Our Philosophy
The New Testament identifies two groups of believers in Yeshua/Jesus the Messiah. One group is labeled the Gentiles or nations, and the other Israel (See Romans 11:11-12). The Apostle Paul was the initial spiritual guide and Apostle to the Gentiles (See Romans 11:13). Based upon Acts 15:6-22, James was the initial Apostle and spiritual guide to the Israel group. Both men believed faith is necessary to please God (Hebrews 11:6). However, the teachings of Paul and James had a different emphasis. They explained Genesis 15:1-6 differently. That passage reads: "After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." But Abram said, "O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "Behold you have given me no offspring, and a slave born in my house will be my heir." and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, "This man shall not be your heir; your own son will be your heir." And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you can number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your descendants be." And he believed the Lord, and he reckoned it to him as righteousness."
James emphasized Abraham's obedient actions in response to God's commands. Yes, faith is needed, but obeying God is also required. So, the Israel group emphasized faith and Torah observance. The teachings of James are recorded in James 2:14-26: "What does it profit, my brothers if a man says he has faith but has no works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So, faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But, someone will say, "You have faith, and I did works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I, by my works, will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe- and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with works, and faith was completed by works, and the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness"; and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead."
Paul and James agreed that those who believe within the Israel group should have faith and obey the Old Testament commands to please God. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7:17-18a: "Only, let everyone lead the life which the Lord assigned to him, and in which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision."
On the other hand, when Paul, the leader of the Gentile group, spoke on behalf of the Gentile group, he said faith is the primary attribute for those in the Gentile community for pleasing God.
"Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision but keeping the commandments of God. Everyone should remain in the state in which he was called" (1 Corinthians 7:18a-20).
Paul's beliefs concerning Genesis 15:1-6 are found in Romans 4:1-5. Paul wrote: "What then shall we say about Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned as righteousness." Now to one who works, his wages are not reckoned to him as righteousness." Now to one who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due. And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness." Paul also wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast." Therefore, members of the Gentile community are not required to focus as much on the Law of Moses for justification. However, they do need the kind of faith that causes them to respect their maker to the point that they confess Him to be Lord (See Matthew 10:32-33), believe that God brought Messiah Yeshua back to life after he had died (See 1 Corinth. 15:4), and be willing to humble themselves before Him, (See Luke 18:9-14; 24:47). Even James agreed with Paul concerning Gentile requirements. His words in Acts 15:19-21 say: "Therefore, my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood. For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues." These few restrictions listed by James for the Gentiles to obey are essentially those found in Leviticus 17:8 to 18:30, except for 18:1-5. These requirements including Leviticus 18:1-5 were placed on Gentiles in ancient Israel who converted to Judaism. So, Gentiles must obey a limited number of Torah passages that apply to Gentiles.
Jewish Christians are the Israel group who must have faith and practice the Torah principles outlined in the Hebrew Scriptures. The Israel group consists primarily of Jewish believers. However, Non-Jewish believers could also be included (see Acts 2:10-11 and Acts 6:1). Therefore, it is God's will for some Non-Jewish believers to be a part of the Israel group (See 1 Corinthians 7:17-20). Hashem, G-d, can call anyone to participate in the Israel group.
Israel group believers in Messiah Yeshua generally follow the principles of the Torah except for those related to the Great Temple. Great Temple activities included animal offerings plus the duties of priests and Levites at the Great Temple. These things are excluded because Yeshua/Jesus did away with those requirements. Yeshua/Jesus said his death replaced the offerings at the Great Temple at Jerusalem. Matthew 12:6-7 quotes Yeshua/Jesus, "I tell you something greater than the Temple is here. However, if you had known what is meant by' I desire Love and not Sacrifice,' then you would not have condemned the guiltless." Yeshua replaced the need for Temple sacrifices with the sacrifice of himself. In addition, he predicted the Roman destruction of the Great Temple in Matthew 24:2. The Great Temple does not currently exist, and according to Hebrews chapters 8 to 10, Yeshua/Jesus has replaced the Temple offerings and the Jewish High Priest.
Jewish Christian Seminary Inc. attempts to develop knowledge of Jewish Christianity. Both Gentiles and Jewish people are welcome to study Torah from the point of view of Yeshua/Jesus. Weekly study is currently offered 9:15 AM EST Wednesdays in the conference room at 200 Knuth Rd in Boynton Beach, FL.
The goal is not to impart detailed religious doctrines that divide people into different Christian groups. The seminary is non-denominational. Religious doctrine is rarely brought up in class. Instead Torah, Jewish roots, and the teachings of the New covenant are emphasized.
Jewish Christian Seminary Inc. believes the sciences compliment Scripture when both are interpreted properly. Saint Paul, also known as Rabbi Saul, wrote in Romans 1:19-20: "What can be known about God is plain... because God has shown it... Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible nature, mainly his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made."
Jewish Christian Seminary Inc. believes one of the duties of every person is to protect the habitability and sustainability of the earth. Moses wrote in Genesis 1:28, "God blessed humanity by saying to them, Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Be masters over the fish in the ocean, the birds that fly, the livestock, and everything that crawls on the earth.'"
Jewish Christian Seminary Inc. believes human life is valuable and should be protected. Animal life and the biosphere are essential for humanity, so humans should manage plants and animals with sustainability in mind.
The two most outstanding commands in the Hebrew Scriptures provide practical and spiritual guidance. 1) "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength." 2) "Love your neighbor as yourself.".
According to Yeshua/Jesus, These commands form the foundation for Torah, (Matthew 22:40). These two rules complete the Hebrew Scripture prophecy concerning the new covenant found in Jeremiah 31:31-34. That prophecy says, "I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, "Know the Lord," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord." Anyone who memorizes these two commands and applies them to daily living can perfectly live the Torah as prophesied by Jeremiah.
Both Gentiles and Jewish people are welcome to study Torah from the point of view of Yeshua/Jesus. Courses are directed at the Jewish Christian community.
To donate to this seminary, send a certified check or money order to the address provided below. Jewish Christian Seminary Inc. is a 501 C 3. All donations are tax-deductible in the United States.
Jewish Christian Seminary Inc
200 Knuth Rd. Suite 101
Boynton Beach, FL 33436