MESSIANIC JUDAISM AND THE TWO HOUSES OF ISRAEL


NOTE FROM EDDIE:

     In last week's newsgroup e-mail, I answered the question of WHY
there so much disagreement about the two houses of Israel
teachings. In my explanation, I stated that ONE of the reasons that
the message is not accepted is for "political" reasons by the
Messianic Jewish community (MJAA) meaning that they don't see how
accepting this teaching will help them with there "goal" of seeing
more Jewish people accept Jesus as Messiah. Below are e-mail's that I
received this week DOCUMENTING evidence which is happening NOW within
the Messianic Jewish movement to NOT accept the message for
"political" reasons. I share this information ONLY for the purpose of
EDUCATION because MOST people on this newsgroup will hear from
Messianic Jews along the line to stay away from the "two house"
teaching. Therefore, much time is being spent on this newsgroup to
EDUCATE our members that this teaching is BIBLICAL while at the same
time being a fundamental and foundational belief of Orthodox Judaism.
The restoraion of BOTH houses of Israel in the end of days is
official Orthodox Jewish halacha. Orthodox Jews pray three times a
day for the restoration of both houses of Israel and it is one of the
13 articles of Jewish faith.

            +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: Rabbi Moshe Joseph Koniuchowsky (ravmoshe@bellsouth.net)
To:  heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org


         LEADING FORMER 2 HOUSE ADVOCATE INVOLVED
                   IN A PURGE OF MESSIANIC ISRAELITES!


Note: Rabbi Moshe Joseph Koniuchowsky is General-Secretary of the MIA
(Messianic Israelite Alliance)

Below you will find a most disturbing post from Rabbi David Hargis
head of Messianic Bureau International. David was a long time advocate
of 2 house restoration in the recent past , even being a major
contributor to the House of David Herald. As of today he has not only
renounced two house truth as "divisive", he will no longer grant
membership or ordination to any group or individual that holds 2 house
restoration truth. Sounds like the MJAA doesn't it?! Being bloodwashed
still can't clarify one for their membership!

David Hargis further is sanctioning all sacred name groups and
individuals from "HIS" movement. He has decided that that it is
heretical even though Scripture uses it over 6,800 times!! Since the
following charter is publicly posted on his website, I felt alarmed,
sickened and saddened that he has resorted to this division and Lashon
Hara against those whom he has been friends with for years. He has
bypassed the guidlines of Matthew 18 and not gone to any of the MIA
leaders  privately first, but jumped right to the information super
highway, to annouce his inquisition and purging of 2 house and sacred
name advocates from "HIS" kingdom! Is that love, tolerance and unity?
Is that the new foundation of Messianic Bureau International.

As you can see he excuses his actions in the name of protecting and
keeping Messianic Judaism "pure" and undefiled, which he claims is not
compatable with Messianic Israel faith, despite the fact that almost
half of the MIA leadership is Messianic Judahite. If you'll notice his
point #3 talks about division, yet he is forbidding those in his
personal MBI Kingdom, the right to claim to be returning Ephraim!
Rather those Ephraimites (who have only suffered rejection from Judah
for 2700 years) must now seek his personally approved brand of
Jewishness, whatever he and his governing board determines that to
be. (By the way he is now offering Ephraim the "oppurtunity" to
convert to His form of Judaism through conversions to Messianic
Judaism which is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN IN 1ST CORINTHIANS 7:17-20). He
sees this as the cure to cure Ephraim of "their ongoing need to be
Jewish". The only problem with that thinking is that Ephraim does not
WANNABEE JEWISH; MR HARGIS!!

I wonder if there are any non-Jews on HIS board! Does that sound like
the ekklessia of Yahshua, where all believers are Israel regardless of
their pedigree!? Or does one have to "Jewish" to bo on his board.
Wouldn't that make an interesting investigation?

Excluding the returning House of Israel via purging and charter
inquisition (according to Jer. 31:31 and Isaiah 11:13-14) is divisive
and Jewish Israel cannot arbitrarily exclude those who have the Torah
written on their hearts, as returning Ephraim. Yahweh will not hold
those involved in this nefarious charter guitless!!

This is truly a sad day in the Messianic Movement as David Hargis,
once a profound advocate of 2 house truth,  has drawn a line of
division reminisent of the early Jewish community, throwing Nazarenes
out of their synagogues when their form of Jewish faith was not
acceptable to that leadership. Look where that has gotten us! A
divided house for 2000 years!

May Yahweh strenghten those Messianic Israelites in MBI to stand tall
and proud in this hour of testing. I suppose that those looking for a
new denomination of Messianic Jews with exclusive credentials needed
for "membership", along with a plethora of impressive tight rules and
regulations, led by a strong armed leader BUREAU-cratic leader that
can dispense theological DDS AND PHD's at his and his "governor's
beckoning, will be happy with Messianic Judaism's newest BUREAU-cratic
nightmare. For those of Messianic Israel, let us press on to build the
nation as outlined in scripture BY OUR NEVIIM (PROPHETS) and not as
strong armed by man's dictate from Hampton Beach Virginia.

If there are MBI ministers who now would need credentials from the MIA
due to the recent inquisition and subsequent purging of Messianic
Israelites from MBI, the Messianic Israel Alliance will immedialtly
embrace you in your hour of loneliness and honor your MBI licence or
ordination immediatly with no questions asked. Shalom shalom.

Rabbi Moshe Joseph Koniuchowsky


David Hargis's post can be found in its entirety below:

CHARTER MEMBERSHIP
for Congregations and Ministries

WHO MAY BE CHARTERED
An MBI Charter establishes voluntary Messianic Jewish fellowship. That
fellowship in turn allows for accountability and unity among the
people of G-d. The MBI Charter does not govern the internal
operations of any group or ministry, however our office is ready to
respond to any spiritual need of which we are called to help. Our
charters are open to all Messianic ministries, congregations, home
groups and schools which agree with our Statement of Faith and are not
on our prohibited list below. The MBI Charter is normally exclusive;
which means our Charter cannot be normally held while a ministry is
associated with any other ministry organization, unless permission is
granted. An exception may be requested through E-mail.

It is our desire to be an encouragement to all, however, not all
ministries should be or can be chartered with Messianic Bureau
International. Our calling has the Messianic Jewish priority of
joining Messiah Yeshua and the Jewish people into unity. Even groups
who consider themselves "Messianic" may not be chartered with MBI when
they are not unified with that priority.

The following is a list of several, not necessarily all, who may not
be chartered with MBI:

   1.Yahwist or Sacred Name is not approved: Any group espousing that
the Name of G-d must be  said, written or performed in a unique way to
be saved, or that the Name should be said usually  and commonly, or
that restrict the use of L-RD or G-d as acceptable usage. We also
consider the  use of "Yahweh" and "Yahshua" in light conversation to
be disrespectful of the Most High and indicative of this movement. Why
are we oppsed to all this? Because no one can say authoritatively how
the actual Holy Name was or is pronounced, and our Messiah said we
should say "Our Father" ("Avinu"), and no one should make up Hebrew
words which are unknown to Hebrew speaking people, for such brings a
reproach on the message of Messiah to them. Finally,the Hebrew way of
saying our Messiah's name has been well known and accepted among
Messianic and Israeli Jews as "Yeshua" or "Y'shua" for centuries and
any other pronounciation is  contrived.

   2.Classical/Medieval Christian is not approved: Any group which
honors Christmas, Easter or any  other "christianized" pagan
celebration. Also, any group which does not honor the seventh day
Sabbath as the L-RD's holy day, or any group which teaches all animals
are the same for consuming in G-d's sight. Finally, any group which
denegrates or annuls the Torah and Hebrew  Scriptures as saying they
are no more in effect or that G-d no longer keeps His covenants with
Israel.

   3.Two Houses or Ephraim and Judah is not approved: While some of
these groups may be well-meaing and unlearned, we cannot accept their
charter because of the division this doctrine has caused in Messianic
Judaism. We see it as a schism and a movement based on prophetic   
opinion rather than "thus says the I AM". It takes away from the unity
of the faith, and the  necessary and primary Messianic emphasis on the
salvation of the Jewish people. MBI rather  establishes that we are
all one in Messiah (whether Jew or non-Jew), in one Olive Tree, with
no division or exceptions in benefits or commandments.

   4.Messiah as man alone is not approved: Any group which denies that
Messiah Yeshua is G-d in  the flesh, or that will not publically
confess such, may not be chartered with MBI.

Any other factions that we cannot charter will be listed here as they
are identified.

     MBI Chartered Congregations and Ministries
     MBI Charter Application

REGULATIONS
These are required of all chartered congregations and ministries,
herein referred to as "MBI ministry or
ministries."

1. No MBI ministry shall schedule or announce a special event that
conflicts in schedule with another MBI ministry within 100 miles of
the other MBI ministry, without their consent. Regular services are
excepted.

2. If an MBI Governor resides within 100 miles of an MBI ministry,
that MBI ministry must consult with the MBI Governor before scheduling
an event or calling in a special guest minister. It is strongly urged
that the MBI Governor of your region, no matter how far away, be
consulted before the calling of any non-MBI affiliated special guest
minister.

3. All MBI ministries shall inform another MBI ministry when they note
an adherant moving from their ministry to the other.

4. Each MBI ministry in the USA shall obtain a Federal Form 99
Employee Identification Number (EIN) to be used in opening a bank
account and all legal filings. This is NOT an IRS Tax Exemption. MBI
ministries in Canada and other countries are required to obtain the
equivalent for their nation.

5. Each MBI ministry shall attempt to comply with all their
State/Province statutes.

6. As of 9/22/2000 all MBI Chartered ministries shall be headed by an
MBI Credentialed minister. MBI Charters before this date will lapse on
01/01/2001 if their leader(s) are not credentialed by that date.

7. Any ministry chartered with MBI has the responsibility of informing
our office of any change which sets it in opposition to the faith or
regulations of MBI. In such an event, an MBI ministry must return the
certificate of charter to the MBI office. The leadership's MBI
credentials may also be required depending on the circumstances, as
determined by the Beit Din (Board of Governors).

8. All funds sent to MBI are non-refundable.

9. Application for MBI Charter or credential affirms the applicant's
freewill agreement to all MBI statements of faith and regulations now
and hereafter, and the applicant agrees to indemnify MBI from
any litigation by the applicant.

10. These regulations may be amended without notice. Each MBI ministry
is required to check this page regularly to make sure of compliance
with MBI Charter regulations.

From: Rabbi Moshe Joseph Koniuchowsky (ravmoshe@bellsouth.net)

SHALOM MESSIANIC ISRAEL, AS THE SHOCKWAVES OF RABBI DAVID HARGIS'S NEW
CHARTER AT MBI UNFOLD, I HAVE LOCATED 2 PIECES OF INFORMATION, [FULLY
DOCUMENTED AND AVAILABLE IN HARDCOPY] EXPOSING REV. HARGIS AS A
CONFUSED THEOLOGIN, WHO WHISTLES DIXIE WHEN CIRCUMSTANCE CALLS FOR
THAT PARTICULAR TUNE!

FIRST YOU WILL SEE BELOW  HONARARY DOCTORATES FROM MBI YESHIVA
CONFERED UPON ANGUS AND BATYA WOOTTEN FOR THEIR EXCELLENT WORK IN 2
HOUSE TRUTH BACK IN 1996.

NEXT YOU WILL READ A POLITE BUT STERN LETTER OF REBUKE TO DAN JUSTER
BY DAVID HARGIS ALSO IN 1996, DEFENDING ANGUS AND BATYA AND ALL NON
JEWISH BELIEVERS AS THE RETURNING LO-AMI  HOUSE OF EPHRAIM/ISRAEL! HE
EVEN CHALLENGES DAN TO DEBATE THE ISSUE.

PERHAPS MOST ALARMING IS HIS APPEAL TO DAN: "I hope, at least, you
will not cut off those who adhere to it [2 HOUSE THEOLOGY]. I offer to
sit down with you [DAN JUSTER] and discuss it more fully at a time
convenient for you." [How ironic that he himself has now cut off those
he previously was chastising Dan Juster for not honoring.]

NOW JUST 4 YEARS LATER HE IS PURGING OR CUTTING OFF EPHRAIM/ISRAEL
CONGREGATIONS AND MINISTERS IN MESSIANIC BUREAU INTERNATIONAL AND
REPLACING THEM WITH CONFESSING "GENTILES" OR "JEWISH WANNABEES" WHO
CONVERT TO HIS NEW CHARTER!

For the record:David Hargis, of his own initiative, conferred
Doctorates from his Messianic School on both Batya Ruth Wootten and
Angus E. Wootten, based on their theological contributions to the
Messianic movement.

The following is a letter from David Hargis, to Dan Juster, taken
from, Is The Church Ephraim?  A Requested Response (House of David,
1994, PO Box 700217, Saint Cloud, FL 34770 www.mim.net), Pages 27-28:

Star of David Messianic Congregation and Ministries
Member: International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and
Synagogues PO Box 64061 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23467
804/ 52-DAVID (523-2843)
David M. Hargis, Rabbi

Dr. Daniel Juster
Tikkun Ministries
PO Box 7538
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20890-7538

Dear Dan,

Baruch HaShem Yeshua!
As a fellow Messianic Jew, congregational leader and theologian, I was
quite intrigued by your recent treatise IS THE CHURCH EPHRAIM which
came to me by way of my very good friends, Angus and Batya Wootten. In
your article you oppose the possibility of the Ekklesia/Miqra being
the fulfillment of the prophetic promises to Ephraim (the Northern
Tribes of Israel). This caused me some grief, since I constantly hope
for further unity among those with the Messianic vision, as I am sure
you also hope.

In my humble opinion, nothing of what you enumerated counters the
claims made in Batya's books. Rather, in some ways, you help the
cause, because your scriptural counter claims, meaning your proof
texts, are in no way incompatible with her thesis. It is a fact that
the Northern Tribes became Gentiles. As the scripture says, Ephraim
became lo ammi, "not my people."  The bulk of the Northern Tribes
became fully "lost" of assimilated into the Gentile nations. No longer
identifiable as Israel at all. Therefore, all the prophecies
concerning mercy to the Gentiles were valid to Ephraim. In addition,
God promised He would recover Ephraim out of the Gentiles. Some
miraculous work would have to take place to fulfill this promise,
since the nature of Ephraim was totally lost. Under the New Covenant,
Paul said the people of God had come out of the Gentiles. Believers in
Yeshua, therefore, were no longer Gentiles. Peter called the
Ekklesia/Mqra ("church") the "Lo Ammi" who became the people of God.
Therefore, formerly Gentile believers fulfilled the promise made to
Ephraim and the Northern Tribes concerning their recovery from the
Gentile nations, in that those who were "not a people" became the
people of God. On the basis of God's appointment there is no error in
calling the Ekklesia/Miqra ("church") Ephraim, in that the
Ekklesia/Miqra, "out of all nations", has fulfilled the requirements
of the promise to both Abraham and Ephraim (Genesis 48:19). These
former Gentiles were not called spiritual seed, as you say, but rather
actual seed of Abraham. For what God appoints is so, even if not by
nature. I know you realize this, but I put it forth for argument sake.
Therefore, I personally esteem Ephraim to be returned to God by
appointment, not necessarily by descendancy from Jacob. But even this
has surely happened without human knowledge. This "theory" of Biblical
interpretation (which I label the unified Israel doctrine) is as valid
as any other and is gaining respectability by theologians. I am sure
there are many other interpretations of prophecy which you do not
agree with, and that you, yourself, have been persecuted by mainstream
Christianity and Judaism for the prophetic views you now hold! Does
thatmean your views are not valid enough to be considered?! I was not
put off by your theological disagreement, but I was mystified by your
implied personal denigration of those who espouse the "church=Ephraim"
viewpoint of prophecy. As you know theology is the study of deity, or
more literally God logic. We know His logic is higher than ours and
cannot be fully discerned by any person or any system, including
yours. On this grounds we can only interpret scripture with scripture
as we each see it. Therefore, we must show due respect for each person
who interprets scripture in good faith, as Angus and Batya have done
and deserve, being as they are sincere preservers of the Word. Their
thesis that the Ekklesia/ Miqra is called to fill Ephraim's position
is in no way a confusion of scripture.

Batya's thesis is as valid and hermenuetic ally acceptable as any
other doctrinal system on this basis: 1) It does not hold itself
against any other revelation of God, but rather illuminates truth. 2)
It is not enigmatic, without any basis at all, but rather is logical
and follows the stream of prophecy. 3) It does not defeat the purposes
of God, but rather supports a consistent purpose and doctrine which is
transparent from Genesis to Revelation. 4) It does not diminish or
cancel the work of Messiah Yeshua, but simply adds to the excellence
and wonder of His fulfillments. 5) It is not cultish or elitist, as
Mormonism or British-Israelism, since it includes all who believe
according to the gospel.

It is true that dispensational theology cannot find unity with the
theology of a unified Israel. But, dispensational theology cannot find
unity with covenant theology, and Calvinism finds little unity with
free-will, and amillennialism cannot walk with pre-millennialism. And
who is to say who is correct?! I find that all have something to
consider in their discipline. Within its discipline I find the unified
Israel theology to be a logical and illuminating foundation for
accomplishing the work in the hour we now live. It breaks down the
middle wall without negating Torah. Evangelism and discipleship can be
performed with more skill and objective. Surely, what we have had in
the past has not completed the job! The lawlessness of the "church"
has been appalling! 

My opinion to you, my brother, in all due respect, is that the unified
Israel doctrine presents nothing to fear and much to appreciate. I
hope, at least, you will not cut off those who adhere to it. I offer
to sit down with you and discuss it more fully at a time convenient
for you. Surely, we will have the chance to fellowship in the near
future. We both fight for the same Kingdom under the same Messiah. Let
our struggle for that be as one together.

Shalom,
David M. Hargis, Th.M. Ph.D.
---------------------------
Is The Church Ephraim?  A Requested Response (House of David, 1994,
White Stone, VA.  Now located at: PO Box 700217, Saint Cloud, FL
34770.)Description:    A variety of two house advocates comment on a
public criticism of "The Ephraimite Movement."  The information found
on these pages completely refutes the supposed UMJC "refutation."
(Their refuted paper continues to be posted on the UMJC website as
though not refuted.) Originally offered as a Bound Copy Report
delivered to their Theological  Committee at the request of Dan
Juster, the Report is now available only in a 150 page, photo-copied 8
1/2 x 11 Notebook. # 7004  $20.00 plus shipping ($3.75). www.mim.net

***********************************************************

From: InHimMinistries@AOL.COM
To: Housedavid@AOL.COM; ravmoshe@bellsouth.net;
heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org
Subject: MBI changes???

Shalom,

I am a Licensed Messianic Minister with MBI and have resently charter
my ministry with them as well.   I felt they were more middle line.
They even told me that they ordained many from the Israel movement
when I was looking.

I am also assisting with the teachings at a MJAA congregation in
Augusta GA.

But I believe the MIA has the more correct view of things.  Example
the "Two Houses".  I know that I will be asked to leave the group in Augusta
before to long as they know how I really believe.  But I feel I am
there for now to plant seeds of the Truth.

I just received this e mail from the MBI.   I most likely will need to
seek Licensed and Charter with MIA after this.  Any help and prayer
would be great!

Shalom In Him,

Joseph Chandler
In Him Ministries
PO Box 449
Jackson, SC 29831

************************************************

From: Rabbi Moshe Joseph Koniuchowsky [mailto:ravmoshe@bellsouth.net]
Subject: A Word from Batya Wooten

History proves that every time a new move of the Holy One of Israel is
birthed it is met with opposition, even persecution.  For that reason,
our Father uses only those who are truly committed to bringing forth
greater understanding of His Word when He wants to do a new thing in
the earth (meaning His Written Word and not "extra-Biblical"
writings).He does not use those who bow the knee to man in an errant
search for "approval."  Instead, He uses those who, like Joshua, make
a bold choice about Who they will serve (Joshua 24:15). Concerning the
persecution that follows all new moves of the Father, James, the
brother of Yeshua, wrote "to the twelve tribes who are dispersed
abroad" and he told us to, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you
encounter various trials [peirasmos, a fiery trial or a proving, a
test given for the purpose of building fortitude in the believer]."
Also, James said, "The testing of your faith produces endurance," and
he told us to "let endurance have its perfect result, so that we may
be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  Further, he advised us,
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all
generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he
must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like
the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought
not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a
double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" (James 1:1-8).

Yeshua's brother clearly warned, "Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and
purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:8). Are the Father's
days of tolerating double-mindedness concerning the truth about all
Israel over? Yeshua spoke of a day wherein our enemies would be those
of our own  "household" (Mat 10:36). Ask yourself, you who have been
brought nigh to the truth of the two houses,  have you ever seen
anything that could divide people like this truth divides  people?

The evidence suggests that it is time, in the Father's divine plan,
for the veil to likewise be lifted from the eyes of His "other" house
of Israel (Isa  8:14; Rom 11:25).  Everyone is now "buzzing" about
"Ephraim."  Just look.  It is all over the Internet.  It is a train
that will not be stoppedâEUR"one that is headed for the glory of a
restored Kingdom of Israel.  And people will either get on and go
along for the ride, or they will be left behind. Even so, it is time
for Ephraim to be "instructed" about his own Israelite heritage and to
come to a place of repentance for the "deeds of his youth" (Jer
31:18-19).  It is time for the "two sticks" of Ephraim and Judah to
become "one in the Father's hand" (Ezek 37:15-28).  It is time for
"Israel and Judah" to be fully restored (Jer 30:3).We live in the day
wherein the formerly lost "ten" (tribes) who were scattered among the
nations (Hos 1-2; 8:8; Amos 9:9) are grabbing hold of the"garment of a
Jew" (Zec 8:23).  We are alive in a time when a regathered Israel" is
giving "birth," and Judah is "returning to the sons of Israel" (Micah
5:2-4).  It is even as it was promised:  "In those days and at that
time," declares Yahveh, "the sons of Israel will come, both they and
the sons of Judah as well; they will go along weeping as they go, and
it will be Yahveh their God they will seek.  They will ask for the way
to Zion, turning their faces in its direction; they will come that
they may join themselves to Yahveh in an everlasting covenant that
will not be forgotten" (Jer 50:4,5).Each one of us must become fully
convinced in our own minds about the truth  that is now being laid
before us (Rom 14:5).  We must decide, knowing that  even "no
decision" is a decision, and that each of us will one day be held
accountable for our decisions.

It is my prayer that we might grow into a nation of people who will
give our all for the sake of our Father's truth; that we might be a
chosen people who choose to live for our Messiah and the truth about
His KingdomâEUR"regardless of the costs.

Batya www.mim.net

*******************************************************