In one sense, Messianic Judaism and Christianity are the same thing. There is only one faith. Messianic Jews and Christians share the same core beliefs. Messianic Judaism is the same faith but it is expressed within the Jewish heritage.
Messianic Judaism is a when a Jewish person accepts the fact that Jesus was the son of God, yet they don't want to stray from their Jewish roots.
Christians believe that Jesus fulfilled the prophesies, is the son of God, and set forth a new "law" for the Jews to follow (as in Jews at the time would become Christian)
I know the difference, but its hard to explain
**Found a website for ya**
http://www.messianicworship.com/html/differences.html
Messianic Jews tend to still practice many of the traditions and feasts of Judaism, such as Passover. They tend to be ethnically Jewish as well, and thus they remain connected to their Jewish heritage by practicing essentially the same religion that Peter and the other disciples would have practiced after Jesus' Resurrection.
Gentile Christianity, more or less established by Acts 15, is perfectly fine. But many Jewish believers in Yeshua Ha'Mashiac (Jesus The Messiah) prefer to practice their faith as Messianic Judaism.
A Messianic Jew is a person with a Jewish background who comes to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as their Messiah, and becomes born again.
A Christian comes from a non-Jewish background, and comes to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, becoming a born again believer.
Paul speaks of the Jews as an Olive Tree, and non-Jewish believers in Christ as a branch that has been grafted in.
don't be fooled.. the Jesus of Christians and Messianics are not the same...
the Jesus of MJs are the same as the JWs.. their Jesus is the angel Michael.
and lots of other abberant teachings (like the one stated above, etc) and denial of some teachings in the bible (like predestination, hell, etc).
if a Jewish person accepts Christ he/she is a Christian not somewhere in between or "Messianic Jew"
that's just something people say to compromise with their feelings.... God deals in absolutes.
answer: everything. They are separate and incompatible. "messianics" often claim they can't be Christians because they celebrate Christmas or other such nonsense. It's a dodge. Their beliefs are 100% Christian beliefs and have little connection to Judaism.
A comparison of the three "Abrahamic" religions (note where "messianic" beliefs fall)
JUDAISM/ISLAM
- says that no human can ever die for the sins of others
CHRISTIANITY (including ‘messianics’)
- says that Jesus died for the sins of mankind
JUDAISM/ISLAM
- says that all humans are born pure, and innocent
CHRISTIANITY (including ‘messianics’)
- some say that all humans are born with 'original sin'.
JUDAISM
- a “virgin birth”/offspring w/human women is a pagan myth mainstay – G-d doesn’t become human
CHRISTIANITY/ISLAM (including ‘messianics’)
- says that Mary gave birth, though a virgin
JUDAISM
- says that the Jewish Messiah won’t need a 'second coming'
CHRISTIANITY/ISLAM (including ‘messianics’)
- says that Jesus will have a 'second coming'
JUDAISM/ISLAM
- says that every human should speak directly to G-d
CHRISTIANITY (including ‘messianics’)
- Jesus claims in the 'new testament' that the 'only way' to G-d is via him and often pray to Jesus before G-d
JUDAISM/ISLAM
- says G-d is one, indivisible, cannot be separated into three aspects/incarnations
CHRISTIANITY (including ‘messianics’)
- some sects speaks of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
JUDAISM
- says that we are ALL equally G-d's children
CHRISTIANITY (including ‘messianics’)
- says that Jesus was 'god's son' above all others
ISLAM
- some Muslims claim that the prophets are perfect and have never sinned, others believe the prophets sinned and repented
JUDAISM
- has no concept of 'hell'
CHRISTIANITY (including ‘messianics’)
- *some* Christians believe non-believers go to 'hell'
ISLAM
- most Jews and Christians and all non-Jews/non-Christians go to hell though some state that only Allah knows who will end up in hell
JUDAISM
- has no 'devil', the Jewish 'Satan' is just an ordinary angel, under G-d's control
CHRISTIANITY (including ‘messianics’)
- describes 'Satan' as a devil and 'fallen' angel
ISLAM
- Satan was a jinn created from fire
JUDAISM
- the 'messiah' will be a normal, mortal man who must fulfill all the Jewish messianic prophecies in one normal, mortal lifetime
CHRISTIANITY (including ‘messianics’)
- Jesus was the 'messiah' and will fulfill the prophecies when he 'returns'
ISLAM
- believes Jesus was a prophet, not a “son of G-d”. Mohammad is the last prophet
JUDAISM
- says that the righteous of ALL faiths will reach 'gan eden' or 'garden of eden'.
CHRISTIANITY (including ‘messianics’)
- some Christians insist that only those who 'know Christ' can reach heaven
ISLAM
- some Jews and Christians will reach Paradise, Muslims reach paradise and have it better than Jews and Christians. Many Muslims believe that G-d judges all equally.
JUDAISM
- The “law”/covenant is seen as a blessing, not a burden that can never be fulfilled. Being perfect isn’t the point in Judaism. Being aware of the 613 commandments, we have G-d on our minds almost hourly. That is part of the covenant, we obey G-d’s laws and G-d ensures Judaism will survive forever.
CHRISTIANITY (including ‘messianics’)
- Views the commandments as restrictive and impossible (except the 10 in stone). It is believed in Christianity that the death of Jesus was necessary because living by the laws is impossible and view the commandments as something of a curse.
ISLAM
- Views religious laws as part of the religion and of being observant and submissive to G-d, much as Jews do.
JUDAISM
- forbids Jews from trying to convert anyone to Judaism
CHRISTIANITY (including ‘messianics’)
- believes in actively 'witnessing' and encouraging people to convert to Christianity
ISLAM
- all must convert to Islam or pay a fine to remain Christian or Jewish and live as 2nd class citizens (all others must convert or die)
JUDAISM
- The Torah remains unchanged
CHRISTIANITY (including ‘messianics’)
- differences from the original Torah
ISLAM
-claims the Torah and Christian bible were corrupted (with no proof)
JUDAISM/ISLAM
- no concept of original sin
CHRISTIANITY (including ‘messianics’)
- some sects of Christianity believe in “original sin” to justify the need for a savior. Others believe that humankind cannot keep from sinning and requires a savior to cleanse them.
While Christians claim to believe and follow Jesus, this statement is obviously wrong since all denominations follow Jesus according to their own desires. Often paganism, mysticism, and other religious beliefs have shaped many Christian denominations.
Messianic Judaism recognizes that Jesus taught in the framework of first century Judaism. They continue the beliefs and practices as outlined in the New Testament while rejecting more modern practices which have their origin in other traditions.
In one sense, Messianic Judaism and Christianity are the same thing. There is only one faith. Messianic Jews and Christians share the same core beliefs. Messianic Judaism is the same faith but it is expressed within the Jewish heritage.
Messianic Judaism does not tolerate paganism well.
Most Christians have no idea what paganism is (think Christmas Trees, Easter Bunnies, and Santa Claus).
And the word "Church" was a Roman Catholic invention. The words translated into "church" are ecclesia (called out people), fellowship, synagogue (yes, synagogue because that's just a Greek word, not Hebrew, for "meeting place") assembly, etc.