Messiah Podcast

The Epistle to the Hebrews constitutes one of the most difficult sections of the Bible for those of us who have embraced a Messianic Jewish perspective. Thankfully, D. Thomas Lancaster, First Fruits of Zion’s Director of Education, has spent years penning a commentary that will enrich and enlighten you. He joins Messiah Podcast to provide a sneak peek into the premise that unlocked the historical understanding of this important book of the Apostolic Scriptures.–  Takeaways –The Epistle to the Hebrews is a difficult book to interpret from a Messianic Jewish perspective. Daniel Thomas Lancaster's new commentary brings the latest in New Testament scholarship and the oldest of Jewish hermeneutical principles to bear on the biblical text to present a relevant and insightful understanding of the epistle.The authorship of Hebrews is uncertain. While it was certainly not the Apostle Paul, it may have been a second-generation disciple of the apostles like Clement of Rome.Hebrews emphasizes Yeshua's importance as the gateway to the Messianic Era and warns against turning away from him.The hermeneutical method used in Hebrews, known as kol vechomer, establishes the weight of the first matter to make a case for the second matter.Understanding the Jewish context and the distinction between Jews and Gentiles is crucial in interpreting Hebrews.– Episode Resources –The Holy Epistle to the HebrewsThe Holy Epistle to the GalatiansThe Holy Epistle to the Ephesians– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel. Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

Every year, hundreds of disciples gather for Malchut, a summit for First Fruits of Zion Friends. We spend three days getting reacquainted, taking meals together, and recentering our vision for the kingdom. Today’s guests are some of the many Malchut 2024 attendees. You’ll hear about their heart for Messiah and his kingdom, how they came to embrace a Messianic Jewish perspective, and their joy at knowing they’re not alone on their journey of faith.–  Takeaways –600+ disciples of Yeshua gathered together in Orlando Florida in March 2024 for the annual Malchut conference and were encouraged and energized by great fellowship, delicious food, and solid teaching.Torah Club is growing world wide and is a resource that supports, educates and strengthen local communities of various shapes and sizes.Messianic Judaism can be a lonely spiritual path and the resources and events that First Fruits of Zion produces is inspiring deeper study of the Scriptures, and devoted love and discipleship for Yeshua, –  Resources –FFOZ FriendsHaYesodRestorationTent of DavidIsrael Tours– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel. Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

Early Jewish believers in Yeshua created a catechism for new disciples from among the nations. Lost for hundreds of years, this document, the Didache, reveals the expectations and standards the early Yeshua-believing community put in place for Gentile disciples of Yeshua. Our guest today, Dr. Daniel Nessim, has spent his academic career demonstrating that the first disciples of Yeshua considered the Torah to be the moral compass of all those who joined the community of disciples, whether Jewish or Gentile. –  Takeaways –The Didache is a discipleship manual created by early Jewish believers in Yeshua for personal Gentile discipleship and how to conduct themselves within the community.The Didache was written around 80 CE during a tumultuous time in history and reflects the beliefs and values of the early Jewish believers, who considered the Torah to be the moral compass for all disciples.The arch of the Didache progresses from directing individuals on the proper moral path to addressing issues of community life that were particularly applicable at the time the Didache was written. –  Chapters –(00:00) Welcome Dr. Daniel Nessim to Messiah Podcast!(02:41) The Didache: What it is and where it came from.(05:44) The purpose and significance of the Didache.(08:16) Relationship of the Didache to other early Christian writings.(09:49) The historical occasion for writing down the Didache.(12:37) The clues that betray the Jewishness of the Didache.(14:20) Rediscovery of the Didache.(15:52)  Impact of the Dead Sea Scrolls on Didache research.(21:44) Thesis of the book “Torah for Gentiles” by Dr. Daniel Nessim.(28:16) Parallels with Greek moral instruction.(31:12) Modern interpretations of the Didache. (32:36) Textual criticism and the similar sayings of Yeshua in the Didache and the Gospels.(37:52 )Hard lines and leniencies in the Didache’s concession passages.(41:37) Is there a specific list of Gentile responsibilities to the Torah?(49:02) Judaism as a religion of grace.(50:07) Why the Didache disappeared.(52:24) The end of Jewish Christianity and the historical context of the Didache.(58:27) The value of the Didache in the present era. –  Resources –Torah for Gentiles? What the Jewish Authors of the Didache Had to Say, by Dr. Daniel NessimThe Way of Life, The Rediscovered Teachings of the Twelve Jewish Apostles to the Gentiles, by Toby Janicki– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel. Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

Rabbi Dr. Mark Kinzer discusses the Catholic Church's embrace of distinction theology and its impact on Jewish-Christian dialogue and the Messianic Jewish movement. He highlights the significance of the Second Vatican Council and the documents Lumen Gentium and Nostra Aetate in redefining the church's understanding of itself and its relationship with the Jewish people. The Catholic Church's rejection of deicide and recognition of the ongoing special relationship with the Jewish people have had a profound impact on Christian theology and paved the way for further dialogue and understanding. This conversation explores the theological developments and dialogue between Messianic Judaism and the Roman Catholic Church. It delves into the concept of Jesus as the Living Torah and the connection between Yeshua and the Jewish people. The role of Cardinal Lustiger in emphasizing Jewish identity within the Catholic Church is highlighted. The conversation also touches on the progress being made in the Catholic Church regarding the recognition of the enduring significance of the land of Israel. Overall, this dialogue is seen to be of historic significance and a promising trajectory for Catholic theology.–  Takeaways –The Second Vatican Council, prompted by the Holocaust, marked a significant reassessment of the Catholic Church's understanding of itself and its relationship with the Jewish people.The documents Lumen Gentium and Nostra Aetate work together to lay out how the church understands and identifies itself and how it understands and identifies itself in relationship to other religions of the world. The Catholic document The Gifts and Calling of God Are Irrevocable went even further to express the enduring covenant between God and the Jewish people. As a Jewish Cardinal, Jean-Marie Lustiger made significant contributions to the dialogue between Judaism and Christianity. Acting as a counselor to Pope John Paul II on the Jewish people, he emphasized Jesus' solidarity with his people and the continued Jewish identity of Jews within the church. He saw the suffering of the Jewish people as a part of the Messiah's suffering, highlighting the deep identification of the Messiah with His people.The Catholic Church is moving toward visible changes to reflect the realization of the enduring significance of Jewish identity within the church and the Jewish people in the land of Israel.–  Resources –Searching Her Own Mysteries by Rabbi, Dr. Mark KinzerNostra AetateLumen GentiumThe Gifts and Calling of God Are IrrevocableFilm: The Jewish Catholic– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel. Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

First Fruits of Zion teaches that the whole Bible, including the Law of Moses, that is, the Torah given to the Jewish people, has relevance and practical application for Gentile Christians. Some Messianic Jews disagree; they argue that the Torah is for Jews only. Today’s guests, FFOZ Senior Educator Aaron Eby and Director of Torah Club Damian Eisner are here to challenge the idea that the Torah has nothing to say to Gentiles.–  Takeaways –Terms are confusing if they are not well-defined. Many people stumble on the Jewish Jesus online but many times the source of the information they stumble on is what we would call Hebrew Roots. First Fruits of Zion is part of Messianic Judaism, and there are some important distinctions.The community of faith is composed of both Jews and Gentiles. But despite us being “one in Messiah,” First Fruits of Zion believes that it is important to maintain our unique identities. Why do we think so, and how do we advise Jews and Gentiles to avoid blurring the lines of distinction?Acts 15 documents an important time in the life of the apostles when they decided on the course of faith for Gentiles who were coming to faith in the Jewish Messiah. What does this passage teach about Jewish and Gentile obligations to the Law?The Sabbath and the Jewish festivals are full of richness in meaning and blessing. What does the remembrance and observance of the Sabbath and the other biblical holidays look like for Jewish people, and what would they look like for a Gentile disciple? –  Chapters –(00:00) Welcome to Messiah Podcast.(02:05) First Fruits of Zion is a Messianic Jewish organization, not Hebrew Roots.(13:08) What is distinction theology?(20:00) The apostles’ expectation of Gentile disciples. (25:22) Interpreting Acts 15 and Acts 21 and the four prohibitions for Gentile disciples.(29:38) The synagogue has always been a place for Gentiles to learn about the God of Israel.(40:43) What does the distinction between Jewish and Gentile observance of the Sabbath look like?(55:51) How can Gentiles interface with and observe Jewish holidays like Passover and Tabernacles?(01:04:51) Is 1 Corinthians 5:8 an invitation to Gentiles to celebrate Passover?(01:11:34) A biblical model for do’s and don’ts for Gentiles.(01:15:23) Gentiles are adopted to be part of the family of God.(01:20:32) First Fruits of Zion does not subscribe to what is commonly known as “one law theology.”–  Resources –Restoration: Returning the Torah of Moses to the Disciples of JesusFrom Sabbath to Sabbath: Returning the Holy Sabbath to the Disciples of JesusThe Holy Days: Returning the Biblical Festivals to the Disciples of Jesus.– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel. Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

A talmudic adage says that before God inflicts a wound, he prepares the remedy. The tragedy of October 7 has left a spiritual scar on Israel and the Jewish people, but not without remedy. Messianic Israeli cellist Leat Sabbah, inspired by God’s call to repentance through Yeshua and the prophets, has been sounding the alarm through her brilliant composition, “Wake Up, My Beloved.” She joins us to talk about her faith, her music, and the spiritual battle Israel is waging behind the scenes. Our co-host is Judi Abrams from the Bram Center for Messianic Jewish Learning in Jerusalem.–  Highlights –What began as a journey from childhood to be a professional musician has become a heartfelt effort to bring healing and inspiration to souls around the world through stirring lyrics and instruments such as the cello, harp, and piano.The development of Israeli music often seeks to blend Western and Eastern styles, which is symbolic of the peace and unity that will be present in the Messianic Kingdom.God has an intimate knowledge and love for every person and, in his desire to be known, leaves clues along the way. Even in times of struggle, he has thoughts of peace and blessing for his people.–  Chapters –(00:00) Meeting Leat Sabbah.(04:05) What is The Bram Center in Jerusalem?(07:26) A standing-room-only concert at the Bram Center.(13:56) Leat’s musical journey to become a professional musician.(18:28) Exploring different styles of music, including Arabic and Bulgarian.(22:24) A spiritual journey to search for God and move to Israel.(26:18) Discovering Yeshua as the Messiah.(27:44) The end times and the message of “Wake Up, My Beloved.”(33:17) Playing the harp and worshiping on the Mount of Olives.(35:27) The healing power of music.(38:05) Leat uses music to bring comfort in Turkey after devastating earthquake.(40:31) The impact of the war with Hamas on Leat's Music(54:09) Creating the song “Thoughts of Peace” in a time of war.(55:53) Finding peace and intimacy with God in times of trauma and confusion.(57:49) Promoting music and ministry.59:16 Collaboration and future plans.–  Resources –Leat Sabbah WebsiteLeat Sabbah on FacebookLeat Sabbah on InstagramLeat Sabbah on YoutubeLeat Sabbah Music on Apple MusicLeat Sabbah Music on SpotifyGalilee EnsembleJerusalem House of Prayer for All Nations– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel. Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

Is First Fruits of Zion a danger to Christians? Is the Torah Club Bible study out to pull congregants out of the church and into some kind of cult? There are individuals who believe this to be the case. In this episode, we join the founder of FFOZ, Boaz Michael, and the Education Director, Daniel Lancaster, for a frank discussion about a few of the warnings that are out there and what people who are seeking to know the truth should know about the organization.–  Takeaways –First Fruits of Zion teaches a theology that is disruptive to fundamental Christian ways of interpreting the text of the Scriptures.Is the Torah more inspired than the rest of the Bible?Did the new covenant replace the old covenant?Did Jesus fulfill the law of Moses?Are all followers of Jesus obligated to keep the whole Torah?Distinction theology: Gentiles should be cautious about misappropriating Jewish practices and should strive to implement the Torah in a balanced way.According to Romans 7:6, it seems that Jesus came to replace the old written code with something new and better.Is there a conspiracy among Christian leadership through the ages to distort history, hide truth, and lead people down a separate path from truth?What is the difference between a Christian gospel and the gospel Jesus proclaimed as understood by Messianic Judaism?Does First Fruits of Zion seek to undermine the local church and lead people away?–  Resources –Restoration, Returning the Torah of Moses to the Disciples of JesusHaYesod, The Land, the People, and the Scriptures of Israel– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel. Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

Around the world, followers of Yeshua are reconnecting with their Jewish roots, learning the Scriptures from a Jewish perspective and rekindling the church’s ancient relationship with Israel. One expression of this reconnection has been through music, as Jewish songs, psalms, and prayers slowly make their way back into expressions of faith in Yeshua. Our guest today is Joshua Aaron, renowned Messianic Jewish Israeli-American musician and worship leader, and he’s going to tell us his vision of the nations coming together for Israel.–  Highlights –Joshua Aaron's music career began as a song writer. He released his first album “Bo Yeshua” in 2009, but his big breakthrough came with the release of “How Great Is Our God” in Hebrew.An appreciation for Judaism and his Jewish heritage came from Joshua’s mother and grandmother, culminating in moving his young family to Israel in 2009.With a daughter in the Israel Defense Force and more teenage kids to go into the Israeli military in the near future, the war with Hamas has been particularly emotional.Joshua immigrated back to Israel as a professional musician and is “one of those crazy Jews who believes in Jesus.”Joshua Aaron incorporates various middle eastern and exotic instruments that reflect the music of world cultures past and present with songs hitting #1 in world genre on iTunes charts.Joshua leads a Torah Club in Israel, providing a space for families in the Galilee to study the Bible from a Messianic perspective and explore the deeper scriptural meaning behind their faith.Joshua Aaron has developed a close-friend connection with Aaron Shust over the past few years, collaborating on music composition and live concerts together, with Shust providing musical arrangements.Is it possible to avoid being corrupted and retain the heart motivations in the music industry?Gather the Nations is a non-profit organization intent on uniting the nations toward Israel through the universal language of music and worship. The organization is having an inspirational impact through concert events around the world and practical impact through the donation of instruments and the start of a music school for orphans in Kenya.–  Resources –Gather the NationsJoshua Aaron Music– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel. Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

Every year around the world, millions of Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah. This year, it’s probably going to feel a little different. As ancient echoes of widespread anti-Semitism, anti-Judaism, and anti-Zionism seem to be resounding again in the present time, the Jewish battle for survival against the Seleucid Empire finds its eerie, parallel expression in yet another conflict between Israel and her neighbors. Our guests today are First Fruits of Zion Senior Educator Aaron Eby and his wife, Rachel, and they’re going to tell us all about Hanukkah.–  Topics –What is Hanukkah?Is Hanukkah the Jewish Christmas?Candles, songs, prayers, menorahs, dreidels, latkes, sufganiyot, presents, and other traditions that enhance the holiday. The trick to frying the perfect latke. Food is such a central part of creating lasting memories.What does Hanukkah look like for a Messianic Jewish family?Traditional Jewish observance of the holliday.What historical event does Hanukkah recall?Why didn’t the book of Maccabees make it into the Hebrew Bible?What would have happened if the Jews had not defeated the Greek army?How does Messianic faith in Yeshua enhance the holiday?How can followers of Yeshua who are not Jewish connect to the Jewish holiday?The oft repeated battle for the survival of Judaism and the Jewish people.What are the most meaningful elements of the holiday?–  Resource  –Light: A Hanukkah Anthology– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel. Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

The Bible has a lot to say about the end times, and Israel is always at the center of God’s plan. However, Islam has its own apocalyptic narrative. Our guest today, John Harrigan, draws upon his personal experience and theological expertise to help us understand what is fueling the anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic jihad amongst the Arab nations in the Middle East. We’re also joined by First Fruits of Zion’s director of education, D. Thomas Lancaster.You’re listening to Messiah Podcast, where Jesus is Jewish, and that changes everything. Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion.–  Highlights –The future of the Apocalyptic Gospel Podcast.A Jew, a progressive liberal, and a Hamas terrorist walk into a bar. What happens next?Hamas and Iran are enemies but unite around their common arch enemy of Israel.A derivative of Marxism is leading the global narrative and identifies all social conflicts as a struggle of the socioeconomically oppressed against an oppressor. Is the church drifting toward or away from support of Israel?A shift that is taking place due to a departure from dispensational theology.Modern progressive politics is causing dramatic shifts in the western church.What is “realized eschatology” and why is it wrong?Comparisons of the Greek, Roman, and Jewish eschatological perspectives.Theological wrestling with the dichotomy between physical and spiritual redemption.Theological differences result in beliefs about how the promises of the Bible find their fulfillment.What happens when Christian theology meets with ideas of Jewish people obtaining a homeland in Palestine, Aliyah, Zionism, and the formation of the modern State of Israel?Dispensationalism is the belief in two separate redemptive programs: one for the Jews and one for the Gentiles.Apocalyptic expectations within Islam and the establishment of a world caliphate. The younger Arab generation is seeing a greater secularization due to its interface with the modern western world. How to bring the gospel to the modern middle-eastern Arab world.What does God want us to be doing with all the chaos going on in the world?–  Resources  –Extending Mercy to the GentilesThe Jewish Apocalyptic Trajectory of Pauline Discipleship By: John P. HarriganThe Gospel of Christ Crucified: A Theology of Suffering before GloryBy: John P. HarriganApocalyptic Gospel Podcast– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel. Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.