introduction . Are characteristically Jewish practices such as (Jewish) circumcision, the
Sabbath and purity laws observed?
Often these indicators are, together with the second indicator, considered
as the most clear evidence of Jewishness.^26
. Are characteristically Jewish ideas such as Yahweh as the only God, the
temple as Yahweh’s abode, or the Torah, maintained?
. What is the pedigree of the group/person? Jewish or not?
This indicator of Jewish Christianity can be characterized as the most
“natural.” At the same time, it is the least revealing since there were
contradictory practices and ideas present among Christians of Jewish
descendant. Nevertheless, in some cases, knowledge about people’s kin,
the frame of their primary socialization, may help to understand some
aspects of behavior and thinking. For instance, in the light of the first
two indicators, Paul hardly meets the standards of a Jewish Christian but
thefactthathewasaJewbybirthhelpstounderstandwhyhegottangled
with thetheologicalproblem of the law in the first place and why, although
hepracticedalaw-freemissiontothegentilesheneverthelesswantedto
pay tribute to “the poor” in the law observant Jerusalem community.
. What is the role of Jesus in the worship and ideology of the community?
Is Jesus considered as a Jewish prophet or is he more a divine being, wor-
shipped as Kyrios (“Lord”), an equal to God?
The fourth indicator turns the focus on the “Christian” part of Jewish
Christianity. Together with the first two indicators, this forms the core of
a classic profile of Jewish Christianity as it is determined by Strecker, for
instance.^27
. Is baptism in the name of Jesus (or the triune God) an entrance rite to
the community?
This indicator turns attention to the point where daily purifications
and baptisms known from many Jewish groups are replaced or
(^26) Taylor , : “For it [Jewish-Christianity] to have any real meaning, the term
must refer not only to ethnic Jews but those who, with their Gentile converts, upheld
the praxis of Judaism.” Strecker , : “Anderseits hält das Judenchristentum an
der überkommenen jüdischen Struktur von Theologie und Lebenshaltung; insbesondere
praktiziert es die Forderungen des Gesetzes Moses mit seinen wesentlichen, auch ritu-
algesetzlichen Weisungen bis hin zu Beschneidung.”
(^27) See, Strecker , .