What’s the Difference Between Judaism and Christianity?

Jesus was Jewish. Born into a Jewish family, He grew up going to the temple and reciting the scriptures from the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. Jesus Christ came to earth to show people the way to God. People followed this way of Christ, and Christianity was born. God’s plan from the beginning of time was to send Jesus into the world so that people who believe in Him might have salvation.

Paul, a Jew who converted to Christianity, wrote in the book of Romans:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes; first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.” – Romans 1:16-17

There are some major differences between the Jewish and Christian understanding of God, Jesus Christ, sin, and salvation. From the Shema, the foundational Jewish creed, in Deuteronomy 6:4, Jews believe that the Lord our God is one.

Christians also believe that there is only one God, while there are three divine persons of the one true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three persons are co-equal, co-eternal, and co-relational. Paul ends his letter to the new Christian church in Corinth with an affirmation of belief in the triune God.

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” – 2 Corinthians 13:14

When we consider the differences between Judaism and Christianity, it is on the question of who was Jesus Christ that most Jews and Christians divide. The Jews of His day were looking for a Messiah spoken of by the Old Testament prophets as the one who would redeem His people from their sins.

Many were hoping for a warrior-king like David who would drive out the hated Romans and restore the nation of Israel to peace and glory. Knowing this helps us understand why many misunderstood the humble man from Galilee who claimed to be the divine Son of God. Some Jews accept Jesus as a good teacher or perhaps a prophet, but they reject Him as Messiah, whom they believe is still yet to come.

Jesus explicitly claimed to be the Messiah, the Christ, when He revealed Himself to the Samaritan woman at the well. (John 4:25-26) She believed Jesus is who He says He is, and she was saved.

Regarding sin and salvation from sin, Jews and Christians differ with opposing views. Jews believe that people are not born good or evil, but that people are free to choose. Christians know that everyone is born in sin and falls short of God’s standards.

Paul addresses this sin issue when he communicates to the Romans.

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” – Romans 3: 22-24

Jews also believe that anyone may gain salvation through faith in the one true God and moral living, but Christians counter that people are saved only through faith in the atoning death of Christ on the cross.

Paul explained this to the Christian church in Ephesus.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2: 8-9

I recently went to see the movie, Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers, with some friends. A theme phrase in the film is “people must know.” Throughout this big-screen concert of Christmas songs and the nativity story, the good news is declared again and again. Jesus came to earth as Immanuel, God with us, the Messiah, so that people can believe in Him, confess sin, and receive salvation. People must know this good news because it is for everyone!