In Ezekiel 37, YHWH tells us that there will come a day when the Ephraimites will form a 'Stick of Ephraim.' This association will lead to their being brought back to the Land of Israel, where they will be re-united with their brothers and sisters in Judah.
Yehezqel (Ezekiel) 37:15-17
15 Again the word of YHWH came to me, saying,
16 "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.' 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 Stick of Ephraim is formed on the idea that unity does not mean uniformity. Since the Spirit is the only one who has the power to convict, ministers and ministries in the Stick of Ephraim do not have to agree on everything. Rather, they only have to agree to abide by the following four principles, which form the groundwork for our association:
1. Yeshua (Yahshua, Yahushua, Y'shua) is the Messiah, the Son of the Living Elohim;
2. Yeshua (Yahshua, Yahushua) is the reason we want to keep the Torah.
3. We want to come back to the Land of Israel as Ephraimites (or as believing Jewish friends of Ephraim).
4. Our loyalty is first to YHWH our Elohim, then to our spiritual brothers and sisters in Israel, and then to our fellow men.
We agree that we must show the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. We must treat each other with genuine love and respect, not sinning or committing crimes against each other, or behaving rudely towards each other. Whenever we have differences in understanding, we agree to bear with each other in patience and love until YHWH brings us all together in understanding. as one united Body in Him.
Ephesim (Ephesians) 4:13
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Messiah....
The following working bylaws are tentatively established, pending further updates:
1. No rudeness or hostility of any kind towards any other member.
2. No anti-Semitism of any kind. (No anti-Jewish, anti-Ephraimite, or anti-Christian behavior).
3. We will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate among us those who do.
4. The Stick of Ephraim is intended as a safe haven. Members who do not behave pleasantly will be asked to leave.
5. All disputes will be settled by the General Overseer or his designees. All decisions may be appealed, but for practical reasons there has to be one final point of decision, and (however regrettable it may or may not be) for practical reasons this authority has to remain with the Overseer.
6. The words of Elohim (YHWH and Yeshua) are the highest and final authority on all matters of doctrine.
7. Because we wish to give a good witness, we agree not to break the laws of the lands in which we live (as long as it does not cause us to renounce our faith).
If you have suggestions for improving these bylaws, please write servant@nazareneisrael.org. All suggestions will be prayerfully considered.