Discipleship and Fellowship Policy
Part 1: Discipleship
The Great Commission:
Nazarene Israel is dedicated to the ‘Great Commission’ of making disciples of the true, Original Faith from all nations, as Yeshua HaMashiach instructed His disciples to do. We receive many questions in reference to NI’s discipleship program and NI’s fellowship opportunities. And the first thing that we must understand is the true, Scriptural definition of discipleship. Because being a disciple of Yeshua is often perceived in a much different way today from what Scripture teaches.
Defining ‘discipleship’:
Because NI seeks to “contend for” and reestablish the original faith of the first century (Jude 3), we view discipleship with a first-century perspective. And Scripturally speaking, a true disciple of Yeshua is someone who is willing to submit their lives to the service of our great, worthy King. Just as Yeshua’s disciples in the first century each made an active decision to ‘lay down their lives’ in service to Yeshua HaMashiach.
Mattityahu (Matthew) 16:24
24 Then Yeshua said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
NI’s standards for discipleship:
The following fruits of the Spirit are examples of what NI leadership looks for when determining discipleship status for a spiritual brother/sister.
- Faithfully tithing. (Please refer to NI studies on tithing.)
- Faithfully serving in the work. (Volunteering time and spiritual gifts.)
- Keeping Acts 15 requirements:
Abstaining from the abominations listed in Ma’asei (Acts) 15.
Keeping Shabbat (not working, etc.) - Actively studying, learning, and practicing (Shema) all of the NI Original Faith doctrine available for free at nazareneisrael.org, including (but not limited to): NI Statement of Faith, Vision and Mission, Ordination Requirements, book studies, video studies.
- Actively walking to become a better servant of Yahweh Elohim every day, producing attitude and behavior that align with abiding in Yeshua HaMashiach.
- Accepting Scriptural, loving, edification (discipline) from NI leaders when necessary, with humility and a willingness to repent and correct.
- Forsaking the ‘cares of the world’ (sin, lusts, comforts of life) in return for the amazing privilege of helping to build Yeshua’s global, unified kingdom the way that He desires, and placing Yeshua as his/her top priority in life.
- Active participation in all required discipleship meetings. (Please see “Part 3: Commandment to Congregate”.)
In summation, a disciple of Yeshua is someone who is actively investing all of his/her life resources to help our Husband Yeshua to obtain the unified spiritual kingdom that His Father Yahweh sent Him to establish. A genuine disciple will do these things with a cheerful heart in gratitude and appreciation for all Yeshua has done for us. Serving Yeshua should be our labor of love, and our “active hobby” (so to speak). Because of all He has done for us, we should be overjoyed to do everything He asks, especially since we will be His queen (His set apart, Proverbs 31 bride!)
Part 2: Fellowship
Defining ‘Fellowship’:
Nazarene Israel holds to the definition that true, Scriptural fellowship consists of a body of believers who not only confess faith in Yeshua verbally, but also commit to hearing and doing (Shema) everything that Yeshua HaMashiach (and His Father, Yahweh) said to do. And that two cannot walk (or fellowship) together unless in complete agreement.
WhatsApp fellowship:
Nazarene Israel offers fellowship via WhatsApp for those who support the work (by donation and/or active volunteering) and who abide by the NI WhatsApp Policy. For further details, please refer to NI WhatsApp Policy.
Discipleship meetings (via Zoom):
- Weekly Shabbat Synagogue meetings.
- Monthly New Moon meetings
- Yahweh’s Feasts meetings (in accordance with the Torah Calendar).
Receiving invitation to the NI Discipleship meetings:
The NI Discipleship meetings are closed meetings for the specific purpose of in-depth mission-related discussion between those who are actively helping to build our King Yeshua His kingdom the way He desires it built. To understand what the Scriptural definition of a ‘disciple’ is and how to qualify for invitation to discipleship meetings, please refer to Part 1 of this policy.
Who qualifies as a disciple in NI?
Discipleship is an ‘all-in’ attitude. As Yeshua stated, the harvest is great, but the laborers are few. A disciple is someone who is committing his life to ‘labor’ for Yahweh and His Son, Yeshua. It takes real commitment and dedication to the work of building our King His kingdom. While the standards are set high, NI believes that there is truly no better thing in this world to commit our lives to doing than to give our King what He wants. These are NOT broad, easy standards-rather they are a narrow and afflicted way to life! And few there are who sit down, weigh the cost carefully, and choose it.
Who determines discipleship status in NI?
Nasi and/or the BDG council determines discipleship status based on the qualifications in this policy, as well as physical and spiritual fruits witnessed. NI reserves the right to invite select friends of NI based on witnessing a genuine attempt from a spiritual brother/sister to work for Yeshua and/or make a genuine contribution. Attendees of discipleship meetings are not guaranteed permanent access to any meeting. Attendance and discipleship status is based on continual adherence to the above and a continual walk as a dedicated servant to Yeshua HaMashiach, as determined by the Nasi and/or the BDG council.
Mattityahu (Matthew) 7:13-14
13 “Enter by the narrow gate! For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it!
14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it!”
Part 3: Congregating as Commanded!
In the Scriptures, the men of Israel (House of Ephraim) must congregate in order on certain set-apart days. These include Yahweh’s feasts and the Shabbat. Further, disciples should also meet on the new moons. At least all the males of the family must assemble. Attendance by the women and children is strongly encouraged, so that the whole family participates together.
These gatherings are meant for us to come together in worship of Elohim and in spiritual upbuilding of one another and is a commandment of Yahweh Elohim.
Vayiqra (Leviticus) 23:3
‘Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a set-apart convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of Yahweh in all your dwellings.Vayiqra (Leviticus) 23:7
On the first day you shall have a set apart convocation; you shall do no customary work on it.
Therefore, gathering together on these days is not optional, but a requirement for anyone who is a disciple in NI. Meetings are announced in the weekly newsletters. Each disciple is responsible for reading each newsletter, staying attentive of events, and updating his or her calendar schedule accordingly.
Because these requirements come from Yahweh Himself, failure to meet for the set-apart convocations without presenting the Council with a legitimate reason (such as health or emergency) is a cause for dismissal from the discipleship program. That is to say that the family reunions are mandatory. Forgetting, or participating in a personal or work event not pre-approved by the Council is not a legitimate reason for missing a set-apart convocation of Yahweh. (Generally speaking, only health and family emergency issues are approved.)
Such days when congregating as a set-apart assembly is required by Scripture include:
- Weekly Shabbat
- Rosh HaShanah
- Pesach and Chag HaMatzot Aleph
- Yom HaNafat HaOmer
- Chag HaMatzot Sheva
- Yom Teruah
- Yom Kippur
- Chag HaSukkot Aleph
- Shemini Atzeret
Note: Attendance in any discipleship meeting is automatic agreement to this policy.
