Introduction
As followers of Christ, we are called to be discerning and vigilant in our faith, carefully examining the beliefs and practices of various religious movements to ensure they align with sound biblical doctrine (1 Thessalonians 5:21, NKJV). The Gathering of Christ Church (GOCC), a movement within the Hebrew Israelite community, has gained attention for its controversial teachings and practices. This blog post will critically examine the GOCC Church, highlighting areas of false doctrine and encouraging Christians to stay grounded in the truth of the Bible.
The GOCC Church teaches that African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans are the true descendants of the ancient Israelites and that their unique identity has been obscured throughout history. While the GOCC Church shares some similarities with Evangelical Christianity, there are also significant differences in terms of doctrine and practice. It is crucial for believers to understand these distinctions and be wary of false teachings that can lead them astray from the truth of God’s Word.
1. Origins and Development of the GOCC Church
The Gathering of Christ Church was founded by Pastor Ricardo “Elder Rawchaa” Shayar, a former member of the Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ (ICGJC). The GOCC Church’s central tenet is that African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans are the true descendants of the ancient Israelites. This belief, however, is not supported by credible historical or archaeological evidence, and their interpretation of biblical passages to support this claim is often taken out of context and overly literal.
Christians must be cautious in accepting such teachings without careful scrutiny, as the Bible warns us about false teachers who will distort the truth and lead people astray (2 Timothy 4:3-4, NKJV).
2. The GOCC Church and the Holy Scriptures
While the GOCC Church upholds the authority of the Bible as the inspired Word of God, their interpretation of certain biblical passages is often distorted and misleading. For example, their belief in the unique Israelite identity of specific ethnic groups is based on an overly literal interpretation of passages such as Deuteronomy 28:15-68 (NKJV) and Jeremiah 17:4 (NKJV).
Mainstream Christianity typically interprets these verses in a more symbolic or spiritual context, emphasizing that believers from all nations are grafted into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 11:17-24, NKJV). The GOCC Church’s interpretation, however, promotes a divisive and unbiblical focus on race and ethnicity.
3. Distinctive Beliefs and Practices: A Departure from Biblical Truth
The GOCC Church holds several distinctive beliefs and practices that are not supported by sound biblical doctrine. Among these is their assertion that Jesus Christ, or Yahawashi as they call Him, is a black man. They base this claim on a misinterpretation of Revelation 1:14-15 (NKJV), which describes Christ’s appearance in symbolic language that emphasizes His divine nature and purity, rather than His physical appearance.
Additionally, the GOCC Church’s belief that modern-day Jews are not the true Israelites and that they have usurped the Israelite identity is both historically unfounded and contrary to the teachings of the New Testament. This belief perpetuates harmful stereotypes and fosters animosity between different religious communities, contradicting the message of love and unity found in the gospel of Jesus Christ (John 13:34-35, NKJV).
In terms of practice, the GOCC Church’s observance of the Old Testament laws and feasts, such as the Sabbath and dietary laws, is inconsistent with the teachings of the New Testament, which emphasize that believers are no longer under the law but under grace (Romans 6:14, NKJV). The Apostle Paul, in particular, addressed this issue in his letters, explaining that Christians are not required to follow the Old Testament laws to be justified before God (Galatians 2:16, NKJV).
4. Controversies and Criticisms
The GOCC Church has faced various criticisms from both mainstream Christianity and other Hebrew Israelite groups. One of the primary concerns is the church’s focus on race and ethnicity, which is divisive and contrary to the biblical teachings on unity in Christ (Galatians 3:28, NKJV). Their interpretation of biblical passages to support their claims is often taken out of context and overly literal, leading to a distorted understanding of Scripture.
Furthermore, the GOCC Church’s assertion that modern-day Jews are not the true Israelites has been widely criticized as anti-Semitic. This belief undermines the historical and spiritual connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. As followers of Christ, we are called to love and respect all people, regardless of their background or beliefs (Matthew 22:39, NKJV).
5. The GOCC Church and Evangelical Christianity: A Call for Discernment
While the GOCC Church shares some core beliefs with Evangelical Christianity, such as the authority of the Bible and the divinity of Jesus Christ, there are significant differences in doctrine and practice. The GOCC Church’s emphasis on race and ethnicity, as well as their adherence to Old Testament laws and feasts, diverges from mainstream Evangelical Christianity.
These differences underscore the importance of discernment and critical examination of religious movements and their teachings. Believers must remain grounded in the truth of the Bible and be cautious of false doctrines that can lead them away from the true gospel of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:8, NKJV).
Conclusion
The Gathering of Christ Church presents a challenge to Christians, as it promotes teachings that depart from sound biblical doctrine. As followers of Christ, we must be discerning in our faith, critically examining the beliefs and practices of various religious movements to ensure they align with the truth of God’s Word.
The Bible calls us to “test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, NKJV). By doing so, we can guard our hearts and minds against false teachings and remain firmly rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ, which transcends race, ethnicity, and cultural differences, uniting all believers as one body in Him (Ephesians 4:4-6, NKJV).
Let us commit ourselves to seeking the truth in love, upholding the unity of the Spirit, and standing firm in the gospel of grace, which is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe (Romans 1:16, NKJV).