This playlist has nine videos covering the subject of the Body of
Christ. We talk about Israel, the church, Jews, Gentiles, Judaism,
Christianity, the remnant, the olive tree, and so on.
Identity Issues From A Whole Bible Walk
On this part of the web site we get into some of the issues that
affect our Identity. Many people who have begun incorporating all
of the Word into their walk with God and His Messiah (including the
Torah) begin to ask questions such as, "What do we call ourselves?"
"Are we Jews, or are we Christians?" "What is the meaning of
Church?" "Can I trust the New Testament?" And lately, some
have been asking "Two houses or One house?"
Two Houses
There is a teaching circulating in some circles called the 'Two
House' teaching. The basics are that these people believe the
northern 10 tribes of Israel were never returned to the Land after their
captivity by the Assyrians about 180 years before Judah. These
tribes, it is said, emigrated to other countries, intermarried, and
eventually lost their heritage as children of Israel. It is
further said that present day Christianity is very likely an outgrowth
of this movement of the 10 tribes throughout the nations. For an
introductory article on these concepts see the articles below,
especially the 'Two Into One' article.
It seems very likely to us, after a great deal of reflection and
study on these teachings, that the driving factor in the development of
them is a desire on the part of the adherents to find some sort of
identity. We agree that the Jews who have accepted Jesus as the
Messiah while continuing to keep Torah, or the Gentiles who have begin
to practice Torah while maintaining their belief in Jesus, have some
difficulty with identification. But we are opposed to the 'self
identification' inherent in the Two House teachings. This is one
of the reasons for selecting Ephesians 4:4-6 as our theme. Instead
of Two houses we should be focusing on One house, where there is neither
Jew nor Gentile but God only.
There are at least five reasons why we disagree with the teachings of
the Two House people.
- The 10 tribes are not lost (James knew where they were - James
1:1). Most Jewish people nowadays do not know which tribe they are
from. Therefore God has already blended the 'two houses' into one.
There is still a gathering to take place, but the 'two sticks' are
no more.
- All people are adopted into the family of God by grace through
faith, not genetics or culture.
- Everywhere in the Word where it says the two houses will come
together it also says God will do it in His time and His power.
- We are not given the 'Great Commission' to go forth and bring
the two houses back together. We are supposed to go forth and make
disciples and teach them what God says.
- 'Jewishness' in the Scriptures is described most frequently as
hard-hearted, flint-headed, stubborn, disobedient, and idolatrous.
'Jewish blood' is not drawn to God any more than any other 'natural'
blood (therefore those who feel drawn to 'all things Jewish' are not
necessarily 'godly'). Just because people are drawn to 'Jewish
things' does not mean they are drawn to God's things. 'Jewish
things' and 'God's things' are two different things (My ways are not
your ways...).
Without a doubt there are Two houses of Israel. And there is
also no doubt that they will be reunited one day (if they are not
already). There may even be an element of truth in quite a few of
the Two House teachings. But the simple answer to most of these
issues is that we find our identity in the Messiah, not 'Jew' or
'Gentile,' 'one house' or 'two.' We are, first and foremost,
children of our Father, adopted into His family, and brothers or friends
of the Messiah Jesus. It is not a Jewish issue or Gentile issue.
But to help you sort through some of these issues, we have written or
assembled some articles below that might help in addition to the Youtube
video playlist on the whole Body in the link above. There are also
articles from some people who teach the Two House stuff (Messianic
Israel Alliance). Remember, this web site is intended to help
you learn how to think, not what to think, so that's why we may present
some information we do not endorse. Enjoy.
by Bruce Scott Bertram -
Two Into One | Adoption |
One House
Printable
versions: Two
Into One | Adoption |
One
House
Bruce was the first one to use the term "one house" some 15 or more
years ago to point out the incongruity of preaching unity while preaching
two houses. Later on, the two house people starting using the same term,
but still teach two houses. Go figure.
by Tim Hegg -
Two House Fatal Errors is one of the best articles we've seen
systematically addressing the fallacies of the Two House Movement.
11 pages, and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
by Boaz Michael -
Encounters with an Ephraimite outlines the position of First Fruits
of Zion by its president and founder. Good article and one which
this ministry mostly agrees with. About 18 pages and needing the
Adobe Reader.
Messianic Israel Alliance Shepherd's Council -
We Declare These Truths is a position paper outlining many of the
beliefs of the Two House thinkers. A very reasonable presentation,
using appropriate language and working very hard to clarify the issues
at least from their standpoint. 12 pages (need Adobe Acrobat
Reader)
For another Two House viewpoint, try the 308 page "The
Truth About All Israel" by Moshe Koniuchowsky. It's not on the
original website anymore, but we found a copy to which we've linked to
above. It is a response to a position paper by another organization,
with the other organization's comments included.
By the time you get through reading the pro's and con's of the Two
House stuff, you will see that the best response is "Why raise these
issues in the first place?" At best it is a non-issue, and should
be relegated to the closet.