Hebrew Christian Alliance of Great Britain

The Hebrew Christian Alliance of Great Britain--known today as the British Messianic Jewish Alliance[1]—was founded in 1866 by Dr. Carl Schwartz "to promote the combination of Jewish heritage and Christian theology."[2] It incorporated the Hebrew Christian Prayer Union, founded by Henry Aaron Stern in 1882.

The Hebrew Christian movement consisted of Jews who converted to Christianity, but worshiped in congregations separate from denominational churches.

Foundations

Beginning in the 19th century, some groups had attempted to create congregations and societies of Jews who had converted to Christianity. The London Society for promoting Christianity amongst the Jews (previously named "Church's Ministry Among Jewish People") was formed in 1809.[3]

The first identifiable congregation made up exclusively of Jews who had converted to Christianity was established in the United Kingdom as early as 1860.[4]

First Congregations

The first congregation of Jewish Christians in the United Kingdom was Beni Abraham "which came into existence in London when forty-one Hebrew Christians assembled as Jewish Christians". "In 1866 the Hebrew Christian Alliance of Great Britain was organised with branches in several European countries and the United States. These organisations had the combined effect of encouraging Jewish believers in Jesus to think of themselves as a community with a unique identity." [5]

The International Hebrew Christian Alliance, established 1925, was an initiative of the Hebrew Christian Alliance of America (established 1915) and the Hebrew Christian Alliance of Great Britain.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.bmja.net/history.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.religioustolerance.org/mess_jud1.htm
  3. ↑ http://www.lcje.net/cgi-bin/gsdl/library?e=d-01000-00---off-0jewishmi--00-1--0-10-0---0---0prompt-10---4-------0-1l--11-en-50---20-about---01-3-1-00-0-0-11-1-0utfZz-8-00&a=d&cl=CL5.1&d=HASH0125a0e0393341451b4f9882 This Society, which was established in 1809, consists of a Patron, President, Vice Presidents, Treasurer, and life and annual members, together with such officers and servants as may be necessary for conducting the business of the institution. Men of piety and benevolence, of talents and learning, of influence and rank, of nobility and royalty, have come forward to assist in promoting the temporal and eternal welfare of the Jews.
  4. ↑ Ariel, Yaakov S. (2000). "Chapter 20: The Rise of Messianic Judaism". Evangelizing the chosen people: missions to the Jews in America, 1880–2000 (Google Books). Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. p. 223. ISBN 978-0-8078-4880-7. OCLC 43708450. Retrieved December 11, 2010. Even before the rise of messianic Judaism, there were groups that promoted the creation of congregations of Jewish believers in Jesus. …In the nineteenth century many attempts were made in the United States to create Hebrew Christian Brotherhoods, designed as centers for Jews who converted to Christianity. Jewish converts established their own organization in Great Britain as early as 1860 and in the United States in 1915.
  5. ↑ Messianic Judaism/Jewish Christianity, Division of Religion and Philosophy at the University of Cumbria, (retrieved January 10, 2011)
  6. ↑ Jan A. B. Jongeneel Jesus Christ in world history 2009 Page 242 - "The International Hebrew Christian Alliance, established in 1925, was launched as a result of initiatives of the Hebrew Christian Alliance of America (1915) and the Hebrew Christian Alliance of Great Britain, successor of the Hebrew Christian Prayer Union (1882).