Jewish Lawyer's Intellectual Challenge
Jay Sekulow was born into a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York, and raised on Long Island. He was deeply rooted in his Jewish identity, attending Hebrew school and celebrating his bar mitzvah. However, his journey took an unexpected turn while attending Atlanta Baptist College. It was there that Jay encountered members of 'Jews for Jesus,' sparking an intellectual quest to disprove their claims about Jesus being the Messiah.
Determined to show his friends that they were mistaken, Jay enrolled in a religious course. Yet, as he delved into the scriptures, his perspective began to shift. A friend named Glenn played a critical role in this transformation, providing thoughtful answers to Jay's questions and offering scriptural passages without imposing his beliefs.
Skeptic to Christian Testimony Moment
In February 1976, Jay attended a 'Jews for Jesus' event and, by the end of the program, felt compelled to commit his life to Jesus. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, he shared, 'You have no idea what a relief it was to see other Jews who believed that Jesus is the Messiah.'
Jay's decision came as a surprise to his family, but they respected his choice. His father, upon being awakened at 2 AM with the news, simply asked, 'You decided?' Over time, Jay's mother also came to embrace the belief in Jesus as the Son of God.
Messianic Jew Conversion Story
Embracing his new identity as a Messianic Jew, Jay remained deeply connected to his Jewish heritage. He used his legal expertise to champion religious freedom, becoming General Legal Counsel for 'Jews for Jesus' in 1986. His legal journey led him to argue 12 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including the landmark case of Board of Airport Commissioners v. Jews for Jesus.
Attorney Becomes Faith Advocate
In 1990, Jay joined the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and has since served as its Chief Counsel. Describing his Supreme Court arguments, he marveled, 'Me, a short Jewish guy from Brooklyn, New York, went before the justices of the Supreme Court of the United States to defend the constitutional right to stand in an airport and hand out tracts about Jesus!'
Throughout his life, Jay Sekulow has seen God's hand at work, guiding him from skepticism to a powerful advocate for religious freedom and faith in Jesus.
