The Black Hebrews / Black Israelites – Who are they?

what does the bible say?

The Black Hebrews and Black Israelites are groups claiming Hebrew ancestry, but their racial focus often distorts the gospel and fosters division, contrary to the Bible’s teaching that true identity is found in Christ, not ethnicity. While some may have historical ties to Israel, salvation comes solely through Jesus. Anyone, regardless of race, can become a child of God when they trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection for salvation (Romans 9:6–8), and that is where our true identity is found. It is imperative we do not let false teachings muddy our understanding of who Christ is and what the gospel is (2 Corinthians 11:3–4; Galatians 1:8–9), such as The Nation of Yahweh attempts to do. Groups like the Black Hebrews or Black Israelites that put a high emphasis on race to the point of excluding others in the family of God or give a false description of Jesus should be rejected. Jesus is our peace, and because of His work on the cross we can be reconciled into one body (Ephesians 2:14–16), regardless of our race or ancestry. We should therefore avoid an overemphasis on these things (Titus 3:9) and remember that one day, people from all over the world—Jew and Gentile alike—-will worship God together (Revelation 7:9).

from the old testament

• God chooses His people by covenant, not ethnicity alone. God’s promises were given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their descendants were called to follow Him, not simply to exist as a racial or ethnic group (Genesis 12:1–3; Exodus 19:5–6). True identity in God is linked to faithfulness, obedience, and covenant relationship.
• Many Israelites failed to follow God despite their lineage, showing that ancestry alone does not ensure God’s blessing or salvation (Deuteronomy 9:4–6; Judges 2:10–12).
• While God’s chosen people were distinct, the Old Testament consistently calls His people to justice, humility, and obedience, which included loving and not oppressing foreigners or outsiders (Leviticus 19:33–34; Numbers 15:15–16). This principle warns against teachings that divide God’s people along racial lines.

from the new testament

• God’s adoption of us is not dependent on our race, but rather, if we are “children of the promise” (Romans 9:6–8). We should therefore be careful to not place our identity in our race, but in our adoption and God’s child.
• As believers, we must reject the teachings of those who proclaim a Jesus who is not biblical (2 Corinthians 11:3–4).
• In addition to rejecting any beliefs centered on a Jesus outside the Bible, we must reject any gospel that is anti-biblical, too (Galatians 1:8–9).
• Ephesians 2:14–16 says of Jesus: “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” Any group that tries to exclude others from the gospel based on race goes against Christ.
• While knowing our ancestry may be personally important to us, it should not get in the way of our unity in the body of Christ, which consists of those from within various people groups (Titus 3:9).
• Getting too caught up in our ancestry can distract us from the fact that people from every nation, tribe, and tongue will come to faith in Christ: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands…” (Revelation 7:9).

implications for today

The terms “Black Hebrews” and “Black Israelites” refer to a group of organizations and groups of people made up of black Africans who claim Hebrew or Israelite ancestry. The groups are distinct with varied specific beliefs, the unifying feature being that each consists of members of black African descent who claim Hebrew ancestry. One group, the Original African Hebrew Israelite Nation of Jerusalem (known as the African Israelites) say that a group of Jews escaped from the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and ended up in West Africa. Their descendants were enslaved and taken to the United States. This organization began in the 1960s. Ben Ammi (formerly Ben Carter of Chicago; this name literally means “Son of My People”) established the Original African Hebrew Israelite Nation of Jerusalem. He claims he was visited by the angel Gabriel and told to lead a group of West Africans to Israel after a time of purification. After two years, about 400 people who completed the period of purification in Liberia began migrating to Israel in 1969. They were granted temporary tourist visas, but once in Israel had no intention of leaving. Those who immigrated were eventually granted residency, but not citizenship, in 2004. Now there are about 2,500 African Israelites living in Israel who follow strict dietary and behavioral laws including veganism and the Old Testament Mosaic Law. The Nation of Yahweh claims all Old Testament prophets, Jesus Christ, and God the Father are racially black. White people, especially Jews, are infidels, they say, calling them “white devils.” Black people, they say, are the true Jews. The Nation of Yahweh is considered racist and has a history of violence and terror. Other similar groups exist, including the Church of the Living God, the Pillar Ground of Truth for All Nations, the Church of God and Saints of Christ, and the Commandment Keepers. They all claim to have descended from Old Testament Hebrews. Because Hebrews spent 400 years in Africa before Moses led them to the Promised Land, and because Jews were dispersed after the Roman expulsion of AD 70 and Israel is so close to Africa, it is, of course, possible there are black Hebrews. In fact, the Beta Israel group in Ethiopia who follow ancient Judaism is recognized by the nation of Israel and by the majority of Jews as being historically Jewish. Whether any of the Black Hebrew / Black Israelite groups have Jewish ancestry is not really the most important issue. What is important is what these groups believe and how they live. Almost all these groups deny the deity of Jesus Christ and His atoning death and victorious resurrection. Apart from Jesus there can be no salvation. Whether someone is historically Hebrew or not, salvation comes through Jesus alone (Acts 4:12; Galatians 3:27–29).

Recap

understand

• Salvation and identity are found in Christ, not race.
• False teachings that distort Jesus or the gospel must be rejected.
• Unity in God’s family transcends ethnicity and ancestry.

reflect

• How do you define your identity in Christ rather than in your ancestry or heritage?
• How might you be tempted to let cultural or racial distinctions influence your faith or unity with other believers?
• How can you guard your understanding of Jesus and the gospel against teachings that distort the truth, such as the Black Hebrews?

engage

• What do we learn about God and His plan for humanity in offering salvation to every ethnicity?
• What practical steps can we take to recognize and reject teachings that misrepresent Jesus or divide God’s people?
• How can we encourage each other to focus on spiritual identity in Christ above ancestry or heritage?