A religious organization asserting the African American and Latino communities as the true descendants of the Biblical Israelites.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Black Hebrew Israelites
Location: United States
The Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ (ICGJC) is an American religious organization that forms a significant part of the Black Hebrew Israelite movement. With its headquarters in New York City, this group stands out for its distinctive beliefs and practices, along with a history marked by controversies.
Beliefs and Practices
The ICGJC teaches that the true descendants of the biblical Israelites are Black Americans, West Indians, and Native Americans of North and South America, among others scattered across the globe, opposing the identification of contemporary Jewish people with the biblical Jews. The organization claims divine favor and superiority for these groups based on interpretations of biblical texts, such as Deuteronomy 7:6. Central to their doctrine is the belief that Yahawashi (Jesus) is the divine Son and Messiah, exclusively sent for the sins of the Israelites. They hold the Old and New Testaments, along with the Apocrypha, as inspired Scripture, but reject the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity. The group is also known for its apocalyptic views, asserting that the world’s end is near and that Jesus (referred to as Yahawashi) is the Messiah sent to redeem the sins of the Israelites.
The ICGJC operates under a hierarchical structure with positions such as Bishop, Chief Priest, Apostle, and Holy Apostle, emphasizing the spiritual welfare and administration of local church units. A key figure in the organization’s history was Tazadaqyah (Jermaine Grant), who claimed to be the “Comforter” prophesied to lead the Nation of Israel. The group’s teachings endorse a Hebrew and Authorized King James Version-only approach to the Bible and view Caucasians as Edomites, a race descended from Esau and considered enemies alongside several other groups.
Controversies and Legal Issues
The ICGJC has faced criticism and legal challenges, including allegations of black supremacy, racism, and hate speech. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) have described the group as extremist, with the SPLC listing it as a black nationalist hate group. Controversies have included a lawsuit over action figures not accurately representing Tazadaqyah’s image, perceived as not being “black enough,” and various instances of hate speech towards whites, Jews, and other minorities.
In April 2018, the organization’s leader, Jermaine Grant, and treasurer, Lincoln Warrington, were arrested on fraud and tax charges for diverting millions of dollars for Grant’s personal use. Both pleaded guilty, and Grant was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, although he died from complications of COVID-19 before serving his sentence. This incident highlighted the financial exploitation and manipulation within the group, leading some to describe Grant as a cult leader.
Despite its contentious standing, the ICGJC continues to be a notable entity within the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, demonstrating the diverse and complex nature of religious expression among its adherents.
image via SPLC
