2.2 The Charismatic Ecclesiastical Type
The ecclesiastic-charismatic type of Messianic Jewish congregation, type ℶ (beth), is neither a particularly singular, nor a very recent, nor a genuine Jewish occurrence. Some insiders even regard groups of this type numerically as the strongest element in the movement. Those who view this type as strong do so possibly because they disregard it. I did not find evidence that they would really be the quantitatively strongest type within the movement.
The attribute ecclesiastical again refers to the circumstance that this type appears more Christian, evangelical, by how it expresses faith and shapes congregational life. In spite of this, I cannot regard such groups and their members as gentile, as non-Jewish churches, as Orthodox Jews would classify them. Their leaders and members are often Israelis. Some of their leaders appear to depend economically on foreign support. These groups strive for what they regard as a genuine Israeli expression.
The attribute charismatic refers to the kind of perception and experience of supernatural interaction, as testified by the individuals and their communities. The pentecostal movement occurred 1906 in Los Angeles (Burkhardt, Geldbach and Heimbucher 1978: 402-404). Some ascribe the origins of the charismatic movement to the influence of the pentecostal movement on the traditional churches.
As birth date of the charismatic movement some regard 3rd April 1960. Then, Episcopal-Rector Dennis Bennet testified in a sermon that he had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and started to speak in tongues. Seven hundred church members followed his example. They call the movement charismatic, because its adherents use their charismata. They practice, for example, glossolalia, the speaking in tongues. This means that they speak and pray in languages that they themselves do not naturally understand themselves. With prophecies they make statements about current and future situations. Such phenomena are perceived as induced by the supernatural, as is also the supernatural healing of the sick. Its adherents want the historic churches to rediscover these phenomena that are already described in the New Testament (Burkhardt, Geldbach and Heimbucher 1978: 104-106).
In spite of obvious similarities, the Messianic Jewish type ℶ (beth) should not be confused with Christian Pentecostal Churches or charismatic groups, who probably have earlier occurred in Israel. Christian Pentecostal Churches and charismatic groups are culturally Christian. Groups of the Messianic Jewish type ℶ (beth) aspire an Israeli Jewish identity instead.
Nevertheless, some understand themselves as continuing a formerly Christian line. They can partially identify themselves also with Christianity (26/97). Unlike in the past, when Jewish converts unavoidably had to become Christians, today converts keep and even intensify their Jewish identity after „accepting Christ as saviour” (24/97). These groups count easily, but not always, up to a hundred members, grow fast and intend to keep pace. Some have grown fast only very recently. One group is said to count even more than two hundred members. Also here, Russian immigrants form a considerable part, yet also Ethiopians and other former nationalities are represented (22/97). Yet until now their leadership is of Israeli and Western origin.