The Twelve Tribes & Food From Heaven!

[abidinginvine]

There's a lovely little restaurant that recently opened in town; actually, it was a re-opening of a business that closed some years ago. It's called The Yellow Deli, and is run by a group that goes by "The Twelve Tribes." The atmosphere is so sweet and peaceful; you're never, ever rushed, and it's so relaxing there you don't want to leave. The music is usually Middle-Eastern, I'd say Israeli. The servers are friendly and courteous; if you don't have money for a meal, they'll serve you for free. I went there recently with an injured back; a server saw I was hurting and rushed to get me pillows! The menu says, "We serve the fruit of the Spirit - just ask." As for the food, well....I think it's imported directly from Heaven! :nod

I go there as often as I can with friends, and everyone I've introduced to the place loves it - there's a very sweet spirit there and you can "feel" the love. There are some people, however, who refuse to even give it a try. Why? They claim it's run by a cult!

I've read the websites of both the Deli and the community. From what I can see, they adhere to the Bible although they call Jesus, Yeshua (which I also like to do); they take Hebrew names, observe the Sabbath from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, and try to live much like first century Christians in that they do not own any possessions; they live in a community in which everything is shared. Based on that, some consider them a cult; I see them more as similiar to groups like the Amish.

I don't think I'm missing anything - I see they believe in salvation by faith in Yeshua alone and not works, there's no weird person leading the group (they say Yeshua is their leader)...just genuine love and a desire to serve others. But, for some reason, people from "mainstream" churches often avoid them and won't even eat there.

I'd like some opinions from you guys - please check out the websites and tell me what you think; am I missing something?



http://twelvetribes.com/

www.yellowdeli.com

[1angel4u]

Hi abidinginvine :wave

After doing a little research on this groups own website, I would be VERY WARY of them.

Check out this page link from their website:

http://twelvetribes.com/whoweare/our-beginnings6.html

notice the very last paragraph:

And so the history of the Twelve Tribes or Commonwealth of Israel as a modern movement has reached a critical point. There are communities being raised up in twelve geographical areas and responsible people who have been disciples for decades. A rich culture is emerging in their midst. They have a clear vision of the future and their children, for the most part, are following them. But they face a supreme test. Will they remain true to the original revelation that Gene Spriggs had concerning John 15:5 — "Apart from Me you can do nothing"? The challenge is to rely on the Spirit of Love, and not on their own natural abilities, so that they will not fall prey to the pride, selfish desires, and compromise that have caused every movement of the last two millennia to fail. Everything, quite literally everything, depends on this…

Their leader is a man by the name of Gene Spriggs. Google his name and you will find this group listed as one of many CULTS on Rick Ross's website (a very highly respected source on cults).

There's enough info when you google Gene Spriggs to do your own research on the group.

Unfortunately these days, many are here to deceive, just like the Lord foretold (warned) us:

“Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (1 Tim. 6:5)

2 Tim 4:3-4 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (1 Timothy 4:1, 2.)

[Heartstorm]

Well I can see why they are considered a cult, They live in groups/ compounds etc. BUT I don't really see any harm, they have a some beliefs that are different, They are like the " Hippie communes " of the early 70's so yea most people will avoid them. I do see an honest attempt at spreading the word, acting as all people should,Loving the Lord, I think that simply eating there would be refreshing and would eat there if there was one here. Better than Mc Donalds for sure, get a feeling for them and try to figure out thier teachings. I eat at a restraunt here that has scriptures on all the tables, I don't know thier personal beleifs but I do know I rather eat at a place that has scripture than at a corporate chain that supports who know what !!!!

[Sing4Him]

Cult.:nod

Teachings
The Twelve Tribes await the coming of the Messiah. Children play an integral part in the preparation for the Messiah and the Last Day. Freeing children from guilt and keeping their minds pure is a critical necessity. For this reason, teachings instruct that children not play with toys, play imaginary or fantasy games, have candy, or watch television or movies. [1] If a child disobeys these rules, does not respond on first command to an adult, or commits any other sinful act, he or she is spanked by his or her parent with a wooden rod which is an "eighteen inch, thin, flexible balloon stick meant to sting but not injure." [2] When punished, the child is supposed to refrain from crying and thank the punisher, the reproof and instruction having built his character.
Members, upon entering the Community, renounce all possessions, in the spirit of living together communally and sharing all goods. [3]

[1]: Palmer, Susan J. Frontiers and Families:the Children of Island Pond, p159
[2]: Swantko, Jean. personal communication (12/00)
[3]: Melton, Gordon J. The Encyclopedia of American Religions p609

http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/groups/t/tribes/#critical-links

[fracturedInfinity]

Cult.:nod


http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/groups/t/tribes/#critical-links

Also from your link:

2. Elbert Spriggs also claims a "direct pipeline to God", and that he is a special messenger with a unique revelation!
All true Christians have a direct pipline to God through Jesus Christ in prayer, and can read God's unique revelation to us by reading the Bible. (Philippians 4:6 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

3. Only Elbert Spriggs is allowed to give original teaching, and his writings are the final authority within the communities. Elbert Eugene Spriggs has no real accountability.
God's word is the final authority, not a man's teachings and writings. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

[Paula]

Run!!!!!!

[abidinginvine]

I didn't see Spriggs' name on their website, but did Google it - funny how none of his weird beliefs are on the Twelve Tribes website which makes them look more like - as someone put it - a hippie commune.

It's a sad thing, though, how these people radiate peace and love, but it's something which is lacking in many "Christian" churches. :( There really is a very sweet spirit in the restaurant, and it's a joy to be there. Maybe it's something to do with not being into rampant materialism and seeking more after spiritual things? :idunno

I'll continue to eat there (it's certainly better than McDonald's with its pro-homosexual agenda, not to mention healthier and far better tasting) - I usually get a server who goes by the name of Hadassah who is just the sweetest thing. When I go there with friends we always pray over our food, so she knows I'm a Christian; perhaps I can reach her. Although frankly - their weird leader aside - these people do genuinely seem to love the Lord and I would have to believe they're saved.

[fracturedInfinity]

I didn't see Spriggs' name on their website,

The info I pulled was from the link Sing posted. I went back and checked the site you posted and I couldn't find anything either (granted, I didn't search every corner).

What I did find, I had to dig a little bit for (http://twelvetribes.com/publications/3ED/how-can-i-believe.html), nevertheless, it is there:
The teaching that Christians are going to heaven and everyone else is going to eternal hell slanders God's character. It denies His great love for men and women who struggle to live by their conscience, not doing things that ruin people's lives (Revelation 21:8; 22:15).

What most Christians don't understand is that there are three eternal destinies, not two.

:twitch

and this:
Of course, some will argue that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). This is quite true. All have sinned, but not all have sinned to the degree that merits eternal punishment.

:tsk

I think the Bible is quite clear on the fact that if you don't repent and put your trust in Jesus, you're not going to heaven. There is no way for us to somehow be good enough and still not accept Jesus as our savior.

I also think the Bible is quite clear that sin separates us from God. That is the essence of eternal punishment, separation from God. You cannot be somewhere in the middle between separation and within God's presence. Heaven or hell. There is no middle ground, and that seems to be what they're teaching.

2 Peter 2:1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.


It grieves me that they would seem to be so pure and full of love and yet hold to such false doctrines as salvation by man's works. Be very careful there. Our God is love, but he is also just and will not hesitate to condemn to hell those that deny him under the guise of a works based salvation.

Matthew 7:22-23
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

[abidinginvine]

I took the part about people living by their conscience as from the Scripture:


Rom 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;


Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law [are] just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.


Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)


Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.


I don't see God condemning those who never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel out-of-hand; but I do believe that they have the law written on their hearts and will be judged on that. Not expected to be perfect, of course - only Jesus was able to live totally sinless - but doing the best they can and feeling remourse when they mess up.

This group doesn't actively prosyletize; people are welcome to ask questions and that's about it. As long as they leave us to enjoy the food in peace, I'm OK with going there. In fact, the servers are more considerate about leaving people alone to enjoy their meal at leisure than they are in other places. For example, a friend and I wanted to talk while at Ryan's one evening, but the server kept telling us all kinds of things about her own personal life!

[Lvanett]

Hi all,
anyone have any links explaining the problems with this cult?