We are a Messianic Jewish Congregation made up of Jewish and Gentile believers in Yeshua (Hebrew for Jesus) who come together as one to worship the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in a Biblically cultural environment. We believe that Yeshua is the Promised Jewish Messiah and Savior for the world whose death and resurrection fulfills the Hebrew Scriptures in providing an eternal kaparah (atonement) for sin.
We Believe the Following
5) We believe the Torah is the inspired Word of God, inerrant as originally given; along with the Prophets (Nevi'im) and the Writings (Ketuvim), and the Brit Chadasha (New Covenant- Jeremiah 31:31-34). They form the complete revelation of God's will for the redemption of mankind. (Numbers 12:6-8; Isaiah 8:20; 2 Timothy 3:16,17)
6) We believe that anyone, whether Jewish or Gentile, who by faith genuinely trusts Messiah Yeshua as Savior and are immediately forgiven of sin and becomes a child of God. This salvation is not the result of any human effort, merit or works, it is the gift of God. Redeemer,
7) We believe that there is only ONE WAY, whether Jewish or Gentile, to receive salvation. (See Above)
8) We believe that God the Son became flesh in the person of Yeshua (Jesus), the promised Messiah of Israel, who was conceived of the Spirit of God and born of the Jewish virgin, Miriam (Mary). We believe in His full deity and full humanity, His sinless life, and His miracles. We believe that Messiah Yeshua’s death was the sacrifice for man’s sin and He that He arose from the grave on the 3rd day, and that HE will return in glory in establishing His literal kingdom on earth.
We believe that the Scriptures, both the Hebrew Bible (Tenakh) and the New Testament (Chadashah), are fully inspired by God and are His complete revelation to mankind. The 66 books of the Bible are thus true and authoritative in everything they speak of. Accordingly, we derive our doctrine from the teachings of God’s Word, the Bible, and not from the traditions of men, however venerable our ancient sages might have been.
1. We affirm the Shema: "Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is One." The Hebrew word for "One" implies compound unity. God is one but has manifested Himself in three separate and distinct persons. Hence, we believe that God is a Tri-unity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is infinite and perfect, eternally existing in three equal persons, each possessing the nature of deity, as well as the characteristics of personality
2. As the Creator of all things, God is "The" Father over all creation, and thus its Sovereign Ruler. He is the One and only God and King of Israel, and has chosen the Jewish people and Israel as His unique people and nation. He is the Father of Messiah Yeshua, whom He sent to redeem mankind; and is the Father of all who trusts in His gracious provision.
We believe the Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit) is a person. He possesses all the distinct attributes of deity and personality. We believe that moment of salvation, every believer receives the presence of the Spirit into the body of the Messiah and the new believer is permanently indwelt by the Spirit.
Messianic Judaism is a biblically based movement of Jewish and Gentile (non-jews) people who have come to believe in Yeshua as the promised Jewish Messiah of Israel. Yeshua is the Hebrew name for Jesus which means Salvation. To many this seems a glaring contradiction.
Christians are Christians, Jews are decidedly not Christian. So goes the understanding that has prevailed through nearly two thousand years of history. Messianic Jews call this a mistaken – and even anti-Scriptural – understanding. Historical and Biblical evidence demonstrates that following Yeshua was initially an entirely Jewish concept. Decades upon decades of persecution, division, and confused theology all contributed to the dichotomy between Jews and believers in Yeshua that many take for granted today.
Today, there are tens of thousands of Messianic Jews in the United States alone. Messianic synagogues are springing up in almost every major city across the country. Other nations such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, France, Holland, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, and South Africa are experiencing a growing movement of Messianic Jews as well.
To some, the concept of a Jew believing in Yeshua seems to be a contradiction. The reason is, many people have a dichotomy set up in their minds. On the one hand, you have Jews and Judaism and on the other hand, Christians and Christianity. You are either one or the other…so the thinking goes. But this simple dichotomy is in reality not so simple.
If we go back 2000 years we find that Yeshua was a Jew living in a Jewish land among Jewish people. All the apostles were Jewish as well as the writers of the New Covenant and for many years this faith in Yeshua was strictly a Jewish one. From the Book of Acts and other historical evidence, many believe that in the first century there were literally hundreds of thousands of Messianic Jews (Acts 2:41, 2:47, 4:4, 6:7, 9:31, 21:20).
In addition, there were Messianic Synagogues scattered throughout the Roman Empire and beyond (James 1:1, 2:2).
These first century Messianic Jews remained highly loyal to their people. Whether it was Jewish to believe in Yeshua was never an issue. Of course it was Jewish! What else could it be? The big question back then was whether Yeshua had been sent for the Gentiles also.
When G-d miraculously showed the Messianic Jews that he was the Messiah for both Jew and Gentile alike, then Gentiles from every nation began to pour into this Jewish faith.
Through the years, as the numbers of Gentile believers increased, they began to predominate in this Messianic faith. With the passing on of the Jewish apostles and the early Messianic Jews, the Jewish roots of the faith were eventually lost. This “De-Judaizing” process continued until in one of the greatest paradoxes in history prevailed; it became strange for a Jewish person to believe in Yeshua as his Messiah!
Today we are seeking to put the Messiah back within His biblical and Jewish context. Messianic Judaism is a spiritual renaissance, a revival, a return to the faith as the Messianic Jews had in the first century, unencumbered by the traditions of men. It is a return to a pure and simple faith based upon having a living, vibrant and personal relationship with the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob through the Messiah Yeshua.
Congregation Ben David is a Bible based group of believers in Jesus, or as He was known at that time, Yeshua, the Son of David.
The congregation is comprised of both Jews and Gentiles who have come together in praise and worship of the God of Israel and His Son, Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus.
We study the Word of God in its entirety and original context. Forming the One New Man as explained by Paul in Ephesians 2:12-16.
Our mission, more our calling, our purpose, is to bring together both Jew and Gentile in love and harmony, as we spread the Gospel of the Messiah in its original context. We gather in praise and worship as we study His Word.
Our group is yet small, but we are gathering interested like-minded people slowly but surely as the Lord calls them.
What sets us apart is the coming together of Jew and Gentile in unity with an openness to the movement of the Spirit of God in our lives, our studies, and our gatherings.
We joyfully acknowledge our commitment to Messiah Yeshua / Jesus.
With those is the ongoing study of the Word of God, and our enthusiasm for what we do.
Feel free to reach out to us via email. We will try to get back to you in less than 24 hours.
We are currently located in Manchester NJ.
We meet Friday evenings at 7pm.
Due to current circumstances, please contact us prior to attending.
Congregation Ben David, is under the leadership and direction of:
Rabbi Rich Cohen.
Musical Director: Oren Frankel
IT Director Sheldon Rosenberg
Secretary-Scribe: Don Evans