To hasten the re-unification of the “Lost Ten Tribes” of Israel, herein described as “Ephraim”, according to Scripture and to facilitate their return to Israel, it is incumbent upon all Israelites not yet living in the Land of Israel to identify, associate and to unify themselves in accordance with the prophetic description of Ezekiel 37 so that the “Stick of Ephraim” may become one with the “Stick of Judah;” thus all Israel shall become “one stick” in the hand of our Creator. As ministers within the body of Ephraim we hereby dedicate ourselves to the following precepts and goals:
1. To repent personally and encourage the repentance of all Ephraimites for any and all intentional or unintentional violations of the clear commands of the Father and/or His Son according to the written Scripture (e.g., Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17).
2. To return to guarding the Torah (e.g., Deuteronomy 7:11).
3. To encourage and prepare all the members of Ephraim to be gathered to the physical Land of Israel in our good heavenly Father’s time (e.g., Jeremiah 31:6).
4. To foster tolerance and a loving relationship among all Ephraimites and all Jews in keeping with the Messiah’s command that we “love one another” (e.g., John 15:9-17).
5. To maintain exemplary personal ethical standards so that no encumbrance may hinder the work to which Ephraim has been called (e.g., 2 Peter 1:5-11).
LET IT BE KNOWN THAT [INSERT YOUR NAME HERE] HAS PROFESSED AND AGREED TO THE ABOVE STATEMENTS AND THE BELOW INCORPORATED DOCUMENTS, AND IS HEREBY RECOGNIZED AS AN “EPHRAIMITE LEADER” FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LITERAL KINGDOM OF YHWH IN THIS WORLD.
Witness the signatures below, dated:________________________.
______________________________________________ (Recognized Minister)
______________________________________________ (Stick of Ephraim Association Servant)
The purpose of this document is to provide groundwork for uniting and inspiring the Nazarene-Messianic/Hebrew Roots Movements. This is a living document (which means it can be changed, if it would make it more scriptural). Please send your loving suggestions for improvement to
servant@nazareneisrael.org.
A. SCRIPTURAL REQUIREMENT AND BASIS:
Ezekiel 37 tells us that two events have to take place before the Ephraimites can be united with the Jews in the Land of Israel. First, the Jews have to form what is called the ‘Stick of Judah’ (but this has already been fulfilled in the Zionist Movement). Second, the Ephraimites have to form what is called the ‘Stick of Ephraim.’ Only once both of these things are done will the Ephraimites be allowed to come home.
Yehezqel (Ezekiel) 37:15-17
15 Again the word of YHWH came to me, saying,
16a "As for you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it: 'For Judah and for the children of Israel, his companions.'
16b Then take another stick and write on it, 'For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the House of Israel, his companions.'
17 Then join them one to another for yourself into one stick, and they will become one in your hand.”
The prophecy over the formation of a ‘Stick of Judah’ was fulfilled by the (Jewish) Zionist Congresses, which began circa 1890 CE. Judah was called back to the Land of Israel in two phases, first by the Balfour Declaration of 1917, and second by the declaration of the Nation of Israel in 1948.
The next step is for the Ephraimite people to form a similar ‘Stick of Ephraim’, so that they can go be united with their brothers and sisters in the Land. Since this is a prophetic legal requirement, the Ephraimite people will not be permitted to go back home until after they do so.
So if the Ephraimites must form a Stick of Ephraim before they can return back home to the land, then how is this to be done? As we will see, Scripture sets the standards for us.
B. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSEMBLY:
Assembly into one spiritually-clean Body is a requirement for all Israel: but it is also a great privilege. Not all who have His Spirit qualify for entry into the assemblies (because not all of His people obey the requirements of Scripture).
In Acts Chapter Fifteen the apostles ruled that those whom YHWH had filled with His Spirit could join in fellowship in the assemblies, provided they first abstained from four things that are considered to be ‘abominations’ in Hebraic thought:
Ma’asei (Acts) 15:19-21
19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are (re)turning to Elohim,
20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moshe has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
What this tells us is to welcome into the assemblies all those who are already filled with His Spirit, provided they abstain from:
a. Idolatry;
b. Sexual immorality;
c. Strangled (and/or unclean) meats; and
d. Blood.
Different organizations have different understandings of what these terms mean. Some may choose a higher standard for their organization. However, because our goal here is to fulfill the legal requirements at Ezekiel 37 we choose the simplest face-value meanings of these four prohibitions.
A. Idolatry is here defined as the outright worshipping other elohim (g-ds) such as Buddha, Satan, Krishna, Allah, Native American spirits, Zeus, Nike, Apollo, etcetera. Only the Elohim (G-d) of Israel may be worshipped. We realize that there are issues surrounding the choice of names and calendars, but for the purposes of this association we do not consider the choice of names and calendar days to be points of disfellowship.
B. Sexual immorality is defined as Scripture defines it in any of the following passages: Leviticus 20:10-23, Deuteronomy 22:13-30, and Matthew 19:9. Any sexual liaison which is not properly sanctioned by YHWH Elohim in His word brings about pain and harm to other human beings, and when this is the case true Shalom is not possible (and so association is moot). Yeshua also gives us a definition at Matthew 19:9.
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 19:9
9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."
When YHWH brings people together, they are married. Unless one of the partners commits adultery there is a lifelong bond between them, which cannot be dissolved. In order to associate it is axiomatic that relationships must be maintained, rather than broken, or else there can be no true Shalom in His Body. This leads to sticky legal issues in the Dispersion which need to be explained at length in a different location. If you have questions please contact servant@stickofephraim.org. Correspondence will likely be shared with counsel but will at all times be held in the utmost of confidentiality.
C. Strangled (and/or unclean) meats is defined as meats taken from animals that have been physically asphyxiated (or strangled). There is a good argument that this may mean non-Kosher meats, but this cannot be proven from Torah alone. It is clear that the clean-foods prohibitions of Leviticus 11 also apply.
D. Blood is defined as drinking or eating blood or blood-containing foods, such as German Bloodwurst. There is an argument that this also pertains to the Laws of Niddah, and this argument is favored, but cannot be proven from the strict literal meanings of the passage. Because our goal is association we choose to define this at the most lenient definition, and encourage congregations to teach on the Laws of Niddah.
Further, all congregations are encouraged to teach on the Ten Commandments, as interpreted from a Hebraic point of view.
C: REQUIREMENTS FOR LEADERS AND TEACHERS:
Obviously the standards for leaders and teachers need to be higher than just the basics, or else the people may not progress to the ultimate end goal. However, this presents a problem in that YHWH has all of us in different places of understanding, and moving at different speeds of perceived revelation. How, then, can we come together under the same set of standards? The answer is that we need to resolve it as YHWH resolves it: by His Spirit.
Zechariah 4:6
6 So he answered and said to me:
"This is the word of YHWH to Zerubbabel:
'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,'
Says YHWH of hosts.”
Although we may not all presently agree on the finer points of the Torah, the Stick of Ephraim seeks to associate with all those ministers, leaders, teachers, congregations and organizations that show the fruits of YHWH’s Spirit, and also have the revelation knowledge that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of the Living Elohim (meaning He is Elohim, or ‘deity’).
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 16:15-18
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Shimon Kepha answered and said, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living Elohim.”
17 Yeshua answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Shimon Bar-Yonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”
18 And I also say to you that you are Kepha, and on this rock (i.e., revelation knowledge that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of the Living Elohim) I will build My assembly, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Those who question Yeshua’s deity may attend congregations, but because the first goal of anti-missionaries is to get one to question Yeshua’s deity, no one who questions Yeshua’s deity can be accepted in a leadership or teaching role.
Those who are filled with His Spirit will also not want to transgress against their brothers and sisters by performing the works of the flesh (or by violating good ethics).
Galatim (Galatians) 5:19-26
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of Elohim.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no Instruction (i.e., there is no Instruction not to do these things).
24 And those who are Messiah’s have crucified/impaled the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Any leader who displays the works of the flesh (adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like) or who transgresses good ethics may not associate until he repents from the heart, makes restitution according to Torah, and sets all relationships within Israel right. If he does not set relationships in Israel right then there is no true Shalom, and association would be meaningless.
Those who demonstrate the works of the flesh (or who are transgressing good ethics) should have these matters brought lovingly and gently to their attention via the Matthew Eighteen Process: and if they do not repent then we cannot ethically associate with them.
The focus is never on condemnation or dis-association: the focus is always on helping our brothers (whom we love) to better themselves and their walks, so as to help them in the Day of Judgment.
D. LEGAL AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS:
The Stick of Ephraim is not a denomination: it is a voluntary association that fits the legal IRS definition of a “Congress of Churches.” Because it is an association there are no doctrinal requirements for association beyond the minimum requirements quoted from Scripture (above).
Our purpose in association is not necessarily to create doctrinal unity, but to fulfill the legal requirements of Ezekiel 37, so we can all go back home to the Land of Israel. Because it is an association, all congregational leaders are free to teach within their local congregations and ministries as the Spirit leads them. Issues such as what calendar to use, headcoverings and other “non-salvational” matters which do not violate good ethics are not “cause for disfellowship.”
In order to learn and grow, each minister (an in fact each believer) needs to speak the truth as he perceives it, but in love. In that way we can all grow up spiritually to become more like Him who is the Head (Yeshua).
Ephesim (Ephesians) 4:15-16
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Messiah —
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
The edification of the Body in love requires that we all speak and dialogue the truth as we understand it: but all members agree to refrain from any and all anti-Semitic comments or behavior. No directly anti-Jewish or anti-Ephraimite statements or actions of any kind will be tolerated. It is important to keep a positive focus in all of our speech and actions, so that we can give a positive (and not a negative) witness.
E. INSURANCE NEEDS:
Because it is an association, all congregational leaders and teachers agree to take care of their own local insurance and liability needs. All members also agree to hold each other harmless in the event that someone does anything which would encumber our mutual goals, or the Great Commission. All members further agree to hold the Corporate Servant and his direct associates harmless for any and all intervention, and/or any and all action they take on behalf of the Stick of Ephraim and/or its member congregations, leaders, teachers and associations.
All congregational leaders and teachers may apply to join the Stick of Ephraim joint liability policy. For more details regarding this policy, please contact servant@stickofephraim.org.
F. FUNDING:
It is a privilege and an early responsibility to help spread the Good News by all means available. We encourage the concept of “stewardship,” meaning that one should use all of one’s life energies and resources to help further our Husband’s kingdom.
All members are encouraged to remember the Patriarch Jacob’s vow, which sets the standard for tithing in the Dispersion at ten percent.
B’reisheet (Genesis) 28:18-22
20 Then Ya’akov made a vow, saying, "If Elohim will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on,
21 so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then YHWH shall be my Elohim.
22 And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be Elohim’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You."
Tithes, gifts and offerings of the people may be used for ministry support, book and resource purchasing, mission support, outreach, local assembly hall rental and/or construction, or any other cause that genuinely furthers the Great Commission. All members are encouraged to support the Stick of Ephraim organizational servant-ship by tithing on the tithes they collect from their local congregations (a tenth of the tenth). This will help us complete projects that further the expansion of all of the congregations of all recognized Ephraimite leaders, and the Nation of Israel overall. Examples of these kinds of projects would be the website and website upgrades, maintenance, studies, videos, printed materials, radio, television, outreach and other projects as funding permits).
The Great Commission applies to all believers, both as individuals and as a nation. We will have many expenses in taking our cause before the world. It is not a simple mission to make disciples of all nations and to gather Ephraim to the Land, and we will be able to do a much better job working together than we can ever accomplish separately.
G. AGREEMENT NOT TO DIVIDE:
The purpose of the Stick of Ephraim is to establish an Ephraimite body in order to fulfill the legal requirements of Ezekiel 37, so we can all go home. All members agree not to be divisive. While all members are free to associate with other organizations we all agree not to have divisions within His Body, to ‘cut up’ His Body, or to form ‘another Body,’ as doing so would be against Scripture.
Qorintim Aleph (1st Corinthians) 1:10-18
10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Adon Yeshua Messiah, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Shaul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Kepha," or "I am of Messiah."
13 Is Messiah divided? Was Shaul crucified/impaled for you? Or were you immersed in the name of Shaul?
14 I thank Elohim that I immersed none of you except Crispus and Gaius,
15 lest anyone should say that I had immersed in my own name.
16 Yes, I also immersed the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I immersed any other.
17 For Messiah did not send me to immerse, but to preach the Good News, not with wisdom of words, lest the stake/cross of Messiah should be made of no effect.
We do not want to establish sectarianism within His Body: rather, our goal is to provide a place of safe pasture for those of His people who want a place free from ethical issues caused by unclean spirits. We need to set ourselves apart from those with unclean spirits. Except for the practical requirement to maintain a basic ethical standard, it is extremely important that we not divide the Body of Messiah.
H. GENERAL:
Because our goal is to identify, to establish and to unify the Stick of Ephraim, all members must display a link to the Stick of Ephraim on the front page of their website (or websites). http://www.stickofephraim.org/Home/LinkToUs.aspx contains some sample clickable logos. Different logos can be created, if desired. Once the member posts the Stick of Ephraim logo to the front page of his website, that website will be linked in to the www.stickofephraim.org site.
Those who have no website can ask the corporate servant to create one for them, as time permits. Please write servant@stickofephraim.org. (No logos will be necessary for those sites, as they are already part of the Stick of Ephraim site.)
The Stick of Ephraim is the Biblical House of Ephraim, which is being restored in the modern day. Our goal is to see believers in the Hebrew Messiah restored to the Land of Israel, as YHWH leads. If any man believes that he has the Spirit of YHWH Elohim, let him join with the Stick of Ephraim for the glorification of our King, Messiah. Let him help us promote our nation at all levels, as individuals, as families, as congregations, and as a literal called-out nation according to prophecy.
Now is the time to organize and inspire the Lost Ten Tribes of the House of Israel (Ephraim), and to prepare for the coming re-unification with our brothers in Judah.
May YHWH please bless us, and be with us as we seek to do His will.
Amein.