The group believes that the ancient Israelites are the ancestors of black Americans. They reject the term 'Jew' as inappropriate because of their belief that they are descended from all 12 tribes, not just that of Judah. While rejecting the religious forms of both Judaism and Christianity, the Black Hebrews maintain the divine inspiration of the Tanakh, and they also value the New Testament as a record of the words of Yeshuah, one of an ongoing line of 'messiahs' who are sent by God to keep the people of Israel in the ways of righteousness.