In this Messianic Jewish congregation we carry out a systematic study on the Torah and follow the Way of Yeshua HaMashiach, focusing on his role as Bridegroom to the New Temple, the Ecclaesia. Hence, our official name: Theology of the Body Synagogue.
We are a legally chartered with WMEK (#21065) and in partnership with the Messianic Jewish Bible Society.
What is the meaning of the Way?
Salvation in the Way (aka Messianic Judaism) is achieved only through the acceptance of Yeshua as one's Saviour, and not through adherence to Jewish rabbinical law. Sometimes, as a choice, only four main currents of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist and Reform) are considered authentic Jewish traditions - with a Samaritan, Karaite, Noahide and Beta presence in Israel alongside Orthodox Jews. However, we too exist as a fifth mainstream tradition since the early days following the filling in Ruach HaKodesh (aka baptism in the Spirit) on Shavuot and the apostle Peter's first sermon in Jerusalem. We await a new age of peace relating to Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) based on the salvation he is believed to have brought. Some Gentile Christians also join us in fellowship, and we accurately refer to them as Gentile followers of Yeshua, which constitutes part of Protestantism.
Can a Gentile Christian become a Messianic Jew?
Yes. Conversion to the Way is about discovering the reality of a God who is alive and who can change your life forever. Our formation course is ongoing and carried out systematically with Fusion Tribes. After some time of Torah formation and fellowship in our synagogue, as you are being mentored by our rabbi and honor our Lev 23 moadim, you will organically become a member. As you grow in your relationship with Yeshua and in the knowledge of the Torah, you will be assessed for Bar/Bat Mitzvah and/or tevilah (baptism by immersion). You can worship with us as a Gentile Christian each Shabbat or choose to become a Messianic Jew, if you feel led to it. The choice is yours, but whichever way you choose, we form a united fellowship in Yeshua, our heavenly Bridegroom, who has removed the wall of division between Israel and Gentile nations.
Is the Way part of Gentile Christianity?
No. The term Way has always been attributed to Messianic Jews, and the first time the word Christian was used was in Antioch, referring to Gentile believers in Yeshua, who were not required to adhere to the Torah as from the Jerusalem Council directives. That principle still stands. But a Gentile believer in Yeshua can also become a Messianic Jew (aka a Jewish follower of the Way).
What is the difference between Gentile Christianity and the Way?
The primary difference between Christianity and the Way is our approach to the Torah and the Trinity. A Messianic Jew is expected to follow the Torah, including circumcision and Lev 23 moadim (appointed holidays, including Shabbat), though not as a means to salvation, since salvation is achieved only by faith in Yeshua. The majority of Messianic Jews accept the Trinity, while other Messianic Jews profess a strict view of monotheism, rejecting typical Christian theological formulations. But this is not common. The explicit doctrinal formulation of the Trinity is viewed by a portion of Messianic Jews as limiting to the power of God, who can manifest himself in many ways, and at the same time problematic in seeking unity with other Jewish traditions - hence 'unneeded.' In the overall, this is a theological concept that is left to the rabbi of each congregation or ministry within the Way as to how the 'formula' should be expressed. All Messianic Jews baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As part of Fusion Global, we embrace the Trinitarian approach without limiting the power of God to manifest himself in many ways.
Hagia Sophia
Wisdom literature is a prominent theme within the Jewish Tanakh. This emphasis on the idea of Wisdom details the presence in the Torah of a personified Lady Wisdom that helped God create the heavens and earth. Also known as Sophia, she appears in many passages of the Bible as the female personification of God. She is also celebrated in Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism, as the motherly expression of God, most notably in the book of Proverbs and other Jewish texts. Chokmah is the Biblical Hebrew word for Wisdom. This divine character, referring to the Spirit of Chokmah in relation to the pre-incarnate Torah, is shown not only in traditional roles of women as a mother and housekeeper, but also as a prophet and a source of counsel. The oldest patristic testimonies to this concept of holy mother Wisdom, or Hagia Sophia, are the texts from Origen and Jerome.
What is Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
Once a Jew becomes of age, they begin to be held accountable for their own actions. Traditionally, we call this celebration Bar Mitzvah for men and Bat Mitzvah for women. The rite of circumcision is increasingly recognized and expected as an important aspect of becoming a full member of the Jewish community. When an adult man, who is already circumcised, converts to Judaism, it is not necessary to undergo the procedure. While circumcision of the heart is the basic requirement, we refer male members to the National Health for this procedure, should they wish to undergo circumcision. On the other hand, participation to Shabbat services and Lev 23 moadim are mandatory for a minimum of one year before receiving Bar/Bat Mitzvah, at the end of which Gentile Christians of our congregation will receive a certificate of conversion to Judaism, and be given a Hebrew name with it (normally we say "the name chooses you").
What is Tevilah?
While circumcision is encouraged, tevilah is a mandatory requirement for Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Both men and women must undergo baptism by immersion before Bar/Bat Mitzvah in order to become adult Messianic Jews, unless they have already been immersed in a Christian church. While honoring infant baptism as part of some Christian traditions, in line with the Tanakh and Brit Chadashah we require adult immersion.
The 144,000 and the Great Revival
Before the final seal judgment is opened, God is about to do something amazing involving the mysterious 144,000 and the greatest revival the world will ever see. We read in Revelation that these 144,000 are of all the tribes of the children of Israel. In other words, they're Jewish followers of Yeshua taken from all tribes, including the ten lost ones.
Tefilat HaAmidah (aka 'The Standing Prayer') is the central prayer of the Jewish liturgy. Brit Chadashah scholar Paul Barnett has identified 2 Corinthians 1:3–7 as a modified version of the first blessing (Avot). The Amidah's 19 ancient petitions are gisted in three parts of praise, of requests (for peace, help, mercy and justice), and of gratitude to God. The phrase “Our Father” is often included in these ancient petitions. Therefore, the blessings of the Shemoneh Esreh (another name for the Amidah) are summarized in the version that Yeshua taught us, often referred to as The Lord's Prayer:
Veganism & Messianic Jews
Eating meat in Exodus is associated with the cravings of the nations. All throughout the Torah we see a cleansing in dietary prescriptions regarding meat and milk consumption, as well as the injunction to abstain from blood. The mixture of milk with meat instills in it the undesirable characteristics of blood. If meat and milk together were not forbidden, then the Jews would be unknowingly transgressing the prohibition of consumption of blood and exposing themselves to the damaging effects of blood. Many Jews believe that in the Messianic Age things will return to the way they were in the Garden of Eden. If this is true, it follows that in the Messianic Age we'll all be vegan! This view is supported by several different scholars in our Jewish tradition. In summary, there is no contradiction between Judaism (and its dietary laws) and veganism. In fact, veganism appears to be the diet most consistent with the highest Jewish values.
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Shabbat & Bible Studies
Monday: Havdalah Service @ 4.30pm EST - 9.30pm UK
Friday: The Chosen Roundtable bible study @ 1.30pm EST - 6.30pm UK
Friday: Shabbat Service @ 3pm EST - 8pm UK
Moadim: Saturday Holiday Service @ 5pm EST - 10pm UK instead of The Chosen
Passover: Seder Service @ TBC
Shavuot: Documentary on Revival @ TBC
Sukkot: Documentary on the Holy Land @ TBC
Pastoral Conversations: Available by arrangement
Bar/Bat Mitzvah/Tevilah: Available by arrangement
March/August: No weekday events - Shabbat Service on Mondays @ 6pm EST - 11pm UK
Our Venue
Join us at...
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5268896520?pwd=3q647WQgDU_aEIoQz3Vr-RIiD7GFgx.1
Synagogue ID: 526 889 6520
Passcode: 989571
Rabbi George Day (aka Rav Bqoi Yaakov Ben Day) is our ordained rabbi. On May 7, 2023 Rabbi George was consecrated as a Nazirite*.
* Nazirite: an Israelite who was consecrated to the service of God, under vows to abstain from alcohol, let the hair grow, and avoid defilement by contact with dead bodies (Nm 6). A modern day Nazarite is one who imitates Yeshua and keenly follows his example of life in terms of sobriety, chastity and service.
Where are the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel?
The Ten Lost Tribes, comprising the Northern Kingdom of Israel, are now scattered among the gentile nations. Only a tiny remnant accompanied Benjamin and Judah after the first exile back into the land of Canaan. Jewish people around the world believe that someday the Ten Lost Tribes will be found. This supports the reuniting of the Jewish diaspora—a group of people with a common national identity spread throughout the earth—by citing the prophecy in the first chapter of Hosea: God said that because they had forsaken him, he would put an end to the kingdom of the House of Israel but “save” the House of Judah (Hosea 1:2-4). In Hosea 1:10-11 God declares his subsequent mercy to the people of Israel: Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.” And the children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and they shall appoint for themselves one head. And they shall go up from the land, for great shall be the day of Jezreel. The word Jezreel means “scattering” and “sowing”; it has a double meaning and was also the name of Hosea’s son.
Generally speaking, scholars have mixed feelings about groups that emphasize a connection to the Ten Lost Tribes. Frequently, it comes with some elements that do not promote spiritual health. Of course, every group is different. But we tend to be cautious in this area.
Hagia Sophia was built in 537, with minarets added in the 15th–16th centuries when it became a mosque. It was formally called the Church of the Holy Wisdom and upon completion became the world's largest interior space and among the first to employ a fully pendentive dome. It is said to have "changed the history of architecture". Let us honor Arab Believers in Isa^ as they endeavor to spread the Gospel within Islam.
^ Isa: Yeshua's name in Islam.
Hebrew Catholics, another Jewish tradition that also recognizes Yeshua as Messiah, is in full communion with the Roman Catholic See of Rome and are not to be confused with Messiac Jews, who are part of Protestantism.
Will there be a Third Temple in Jerusalem?
We are the place where God dwells in the person of the Ruach HaKodesh.
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The Church is the Third Temple built on Yeshua as corner stone. We do not formally endorse the view of a future third temple building - nor do we oppose it. Should that be the case, this building would not take away from the Church as the real Third Temple.
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Yeshua will come back with the clouds onto the Mount of Olives, visibly, for everyone to see. He will then reign from Jerusalem. The two witnesses that prepare the way are identified as the Spirit of Elijah and Miriam, the mother of Yeshua – just as it was for his first coming.
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We now have a new Temple priesthood that overshadows the Aaronic priesthood of the kohanim. By virtue of baptism, we are all sharers in the new order of Melchizedek. However, in order to officially wield this priesthood, one must be formally ordained either as a priest or pastor in any expression of the Church. While there are many claiming authority over the Church, we only formally recognize Yeshua as our High Priest, who has been governing from the right hand of Adonai ever since his Ascension on the 40th day of the Omer.
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Yeshua's second coming will be preceded by an illumination of consciences, a great worldwide miracle and the great tribulation. Then the end of the ages will come.
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We take no official position on pre- or post- millenarism. The Millenial Kingdom refers to the time of the Church as the primary means of building the Messianic kingdom, whether this takes place before or after the Second Coming. The ecumenical movement, coupled with the restoration of a New Jerusalem as the headquarters of the Church, constitutes the rebuilding of the Temple after the time of desecration, viz the split of the Church into different Gentile and Jewish schisms. The 'rapture' has been taking place since the assumption into heaven in body of Enoch and Elijah, and the same has applied to many other partakers of this first resurrection, both in biblical and dispensational ages. This potentially includes many characters of the bible that had close proximity to Yeshua.
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We are now living in the time of struggle with the great dragon, his beast and his false prophet – a time often referred to as the 'age of Anti-Christ,' a short period of time when Satan would be let loose to try to deceive the nations once again. As a result, the mark of the beast that many are being sealed with is the manipulation of minds by an aggressive secularism, atheism, LGBT ideology** and a direct attack on human sexuality as the primary attempt to destroy society.^^ Having man been created on the 6th day of the week, 666 plainly refers to a trinity of man (instutionalised atheism).
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Israel’s national repentance and confession that Yeshua is Messiah is deeply connected to Yeshua's second coming, just as the Great Commission refers to the message of salvation through the God of Israel being extended to all Gentiles. Yeshua will not return until the leaders in Jerusalem acknowledge him as Messiah according to Psalm 118:26 and the Gospel is preached globally.
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Lastly, but not least, we adamantly reject Replacement Theology, and believe that Adonai is fulfilling all the promises made to the chosen people - evidence of which is the newly formed State of Israel.
** LGBT persons have all our respect and pastoral support.
^^ Check Theology of the Body for a better understanding on the divine plan for human sexuality.
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