Two Messianic Jews

David Wilber and R.L. Solberg recently debated whether Acts 15 requires Gentiles to be Torah observant. They both agreed that the four prohibitions come from Leviticus 17-18. In this episode, I demonstrate that Wilber's Hebrew Roots argument is weak and unfounded in Acts 15 and that they mistakenly claim that all four prohibitions are commandments taken from Leviticus 17-18. I also offer a more plausible way of understanding the four prohibitions and what James meant when he said "For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues." Enjoy!

To donate in support of us combating Hebrew Roots, you can click this link, https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate Thank you for the support!

00:00 - Intro and goals of the video

01:23 - David Wilber's Position and Core Argument

03:54 - Wilber's strange caveat

08:15 - Critiquing Wilber's Key Claims about the Four Prohibitions

29:50 - Critiquing Wilber's Interpretation of Acts 15:21

37:27 - My hypothesis about the Four Prohibitions

1:01:30 - My hypothesis about Acts 15:21

1:03:13 - What about progressive teachers like Matthew Vines?

Link to their Acts 15 debate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVdfMV92alM

Link to Wilber's video where he says Gentiles ought to do "basically all the same commandments" as native born Israelites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4ls3e5fL-c

Bibliography:

Ben Witherington, “NOT SO IDLE THOUGHTS ABOUT EIDOLOTHUTON”; The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary

S.G. Wilson, Luke and the Law

Brian Rosner, Temple Prostitution in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

A. J. M. Wedderburn, “The 'Apostolic Decree': Tradition and Redaction”

A. F. J. Klijn, “The Pseudo-Clementines and the Apostolic Decree”

Messianic Jews and Gentiles whom God leads to support the Messianic Jewish community recognize that the Hebrew Roots movement threatens the integrity and outlook of Messianic Judaism. This podcast aims to start an open conversation about how we can solve this problem, for our sake and theirs.To donate in support of defending the Messianic Jewish community against Hebrew Roots replacement theology, you can go to www.twomessianicjews.com/donate

*We also sent the survey directly to 100 people via text and asked them to share it

00:00 - Introduction

4:09 - What is Hebrew Roots?

14:33 - Distinguishing Hebrew Roots from Gentiles genuinely led to our community

19:10 - Contradictions and Conflicts between Hebrew Roots and Messianic Judaism

33:30 - Results of Survey on Hebrew Roots in Messianic Congregations

37:18 - "Approximately how often do you notice Hebrew Roots people in your Messianic congregations?"

37:50 - "How do you feel about Hebrew Roots?"

38:50 - "How does the presence of Hebrew Roots in Messianic congregations affect whether you invite Jewish people to a service or event?"

45:02 - "Have you heard Jewish believers of Jewish non-believers comment on the presence of Hebrew Roots in Messianic congregations? If so, what did they say?"

47:05 - "What effect does the presence of Hebrew Roots have on your Messianic congregations and the Messianic community in general?"

51:50 - "How has the presence of Hebrew Roots in Messianic congregations affected your personal commitment to the Messianic Jewish community?"

1:00:29 - How did a supersessionist movement for Gentiles take over an anti-supersessionist community for Jews?

1:00:45 - Factor #1 - Hebrew Roots use Messianic Jewish labels and spaces for themselves

1:06:43 - Factor #2 - We use Hebrew Roots "Dog Whistles"

1:06:53 - Factor #3 - We operate our services in ways compatible with Hebrew Roots

1:08:13 - How can we repair the damage?

1:08:25 - What is the Messianic Jewish mission and purpose?

1:17:10 - How do we protect our mission against the Hebrew Roots threat?

1:17:17 - Solution #1 - Implement Guardrails to protect our organizations and spaces

1:21:30 - Solution #2 - clear about our view of the Church, Gentiles, and Torah

1:23:15 - Solution #3 - Avoid using Hebrew Roots "Dog Whistles"

1:26:48 - Solution #4 - Do not invite Hebrew Roots to our spaces

1:27:21 - Solution #5 - We need to publicly denounce Hebrew Roots theology

1:28:08 - Solution #6 - Make our spaces incompatible with Hebrew Roots / Affirm Gentile identity in our congregations

1:35:11 - Solution #7 - Politely ask Hebrew Roots people to leave our congregations and ministry spaces

1:35:20 - Resources to help communicate change

1:36:09 - 8 Reasons Why Gentiles Matter in God's Kingdom

1:38:35 - An Urgent Call to Hebrew Roots Christians

1:40:00 - 13 Principles of Ethical Distinction in Messianic Jewish Congregations

1:45:59 - Spectrum of Hebrew Roots chart (explained in 'What is Hebrew Roots?' section)

1:46:20 - Other helpful resources, listed below

Helpful Resources

Dr. David Rudolph, “One New Man” Article (link)

Messianic Jewish Perspectives (check back soon!)

- “Are We Fulfilling the Messianic Jewish Vision? Looking to Our Past to Guide Our Future”

- “2026 Academic Gathering Statement”

Survey Results of “Hebrew Roots in Messianic Judaism” (link)

13 Principles of Ethical Distinction in Messianic Congregations (link)

8 Reasons Why Gentiles Matter (link)

Ruben Gomez, “The Hebrew Roots Movement: A Critical Analysis of its Origins, Teachings & Biblical Interpretations”

Gateway Center for Israel Articles

- One Law (link)

- Replacement Theology (link)

- Why Christians Get Weird About Jewish Tradition (link)

Joel Willitts, "Jewish Fish (ΙΧΘΥΣ) in Post-Supersessionist Water: Messianic Judaism within a Post-Supersessionistic Paradigm" (link)

Joseph Culbertson, “Rediscovering My Gentile Roots,” (link)

“The Messianic Jew: An Organ of the Jewish Messianic Movement” (link)

Check out our video on the opening article! (link)

Enjoy this short d’rash on this week’s parsha, Bamidbar (Numbers 1.1–4.20), as we explore why God counts Israel and what it reveals about how He sees His people.Shabbat shalom!To support: twomessianicjews.com/donateYou can also listen on YouTubeFollow us on Social Media:

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Why would a pastor walk away from the Hebrew Roots movement? In this interview, Pastor Gabe May of Headland Methodist Church shares his personal journey, what drew him into Hebrew Roots, what caused him to question it, and what led him to leave. Along the way, we examine the key biblical arguments for Hebrew Roots and uncover the deeper spiritual roots behind the movement.

To support our work in challenging the Hebrew Roots movement, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate

1:45 - Pastor Gabe’s Christian upbringing  

3:52 - What is Hebrew Roots?

5:13 - How he got involved in Hebrew Roots

9:50 - How Hebrew Roots affected his family 

14:15 - What are Hebrew Roots communities  like? 

18:00 - Hearing a Messianic Jewish perspective for the first time 

23:47 - Why he believed he should be Torah observant  

25:37 - Are Christians grafted into Israel? (Romans 11)

36:41 - Do Christians become citizens of Israel? (Ephesians 2)

41:10 - The Jerusalem Council Explained (Acts 15)

43:05 - What about Acts 15:21? 

46:26 - What is sinful? 

53:12 - The spiritual roots behind Hebrew Roots?  

1:11:40 - God’s love for Jews and Gentiles 

1:13:18 - Hebrew Roots in Messianic Jewish congregations 

1:15:13 - Advice for Messianic Jewish  leaders 

1:17:12 - Advice for those considering Hebrew Roots

1:18:45 - The moment that caused a change

1:20:26 - The way Satan deceives 

1:21:16 - Why repentance matters 

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The afikomen is one of the most mysterious parts of Passover. Why do we break the matzah, hide the larger piece, and bring it back later? In this video we explore how Chabad Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky and Yeshua connect breaking matzah to redemption through the Messiah.

To support our work in teaching the Jewishness of the New Testament, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate

Chag Pesach Sameach!

Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky’s article: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2834135/jewish/Yachatz-Breaking-the-Middle-Matzah.htm

Biblical passages:

Luke 22:15, 19–20

Jeremiah 31:34

Luke 24:30–35

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To those who flood comment sections with 'Christ is King' or 'Jesus is King' alongside the latest (or oldest) conspiracy theories and slanders about the Jewish people, there are a few things you should keep in mind before leaving such comments. Enjoy. Share with others.

To support our work in combating antisemitism and replacement theology, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate

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We discuss the beauty and significance of Gentile identity in God's kingdom. When replacement theology and Hebrew Roots teachings are followed, we lose sight of God's design for His kingdom to be Israel and all the nations of the earth worshiping together. Check out this video to see all 8 reasons of the G.O.O.D. N.E.W.S. of Gentile identity.

To support our work in combating replacement theology, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate

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We have on Rabbi Eric Lakatos of Tikvat Yisrael Cleveland, Ohio to discuss his new Messianic Jewish siddur, Siddur Nishmat Kol Chai, and Messianic Jewish liturgy. We discuss why liturgy matters, the importance of Hebrew, and questions that Messianic communities face when considering liturgy in their services. Enjoy!

To support our work in strengthening the faith and identity of Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate

A link to Rabbi Eric's website

A link to Rabbi Eric's podcast

A link to Tikvat Yisrael Cleveland

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The Amidah, the "Standing Prayer," is the central prayer during a Jewish service and is prayed three times a day by religious Jewish people. This prayer is so significant in Judaism it is simply called "The Prayer" in the Mishnah, a foundational rabbinic text from the 3rd century AD that preserves earlier traditions. In this video, I show how the central themes of the Amidah are the central themes of the New Testament. Enjoy!

To support our work in strengthening the faith and identity of Jewish followers of Messiah, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate

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Music: ⁠⁠https://www.bensound.com

Joseph Culbertson is a PhD candidate in Hebrew Bible at Asbury Theological Seminary. He received his MDiv in Messianic Jewish studies from The King's University. He shares his journey from the Church to Hebrew Roots to Messianic Judaism and back to the Church. We discuss common arguments made by Hebrew Roots/One Law advocates and he explains the beauty of diversity and unity in the body of Messiah between Israel and the nations. Enjoy!

To support our work in challenging the Hebrew Roots movement, you can visit https://www.twomessianicjews.com/donate