12:10

 Ascension                                Psalm 68:18; Psalm 16:10