Finally, it’s the Shabbat and today is also finally the day when I can pay a visit to Hephzibah Christian Fellowship and find out more about them.
Finding the place was a breeze. After alighting at Queenstown MRT station, it was only about a 350 meter walk to the building itself.
As advised by one of the elders, Michael, I arrived a little late as he had previously told me that services don’t really start on time as they usually have a home group at church that he leads.
It All Looks Good!
The service is held on the fourth floor, but Michael was on the second floor of the building to welcome me, which was really nice of him. Upon entering the service hall, I was pleased to find no extraneous decorations like images of saints or a figure on a crucifix. In fact, there wasn’t even a crucifix to be seen anywhere, which is great.
The next thing I noticed was that all the women had their heads covered. Now, here’s what I call truly observing the teachings (1 Corinthians 11:3-16)! Young unmarried ladies had shorter head coverings that still showed part of their hair, but married women had their entire heads covered. Men and women worship together.
The songs sung weren’t the traditional hymns I had gotten used to in the Bible-Presbyterian church I was attending, but neither are they of the riotous rock-concert grade that most Pentecostal churches love. I’d call them somewhere in the middle with a leaning towards traditional.
What I also enjoyed was the fact that there were 4 young ladies from the Youth wing dressed in Jewish celebratory garb dancing along with the songs and hitting their timbres during this part of the worship session. It made singing the songs quite enjoyable.
Expression during musical worship was quite free — most of the congregation clapped along, and during slower numbers some even knelt to sing.
Then came a session I have never experienced in the worship session at any church before — a free-for-all sharing segment. Anyone with some insight on what they had read in the Bible that week or a testimony to share can go up to the podium to share. I found it rather interesting in a good way.
The pastor was up next — a dynamic and animated man of about 50 years of age. I didn’t get to really meet him so that’s a shame. For the reading of the chapter for the day’s sermon, the congregation was required to stand.
It was a great sermon from which I learned a lot from. The theme was on obeying God’s commandments and a lot of verses were referenced from the Old Testament. It also took me a little getting used to that when they come to the words “God” in any passage, that the pastor replaced it with Yahweh. For the New Testament, Jesus is read as Yeshua.
Confusion Sets In
It was all good up to this point, but here comes the two parts that left me a little confused.
The first was at the end of the sermon. The band took up their places again and the congregation was led to sing “Sh’ma Yisrael” in Hebrew (very nice!).
Now, I don’t know for sure if I am unfamiliar with Jewish tradition in this respect, but what happened next was that the congregation moved up to just in front of the podium.
Men and women would stand apart from one another. Members from each gender then paired up with one standing in front of his or her partner. The person behind put his hands on the partner’s shoulder and at the end of the song, the person in front fell backwards and his partner will gently help him fall till he is prone, face up, on the floor.
The pastor would then come to them, bless both groups and the one on the floor then gets up. Right after everyone is up, the music started up again on “Sh’ma Yisrael”, and the practice repeated until all in the congregation have done the “fall”.
The second confusion came to me during the announcements that were made at the end of the entire worship session. It was then that I found out that all the men in the congregation and every male that belongs to the fellowship is circumcised.
That’s right, you read it correctly, they are all circumcised according to the covenant made between God and the Jewish people.
I have no issue with circumcision if it was indeed required, but didn’t the Apostles issue unto the Gentiles in Acts that it was not necessary that Gentiles be circumcised (Acts 15)?
with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.â€
Acts 15:23-29
Now they didn’t say that circumcision itself was necessary for salvation, but that they chose to obey all that God had commanded, including circumcision.
So, even though the Apostles agreed amongst themselves under the guidance of the Holy Spirit that it was necessary for Gentile male to be circumcised, it might still be good to do so in obedience to the commandments?
I didn’t have time to ask Michael this, but from what I have heard earlier during the sermon which struck me quite profoundly was our Lord Jesus Christ’s teaching on the commandments, even those of the Old Testament.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:17-19
That basically means that when our Lord Jesus Christ returns and rules His kingdom from Jerusalem, even those Laws of the Old Testament shall be enforced — that, among other Laws, those who do not observe the Shabbat shall be put to death, and adulterers stoned.
For God is the same today as He was yesterday, and shall be tomorrow and forever more, and His Laws and Commandments stand forever, Amen!
Conclusion
I am quite torn and confused to be truthful. On one hand, I like that this was indeed a church after God, believing and observing all that God commanded, and in my opinion almost going back to the times of the first churches.
On the other hand, I think you do see where my confusions stem from.
I am trying to find out more about that practice of the ‘fall’ during the singing of “Sh’ma Yisrael”, so if anyone has advice on this, as well as the issue of circumcision, please share it with me.
They might have come from the practices of the First Century church as set up by the Apostles, but I’ll really have to read more about that.
Shalom!
Tags: Christianity, Circumcision, Elohim, First Century Church, Jewish, Old Testament, Shabbat, Shema Yisrael, Worship, Yahweh
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Perhaps, thought they say they are non-denominational (I think you said that back in the beginning) they are a type of Messianic Jew? Though, they may not be Jewish in heritage? Just a thought.
On another note: I ask that you pray for me today. I found out this morning that we are expecting baby #5! Hallelujah! Praise Him on high. I am blessed, but my last two pregnancies were not easy, and the babies born premature, so I ask you to pray for my health and that of the baby. (You will see a post about this in your reader, too, but wanted to also ask all the prayers of your readers, since they don’t all visit mine as well.)
Thanks. Shalom and God bless. -
Dear Shalene:
They do claim to be non-denominational, but you might have a point there. Time to read up on Messianic Jews as well.
CONGRATULATIONS, my dear sister! That is indeed great news and rest assured I’ll have you in my prayers. I’ve left you a little comment on your blog too, heh!God bless!
Shabbat Shalom.
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CONGRATS, SHALENE!!! What a wonderful blessing. I will pray that all goes well during your pregnancy and birth.
Isaiah, I don’t know if you’ve ever visited http://www.EliYah.com before, but there is a lot of information that may be useful in figuring out your confusion. There is also a forum there where you can ask questions. I’ve never heard of the falling thing, but I’m sure someone there has. Also, I didn’t read all of it when it was alive, but I believe there was a discussion on circumcision a few months back. I’ve been meaning to go back and read it myself, so this is a good reminder.
Glad you enjoyed the rest of the service. Do you plan to ever visit again?
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Isaiah,
It is a sign between God and man. God required Abraham and all in his household to be circumsised, Gen 17: 9 And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.
10 “This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised;
11 “and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you…..every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. 13 “He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 “And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”It is required for all those who partake of the Passover, Exodus 12:48 “And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it.
And when you read Ezekiel 44:6 “Now say to the rebellious, to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “O house of Israel, let us have no more of all your abominations. 7 “When you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to defile it–My house–and when you offered My food, the fat and the blood, then they broke My covenant because of all your abominations. 8 “And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but you have set others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.” 9 ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter My sanctuary, including any foreigner who is among the children of Israel. You see that God has not changed. It will be required in the future!
Peace to All
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Matthew 5:17-20 shows us the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament, and Law and Grace.
Matthew 5:17-20(KJV)
Christ Fulfills the Law
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to
destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in
no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall
teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but
whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the
kingdom of heaven.Jesus fulfilled the Messianic Predictions of the Law.
The entire Old Testament has a prophetic role of pointing people to the coming Messiah through type and shadows.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate sacrifice for all our sins. By His death upon the cross, Jesus had perfectly fulfilled the whole ceremonial system of the Old Testament. All the messianic predictions came to pass in Him. In that sense, Jesus totally fulfilled the Law and all the ceremonies can finally cease!
Their spiritual meaning is still powerful for our understanding.
There are timeless principle which we can glean from!
“It was only the USE of them that was abolished, for their MEANING was more fully confirmed.” (John Calvin)
“The Old Testament is the gospel in the bud, the New Testament is the gospel in full flower. The Old Testament is the gospel in the blade, the New Testament is the gospel in full ear” (Bishop Ryle)
The Old Testament is unchanging and enduring.
“…. the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35)The 3 categories of the Law
Augustine (354-430): greatest of the Latin church fathers.
Thomas Aquinas (1255-74): best known and most influential medieval theologian.
Martin Luther (1438-1546): pioneer of the Reformation
John Calvin (1509-64): most influential theologian of the Reformation1. The Ceremonial law: Types and Shadows of how Jesus will be the Passover Lamb and shed His blood to atone for our sins (Hebrews 8:5)
5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
Hebrews 10:1 (NIV)
Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All
1The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
Once the realities have arrived in Christ, they are no longer needed (Hebrew 7:18-19). Once Jesus had carried out the eternal atonement, He abolished these daily observances (Colossians 2:16-17)
Hebrew 7:18-19
18The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
Colossians 2:16-17
16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
To the Christian believers today, the ceremonial law has No More Applications.
2. The Civil (Judical) law: Code of Governance for the nation Israel in the Old Testament.
2 Samuel 7:23-24
23 And who is like Your people, like Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name—and to do for Yourself great and awesome deeds for Your land—before Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods? 24 For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, LORD, have become their God.
The civil law is only meant specially for Israel, given to prepare the Jewish people for the first coming of Christ. When Jesus came, its purpose has been accomplished. Even for Israel today, it has No More Applications.
Now, coming to the most important point,
3. The Moral law: God’s ETERNAL Values for the human race
The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)
THE MORAL LAW STILL APPLIES TO US CHRISTIANS!
From Matthew 5:21 onward, Jesus refers only to the Moral Law of the Ten Commandments (not the ceremonial or civil laws).
Isaiah,
Therefore getting to the point, i am not trying to condemn anyone or churches, i believe every churches have their own sets of beliefs and teachings all having good intentions. What i am trying to say here is that we do not need to worry if we need to practice or be confused about the issues of circumcision or any other ceremonial law, how we worship God, how we sing praises and hymns to God, whether we fall or not, God is not a very legalistic God who insist on a fix way or rules when we worship Him, ultimately, the one thing God is looking at is our inward attitude and outward lifestyle as a Christian, whether do we keep(obey) God’s commandments, the Moral Law. Different churches practices different kind of praise and worship, traditional or contemporary style, there no right or wrong because to them, it makes them feel closer to God. Regardless what we do or practices as a Christian, let the Moral Law of God be imprinted in our heart, let us obey the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37) and fulfill the Great Commission(Matthew 28:19).I am not sure if you are looking for a church right now, just be careful of Antinomianism churches who based on the “cheap grace” teaching of the gospel. Antinomianism is the fatal belief that just because a Christian is under the grace of God, he or she can freely partake in sin because the moral law of God no longer applies in his or her life-specifically the Ten Commandments. I strongly discouraged those kind of churches. Somehow those churches believe that Jesus sacrifice on the cross had “got rid” of all the 3 laws as mentioned above.
God blessed!
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Hi Isaiah,
I’m just going to say I agree with Dan, for the most part. I have a slightly different view of the civil laws. A perfect God can only give perfect laws, so the civil laws provided to Israel are still applicable today. There’s no reason to be ashamed of them because they might seem harsh to us. I do, however, believe their application is optional, since as Dan points out, Israel was chosen, and to whom much is given, much is required. Our governments today are no longer theocracies, but if they wanted to implement true justice, they would adhere to the civil laws that were provided to Israel.
The ceremonial laws are perfect, too. The thing is, their purpose was to point to Christ, so now that Christ has come it would be odd to continue practicing them.
Circumcision was a symbol of the covenant between God and Abraham (and Abraham’s descendents, which we are not). Gentiles cannot take part in that covenant, so I don’t see the need for circumcision (as you noted with the message of Acts).
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Please read the very last sentence after Eze 44:6 scripture reference speaks of the sanctuary to come.
It reads: God has not changed; It will be required in the future!
Remember Psalms 118:8.
I have a question for Dan and Casey: Do you really believe that God has a set of rules for one child that does not apply to the other child. Sounds like respect of
person to me.Jesus is the same God that gave the laws, statutes, and ordinances, Hebrews 10:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Peace to All
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@King’s Kid
No, I do not believe that God has a different set of rules for different people. I do think that when God promises something to someone it doesn’t mean he promises it to everyone, though. God’s promise to bless the descendents of Abraham does not apply to me, as I am not a descendent of Abraham. How could that apply to me? God promised Mary that she would give birth to the Prince of Peace. Does that mean I can claim that promise as my own? I’m assuming you read what I wrote, so it appears as though you’re claiming that we can claim promises that were made to others and enter into covenants to which we have no relationship.
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@ Casey
Alright, just remember this scripture: Eze 44:9 ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter My sanctuary, including any foreigner who is among the children of Israel.
Sela
Peace -
@King’s Kid
But that’s the old sanctuary. You know, the one where the curtain was torn in two when Jesus was crucified.
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Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all.
And that pretty much settles that.
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Dear Sister King’s Kid:
Your question on who do we follow — Paul or God, was the same that was asked during the church service.
Was not Paul inspired of God to write what he wrote, and if so, does that not validate his teachings as those of God’s, and that we as Gentiles would follow Paul’s advice?
I do understand that Paul was called to specifically minister to Gentiles.
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No, Casey it is not the old sanctuary, that is a vision of the new sanctuary to come.
Read the chapters 43, 44, 45.
Eze 43: 7 And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.Eze 47:1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
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Dear Isaiah,
Remember Jesus is our Passover Lamb and we are to partake of Him Ex 12:48.
We are bought with the price of Jesus’ blood: Gen 17:13
However, suit yourself.
Peace to all.
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Dear Sister King’s Kid:
I shall read those and meditate on them. This issue is quite a test for me, because up till now I have never considered all these.
Even the issue of food — whether we are to be Kosher or not, is now coming into view for consideration because of all these new information.
God bless, and Shalom!
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Dan, Casey:
Thank you both for your comments!
Dan: I agree with you to a certain extent on how we should worship God and not worry about the ceremonial aspects of each church. However, there are churches that insist on speaking in fake tongues as part of their “feeling closer” feeling that I don’t agree with.
Casey: I am also of the belief that circumcision is the covenant between just God and the Israelites and not anyone else who does not have Jewish blood in them, i.e. Gentiles. But on the other hand, there is also compelling evidence that the Old Testament says that anyone that is not circumcised shall not enter into the sanctuary.
I will need some time to figure all this out with God’s guidance, and I want to thank you all — Dan, Casey and King’s Kid — for providing much food for thought.
When I am very sure that God has given me a straight answer, I shall share it.
I ask that you pray with me for the truth on these issues to be revealed.
God bless you all!
Shalom.
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@King’s Kid
I’m not fully versed in Biblical prophesy. I never had much time for it. I’m not completely convinced that Ezekiel is talking about a future temple that will definitely be built in Jerusalem. The passages also speak of animal sacrifices, and I don’t see what point there would be for animal sacrifices now.I’ll have to plead ignorance on this particular topic of the future temple, but there has to be another explanation, because Paul makes it clear that circumcision is no longer required. It’s not a matter of choosing between God and Paul or God and Moses, since both Paul and Moses were inspired by God to write what they did. If you’re going to start picking and choosing which parts of the Bible to accept and which parts to reject you’re on a very slippery slope.
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Dear Casey, I am repeating these scriptures so that you can read them for yourself, and know “Thus says the Lord”.
Exodus 12: 43 And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: 44 But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. 45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.
48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
Casey what is the Law? Deuteronmy 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God
Paul said in Ephesians 2: 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Romans 9: 4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. 6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel
Casey, if Gentiles do not have to be circumcised then why did Paul do this: Acts 16: 1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
Casey, please do not forget what Peter said: 2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
I Corinthians 5: 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
In closing, Casey, I repeat your last sentence back to you: If you are going to start picking and choosing which parts of the Bible to accept and which parts to reject you’re on a very slippery slope!
Peace to All
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Dear Casey:
I am learning lots just from King’s Kid. It’s amazing… so much so that I am re-examining so many things these few days.
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Well, Acts 15 makes it clear to me that circumcision is not for Gentiles. I want to look into Ezekiel, though, and try to determine if it is talking of a future temple that will be built and, if it is, why it says the people should be circumcised.
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And don’t forget 1 Corinthians 7:18-19:
Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. -
Dear Casey:
I was just reading Romans last night and there was the case of the circumcised versus the uncircumcised.
Although I would say that most of my belief about circumcision is based off Acts 15.
I am also even wondering about whether we need to go Kosher, hmm…
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You mean Romans 3:29-30?
Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.Jesus himself said that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles but that which proceeds from it, so I think that settles whether or not we need to go Kosher.
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Actually it was Romans 2:25-29 (I love eSword by the way, you should use it if you haven’t already, heh!).
As for kosher, someone mentioned that the deeper meaning of that scroll was to show Peter that he was to go minister to the Gentiles too and not really about whether it was therefore alright to take the unclean animals as food.
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It’s a downloadable Bible, and comes with Concordances and a few versions.
I now have a copy each at home and at the (shhh!) office.
You can check it out here:
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Sicarii,
You are absolutely correct. The vision of Peter was not about food. It was about going to preach to Cornelius (a gentile), immediately after the vision an angel of the Lord to Peter to go with the men (gentiles) doubting nothing.
Acts 10:18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging
there. 19 While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 “Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28 Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
This is what GOD has said: Isaiah 65:3 A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face; Who sacrifice in gardens, And burn incense on altars of brick; 4 Who sit among the graves,
And spend the night in the tombs;
Who eat swine’s flesh,
And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels; 5 Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, Do not come near me, For I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day.Peace to All
P.S. Casey, do not forget about that slippery slope.
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Dear Isaiah,
I am writing to you in regards to a conversation I had with my sister in Christ. She was telling me that you are searching for the Lord, Jesus Christ and the true church.There is The Israel of God Bible Study Class. We keep all the commandments, laws, and statutes. We even keep all of the Lord’s Sabbaths, the weekly and the Lord’s High Sabbaths spoken of in Leviticus 23. For you see, Israel is the Lord’s Church and that is also His name. Moses was in the Church in the wilderness, Acts 7:35-38.
Of a truth, I tell you that if you want salvation you must become a part of the commonwealth of Israel. The Lord gave Israel the adoption, the glory and the laws, to give to the rest of the sons of Adam, Romans 9:1-6.
As you can see when you read the scriptures that all the Prophets and Apostles were Israel. Jesus made statement that no one pays attention to: He told the woman at the well salvation is of the Jews (Israelites).
Come Check us out on-line, there is much to tell you about the Godhead (there are two), about the circumcision, dietary law, Sabbaths, and commandments. We also will be keeping the Day of Atonement, (Lev 23:26-32). Yes we are the true Israelites, chosen to teach all of the sons of Adam about the True and Living God (Elohim). For God said “My house shall be a house of prayer for all people, Isaiah 56:1-8. So, check out our website: http://www.theisraelofgod.com/
We will be keeping the Day of Atonement on Thursday, September 20th at sundown until Friday, September 21st at sundown. Services (class) will start at 8:00 pm CST. You can see it Live on the internet. We also will have services on Tuesday, September 25th at sundown for the Feast of Tabernacles, and then on October 2nd we will be observing The Eighth Day Feast starting at sundown, 8:00 pm. This is Chicago Time, Central Standard Time. http://www.theisraelofgod.com/
I am hoping that you will be able to watch these services/classes. You will learn and hear some Good News about the coming of the Lord. We also have Sabbath service/class weekly at 10:00 am and 1:30 pm. Trust me when I say that you will be excited and you will not be confused. We read and study the Lord’s Word, Holy Bible, King James Version. The whole book, Old and New Testaments. Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Law (Old Testament) and the testimony (New Testament).
Hope to hear from you soon, Peace.
Your Brother in Christ,
Tyronep.s. I will be writing to you about the circumcision and how important it is and what it signifies
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[...] have been reading chapters 10, 11 and 15 of Acts over and over again in relation to the debate on circumcision that has been going on in the follow-up to my post on the visit to Hephzibah Christian Fellowship [...]
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Dear Tyrone:
Thank you so much for dropping by and extending me this invitation.
At the moment, my heart is quite heavy with some of the issues, and until I sort them out I have need to really consult Yahweh in some quiet time.
I really appreciate the invitation, but I pray that you be patient as I try to sort things out in my personal walk.
And when I do, I shall be more confident of an answer to your kind invitation.
God bless you, brother.
Shalom Aleichem.
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Brother Isaiah,
I see you have questions about the circumcision with regard to who must, need, be circumcised. Well, all those who serve the Lord must be circumcised in the flesh for males, and in the heart (mind) for both male and female.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, what we will do is start at the beginning. Genesis 17:1-8 when Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to Abram to make a covenant with him. He also changed his name to Abraham for he would be a father of many nations, physically and spiritually.
In Genesis 17:9-13 we see that in the Lord’s covenant, with Abraham, that every man child shall be circumcised. If you noticed, every man child must be circumcised when he is eight days old.
Why on the eighth day and not another? No one ever asks about this, but we’ll see as we travel through the scriptures.
Now, how long is this covenant to last? The Lord says it is an everlasting covenant for both his physical seed and also for the stranger (spiritual seed). You would think that would be all that you need to know, since it is an everlasting covenant, for how long is everlasting.
Turn to Exodus 12:43-48 we see that the Lord says you can not partake of the Passover unless you are circumcised, both to Israel and the stranger (one of another nation), one law for all.
Let us continue on then, turn to 1 Corinthians 5:6-7. Now you read that Christ has become our Passover. How can you partake of the Passover (Christ) and come under the blood of Christ if you are not circumcised?
For this is the new covenant of bread and wine, Matthew 26:26-28. In Abraham’s time and Moses’, you were bought with money, but when Christ came He purchased you with His own blood, Acts 20:27-28.In 1 Peter 1:18-19, Peter tells you, also, that you were not purchased with money, but with the precious blood of Christ. You must not put your salvation in jeopardy by just one chapter in the Bible, Acts 15.
We have read what the Apostles wrote in their letter, but it was in error. If you have not noticed, I will tell you. You can not read in the scriptures, in any place, where the Lord said that men do not have to be circumcised; only man says this. Psalms 118:8, 146:3, tells us not to put our trust in men.
Also, after they write the letter, Paul went and circumcised Timothy, in the very next chapter. Why would Paul do this, if you do not have to be circumcised?
You also can read in Exodus 4:24-26 that the Lord sought to kill Moses because he had not circumcised his son. If He would kill Moses because of the circumcision, what do you think He would do to us?Let’s continue on, when Joshua was bringing the children of Israel out of the wilderness the Lord told him to circumcise the children of Israel the second time because their fathers obeyed not the voice of the Lord, Joshua 5:1-9.
All the people that came out of Egypt were circumcised, so all the people that were going to enter the Promised Land had to be circumcised. As you can see, the people obeyed not the voice of the Lord. The Lord said He does not change; He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6. Did you know that the Lord Jesus was circumcised? (Luke 2:21)
Let’s take a look into the future and see if you have to be circumcised, turn to Ezekiel 40:1-4. Ezekiel is given a vision of the New Temple, and to go and tell all that he sees to the house of Israel. You can read Chapters 40-44 and see that this is the Lord’s Temple when He returns to the Earth. As you can read, the Lord is on the Earth coming from the East, Ezek 43:1-6; He came to His house (Temple). As you notice He did not come from heaven, but from the East, because He was already on the Earth. That is a story (lesson) for another time.
In Ezek 44:4-9, the Lord says “no stranger uncircumcised in heart nor in flesh shall enter His house. You must also circumcise your heart (Deu10:16) and “be not more stiff necked”.
Now I ask you to show me where the Lord said you do not have to be circumcised. Can you read that to me? If you are not circumcised why not hedge you chances?
Ecclesiastes 12: 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
So, who are you going to believe, man, or God, who has not changed His words on the matter since He gave the commandment to Abraham?
Peace
Brother Tyrone
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