Why would a Pentecostal celebrate Jewish Holidays?

Why would a Pentecostal celebrate Jewish Holidays?

First and foremost, Hannukah begins today! 

I grew up Southern Pentecostal (Church of God). My roots go deep, my great-grandmother (on my father’s mother’s side) left a strong legacy of faith behind. Though the years I’ve gone to some non-denomination churches, but my heart always find home when I walk through the doors of Pentecostal church, so we found one local that has ties to the church I grew up in two hours away. However, I also celebrate Jewish holidays as a Messianic Jew does. This sometimes confuses people. Do I consider myself Pentecostal or Jewish – well, here’s the thing, I believe I’m somewhere in between. I’ll share a chart of some core beliefs of both and highlight where I stand.

My entire life I’ve felt a pull towards the Jewish people. It’s something I can’t fully explain. As I got older and began researching my ancestry I was astonished and excited to learn that many of my ancestors were Jewish.

I’m only going as far back as my 6th great grandparents (on my father’s, father’s side), they were Juan Segui II and Agueda Agata Enrique. Both were born in Menorca, one of the Balearic Islands of Spain. Juan in Ciutadella and Aqueda in El Mercadel. They were Jewish Spainards that were part of the expulsion of Jews from Spain that followed the Alhambra Decree in 1492. While their families found ways to hide that they were Jewish for many centuries eventually they too left as well. My Minorcan ancestors first stepped foot onto North America in New Smyrna. <– This article even mentions my 6th great grandparents!!

“The Minorcans of St. Augustine in the late 1700s and early 1800s were no strangers to relocation. They had survived two major moves since 1768, once from the Old World to the New, and then from New Smyrna to St. Augustine. It should come as no surprise then, that some of these families began to move to the beach along the northeast coast of St. Johns County. They had come to the New World for an opportunity to own their own land. In acquiring land along the North and Guana Rivers, they were finally realizing their dream.”

Once I learned of my Jewish heritage everything finally clicked into place for me. I understood the deep love and connection I had always felt for the Jewish people. It also made more sense to me why I had such a longing to learn and participate in Jewish holidays. A few years ago, I got tired of thinking about doing it and got to work. I still have so much to learn and I’m still finding how to navigate life as someone who has Pentecostal beliefs but is also very strongly pulled into the direction of Messianic Judaism. We are blessed to have wonderful Jewish friends who have included us in their holidays over the past few years and have been teaching us. This year we have the joy of hosting a night of Hanukkah at our home for them! 

I find myself on the fence when it comes to conversion, although it is something I’ve thought about from time to time. I’d love to hear your thoughts! 

Pentecostal vs. Messianic Judaism Beliefs