The Growing Phenomena of American "Hebrew" Cults<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
 
More apostasy has hit the Bible Belt. A new wave of Gentile pseudo-Christians are calling themselves Israelites with an elite interpretation of the Scriptures. These "seekers" meet in homes to "restore Israel", proselytizing God's elect personally with their anomalous books and message, putting truly saved Christians to shame with their "remnant" zeal.
 
People who once called themselves "Christians" and who used to go to church on Sundays are now "repenting" from such practices. It is arguable that the name "Constantine" is mentioned far more than "Jesus" in this movement, though both names are referred to often with disdain. It is commonly held in the groups that the term "Christian" is a disingenuous misnomer introduced to followers of "Yeshua" mistakenly through Constantine. Constantine, they teach, is also responsible for the "pagan" holidays "Christians" celebrate such as Christmas, Easter/Resurrection Sunday, and birthdays. Constantine appears to be given more credit than God's sovereignty and the authenticity of the Bible, as Constantine is to blame for the tradition of going to church on Sundays, too. These cell groups have become quite a phenomena in spite of any attempt from traditional Christians to point these "newfound Israelites" to the Scriptures taken in context. This avantgarde is a crafty, anti-Semitic scheme from Satan, as these "messianic believers" are held captive by another spirit, another "Yeshua", and another gospel to live as "Israelites." Some of these groups hint (while others outright teach), that "Ephriamites [caveat: they are actually Gentiles] through faith in Yeshua" own the land of Israel. It is anti-Semitic to purport that the land of Israel belongs to a group of Gentiles claiming to be "Israelites", "Ephriamites", or "Jews" when they are in reality Gentiles! The land of Israel does not belong to a group of eccentric Gentiles, just because they claim to own it. Sales for country ham in the South may be on the decline as the groups grow, because these "Gentile/Jews" don't eat pork.
 
The Hebrew Roots Movement is an American aggregate of home based Bible studies with various names, led often by women. The authentic Christian is challenged to write about such groups, because they all have different names, and "facilitators" argue that many attendees "believe different things" when challenged with sound doctrine. However, the spirit at work is revealed conclusively as core convictions are shared by "facilitators" and leaders of the movement.
 
They target church-going Christians with a sincere, godly respect for Israel. But, their visions and musings and classes in Hebrew must be put to the test as counterfeit spirits run rampant. The name of "Jesus" has become pagan to them, they explain. Hymns about "Jesus" are pagan, and the whole Christian culture of holidays and the practice of going to church on Sunday is viewed as "pagan" to these Gentile "Israelites".
 
Families are divided as the cultic foray against sound teaching marches on. When Christians distance themselves from these false teachers, the "facilitators" (i.e., they are often not called "teachers" but "facilitators") claim that they are being "persecuted for righteousness sake". When biblically solid Christians have not been blinded by Satan to receive this latest revelation of the "non-Triune God" of the "Israelites", these "Hebrews" are not derailed by such deaf ears for truth. They boast of how their independent groups are growing to spread the "good news" of a newly defined "grace"-they have found "grace" to keep the Ten Commandments; to these "Israelites", like Seventh Day Adventists, their salvation is synonymous with keeping the Law. (See Galatians 5:4: "You have been severed by Christ you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." See also Galatians 3:25).
 
The fact that Jesus resurrected on the first day of the week according to the Bible, and that Christians go to church on Sundays in celebration of His resurrection (Romans 14:5, John 20:19-20, Acts 20:7, Hebrews 4:1, 3, 9, and Colossians 2:16-17) does not seem to deter this group of former church-goers. Never mind that the Bible teaches that followers of Jesus were first called "Christians" in Antioch (Acts 11:26). The core of their "good news" is that all believers are Jewish or "Israelites," and no "Gentiles" were grafted into Jesus by adoption, at least not with the traditional definition of "Gentile" or "adoption" or "Jesus", for that matter.  
 
My interest in this study began in the summer of 2007 when someone I know gave my mother (who lives in Franklin, TN) some books to read in hopes of teaching her that the "sus" in "Jesus" means "pig" in Hebrew, so the name of Jesus means "pig." This pliable seeker announced with a smile that she now only uses His correct name, "Yeshua." She continued to explain that "we have all been taught wrong", as this person shared with zeal her new-found beliefs. She no longer believes in the Trinity; the concept of church on Sundays is pagan, and all "believers" are "Israelites." She explained that "Yahweh" told her this is true. My mother also read in one of these books that the name "God" means "Baal." So, the name "God" is pagan. Needless to say, Mother returned the books and said she did not even want them in her house. [See: Fossilized Customs, by Lew White; Louisville, KY, http://www.fossilizedcustoms.com; Daniel Botkin (http://www.gatesofeden.org/666.html, http://www.gatesofeden.org/affil.html and http://www.gatesofeden.org/botkin.html (Peoria, IL) ; How the Cross Became a Sword, by Richard Booker, Sounds of Trumpet, Inc., 1994].
 
One of the books my mother was given is entitled Fossilized Customs, by Lew White. On pages 165-166 Lew White writes:"Jesus Christ" is a man-made fabrication....The true religion of the Messiah, His real name, His mission, and what His followers' sect was called are facts being rediscovered today by diligent seekers.The author attacks and mocks the solid Christian ministry, Answers in Genesis, which is based out of KY. Lew White writes on page 163 a passive-aggressive, demonic sort of twisted endorsement of these precious Christians, as he is referencing their work. He writes that Answers in Genesis has a "scholarly bi-monthly magazine"…but described them as:"...CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY PIG-EATING SUN-DAY WORSHIPPERS, BUT THEY COULD CHANGE AT ANY TIME NOW." [Lew White, Fossilized Customs, p. 163]
 
Much more has been sent to me and said about me to show this "set apart spirit" these "Ephriamites" claim to have in all of its darkness. As the quote above shows, it is often purported that "Jesus" is not the real name of the prophesied Savior from Nazareth. Author Lew White suggests that the letter "J" is a new letter in the alphabet, so "Jesus" could not have been the correct name of the Messiah. Funny, how the demonic spirit at work has such an aversion for the name of "Jesus", starting with a "J", while the same devotees often boast of being of the tribe of "Judah", also starting with the newly invented letter "J."
 
As these cults have hit close to home, seducing dear loved ones and my family in TN, Scriptures have been searched to compile this fact sheet through many tears.
 
The Hebrew cults teach "Yeshua the Messiah" Remarried the House of Israel After His Death:
…Remember, I mentioned previously that it would be important to remember that the God ('elohim) of Israel who was married to the House of Israel and the House of Judah was the one who became Yeshua the Messiah. As we read earlier (Jer. 3:8), God divorced the House of Israel. However, in Jeremiah 3:14 and Hosea 2:16, we see that it is prophesied that both houses of Israel would once again be married to 'elohim and would call him "my husband." These prophecies present a serious problem, for the Torah specifically outlaws such a remarriage [Deut. 24:1…]. God is true and just; He does not change, and He does not break His own Law. Therefore, how can these prophecies be fulfilled? There is a legal way for this to occur, as Paul tells us in the book of Romans [Romans 7:1…] As Paul clearly states, this Law ceases to apply if the husband dies. Therefore, Yeshua's death on the cross caused this law against remarriage to no longer be applicable. Now, after his resurrection, Yeshua the Messiah is legally able to marry the House of Israel once again. http://users.aristotle.net/~bhuie/2houses.htm
This is perverted. Jesus was "married" to His own before the foundation of the world! He prays for His own in John 17 before He died. It is a perversion to say that he had to be "allowed" to marry after His "divorce." It is filth from hell to teach this.
 
The Bible teaches:
 
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons to Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will." Ephesians 1:2-5
The Hebrew Cults teach all "Believers" are Jewish ("Israelites"/"Ephriamites") With an Erroneous Interpretation of Matthew 12:18-21:
…we see the deathbed blessing of Israel upon Ephraim when he adopted him and his brother Manasseh. Israel prophesied that Ephraim would become "a multitude of nations." In Hebrew, this phrase is melo hagoyim, which literally means "fullness of the Gentiles." The tribe of Ephraim was the leader of the northern House of Israel, and Ephraim came to be representative of all 10 lost tribes. It seems clear when the Old Testament references are understood properly that Paul had the descendants of these tribes in mind when he spoke of the "fullness of the Gentiles" and the "wild olive tree" in Romans 11! http://users.aristotle.net/~bhuie/2houses.htm
The Bible teaches:
Revelation 1:7: "Behold He is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him and ALL THE TRIBES OF THE EARTH WILL MOURN OVER HIM, even so, Amen."
Every tribe, the Bible teaches, will be held responsible for piercing Him. There is no favor here mentioned for "Ephriam."
"In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them in that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord before them. And it will come about in that day I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem, and I will pour out on the house of David the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced, and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born. In that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem." Zechariah 12:8-11
But, wait a minute! I thought only "Ephriam" would get God's grace. That is what the "Hebrew" cults teach! After all, so their gospel goes, we are all of either the House of Judah or Ephriam, making all "believers" Jewish. Satan uses the Bible to pervert the Bible. The aggregate of cults in the Hebrew Roots Movement* teach that we are all Jewish, giving the term "Gentile" a new meaning. [Caveat: we are reminded once again, just like Charles and Myrtle Filmore wrote a whole dictionary to give verses "new meanings" called The Metaphysical Bible Dictionary (these founders of the New Age cult, The Unity School of Christianity, came from a mainstream Protestant denomination, by the way), Satan loves to use the Bible (demons know it well) to twist it and pervert it, to bring glory to people and not Jesus, with a covert attack on the Trinity, the true people of God, and the Bible. Also Herbert Armstrong also taught this "lost tribes" teaching in the Worldwide Church of God.]
*The laughable irony is that hardly anyone is truly Jewish in this movement! See this article with a forte from cult expert, Rick Ross: http://www.rickross.com/reference/general/general776.html
Hebrew Cults Teach Universalism:
"Restoration of Israel" facilitator*, Linda Semler, in Brentwood, TN, teaches all Jews who are victims of the Holocaust will be saved in the end with or without belief in Yeshua. [We have been told the "Restoration of Israel" independent study group is mainly comprised of charismatic "messianic families" from Bethel Chapel (http://www.bwoc.org/) and Belmont Church (http://www.belmont.org/) in Nashville, TN]. This was copied from a discussion board http://nc2house.jiglu.com/discussion/messages/899115:
The Jewish people were blinded for the sake of the Gospel.** So for the past 2000 years they have been blind, directly from the hand of Yah. Now did all those Jews die and go to hell? Oh and then how about those as shown in Schindler's list, lined up for the ovens, did they die and go to hell when we know any Jew who knows he is dying as his last word says the Shema. I would say most of the Jews slaughtered for 2000 years died crying out to the God of Israel. Did they go to hell because of their blindness? I don't think so. I believe every Jew today who seeks YHVH in their personal life is in good standing when they ask forgiveness for their sins BECAUSE OF THE "IT IS FINISHED" work of Yahshua, whether they know His name or not. I could go on and on but I BET I just stirred up a hornet's nest, which I really hate, so everybody be kind when you tell me I am wrong :) Blessings, Linda
Ah, but if only that had been the case as the discussion was defiled with more error from "Brian" as he shared where he was "at right now" and carried Linda's point even further to teach that no one is going to hell:
...When you ask what about those who are not elected, who are not chosen, you open up another hot potato. I have come to believe that there will be a universal reconciliation after all is said and done. That all will eventually be saved, although there will be levels of reward. That is to say those human beings chosen to be vessels of wrath will NOT spend eternity in hellfire. I base this on several Scriptures, such as Romans 11:32: "For God has shut up all in disobedience that he might have mercy on all." And again in Romans 4:18 Paul says, "So then as through one transgression (Adam's) there resulted condemnation to ALL men, even so through one act of righteousness (the cross) there resulted justification of life to ALL men."Also to take the broad view, it does not seem consistent with a loving God to create people to play the role of sinful opposition to God's will (as Pharaoh) and then condemn them to an eternity of torture. What's more, if Jesus came to save the lost, Satan will have the last laugh because more humans will go to hell than to heaven. So we see that the issues of predestination, free will and hell all come into question in this discussion. I realize many of my positions directly challenge traditional Christian teaching on those subjects. I'm not saying I have the final answers. I'm just sharing where I'm at right now. [source: http://nc2house.jiglu.com/discussion/messages/898126]
*Linda Semler is referred in Restoration of Israel Bible Studies as a "facilitator" rather than "teacher".
**2 Corinthians 4:3-4 states that Satan blinded the eyes of the unbelieving. "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God…"
The Bible Teaches:
Jesus said: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:3
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone…" Revelation 21:8
The Hebrew Cults explain that all believers are "physical Israelites":
Scripture seems to indicate that, for the most part, those who have been called by God to His son Yeshua (John 6:44, 65) are physical Israelites, both from the House of Judah (the cultivated olive tree) and the House of Israel (the wild olive tree). http://users.aristotle.net/~bhuie/2houses.htm
Eddie Cumney, founder of Hebraic Roots International, heads a "synagogue". He is also lauded within the "Restoration of Israel" "Bible" Studies in Brentwood, TN, as an authority and featured author as the members of this Tennessee sect study his teachings. Here is some information on Eddie Chumney:
Eddie Chumney, who was a computer specialist before going full-time into "the ministry" almost a decade ago, heads a "synagogue" in Stark County; his members, he claims, come from Tuscarawas, Carrol, Stark, Wayne, Summit and Cuyahoga counties. Chumney also founded "Hebraic Roots International," which claims a database network of subscribers in all 50 states and in 55 foreign countries. He travels extensively, both nationally and internationally, at the invitation of gentile groups who want to hear about their "lost (but now found!) heritage."
Raised Protestant, Chumney says he was "awakened" to what the New Testament "really" teaches after studying Jewish texts and taking Torah classes from a Reform rabbi in Akron. Chumney accuses Jews of "blindness" for not acknowledging their "Northern Kingdom" relatives. He threatens that peace will only come to Israel when they do so. He also says that Christians are "drunkards like Ephraim," who have been lied to over the millennia n mostly because of the Catholic Church n as to what Jesus really taught.
The gospel according to Chumney is that Jesus came to "unite the two kingdoms" (i.e., Jews and "Israelites") and teach the "Israelites" (gentile Christians) to observe Jewish law. Of course, this is contrary to halachah (Jewish law), which actually says gentiles are forbidden to observe Shabbat, a doctrine which Chumney asserts is false and put forth by "the rabbis." It's a title he occasionally uses himself. (See sidebar, p. 29.)
While Chumney alludes to both Jewish texts and the New Testament scriptures, mixing doctrines and beliefs from both, he chafes at the accusation that he has made up his own religion. He simply wants "the house of Judah" to recognize "the house of Joseph" (his house) and for the latter to recognize Jesus's "true" mission "foreshadowed in the Torah when those who received the law at Mt. Sinai were the only ones who escaped Egypt because they had put the blood on their doorposts."
Chumney asserts that "obviously, there's not going to be paper documentation" for the Ephraimite/Northern Kingdom/Lost Tribe/ House of Joseph connection. The only "proof," it seems, is that one adheres to Chumney's instruction.
[Source: Stephanie Garber; "Ephriamites or Ephra I am nots?"; Cleveland Jewish News; Oct., 2005/ http://www.rickross.com/reference/general/general776.html ]
The Bible warns:
"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last who was dead and has come to life says this: 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a Synagogue of Satan." Revelation 2:8-9
These cults teach a "lofty" and elite knowledge that is not led by the Holy Spirit.
 "Oh Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge." 1 Timothy 6:20
They love the place of honor and the chief seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the market places and being called by men, "Rabbi." But do not be called "Rabbi, for One is your Teacher…" Matthew 23:8
 
"If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing, but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words…" 1 Timothy 6:3-4
The Hebrew cults teach Another "Yeshua":
Batya Ruth Wootten, a guru of this cultic movement, teaches the unbiblical doctrine that Jesus is/was the Father incarnate and that Jesus is "omnipresent":
Thys Yeshua's divinity cannot be such that He is separate from YHVH. He could not have come into being after the preexistent [sic] God, because He said, " Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me." (Isaiah 43:10) Neither could Yeshua be a "mini-Deity." One cannot be "a little bit pregnant," and Yeshua cannot be, "a little bit Deity." He is fully Divine or not at all. He shares the Father's pre-existent [sic] nature or He is not true Deity, and He was there, as Creator, "in the beginning with God."( John 1:1-5). Further, to simultaneously live as He does in the hearts of many, Yeshua must be Omnipresent. [sic]
 
[Source: Batya Ruth Wootten, Redeemed Israel, United and Restored, p. 69, Copyright 2006, Batya Ruth Wooten, St. Cloud, FL; Key of David Publishing, St. Cloud, FL, http://www.keyofdavidpublishing.com]
 
The "Two House" Discussion Board Teaches the Son did NOT Eternally Exist Distinct from the Father
 
Trinitarian Christianity interprets these verses to label the Son of God as "the Creator." Yet, I was thinking today that none of these verses state that He "made all things" but that God made all things "by Him" or "through Him." I might be going out on a limb, but I feel confident to say that no verse uses the language "he created" but rather they all word it as the Son being the means by which all things were created.  This is a big difference. http://nc2house.jiglu.com/discussion/threads/395250
 
A big  difference, indeed! For to deny the Trinity is to deny the God of the Bible.
 
The Bible Teaches One God in Three Distinct Persons:
 
The Bible does not teach that Jesus is omnipresent. Batya Ruth Wootten's "Yeshua" sounds more like the omnipresent cosmic Christ-consciousness of the New Age. The Jesus of the Bible is at the right hand of the Father in Heaven (1 Peter 3:22). Here Batya Ruth Wooten teaches a different God, because she is not teaching the correct God of the Bible, who is a God in three distinct Persons.
 
The Bible teaches the Son is not the same Person as the Holy Spirit
 
See Acts 5:1-3 which shows that the Holy Spirit is a distinct Person of the Trinity who is a personality, not an object that is lifeless. See Acts 13:1-2-Only a person can speak "I" which designates personality. The role of the Holy Spirit is to convict and comfort (John 16:7-8) ) and bring glory to Jesus (John 16:14). The Holy Spirit is a distinct Person from the Father and the Son.
The Bible teaches that the Son is NOT the same Person as the Father
Jesus said:
"Pray then, in this way: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name." Matthew 6:9
Jesus knew He was not the Father! He was physically speaking to the people, yet He taught them to pray to their Father in heaven.
Jesus said:
"I and the Father are One." John 10:30
He did not say "I am the Father"!
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…" John 1:1-2
God says:
"…But of the Son, He says, 'Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever…therefore, God, thy God, hath anointed Thee…'" Hebrews 1:5-14
Here we see God, the Father, calling God, the Son, God. We see they are two distinct Persons according to the Bible.
"but God raised Him from the dead." Acts 13:30
"that God has fulfilled His promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm. 'Thou art My Son; today I have begotten Thee." Acts 13:33
"…God raised up His Servant…" Acts 3:26
God, the Father, raised God, the Son. They are separate Persons.
Here is yet another passage to show that Jesus is NOT the same Person as the Father:
"I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One like the Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away. And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed." Daniel 7:13-14
Jesus is not the same Person as "The Ancient of Days" in this verse.
2 Corinthians 11:4:  The Bible warns that cults teach "another Jesus" and "another Gospel" with "another spirit."
"Two House" Theology Teaches Sinners are "One Flesh" With Jesus:
 "Also, no need to go into the adoption issue. I have read and entirely agree with Batya's analysis of the adoption theme in scripture. More importantly, it is not my view that gentiles are merely "adopted" any more than believing Jews are. For me to say that would be to say that Christ is adopted, which would be blasphemous. I am "one spirit with the Lord." As the bride of Christ, I am "one flesh" with Him. What is true of Him is true of me, but it is because of Him, not me! I inherit through His flesh, and His flesh definitely was not adopted, as I said. I'd like to see you at least acknowledge that I am not teaching the "adoption" thing.
One more point. You deny me the right to call my own position a "physical/spiritual" view. Why? Does not Jesus have a physical body? If so, then I have every right to call it a physical view, and not purely spiritual.
All of this revolves around whether anyone has the faith to believe in what is unseen. My union with Messiah is not open to the senses, but it is very real! Only faith can grasp it. That is why I don't expect folks without that same faith, ie like the rabbinical Jews, to acknowledge my true identity as Ephraim Israel UNTIL they themselves have been given the gift of faith to grasp who I am…who I am in Messiah, that is.
http://nc2house.jiglu.com/discussion/messages/897977
Albert James Dager astutely warns in Vengeance is Ours: The Church in Dominion (p. 13):
"Many have also adopted a form of cosmic humanism, believing that they are capable of achieving the same anointing of Christhood that Jesus had. Their beliefs are predicated upon a new Gnosticism which appears so very Christian as to deceive even the elect if possible."
The Bible teaches that People are Sinners NOT "Christs"
 "Therefore God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10
And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name and say, 'I am the Christ' and will mislead many." Matthew 24:4-5
"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
"Before Me there was no God formed and there will be none after Me. I, even, I am the Lord, and there is no savior besides Me." Isaiah 43:10-11
"…I am the first, and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me. And who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it…Is there any God besides Me? Or is there any other Rock? I know of none." Isaiah 44:6-8
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, "declares the Lord… Isaiah 55:8
"I am the Alpha and Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 1:8
Hebrew Cults Attack the Church:
But there are also those who reject this understanding for the same reason that the Pharisees and Sadducees rejected Yeshua: they are afraid it will "take away" their perceived position. http://users.aristotle.net/~bhuie/2houses.htm
These cult leaders infer that those who would hold their teachings accountable to the Bible (such as the author of this fact sheet) are akin to the "Pharisees" and "Sadducees." In truth, these teachers are the people with the pharisaical, elite mindset that would serve to see themselves as superior to orthodoxy and Christians who go to church on Sunday. In fact, these teachers are full of pride in that this false knowledge glorifies their human ego and not Jesus.
See this quote from Linda Semler, "facilitator" for Restoration of Israel Bible Studies, Brentwood, TN:
Originally from: Linda Semler:                        What happens to many, as was my case, was that I came through some very brutal church situations. All this was part of the Lord's plan for my journey through the church realm. However the anger and resentment I carried from these terrible church experiences, coupled with the knowledge of the Constantine deception and history of the church about did me in. Then I also became super sensitive to the church's persecution of the Jewish people. I became very embittered about Christianity and the church. I think we have many Christians in this posture today. Disenfranchised and disenchanted.Now however, after many years of working through all this garbage I have a better understanding of the church's role in history and it's role today. Unfortunately my antennae is too sensitive to the pious hirelings and religionists to be able to go back into the church world and be able to control my mouth. So I sit out here on the desert in peace awaiting the next move of the Shekinah. Uh, you guys seem to be it and I am completely enjoying seeing the Lord work through you all.
http://nc2house.jiglu.com/discussion/messages/898697
Here Batya Ruth Wootten mocks Christians who would take issue biblically with her teachings:
 
"In the New Covenant the Father warns, 'Esau I hated.' Romans 9:13. For believers to think lightly of their call to be the ekklesia of Israel's firstborn is to risk a sin like that of Esau. We do not want to be like him, nor do we even want to be one of his neighbors, for they too were destroyed [sic] (Jeremiah 49:10)."
 
[Source: Batya Ruth Wootten, Redeemed Israel, United and Restored, p. 64, Copyright 2006, Batya Ruth Wooten, St. Cloud, FL; Key of David Publishing, St. Cloud, FL, http://www.keyofdavidpublishing.com]
 
Laurie Moore, with "Restoration of Israel" Bible Studies in Brentwood, TN, degrades pastors and the Church in promotion of her "new interpretation" of the Bible:
 
"…there are not to many Christians [sic] that see what the Church is operating under unless you are coming from another country.  I too have been accused of being in error and a cult.  I know they said that about Yahshua and even Martin Luther took incredible attacks because he too came against the status quo…The sad reality…is that the church is like the Pharisees were when Yahshua walked the earth.  The part that grieves me is that no one wants to turn from there ways [sic]  and even look at the text of scriptures. We are here and we are praying.  We too often put men in places that the LORD belongs and when He begins to uncover His truth, people do not want to admit or change from their ways.  They did the same thing to Yahshua when He came…"
 
In His Service,
Laurie Cardoza-Moore
 
[Source: email correspondence with Laurie Moore; 9/2007]
 
The Bible says:
 
First of all, there is a God given structure for the home and for the Church which teaches that women are to be submissive to men . In some of these cultic independent Bible studies women are often the facilitators. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches:
 
"Wives be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything."  Ephesians 5: 23-25
 
True Christians who make a stand for God's Word are often referred to as "arrogant". Here is a good verse to give to people who call us "arrogant" and "unloving" just because we measure all truth according to sound teaching of the Bible. There is a place for strong language against error. Look at what people said of Paul:
 
For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal appearance is unimpressive, and his speech contemptible." 2 Corinthians 10:10
 
Look at what Incarnate Love had to say in these words of Jesus:
 
"You serpents you brood of vipers, how shall you escape the sentence of hell?" Matthew 23:33
 
There is no place for a haughty spirit which looks down on other Christians according to the Bible. These independent groups share a common "elite" view of the Bible over other Christians, accompanied often with speaking in tongues and visions. We must test the spirits:
 
"Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self abasement and the worship of angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind."  Colossians 2:18
 
There is no place for arrogance in a Holy Spirit-filled person according to the Bible; there is no place for "elite" knowledge, proudly "set apart" or "above" other Christians according to the Bible:
 
"Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose…with humility of mind, regard one another as more important than yourselves…Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality of God a thing to be grasped…He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross…so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow…" Philippians 2: 2-11
 
"Oh Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge" which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith…" 1 Timothy 6:20-21
 
"For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing he deceives himself." Galatians 6:3
 
Cult leaders sometimes claim they are being "persecuted" and are experiencing "suffering" for Christ when their errors are brought to the light biblically. But, there is a difference in biblical suffering and counterfeit suffering. The biblical suffering always brings glory to Jesus, not the person; it does not come as a result from some elite knowledge the person has been given over other Christians. Biblical suffering is not a result of human righteousness but a righteousness based on regeneration by the Holy Spirit:
 
"That I may be found in Him not having a righteousness of my own derived from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." Philippians 3:9-10
 
"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-unless you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13: 5
 
"Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God." 1 Corinthians 10:32
 
When Christians do not associate with cult leaders, refusing to accept "strange" doctrines or interpretations as God's truth, Christians are being obedient to the Bible:
 
"If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame." 
2 Thessalonians 3:14
 
"Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds." 2 John 9-10
 
"For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth." 2 Corinthians 13:8
 
"Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them." Ephesians 5:11
 
"Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:21
 
Hebrew Roots Movement is an attack on the authority of the Scriptures:
 
Batya Ruth Wootten writes:
 
We must understand this salient point of biblical law: The Father and the Messiah both decreed that, for a matter to be confirmed and/or believed in the earth, it first must be upheld by "two or more witnesses." It is therefore logical to conclude that they too [sic] must have confirming witnesses before their collective truth (Genesis through Revelation) can be established in the earth.
 
[Source: Batya Ruth Wootten, Redeemed Israel, United and Restored, 54-55, Copyright 2006, Batya Ruth Wooten, St. Cloud, FL; Key of David Publishing, St. Cloud, FL, http://www.keyofdavidpublishing.com]
 
The verse to which she is referring on the two witnesses is found in Matthew 18:19. However, TAKEN IN CONTEXT, this passage is referring to church discipline! There is nothing about doctrine of the Bible needing to be affirmed by two witnesses!
 
Her husband, Angus, writes in the Foreward of the book that this teaching will "help guide believing Israel back on course and onto the Kingdom Road. It will help prepare the way for Messia's return":
 
The God of Israel has often used women to help keep men and His plan for Israel on course…I thank God that He has used my wife, Batya, and her faithfulness to uncover Israel's true identity. Her tenacity has helped keep not only me on course, but to take a giant step towards helping the Father accomplish His ultimate desire, to have a people for His own possession. This book, the result of her quest for truth, will surely be used by the Holy Spirit to help guide believing Israel back on course, and onto the Kingdom Road. It will help prepare the way for Messiah's return and the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel. [Redeemed Israel, United and Restored, Batya Ruth Wootten]
 
The Bible teaches:
 
"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for another gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the Gospel of Christ. But even though we or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the favor of men or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." Galatians 1:6-10
 
"We have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." 2 Corinthians 4:2
 
"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand forever." Isaiah 40:8
 
For further information see:
Satanism and the Hebrew Roots Movement http://lightingtheway.blogspot.com/2007/09/satanism-and-hebrew-roots-movement.html
A Messianic Israelite Book? http://lightingtheway.blogspot.com/2007/09/messianic-israelite-book.html
Can We Trust the Bible? Simple Facts on Bible Translations http://lightingtheway.blogspot.com/2007/09/simple-facts-about-translations-of.html
 
Dwayna Litz
www.lightingthewayworldwide.org
www.lightingtheway.blogspot.com