#25 Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

In this episode, I share my encounter with the Black Hebrew Israelites at a farmer's market, discussing their provocative claims about Christianity and Jesus. I engaged in dialogue with them, presenting counterarguments and exploring the implications of their beliefs. This conversation delves into the nature of Jesus' divinity, the ideologies of the Black Hebrew Israelites, and the importance of recognizing false prophets. I emphasize the need for Christians to be bold in their faith and discerning in their beliefs, ultimately calling for a deeper understanding of the New Covenant and its universal implications.

Takeaways:

• I encounter the Black Hebrew Israelites at a farmer's market.
• They claimed Christianity doesn't lead to heaven and Jesus is not the most high.
• I engage in dialogue, presenting counterarguments to their claims.
• I emphasize that religion alone does not save; faith in Jesus does.
• Jesus' divinity is supported by scripture, even if not explicitly stated.
• The Black Hebrew Israelites have varying beliefs, some more extreme than others.
• Not all Hebrew Israelite groups are anti-Semitic or extremist.
• I highlight the importance of identifying false prophets.
• The New Covenant offers salvation to all who believe, not just a select group.
• Christians should be bold in their faith and discerning of teachings.

https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/extremist-sects-within-black-hebrew-israelite-movement 

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Podcast YouTube: @CarryYourCrossStudios

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to the Encounter
• 2:41 Meeting the Black Hebrew Israelites
• 4:37 Arguments and Counterarguments
• 7:54 Understanding Jesus' Divinity
• 13:02 The Nature of the Black Hebrew Israelites
• 18:47 Exploring Extremist Ideologies
• 23:13 False Prophets and Their Teachings
• 26:49 The New Covenant and Its Implications
• 29:32 Conclusion and Call to Action

Transcript

Pedro Espinoza (00:00)
Hey guys, welcome back to Carry Your Cross. if you're new here and you love this content, I encourage you to that like button, the notification bell, and if I've earned your subscription, do consider subscribing. I thank you very much and it really helps this channel grow.

This is episode 25 and today will be sharing my encounter with the organization known as Black Hebrew Israelites. So ⁓ just want to break it down in a few ways. Starting with how I even saw and met them in public. So my family and I were enjoying our Saturday morning

at a local farmer's market. And for anybody who's ever attended a farmer's market, you know that there's a lot of tabling going on and just a lot of people selling their products and whatnot. Well, toward the end of market experience, I noticed a tent that

basically made two claims and this was in big wording and big, you know, capital, you know, bold faced lettering. So it was hard to miss. So these two claims were Christianity doesn't lead you to heaven. And the second claim was Jesus is not the most high. So that really caught my attention because obviously they're provocative.

they are statements that are going to, you know, provoke thought and inquiry, right? So I kept on reading these statements and I started thinking to myself, Hmm, I wonder what sort of group is making these statements. So as got closer to the tent,

I a few gentlemen sort of street preaching and giving an apologetic for what they believed, right? So I myself walked up to them because I really was curious about number one, who they were, but also why they arrived at these conclusions.

I began to speak to them. I'm going to share their arguments for their statements. I'm going to share my arguments or what I told them in response to what their arguments were. And then I'm going to reveal who this group is and what they stand for and then give an apologetic from my side as to why we really need to watch out

for wolves in sheep's clothing. Amen. So again, the two claims were Christianity doesn't lead you to heaven and Jesus is not the most high.

Their arguments are the following. referring to the first statement, their argument is that Christianity is a man-made religion leads people astray.

Their second statement, they backed it up with scripture. their second statement was, Jesus is not the most high. And they backed that up with, ironically, John 3.16, which most well-known verse in the Bible. of course it reads, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believe in him

shall not perish but have everlasting life." And other scripture was John 14, 6, states, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

So just keep these scriptures in mind, keep in mind what they said about Christianity, and let's dive right into my arguments.

in response to their claim and the scripture they provided, my questions were simply this. Do you believe that all scripture is God-breathed? So in other words, do you believe that the Bible is the infallible word of God? And the gentleman that I was speaking to said yes.

along to what happened next is that I basically shared with him that I agree with the first statement. That religion alone will not save you. alone will not save you. told him our belief and faith in Jesus Christ is what leads you to heaven.

He didn't really have a refutation to that. He appeared to agree to what I was telling him.

And here is some scripture to back this up, right? for God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. In Romans 10 nine, because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

And in Acts 412 it states, there is salvation and no one else for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. And obviously that name is Jesus, right? So there's many more scriptures to

support that Religion alone does not save you Amen everyone. So again, ⁓ Christianity alone does not save you It's a good start. It's a good framework It is, know, technically a religion, right? ⁓ That is where we have our beliefs our values ⁓

the scripture has been revealed to us and that is what we follow, correct? But again, ⁓ it's our exegesis that helps us how we get to heaven. And it's in the verses that I provided you and many more. So I encourage you to go look those up.

to his second claim, well, to their claim as a whole group, right? But he was also supporting their second claim, which was Jesus is not the most high. So at this point in the interaction, I was running out of time. My family and I were there about ready to go until I noticed, you know, their group, their tent, and I wanted to go talk to them because I was curious, right?

It had already been a long morning and we were just about ready to leave. ⁓ So I didn't, I wasn't able to interact with him about their second statement.

much but

In hindsight, this is what I should have said.

that most high, even though he didn't explicitly say, I am God. So a lot of unbelievers, whether you're Buddhists, believe in Islam or you are Hindu and you believe in Krishna, a lot of

non-Christians will make the argument that if Jesus didn't say explicitly, I am God, then clearly cannot be God. this, say that this is an exact word fallacy. this happens when someone requires specific wording as evidence, demanding the exact phrase

I am God. This might overlook statements and actions attributed to Jesus in the gospels are interpreted by believers as demonstrating divinity. So I'm going delve into those verses that he that he does reveal himself to be God, even though he doesn't explicitly say it. So I'm going to get into that pretty soon here.

But this is that exact word fallacy. Like I or atheists or agnostics, they'll make that argument. But it's an exact word fallacy, right?

Also, the I am saying that Jesus famously said in the Gospel of John. So Jesus uses the phrase I am and in Greek it's translated to Ego Amy. This phrase is directly associated with God's self-revelation to Moses in the book of Exodus.

In Jewish scriptures, this phrase was understood as a claim to divine identity. When Jesus said, before Abraham was, I am, John 8 58, his Jewish listeners recognized it as a claim to pre-existence and divinity. This led them to attempt to stone him for blasphemy.

Again, it's not an exact word. It's not exact statement. is a statement nonetheless. So back then in Jewish culture, the Jewish religious leaders at the time knew exactly who he was claiming to be without having actually saying the exact words. Correct?

⁓ So that was ancient Jewish culture back then and they had that understanding those times.

Also, another way Jesus demonstrated he is God during that time is that he forgave sins. Amen. So in Jewish tradition, only God can forgive sins. Again, guys, I just want to make it clear and kind of drive the point home that our Western context is

completely different than ancient Jewish context, right? So we have to put our, thinking caps on and sort of bring ourselves back to trying to think the way that the Jewish back in the day. ⁓ So with that said,

the Jewish leaders, Jewish tradition, they had ways of speaking, ways of presenting, and I wanna make sure you guys understand that.

So again, in Jewish tradition, only God can forgive sins. When Jesus forgave sins, such as to the paralytic, which is found in Mark 2, some Jews saw this as a claim to divine authority. Again, he didn't outright say, I am God, but this is another way he demonstrated his divinity.

Last but not least, he healed on the Sabbath. And in Matthew 12, 8, we read that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath.

To heal on the Sabbath was to declare his power over sickness and death, demons and any other evil force on earth.

Again, guys, context matters and this is ancient Jewish context, right? So these are just a few ways Jesus demonstrated that he is in fact God.

But for those of you who need the exact words, which you won't find in scriptures, ⁓ the closest that you can get to your exact word approach for the non-believers is John chapter 10 verse 30. And it states this, I and the father are one. So there you have it.

Bible doesn't provide an exact word statement, but this gets pretty darn close. So that's John 1030. If you don't believe me, go and look it up.

know that that was a lot. ⁓ Again, I didn't have the time to sort of dive into that with him, but I wanted to share it with you guys to let you guys know that there is an argument for those who say that Jesus isn't the most high. ⁓ Another similar argument would be that, or another similar statement rather.

would be that Jesus isn't God or Jesus isn't divine or just similar statements and arguments are worded just a little differently. There are points and scriptures that you can use to refute those statements, which is why I wanted to share that. Again, I didn't actually, you know, have that extended conversation with him. I wish I had, but ⁓

I just wanted to share this to support my claim and the claim of many others and the belief of many others.

So I just ended our interaction by asking him question. I asked him, I'm assuming you guys are part of an organization known as Hebrew Israelites. And he told me, Hebrew Israelites has a negative stigma attached to it. So we refer to ourselves as the Lost Tribes of Israel.

And I mean, that was pretty much it. I shook his hand. You know, I still told him, you know, I appreciate the work you guys are doing. The fact that you're out here doing this is admirable and you guys are standing firm in what you believe. And I actually encourage true gospel believing Christians to do the same.

need to be bold in what we believe. And, I know this is just a side tangent, but too often I, I notice and witness and organizations are out there claiming their beliefs. proclaiming their, their values, their stances, their perspectives, you know, they're out there tabling.

events, but I really see a lot of Christians doing that. And I think we need to get into that space a little bit more and just walk in faith and be bold.

But, you know, acknowledged that they were out there, that they were doing their thing.

And yeah, we just left it with a handshake and we went our separate ways. But something stood out to me about what he said. And again, he said that we don't refer to ourselves as black Hebrew Israelites because it has a negative to it. You know, rather we refer to ourselves as the lost tribes of Israel.

And I want to read off of an article real quick. For those of you who familiar with the Black Hebrew Israelites, I want to point a few things out. So the reason that he will say that and maybe others in that organization say things like that, that they don't want to be associated as Black Hebrew Israelites is

because it's just simply received negatively lack of a better term, right? doesn't appeal with the masses. ⁓ They believe in a false gospel. So I'm going to get into soon here. But for those of you who aren't familiar with the Black Hebrew Israelites, I just wanted to give you a few

key points about what they stand for.

So a few points here, starting from the top, states that black Hebrew Israelites are not the same as black Jews or Jews of color.

Not all Hebrew Israelite organizations are anti-Semitic or extremists. The Black Hebrew Israelite movement is divided into or sects that operate semi-independently across the United States. Black Hebrew Israelites believe that they are the true Israelites and 12 tribes of Israel

are of color.

street teachings and public speaking events.

extremist sex rely on social media spread information and coordinate activity. So I'm not going to read too much from this article. I'll link the the description.

But there are extremist groups of this

and they are more common than you think. So to kind of read you some extreme ideology, right? And is what you see in the viral videos and clips that are on YouTube and social media when believing Christians interact with black Hebrew Israelites, right? So this is where those viral videos

come from because they are driven by this extreme ideology on their side.

So just a peek into this ideology. Black Hebrew become explicitly hateful when coupled with racial superiority and accusations against white individuals and specific hatred towards the Jewish community. Extremist Hebrew Israelites assert that white people are agents of Satan. Jews are liars and false worshipers of God.

and blacks are racially superior and the only true chosen people." Some extremist leaders preach that only true descendants of the 12 tribes, are blacks, Hispanics, and Native Indians based on their beliefs, will be allowed into heaven and that God will permit them to rule over all other races.

leaders and street teachers also push homophobic, transphobic, and sexist beliefs, including referring to the LGBTQ community as demonic and not loved by God.

So that's just a peek into their extreme ideology.

I think it's fair to say that not all sects of, you know, Black Hebrew Israelites are this extreme. There are other groups that are less extreme and actually more respectful, like the group that I interacted with during our farmers market visit. They were actually very respectful, very cordial, and we had a respectful dialogue and discourse.

So I've actually experienced this, firsthand, face to face. So I can attest that not every Hebrew Israelite group is extreme and hateful. So I want to be fair about this, but that is really their extreme ideology, right?

Nonetheless, they hold to these claims and statements.

I want shed some light about false prophets, right? Because at the end of the day, believe in a false gospel and we need to call them out for what they are because they can't lead people astray. They can't mislead people into believing.

something that God never intended us to believe and you know something that's contrary the Bible and represents.

So in Matthew chapter seven verses 15 to 20, it states, out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit, you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree

cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit, you will recognize them.

So they definitely fall under this category false prophets, though they may appear harmless or even righteous on the surface, like sheep's in disguise, right? Can be identified by the negative or effects of their teachings and actions.

So here are just a few positions that the Black Hebrew organization as a whole hold to. Number one, racial exclusivity and salvation. So Black Hebrew Israelite groups claim salvation is exclusively for people who they believe are the true descendants of the ancient Israelites.

like to offer a counter argument. Amen. So

Galatians 3 28 indicates that ethnicity does not determine one's standing with God in Christ. Romans 9 6 to 8 suggests that true Israel is defined by those who are children of the promise through faith, not simply descent. And revelation seven nine depicts worshipers from every nation, tribe,

people and language.

highlighting salvation's universal reach. Amen. Another position they hold to is justification by law keeping. So black Hebrew Israelite groups emphasize strict adherence to Old Testament laws.

for righteousness and salvation. However, in contrast, verses like Galatians 2.16, 3.11, and 3.24-25 teach that justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not the works of law.

So that said, again, we work from grace, not for grace.

for it is by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not from It is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. So that's what it's appealing to.

So there's more more sources. Romans 3, 20 to 21 and 3, 28 further state that the law reveals sin and justification is by faith in Christ. Colossians 2, 16 to 17 views elements of a law as shadows with reality found in Christ. Hebrews explains the old laws insufficiency and the finality of

Jesus' sacrifice. Hebrews 7, 18-19, 10, 1-4, and 10, 11-12.

Last but not least, because there are more.

Another position they hold to is the new covenant and its universal scope.

While some Hebrew Israelite groups may not fully embrace the New Covenant or may see it as exclusive, Jeremiah 31, 31-34 describes a new covenant with God's law on hearts and forgiveness of sins, understood by Christians as fulfilled in Christ. Luke 22-20 records Jesus establishing the New Covenant through his blood. Amen.

Hebrews describes the new covenant as superior, providing forgiveness and a relationship with God for all believers. Hebrews 8, 6-13, 9-15.

Amen guys, because we live in a fallen world, right? ⁓ We are but filthy rags to God. So because of the original sin, we are worthless to God.

So that's how it was pre-Christ, right? But that is why God sent his one and only son the price and bear the cross for us as a ransom, right? That's why through Christ, we can revived justified so that we may live a is holy and that honors and blesses God, right?

So that is why Jesus was sent.

Hence the new covenant.

And one verse that I believe is extremely applicable in this context Romans 11, 17 to 24. Right? So this is the concept of Gentiles being grafted So Paul uses the analogy of an olive tree.

to illustrate how Gentiles who were once considered have been grafted into the cultivated olive tree.

and this olive tree represents Israel. And they were grafted in through faith in Christ. Amen.

So despite what the black Hebrew Israelites believe, what they claim, anything else, just remember Romans 11, 17 to 24. And right, that's the analogy of the olive tree.

And as a non-Jew, I can rest assured of my faith in Christ, I can be grafted olive tree.

because I consider myself once as a wild branch, right? And depending on which you believe, know, God's chosen people are the people of Israel, right?

And I actually encourage you guys to go back a couple episodes where I did discuss and sort of break down the question, are the Jews still chosen? So go and check that out. believe it's episode 20 or 21. ⁓ But because generally ⁓ Israel is the chosen people and land of God, right?

For a time, Gentiles were not considered saved, but we have been given the ultimate second chance. So non-Jews or a Gentile such as myself can be grafted in because of my faith in Christ.

So folks,

Just be wary of wolves masquerading in sheep's clothing. Sometimes they can be hard to spot, ⁓ but trust me, they are out there. They're prowling around seeking who they can deceive and mislead, but...

Pray about this. Wear the full armor of God. Ask for the gift of discernment so that you will not be fooled. And spot out their false teachings or gospels. When you see it, be bold.

When Jesus was sending out the disciples two by two, he told them to go and share the gospel with the neighboring cities, but he also told them to...

be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. So that is what we need to do when we are confronting false teachings. Amen, everyone. So if you like this content, please consider subscribing if have earned your subscription and share this podcast with whoever you think needs to hear it.

But thanks for joining me in this episode, guys. Until next time, take care of yourselves and take care of each other. Bye.