Our knowledge of Israel History as a whole is confined only to the Southern kingdom (i.e., Judah and Benjamin tribe), as such we believe that the tribe of Judah (including Benjamin) was only tribes taken into the Babylonian captivity and furthermore, there is also the belief that the post exilic history covered only Judah. The other ten tribes of Israel (i.e., Northern kingdom), we believe, were taken captivity by the Assyrian king and subsequently lost completely forever. Little we know about these 10 tribes taken into captivity, by the Assyrian king 136 years before the Babylonian captivity.

After the death of Solomon in BC 931 his kingdom was divided into two kingdoms, and consequently the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin along with their respective lands allotted from time of Joshua followed the son of Solomon, Rehoboam and rest of the ten tribes of Israel (also known as Northern kingdom) along with their respective lands followed Jeroboam.

The king of the Northern kingdom, Jeroboam then made two golden calves, one he set up in Bethel and the other one he set up his Dan; this he did because of the fact that he thought his kingdom would be weakened if Israel always would visit Jerusalem to worship God, but this angered God very much (I Kings 12:26-30). The Levites even abandoned their pasture lands and property and then came to Judah because Jeroboam rejected them as priests, and also those from every tribes of Israel who rejected worshipping golden calves, and who were rigid in religion came to Jerusalem (2 Chro. 11:14-16).

When Asa become king over Judah, he effected better system of religion and God also blessed him, and it was known that Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon had came over to him and settled under his care and protection (2 Chro.15:9). Although it was called Kingdom of Judah, it appeared that every tribe out of 12 Israel tribes was in the kingdom of Asa.

In BC 722 the 10 tribes of Israel were taken into captivity by the king of Assyria, who settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River and in the town the Medes which were under his kingdom (2 Kings 17:6). The manner of Assyrian conquest and subsequent rule were very much different from Romans? massacre of Jews in AD 70 When Assyria conquered Israel, the people were taken into captive and many of them were left to remain in their land, but Assyria sent foreigner and eventually cross-cultural marriage to be prevalent. Their descendents were known as Samaritans.

Six years after the captivity of the Northern tribes (Israel), Hezekiah become a king of Judah. He cleansed the temple, he reformed religious system and observed the pass over feast in which a good number of the tribes of Aser, Manasseh and Zebulun also came. About one hundred year after Assyrian king took them (Israel people) into captivity, when king Josiah, in 622 BC made in the reformation in the religious system, the remnants of Israel who were not taken into captivity, gave offering to the Lord (2 Chro. 34:9).

What is clearly seen here is that after the fall of Northern Kingdom (ten tribes of Israel), the remnants of Israel, not taken into captivity by Assyrian, continue to settle in Palestine. Although, they did not have their own king, they attached themselves to the king of Judah. When king Nebuchadnezzar captured and took control over Jerusalem, the inhabitants of Jerusalem were not only the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi but also the tribes of Israel settled and so, there was no reason that they should not be among the Babylonian captivity and who continued to live in their own land had been completely assimilated before another 100 years elapsed; they had become Samaritans.

The Israel captives in Assyria did not vanish, when the king of Babylon subdivided the king of Assyria Israel captives did not gain freedom as a consequences they rather went into possession of Babylon which was quite suitable as both the Assyrians and the Babylonians lived/inhabited the same Mesopotamian region. Israel was scattered flock of ship chased away by the lion, king of Assyria devoured him, king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar crush his bones (Jer. 50:17). In olden days slaves were very much required to do works, when freedom was won, there was no difference in favor of slaves, slaves were slaves, that?s all; no freedom through wars, they rather went into possession of the conqueror in that war; prophet Ezekiel, who was with the Jewish captives, ministered in the captives (Ezk. 4:4, 14:1, 20:1, etc).

When the king of Persia, Cyrus conquered, there their uncommon happening which was very much remarkable, (as God already proclaimed) - permission for the freedom of the captives were issued, and as many as 42360 had at first, their home coming, among them were people of Bethel and of Ai ? people of the places where Jeroboam?s golden calves set up, were also with them (Ezek.2:28). During the reign of Persian king, Artaxerxes, some of the people of Israel (of the erstwhile Northern kingdom) also returned to their home land (Ezra 27:7) and those who returned home had sacrificial offerings for the 12 tribes, this clearly shown that who came back from the captivity fully represented 12 tribes of Israel.

Apart from the above, I would like to mention that it is very much wrongful to believed that the escaped children of Israel from the captivity would proceed to China, the land which they knew nothing about; or else, if they had to do this, they would need to cross to Persia, India (Modern Pakistan); it would not be like traveling peacefully or not like Uncle Tom proceeded to Canada from America. It would also be unwise to take exceedingly long journey with women and children without carrying sufficient food to sustain them on their way (to China) from Mesopotamia.

Luke mention Aser of the ten tribes of Israel (Luke 2:36). James the Apostle knew that the 10 tribes were not lost (James 1:1). The Lord Jesus was sent only to the lost ship of Israel (Matt. 15:24). Had the ten tribes been lost, they might have gone to other places besides Palestine. Had the ten tribes been lost, they would certainly have gone to other places beyond Palestine.

The Jews, everywhere, we treated with contempt. Formerly, in Germany, the Jews were compulsorily issued badges so as to distinct or so as to brand them that they were Jews. In those days of past nothing was known about that there were Jews in India. However, Judaism is a religion of Jews and for the propagation or dissemination of their faith they always naturally tried hard to find opportunity. Even during the time of Lord Jesus they converted many non-Jews into Jews, ?For you travel land and sea to wine one proselyte? (Matt 23:15). Mizo or any other tribes who wish to convert themselves into Jews to follow Judaism would not be rejected by the Jews.

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the ‘Church’ of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 2:28, KVJ)

    The word ‘Church’ is derived from the Greek word “Kuriakos” which means “belonging to the Lord.” This word appeared only twice in the New Testament, and neither time is it with reference to the Church.

   “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the “Lord’s supper”. For in eating every one takes before other his own supper; and one is hunger, and another is drunken. What? Have ye not houses to eat and to drink? Or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.” (I Corinthians 11:20-22, KJV). “I was in the Spirit on the “Lord’s Day”, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.” (Rev. 1:10, KJV).

     The word ‘Church’ should be understood in term of the Greek “Ekklesia” which is of Ek “out” Kaleo “to call or summon.” Thus, Ekklesia means “to call out.”   Acts 7:38 – the word is used of the assembly of Israelites in the wilderness.

    Out of 114 occurrences of Ekklesia in the New Testament, only 5 (five) have no reference to the church. The remaining 109 occurrences can be grouped as follows:

1.     The Local Church:

I Thessalonians 1:1; I Corinthians 4:17; 7:17; Gal. 1:22; II Corinthians 11:8.

     2.  The Universal church

           Matthew 16:18; Acts 8:1-3; 9:31; I Corinthians 12:28; I Corinthians 15:9;

           Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18.

          Never in the New Testament is Ekklesia used of a building, a denomination, or an   official state church.

 When did it originate?

      It is widely recognized and seems clearly scriptural that the New Testament church originated on the ‘Day of Pentecost’ (Acts 2). The church was still future while Christ was on earth. “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18), depended on the finished work of Christ (Acts 20:28); and could not exist until the coming of the Holy Spirit. “But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Je-ru’-sa-lem, and in all Judae’-a and in Sa-ma’-ria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, KJV) “For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one spirit.” (I Corinthians 12:13, KJV)

 What is its function?

          Let us explore the worship account in Luke 7:36-50, to see more clearly the qualities that characterize a worshipper. Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to dinner with him so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. When a woman had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who has invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”  Jesus answered him, “Simon, (Simon the Leper, Matt.26:6). I have something to tell you,” Tell me, teacher he said. “There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon. Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her. Thy sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:40-48, KJV).

       The first lesson to learn from this drama is worshippers are givers. This woman gave Jesus some very costly ointment thought to be valued at roughly a year’s wages. Today the value might be fourteen (14) Lakhs or perhaps even more.

      In those days, there were no banks where currency could be saved, so people would invest in valuable articles like this jar of perfume as a means of building up financial security. The jar represented this woman’s entire savings; perhaps she had planned to retire on the money it would bring her.

     This flask of ointment was not like our jars of perfume to day. Our perfume bottles have spray pumps that dispense only a little liquid at the time; or we can unscrew the bottles lid and dab a little perfume here and there. But this jar was made of stone, so the only way to get to the contents was to break the jar. Further more once the jar was broken, all the contents had to be used, as there is no way of saving them. We see also that this woman kissing Jesus feet. This is a beautiful aspect of worship.

 Edification:(to improve the mind or character, Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary). Edify here speaks of encouragement and strengthening. Let us examine with the gift of Spirit of the word of wisdom notice, it is not the ‘gift of wisdom’ but the gift of the ‘word of wisdom’ it seems to be a small portion, (when it says word) of God’s total wisdom supernaturally imparted by the Holy Spirit. A word of wisdom. Knowledge is information and wisdom knows what to do with that information. Ecclesiastes says “wisdom is profitable to direct.” Let’s put in different way, it can come through vision, dream and can come to us by probing in to our mind or in all kinds of ways a word of wisdom can operate. Wisdom is basically, knowing what to do with the information. The Lord may tell you go and tell some body, like don’t worry. Just a simple word at the right time.  For example, once, a pastor of a church was going particularly trial time. He needs decision to make, he didn’t know what to do, he was just kind of a lost and so he step in to the office actually it was not a business day, it was just before the service. And one of a sister in the church office sitting at the telephone answering the telephone before the service and Pastor came walking through and then she just felt prompted to say to him, and she said, “Pastor, the word of the Lord says to let you know that it’s going to be alright.” See that was a simple statement but that moment exactly what he wants to hear. It was like God has spoken from heaven.

          That little word edifies Pastor in that particular moment. “But the             manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” (Cor. 12:7,            KJV) “And he (God) gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some,      evangelist; and some pastors and teachers. For perfecting of the saints, for the            work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12, KJV)  

1. Evangelism: The last statements of Jesus to His followers were that they were to declare the good news of the gospel (Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again on the third day according to the scriptures. I Cor. 15:1-4) both locally and to the far reaches of the earth. (Matt. 28:19).

2. Social Concern: It is the responsibility of the Church to perform acts of Christian love and compassion for both believers and unbelievers (illustration:  Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37)

 What is its character?

         It has been estimated that in the New Testament there are nearly 100 images    referring to the church. There are at least seven major images:

1. The people of God. “Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God…” (I Peter 2:10, KJV)

2. The body of Christ. “So we, being many, are one body in Christ…” (Rom.12:5) “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?” (I Cor. 6:15)

3. The temple of God. “…know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? … therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit which are God’s” ( I Cor. 6:19-20)

4. The priesthood. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 2:5, KJV)

5. The bride. “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife (the church) hath made herself ready.” (Rev. 19:7, KJV)

6. The Flock. “Feed the flock of God which is among you…” (I Pet.5:2, KJV)

7. The vine and the branches. “I am the vine, ye are the branches…” (John 15:5)