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TheChosenPeopleVolume VII, Issue 7 July 2001TheJewishApostlePaulINSIDE Jerusalem: The Heart of Israel and the Heart of Paul The ApostleTHISISSUE: Paul in Jewish Thought The Jewishness of Paul A Study in Micah
Jerusalem –TheHeartofIsraeland theHeartofPaul2Shalom dear friendof the Jewish people,I recently returned from Israel,where I went to encourage ourworkers who are laboring in themidst of terrible difficulties and realdanger. I also went because thework of Chosen People Ministries isgrowing—even in the midst ofdaily violence and nationalinstability; incredible, isn’t it?Perhaps, but it fits with a principleof the spiritual life expressed by theApostle Paul when he wrote to theRoman believers, “But where sinabounded, grace abounded much more”(Romans 5:20).The troubles of today havecaused many in Israel to search forthe greater spiritual realities of life.A genuine openness has fallen uponthe Jewish people in Israel,especially among the hundreds ofthousands of recent Russian Jewishimmigrants among whom yourmission to the Jews is working dayin and day out!On to JerusalemThis growth in our Israelministries has created the demandfor greater resources.Where betterto commit ourefforts than inJerusalem, theeternal capitalof the Jewishpeople?In response towhat we believeto be God’sleading, MichaelZ., our team leaderin Israel, has moved his family toJerusalem from the Tel Aviv area.He has started a Bible study amonga group of Russian Jewishimmigrants near the Old City andplans to begin a congregation there.I went to Israel to help Michaelfind an office in Jerusalem thatcould serve as a base of ministryoperations.We have also begunlooking for a site where we candevelop a Messianic Center that willprovide even greater facilities forministry in the Land.This is thedream I have—a dream I share withour Board of Directors and staff.Israel does not have the sameopportunities for spiritual growth aswe have here in North America.Thethings we take for granted, such asradio broadcasts, Christianbooks and Biblicalcounseling are scarce ornonexistent there.We hopeto help provide many ofthese spiritual resources forthe growth of the body ofMessiah in the Holy Land.I will keep you posted on thedevelopment of our dream!The JerusalemMessianic CenterTo this end, we have startedan Israel Endowment Fund.Yourgifts to this fund will be used to helppurchase this Center for our growingwork in Israel. Although I have nevermentioned this before in a ChosenPeople newsletter, I do want to tellyou that our Israel Endowment Fundis a wonderful way to leave a legacyto the Lord’s work.I usually don’t mention includingChosen People Ministries in yourwill.Yet, were it not for saints inprevious years who have included ourMission in their estate planning, wewould probably not be able to dowhat we are already doing in Israel tobring the Gospel to the Jewishpeople.We have been able to fundsome of our most important outreachministries in Israel through their verygenerous gifts.Won’t you please give some seriousthought and prayer to includingChosen People Ministries, and evenour special Israel Endowment Fund,in your will?Human Stories andTransformed LivesOne of the reasons I even bringthis up is because of how moved IThe Chosen People
was by what I saw in Israel! I wishyou could have been with me tomeet Michael, Henry, Leonid andothers who are part of our ChosenPeople Ministries Israel outreach.I especially enjoyed meeting someof the new Russian Jewish believerswho are part ofour Israel work.To think that justa few years ago,these dearbrothers andsisters wereenslaved to agodlessatheism—without hopeand soured bythe joylessenvironmentcreated byCommunism. Now, you should seetheir faces.These precious believersare alive with the joy of the Lordand committed to sharing their faithin the midst of life’s most difficultcircumstances. I desperately want tohelp them reach the four millionJewish people living in Israel!In light of recent events, this is allthe more urgent.You cannot be inIsrael for a few days and not sensethat the situation is explosive.We need to pray for the peace ofJerusalem and especially for Michaeland his team as they reach out toIsraelis with the Good News of theMessiah.The Jewish Apostleto the GentilesI hope you enjoy the articles inthis month’s newsletter, which sharethe Jewishness of the Lord’s greatambassador to the Gentiles—RabbiSaul, the Apostle Paul.To think that the most prominentand well-known Christian who everlived was Jewish! The words of thisJewish rabbi are more widely readthroughout the world than any otherperson—but the Savior Himself. Ifthe greatest Jew who ever lived isJuly 2001Jesus, then the Apostle Paul is surelyHis best-known disciple!It is my prayer that each of ourlives will mirror the priorities of theApostle Paul—especially as he bareshis heart regarding his own people.Though often misunderstood andderided in the Jewish community,there is no one who loved his ownpeople more than Paul. He offeredhis life in the fullest measure to theglorious and redemptive task ofreaching both Jews and Gentiles withthe Gospel message.Far from abandoning his ownpeople when he accepted God’s callto be the Apostle to the Gentiles,Paul understood the deeper things ofthe Word of God. He knew that theLord would reach the remnantwithin Israel through the outsidersHe had grafted in to the covenantsand promises of God.He writes in Romans 11:11,“I say then, have they stumbled that theyshould fall? Certainly not! But throughtheir fall, to provoke them to jealousy,salvation has come to the Gentiles.”How extraordinary! In themercies and mysteries of God’s planfor the ages, it is the role of theGentiles to make Jewish people“jealous” with the Gospel.Yes,Messianic Jews like myself and otherson our staff have also been called toreach our people for Yeshua.However, we recognize that we havejoined hands with our Gentilebrothers and sisters in this holy task.It is my prayer that each of us willbe used by God to answer theanguished prayer of Rabbi Saul, whocried out, “Brethren, my heart’s desireand prayer to God for Israelis that they may be saved”(Romans 10:1).Thank you for yourlove for Israel and theJewish people.Yours in theMessiah,Mitch GlasePresident rMitchA Chosen Vessel—The Life and Timesof the Apostle PaulStaff member Alan Shore hasdeveloped a special relationship withthe Apostle Paul. For the past eightyears, he has been presenting a oneman drama on the Apostle’s lifeentitled, “A Chosen Vessel.”Written by playwright John Martin, “AChosen Vessel” is a scripturallyfaithful account of Paul’s ministry thathighlights Paul’s Jewish identity andthe burden he undertook to preachthe Gospel throughout the ancientworld to both Jews and Gentiles.Alan says, “It is a wonderfulexperience to portray something ofthe depth of Paul’s devotion to theLord and to explore the many facetsof his dynamic personality. Whenpeople come up to me afterwards andsay they felt as though they were inthe presence of the Apostle himself, Iam humbled beyond description.”If you would liketo schedule “AChosen Vessel”at your church,call our ChurchMinistriesdepartment at1-888-405-5874.3
The Jewishness of theApostlePaulPaul’s love for his own people wasnever far from his prayers. One needonly read his heartfelt words to theRomans to sense the grief he felt as heconsidered his “beloved kinsmen”—“I have greatsorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I couldwish that I myself were accursed from Christ for mybrethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who areIsraelites” (Romans 9:2-4).The Jewishness of the Apostle PaulThe rapid spread of faith in the Gospel of Jesusthe Messiah is almost as much of a marvel as themessage itself. From a small group of disciplesbased in Jerusalem, the Good Tidings burst uponthe world like an unstoppable tidal wave. It is oneof the great ironies of history that the Lord usedthe most important legacies of Israel’s last twoconquerors— the Greek language and the Romanroads—to spread so quickly the Gospel of God’sKingdom throughout the known world. No oneis more responsible for the establishment of thatfaith than Saul of Tarsus—the Apostle Paul.Saul of Tarsus –A Hebrew of the HebrewsPaul’s Jewishness was an integral part of hisidentity. His letters make many autobiographicalreferences to his Jewish background andeducation. For instance, in the account of histestimony recorded in Acts 22, Paul stressed hiseducation under the well-known teacherGamaliel and his zealous obedience to God’s Law.In his argument against those among thePhilippians who were seeking to distort theGospel, Paul matter-of-factly laid out hiscredentials: “circumcised the eighth day, of the stock ofIsrael, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of theHebrews” (Philippians 3:5).4Paul’s Gospel – Fulfillment of thePromises to IsraelThe unbelief of many of the Jewish people didnot discourage Paul. Indeed, he saw it as anecessary, though temporary, part of God’s plan.The rejection of the Gospel by some Jewishpeople created the opportunity for Gentileinclusion in the Kingdom.The Gentiles would inturn preach the Gospel to the Jewish people.Then, in the fullness of time, Israel’s repentancewould signal the return of Messiah and thefullness of the Kingdom.Paul understood the integral part the Jewishpeople have yet to play in the final act of history.This allowed him to say with confidence, “Nowif their fall is riches for the world, and their failureriches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!”(Romans 11:12).Paul’s Message for UsThe Apostle’s declaration in Romans 1:16 thatthe Gospel is “for the Jew first and also for theGentile” is as true today as when he first pennedit. As we go on bringing the saving message ofJesus the Messiah to our Jewish friends and lovedones, we may do so with all of the assurance ofthe Apostle Paul.Through faith, his words mayalso become ours—“I can do all things throughChrist who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).The Chosen People
The Apostle Paul inJewish ThoughtBy Noel RabinowitzObservant Jew, ReligiousApostate, PiousPharisee, Founder ofChristianity—all thesedescriptions reveal modernJudaism’s assessment of Saulof Tarsus, the Apostle Paul. Itis an assessment that remainscontroversial to this day.Who Was Paul?Was Paul a faithful Jew whodiscovered the Messiah—or simply acharlatan who duped others? Thereare some within Judaism who believethe worst. Modern antagonists assertthat Paul was a fraud of the worstkind and that he misinterpreted theScriptures in order to convert Jewsto Christianity.Most Jewish scholars do not assignsuch malicious intentions to Paul.This is partly because what has beencalled “the Jewish reclamation ofJesus” has changed the way Jewishscholars think about Jesus ofNazareth.Where once Jesus wasviewed with animosity, many Jewishscholars now place Him squarely inthe world of first century Judaism.Although they disagree with Jesus’Messianic claim, many acknowledgethat He was a loyal Jew who merelycalled His people back to the faith ofAbraham, Isaac and Jacob.However, many scholars viewPaul—not Jesus—as the founder ofthis new religion called“Christianity.” Historically, mostJewish scholars have drawn a sharpdistinction between Jesus andJudaism on one side and Paul andChristianity on the other.1 TheIt is becomingincreasingly evidentthat Paul’s theologyand practice werefirmly groundedwithin the world offirst century Judaism.Jewish background of Jesus isunderstood to be the rabbinicJudaism of the land of Israel, whereasPaul’s Jewish background isunderstood to be tainted by theinfluence of Greek religious ideas.Paul, then, becomes the culprit.The Apostle Paul – JewishThrough and ThroughThis is a very important point, formany Jewish scholars believe thatPaul developed Christianity bymixing Greek religious ideas into thetheology of Judaism. Jewish scholarslike Claude Goldsmith Montefiore,Solomon Schechter, KaufmannDonald A. Hagner,“Paul in Modern Jewish Thought,” in Pauline Studies: Essays presented to Professor F. F. Bruce on his70th Birthday, ed. Donald A. Hagner (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980), pp. 143-165.Ibid, pp. 143 - 165.3Samuel Sandmel, A Jewish Understanding of the New Testament (Cincinnati: Hebrew Union College Press, 1957), p. 104.4Schalom Ben-Chorin, Paulus: Der Volkerapostel in jüdisher Sicht (München: Paul List, 1970).12July 2001Kohler and Samuel Sandmelconcluded that Paul’s teachings werethoroughly foreign to Judaism.2Sandmel argued that the Greekenvironment in which Paul lived hadinfluenced him to the extent thatPauline Christianity was “acompletely Grecian phenomenon.”3The academic community,however, has gradually realized thatGreek religious ideas impactedJudaism in the land of Israel evenbefore Paul’s time. More importantly,modern Jewish scholars have nowplaced Saul of Tarsus firmly withinthe context of first century Judaism.Renowned scholar Schalom BenChorin insists that Paul’s thoughtremained firmly grounded in theJewish world.4 The past accusationsthat Paul’s teachings were foreign torabbinic thought have now beenreplaced by the conviction that histheology is deeply rooted in theworld of Pharisaic Judaism.Christianity Is JewishAlthough many within Judaismpersist in seeing Paul as the founderof a new religion, this viewcontinues to lose ground. It seems,therefore, that a Jewish “reclamation”not only of Jesus, but also of Paul, isnow in order. Paul did not pitJudaism against Christianity. Heargued that Jesus was the hope ofJudaism, the Messiah of Israel.This is a message that ChosenPeople Ministries continues toproclaim to the Jewish people and tothe Church to this day.5
eetheSThrough Jewish EyesBibleby D r. Daniel Goldb ergMicah’s MessianicMessageFor a minor prophet, Micah certainly hada major message. His prophecies highlightfive features of Israel’s future MessianicAge. Believers everywhere can drawstrength and encouragement fromMicah’s words of hope.Both the First and SecondAdvents of Messiah are predictedhere. In the verses that follow, Micahalso introduces a beautiful image ofMessiah ruling over Israel as ashepherd watching his sheep, atheme found elsewhere in the OldTestament, particularly in Psalms 23and 100.Idolatry Will Be RemovedForever“I will cut off sorceries from yourhand you shall no more worship thework of your hands” (Micah 5:12,13).God will root out all the earthlythings in which the Jewish peoplehave foolishly trusted, such as horsesand chariots (5:10).Then, whenthey have nowhere else to go, Israelwill finally return to God.ThenGod will send a spiritual awakeningto transform Israel.Zion Will Be a PermanentMedium of Universal Peace andInstructionThe Jewish People ShallProclaim God’s Word to theNations“Now it shall come to pass in thelatter days out of Zion the law shallgo forth, and the word of the LORDfrom Jerusalem” (Micah 4:1, 2).Today our Jewish friends need theGood News of the Gospel and weencourage Gentile believers to shareGod’s Word with them. In theMessianic Age, Micah envisions thatJerusalem will evangelize the Gentileworld and carry out the GreatCommission that Jesus gave HisJewish disciples in the first century.The Nation Will Be Regeneratedthrough Travail and Judgment“Be in pain, and labor to bringforth, O daughter of Zion, like a6woman in birth pangs and to Babylonyou shall go .There the LORD willredeem you from the hand of yourenemies” (Micah 4:10).God’s Spirit enables Micah to seebeyond the Babylonian siege to the lastattack of the nations against Israel.Other great prophetic passages, such asJoel 3 and Zechariah 14, also highlightthe travail and judgment upon Israelthat will precede her deliverance.Jeremiah 30:7 calls it “the time ofJacob’s trouble.”Israel Will Be Restored andGoverned by the Ideal King ofDavid’s Line“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah outof you shall come forth to Me the Oneto be Ruler in Israel,Whose goings forthare from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).“They shall beat their swords intoplowshares nation shall not lift upsword against nation .But everyoneshall sit under his vine and under hisfig tree, and no one shall make themafraid” (Micah 4:3-4).The Messiah’s coming will meanpeace for Israel and for the world.Messiah will defend Israel againsther foes, empower her to overcomeher enemies and destroy all weaponsof warfare.This wonderful blessing of peacewill be the heritage of Israel whenMessiah returns. Until then, if wehave faith, we can live underMessiah Jesus’ promise, “Peace I leavewith you, My peace I give to you; not asthe world gives do I give to you. Let notyour heart be troubled, neither let it beafraid” ( John 14:27). The Chosen People
Answering JewishObjections to Jesusby Dr. Michael BrownWell-researched, thoughtful,biblical responses to difficultquestions that arise whenChristians share their faithwith Jews. Ideal for reachingJewish family members,friends, or coworkers.#3070 Volume One#3072 Volume Twousprice each:Israel2001-2002Jewish Art CalendarUp to ZionOrder now to start the JewishNew Year off in Septemberwith the Chosen PeopleMinistries Jewish Art Calendar.Each month features astunning photo of the HolyLand, highlighted by Scripture.Order two or three—theymake great gifts, especially forJewish friends who need tohear about the Messiah.Worshipful music led by PaulWilbur, former lead singer ofIsrael’s Hope. Up to Zion is achorus of beautiful voices andgreat brass and instrumentalsections backed by a praising,clapping congregation. Songsinclude He Shall Reign,Worthyis the Lamb, and The Song ofMoses. A great CD to listen towhile jogging or walking! 15.95The Faithfulness of PaulAll of us want to beremembered as Paul was for hisfaithfulness (2 Timothy 4:7-8).We can show our ownfaithfulness to the Gospel byincluding Jewish evangelism inour estate plans.Chosen People Ministrieshas resources for helping plan afinancial future that will allowyou to be faithful to yourfamily and Jewish evangelism.For more information, pleasecontact us at 1-888-293-7482or indicate your interest on theenclosed response card.#5005 price: 12.95us#4020 CD price:ThroughJ ewish 16.95usA MonthlyGiving Programfor Partners ofChosenPeopleMinistriesNow you can help us put your financialgifts to work immediately when you signup for the Watchmen for Jerusalemautomatic giving program. Your gift will gofarther because automatic giving reducesmail costs and frees more resources forevangelism. All you do is fill out a simpleform. Check the box on the responsecard to send for a complete brochure.EyesA Point ofView YouWon’t ForgetJourney to Israel and retracethe footsteps of Jesus theMessiah. Dr. Ben Alpert,Chosen People Ministries’Israel guide and teacher, willopen your eyes to thewonders of the PromisedLand. You’ll travel from theRiver Jordan to the Sea ofGalilee, with additional stopsin Jerusalem and otherBiblical sites along the way.Dr. Ben Alpert’s in-depthteaching brings Biblicalevents alive in the verylocations where they tookplace. Trips take place inNovember and March. For afull-color brochure, call1-800-459-9402 now.The Chosen People NewsletterChosen People Ministries has been taking the love of the Messiah to Jewish people worldwide since 1894.Chosen People Ministries U.S. Board of Directors: Mr. Roy Adams, Chairman Dr. Darrell Bock Mr. Jeffrey Branman Dr. Mitch Glaser Dr. Gregory Hagg Mr. Eugene Johnson Dr. S. Louise McCreery Dr. John L. Pretlove Goldie Rotenberg, Esq. Mr. Gary W. Smith Dunewood Truglia, Esq. Mr. David C.Weland Mrs. Jean C. Wheeler Serving in: Argentina Australia Canada England France Germany Israel Mexico Ukraine United StatesThe Chosen People newsletter is published monthly by Chosen People Ministries. For more information, or to receiveThe Chosen People newsletter, write to: Chosen People Ministries, 241 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022. In Canada,write to: Box 897 Station B, North York, ON M2K 2R1. In Australia, write to: Celebrate Messiah, PO Box 5006, GlenferrieSouth VIC 3122 (www.celebratemessiah.com.au) Editor: Zhava Glaser Staff Writer: Alan Shore Design: Lois GableN0107Visit us on the web at www.chosenpeople.comPleaserememberChosen PeopleMinistries inyour will. “Iwill bless thosewho bless you.”(Genesis 12:3)Printed in the USA
The Life and Times of the Apostle Paul Staff member Alan Shore has developed a special relationship with the Apostle Paul. For the past eight years, he has been presenting a one-man drama on the Apostle’s life entitled, “A Chosen Vessel.” Written by pl
