NCCG.ORG Foundational Studies of the Bible - 13. YAHWEH'S AUTHORITY, ORDER & DISCIPLINE for the Messianic Community

13.17. What did Yah'shua (Jesus) set up as the order for the correction of the rebellious and those who are out of order in the Local Assembly (Church)? (Matt.18:15-17)

13.18. We see this principle of Assembly (Church) discipline practiced by the early Church. What did Paul say that letting evil and sin remain in the Body (Church) does? (1 Cor.5:1-6)

13.19. What are we exhorted to do? (1 Cor.5:8)

13.20. With whom are we not to associate? (1 Cor.5:10-11)

13.21. Whom are we to judge, and whom does Yahweh judge? (1 Cor.5:12)

13.22. What are we to do with those "brothers" (or "sisters") who refuse to repent of their wickedness? (1 Cor.5:13)

13.23. The Body of the Messiah is spoken of in the Scriptures as a human physical body with many parts. We see in a parable of Yah'shua (Jesus) this same teaching of removing those who will not repent, even if they are important members of the Body. What did Yah'shua (Jesus) say? (Matt.5:29-30)

We see this same covenant principle practiced among the Israelites at the time of the conquest of Canaan. Yahweh had forbidden Israel to take any spoil from the city of Jericho. In Joshua chapter 7, we find that some sons of Israel acted unfaithfully to this command and took some of the things that were under the ban. Read Joshua chapter 7 before you answer the following questions.

13.24. What happened to the Israelites who went up against Ai? (Josh.7:4-5)

13.25. What reason did Yahweh give Joshua for this defeat? (Josh.7:11-12)

We find that the sin in the camp caused the whole assembly of Israel to be defeated before their enemies. So it is in the Messianic Community (Church).

13.26. What condition did Yahweh set before Israel for continuing to be with them? (Josh.7:13-15)

This is the same principle that is set forth in the New Testament. If sin and rebellion are allowed to remain in it, the whole Body is in danger of being infected, the covenant will be broken, and the Messianic Community (Church) will be defeated before their enemies.

Many local assemblies and denominations have fallen because of iniquity, rebellion and a lack of repentance. Read the whole of Jeremiah, chapter 3, before answering the following questions.

13.27. What did Yahweh do to Israel and Judah for rebelling and falling into iniquity? (Jer.3:8)

13.28. What has Yahweh commanded the Messianic Community (Church) to do when she has fallen into iniquity? (Jer.3:13)

13.29. What will Yahweh give the Messianic Community (Church) when she repents? (Jer.3:15)

13.30. Where will Yahweh bring His people if they repent? (Jer.3:14)

13.31. Using the model of the Body of the Messiah (Christ) given in the New and Old and Testaments, list some of the reasons why some assemblies (churches) and denominations fall away and why Yahweh has organised the New Covenant Church of God (B'rit Chadashah Assembly of Yahweh)? (You may wish to look over some of the earlier study materials in this series).

13.32. If we are under correction and discipline, of what is this a sign? (Heb.12:5-8)

13.33. Why does Yahweh discipline us? (Heb.12:10)

13.34. What kind of feeling do we have when we are under discipline? (Heb.12:11)

13.35. For those who have been trained by it, what does discipline yield? (Heb.12:11)

13.36. Because of the large number of Israelites, how did Moses divide the people to be governed? (Deut.1:9-15)

Paul teaches that the things that happened to the Israelites happened for our example. Their example of the governing of the people is a good one to follow. Therefore, the local Body (assembly, congregation or fellowship) should be divided up into smaller groups for more personal governing and counsel.

In the New Covenant Church of God (B'rit Chadashah Assembly of Yahweh) these are called Elders' Houses, of which there are up to 12 in a local assembly (see Fig.13.1).

Fig.13.1. Elders' Houses

An Elder's House is presided over by an Elder who is the Pastor's appointed judge over two Deacons' Cells, each consisting of a Deacon, Sub-Deacon (trainee Deacon), full (chrismated/confirmed) member, baptised member, and catechumen (candidate for baptism) (see Fig.13.2). Support, instruction, and correction are administered on every level of discipleship to help all grow.

Fig.13.2 Elder's House and Deacons' Cells

13.37. What problem had Moses (Moshe) run into that caused him to make this decision? (Ex.18:13-18)

13.38. What were the qualifications for those who were chosen to shepherd (pastor), lead and judge the people? (Ex.18:20-21; Deut.1:13)

13.39. What were their responsibilities? (Ex.18:22)

13.40. What disputes was Moses to judge? (Ex.18:22,26)

13.41. How are these judgments supposed to be made? (Deut.1:17; Isa.11:3-4)

13.42. In dividing the Assembly (Church) for more effective counselling and disciplining, who should be in charge of counselling and shepherding the women? (Titus 2:3-5)

The older or spiritually maturer women (Eldresses), under the authority of the Elders, are to counsel and instruct the younger women in the ways of Yahweh. For this reason the women are likewise organised into Deaconess' Cells and Eldress' Cells. Male and female cells combine for general education, prayer and fellowship.

Likewise, the men, under the authority of the Elders, are to instruct the brethren in the ways of Yahweh. Any cases that are too difficult or cannot be settled must be brought before the Elders for judgment and further discernment.

The final authority in the local assembly is the Pastorate consisting of the Pastor (Assembly Father), the Pastress (Assembly Mother), two Elders and two Eldresses (Counsellors). The First Counsellor has overall responsibility for the Elders (or Eldresses) and the Second Counsellor to the Deacons (or Deaconesses).

13.43. Who has the responsibility of selecting and ordaining Elders (Zaqenim)? (Acts 14:23)

The selection and ordination of Elders is the responsibility of the Apostolate and their agents, the Evangelists (Sub-Apostles). Bishops (who oversee several local assemblies in a common area) are appointed by the Apostolate, and Pastors within a Bishopric (Metropolitan, Central, or Mother Colony) by the same upon recommendation of the Bishopric. Where there are no Bishops, Pastors are directly appointed by the Apostles.

Until such ministers are properly certified by the Chavurat Bekorot (Holy Order) following proper training and annual weighing, they occupy only pro tem (temporary) positions to ensure that order is maintained in the Body. This commonly obtains when whole congregations join NCCG/BCAY, the former structures and leadership being retained for a transition period to allow training and reorganisation to take place.

13.44. How were apostles selected in the early Messianic Community (Church)? (Luke 6:13)

13.45. Who were the chief apostles in Yah'shua's (Jesus') day and in the New Testament Messianic Community (Church)? (Matt.17:1)

Peter (Kefa), James (Ya'akov), and John (Yochanan) had the overall responsibility of leadership in the early Messianic Community (Church) and over the other Apostles.

13.46. Who was the first appointed head of the Apostles (Matt.16:13-19)?

13.47. Who presided at the Apostolic Council of Elders (Zaqenim) in the New Testament Messianic Assembly (Church) as the most senior of the Apostles at that time? (Acts 15:13,19; Acts 21:18)

Although Peter (Kefa) was the senior apostle whilst Yah'shua (Jesus) was alive, this authority at length passed to James (Ya'akov) whose base was Jerusalem, and latterly during the apostolic era, to John (Yochanan) whose base was at Ephesus in Asia Minor.

As the Messianic Community (Church) matured, so divisions of responsibility began to be exercised amongst the apostles. In NCCG/BCAY today the Presiding Patriarch-Apostle occupies the Chair of John (Yochanan) and is responsible for all the apostles and evangelists worldwide in the Patriarchal Order (Orders of Abraham and Judith), the Second Patriarch-Apostle occupies the Chair of James (Ya'akov) and is responsible for all the Elders (Zaqenim) worldwide (Orders of Enoch and Miriyam), and the Third Patriarch-Apostle occupies the Chair of Peter (Kefa) and is responsible for all the Deacons (Shamashim) worldwide (Orders of Zadok (Tzadok) and Martha). This is the same pattern that obtains in the Local Assembly (Church).

13.48. What was Yah'shua's (Jesus') Priesthood Order? (Heb.5:5-10; 6:20)

All New Covenant Priesthood is Melchizedek (Malki-Tzedek) of which Yah'shua (Jesus) is the High Priest (Cohen Gadol). The Apostles, Elders, and Deacons are all a part of this Royal Priesthood (1 Pet.2:9).

13.49. Who was selected to be the twelfth apostle after the the defection and suicide of the apostle Judas (Acts 1:26)?

13.50. Who of the disciples were involved in the selection procedure (Acts 1:15)?

13.51. Were women present (Acts 1:14)?

13.52. What three steps were used to ensure the correct apostle was picked (Acts 1:21-26)?

Notice that Matthias (Mattityahu) (Matt.9:9) replaced Judas (Y'huda), not Paul (Sha'ul) as some suppose because Paul did not meet the requirements. Only those who had personally known and heard the Master qualified. This means that all modern apostles come under the same category as Paul since no one alive today fulfils the requirements of having been personal witnesses.

The method of using lots was a recognised way of ascertaining Yahweh's will in the Old Covenant (Prov.16:33). This was not to be the method used in selecting future apostles.

13.53. How was the apostle Paul (Sha'ul) called to be an apostle (Acts 9; 1 Cor.1:1; 2 Cor.1:1; Gal.1:1; Col.1:1; 1 Tim.1:1; 2 Tim.1:1; Tit.1:1)?

13.54. To what were Paul and Barnabas commissioned by the laying on of hands by the Elders at Antioch (Acts 13:2)?

Paul was not immediately recognised as an apostle. At first he was under suspicion because he had earlier persecuted the Messianic Community (Church) and was avoided (Acts 9:26). It was not until later, when his acts and credentials as an evangelist were confirmed, that he was finally admitted as an apostle, but not of the Twelve, as he was not called to be one of the Twelve Judges of the Tribes of Israel (Luke 22:30).

To be an apostle a man must be called directly by Yah'shua (Jesus) in the will of Yahweh and be received by the other apostles. In the New Covenant Church of God (B'rit Chadashah Assembly of Yahweh) apostles are usually harvested from amongst the evangelists which is their training ground and where they may be known by the people. But just as Paul was an apostle though not a member of the Twelve, so today not all New Covenant apostles serve in the Twelve but labour as sub-apostles (subordinated to the Twelve) or evangelists. The modern-day Twelve are both Patriarchs (Teacher-Judges in Zion) as well as Evangelists since they have as their commission to build up end-time Zionic communities.

13.55. What special signs are we given to indicate that the Apostle John occupied a unique position relative to Yah'shua (Jesus) What leadership responsibility was John given? (John 13:25; 21:20)

13.56. As evidence of his special position, whom did Yah'shua (Jesus) entrust to John? (John 19:27)

The apostle John (Yochanan) and Yah'shua (Jesus) had a special closeness not shared by others. It was to John that Yah'shua (Jesus) specifically entrusted the care of His mother whilst dying on the Cross. Though too young at the time to occupy his high calling, the apostle was already being marked as the future Presiding Patriarch-Apostle of the matured and completed Messianic Community (Church). He was the only one of the Twelve not to be martyred, being marked as the Community's spiritual head as not only an apostle and evangelist, but also as profound teacher, prophet, seer and revelator of the Community's deepest mysteries. His calling was not the same as the other 11.

The Apostle John was the embodiment of all the spiritual gifts and priesthood offices rolled into one. His writings stand out from amongst all the others as being of the most sublime spiritual callibre. The title given him, "the disciple whom Yah'shua (Jesus) loved" (Jn.13:23; 20:2; 21:7,20), hints at his unique position.

As the senior Elder of the first of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor based at Ephesus (Rev.1:11; 2:1-7), which is a type of the end-time Messianic Community represented by NCCG/BCAY, we learn something of our own mission as a Johannine Community.

13.57. What two two spiritual keys and authority has the Johannine Community been given to expose and purge in the end-time believers? (Rev.2:2,6)

The Body of the Messiah (Christ) is today full of liars claiming to be 'apostles' and those promoting the ancient Nicolaitan heresy. These were rennegade believers who encouraged idolatry and sexual sin.

Like the Apostle John who was given the commission to write the Book of Revelation, so the end-time Johannine Apostles, Seers, Prophets and Revelators in NCCG/BCAY have been given the keys to expose the errors and heresies of our end-time which are recorded in their writings and in the Olive Branch, a collection of revelations, prophecies and visions. In our day, occultism and feminism are two of the chief heresies that are being fought.

All authority in the end-time Messianic Community (Church) is Patriarchal. It is governed by spiritual fathers who have been given the spiritual keys of their calling directly by the Messiah (Christ) and is evidenced in their works.

13.58. How did Paul describe himself (1 Cor.4:15)?

Paul's 'fatherhood' or 'patriarchy' was over the Gentile believers. There were few true fathers then as today.

All authority in the Body of the Messiah (Christ) is spiritual. All those who have been truly born again of the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit), are walking in obedience to the Torah (commandments), and those who are showing forth the fruits of the Ruach (Spirit) possess authority in those areas in which they have been called to act by Yahweh and which has been confirmed by the Body. Authority must be acknowledged in heaven and on earth.

13.59. By what authority did Yah'shua (Jesus) act in the ministry? (Matt.21:23-27)

13.60. How did Yah'shua (Jesus) say believers would establish their authority as witnesses? (Matt.7:16,20)

Authority, however, has both an inward and an outward component. This is evidenced from the fact that the Messianic Community (Church) has order and structure. Outward authority was established by Yah'shua (Jesus) when He set apart Apostles, who in turn set apart Elders, to carry the message of the Gospel into all the world. This outward authority, licence, or commission would, however, always be confirmed by the Apostles' inward authority or "fruits", which are the gifts of the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit) leading an individual in the ways of righteousness in conformity to Yahweh's Word and Torah.

13.61. On what rock did Yah'shua (Jesus) say He would build the Church of God (Assembly of Yahweh)? (Matt.16:18)

The rock of revelation is fundamental to the operation of the New Covenant Church of God (B'rit Chadsahah Assembly of Yahweh). This is the revelation that Yah'shua (Jesus) is the Messiah (Christ) and it is upon this that the Messianic Community (Church) is built. The chief apostles (Peter, James, and John) were led by divine revelation and possessed, in addition, the gifts of prophecy and seership, and were thus able to deliver the Word of Yahweh to the disciples. However, they are not the only revelators in the Body.

13.62. What gift do all true believers have? (Rev.19:10b)

13.63. What does this gift enable them to do and not to do? (Rev.19:10a)

13.64. What is a major fruit of true worship and true prophecy? (Rev.12:17)

An assembly that is not obedient to the commandments of Torah is not evidencing the fruits of the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit).

The true people of Yahweh will live close to Him and be guided by the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit). If their works do not lead to obedience, then they are led by another spirit and do not own divine authority. The Messianic Community (Church), when it is led by the Ruach (Spirit), will be bringing forth scripture through its apostles to guide the whole Community. Just as the New Testament did not contradict what came before it (the Old Testament) so contemporary revelation will not contradict what came before it (the Bible), but will expand and clarify it and address the spiritual needs, heresies, and doctrinal controversies of the time in which it is given.

13.64. The New Testament Scriptures are the evidence of revelation in action in the Messianic Community (Church) as a whole. Name the writers of the New Testament:

13.65. What essential qualification did all the apostles have in common? (1 Cor.15:7)

13.66. In what way was Paul's qualification different? (1 Cor.15:8)

In New Testament times, an apostle was personally chosen by the Messiah (Christ) and was acquainted with His daily life life and teachings. Paul met the resurrected Messiah (Christ) on the road to Damascus and received his comission to evangelise the Gentiles.

After the last of the apostles (John) had died, the Messianic Community (Church) came under the leadership of men who had neither known the Messiah (Christ) in the flesh nor encountered Him in a personal manfestation as Paul had. Towards the end of John's mortal ministry, the Messianic Community (Church) had been reduced to seven congregations in Asia Minor (Rev.1-3) and not so long afterwards there was a turning away from the apostolic doctrine altogether, leading to a general apostacy.

13.67. What aspect of authority did Yah'shua (Jesus) possess which immediately attracted the Torah-observant Jews of His day? (Matt.7:29; Mark 1:22)

There are many gifted and charismatic teachers today who attract large numbers of followers but few have biblical or spiritual authority from Yahweh.

13.68. What kind of offenders will Yah'shua (Jesus) and the angels gather out of His Kingdom, and what will He do with them? (Matt.13:41-42)

13.69. What will then happen to the Torah-obedient after this has been done? (Matt.13:43)

13.70. What is a hypocritical believer? (Matt.23:28)

13.71. What two things happens to the Messianic Community when false prophets are listened to and believed? (Mt.24:11-12)

13.72. What two things do true believers love? (Heb.1:9)

True authority abides in those who passionately love righteousness (holiness, purity) and divine Law or Torah and is revealed in their fruits. Those who do not seek after these things possess neither the true Ruach (Spirit) nor true authority. They are the bringers of "another gospel" (Gal.1:8-9).

In the light of the qualifications of the New Testament apostles, what essential scriptural qualifications should a 21st century apostle have in order to establish his authority?

The qualifications for all leadership in the Messianic Community (Church) are essentially the same. All must be firmly build upon the Rock of Messiah (Christ), obey and teach the commandments (Torah), and show forth abundantly the love of Yahweh.

This study covers the basic order, authority and discipline of the local assembly (church). If we as a Body follow this order, we will be strong in Yahweh. Each member of the Body will be personally connected with other members of the Body, and each member will have his needs met. The Body of the Messiah (Christ) will be a holy place where Yah'shua (Jesus) can dwell in great power and glory. The Church of God (Assembly of Yahweh) will rise up in victory and be able to stand up and conquer her enemies.

Write down and memorise the following verse: Hebrews 13:17

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