Understanding The Way (1)

It is helpful to understand the development of the Covenant which teaches us "The Way" in which we should walk. Much confusion and disinformation can be eliminated concerning "The Law" if we truly understand "The Law" as God's Instruction Manual. For in it, there were different people categories or status', which determined what part of "The Law" one was to follow. For example, the High Priest in Israel was responsible for more regulations than the common Israelite. As we go along, it is important to remember, that there are regulations that are common to all people and there are particular regulations for particular people - regulations for people of a particular status.

Discovering the original terms contained in the original covenant given to Adam is needful for us. The Nation of Israel, during their Exodus and 40 year Journey through the wilderness, received a narrowed purpose with supplemental terms. These supplemental terms initially applied only to them - while they were dwelling within "The Priestly Land". Yet, during this same time, the original terms contained in the original covenant given to Adam, were re-written with definition and clarity. Therefore, it is necessary that we discern the difference between the Original Terms and the Supplemental Terms. Because, the terms of both covenants are mixed together in the experience of their journey. We don't have all the details of the original covenant with Adam, we have mostly implicit evidence within the Book of Genesis. So, starting with Adam, let us take a look at the development of the Covenant.

The first covenant given was that which Adam walked in before his sin.

Dwelling Inside The Land (Garden)

A Righteous Couple Circumcised In Heart, not in the flesh

Walking in "The Way" but

Uncircumcised

Then, Adam and Eve sinned; However, they continued to walk in the same covenant after they sinned. But notice, the Covenant was modified. Added to 'The Covenant' was a sacrificial system, along with hardships living outside The Paradise Garden. This created a new category of human existence. Now, notice the two categories of human existence illustrated below.

Dwelling Outside The Land (Garden)	Foreign Dwellers, Forgiven & Righteous Circumcised In Heart, but not in the flesh	Walking in "The Way" but	Uncircumcised
Dwelling outside The Land	Foreigners Uncircumcised in heart and flesh.	Not Walking in "The Way" and	Uncircumcised

Adam, Abel, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Melchizedek, Abram and others were part of the same covenant described as, "the way". This was prior to the New Priestly National Covenant made with Abram in Genesis 17. Abram and those who believed in The LORD and walked in "The Way" were already "justified (rectified)" and "saved", prior to this New Covenant with Abram and his new name of Abraham. This "new" covenant was not for eternal salvation (per se), it was for The Priesthood among all other nations!! As The Apostle Paul stated,

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit [is there] of circumcision? Much in every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. Romans 3:1, 2

The sacrificial system was added when Adam was expelled from the Garden. That system was re-directed into the 'custodial' care of the Priestly Nation and augmented at Israel's Exodus from Egypt, in order that it could be brought to fullness through Our Lord Yeshua's death as the Yom Kippur Sacrifice. Notice the developing chart.

Jacob's 12 Sons Dwelling Inside the Land	Abraham, Isaac, Ya'acov, The 12 Tribes of Israelites	Walking in "The Way" and	Circumcised
Immigrants - Geirim Dwelling Inside the Land	Immigrants (strangers) Circumcised In Heart and in the flesh	Walking in "The Way" and	Circumcised
Dwelling Outside The Land	Foreigners Circumcised In Heart, not in the flesh	Walking in "The Way" but	Uncircumcised
Dwelling outside The Land or temporarily inside The Land	Foreigners Uncircumcised in heart and flesh.	Not Walking in "The Way" and	Uncircumcised

Abraham's circumcision marked the beginning of his and his seeds narrowed purpose - to be a Priestly Nation (Goy) among all Nations (Goyim - Gentiles).

Now, therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep (guard) My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Exodus 19:5, 6

Their narrowed purpose contained supplemental terms (laws) laid out for them in their new capacity. Notice, above in the chart, the two new categories that were added. Circumcision was a sign of The Priestly Covenant - not of the original broader covenant. Circumcision was necessary for those who "dwelled" in "The Land" and not for those outside it. One did not have to join in with Israel's Priestly Covenant in "The Priestly Land" to be "declared righteous" and therefore be "saved". To do that, as we'll see, Priestly Physical Circumcision was necessary. Only heart circumcision was necessary for the former covenant. This is the understanding that Sha'ul (Paul) is giving us in the Book of Romans when he speaks of "the faith" which Abraham possessed while being uncircumcised (Romans 4:10). It is the same "faith" that the Book of Hebrews, chapter 11, testifies that Abel, Enoch, and Noah possessed outside of circumcision. It is the "faith" that the nations (goyim, gentiles) were taking hold of as the Apostles were declaring it. Circumcision of heart was enough for those dwelling outside of the "Priestly Land." The Apostles at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 understood this in opposition to The Believers from the Sect of Shammai Pharisees, who were in control of things during the 1st Century.

At Sinai and during their 40 year journey, the number of categories or status's were increased again; But, that did not nullify the former covenant and former categories of people. Notice the added categories within the narrowed Priestly National Covenant.

Chosen From House Of Aaron	Aaronic High Priest	Walking in "The Way" and	Circumcised
Aaron's Seed - Chosen From The Tribe of Levi	House of Aaron	Walking in "The Way" and	Circumcised
Instead of The Firstborn of The 12 Tribes	The Tribe of Levites	Walking in "The Way" and	Circumcised
Jacob's 12 Sons	The 12 Tribes of Israelites	Walking in "The Way" and	Circumcised
Immigrants - Geirim Dwelling Inside the Land of Israel	Immigrants (GodfearingStrangers) Circumcised In Heart and in the flesh	Walking in "The Way" and	Circumcised
Geirim Dwelling Outside The Land	Foreigners (GodfearingStrangers) Circumcised In Heart, not in the flesh	Walking in "The Way" but	Uncircumcised
Dwelling outside The Land or temporarily inside The Land	Foreigners Uncircumcised in heart and flesh.	Not Walking in "The Way" and	Uncircumcised

There are two extreme positions that teachers take in determining what is now applicable to us and what is not. One extreme will declare that all commands must be obeyed by all people. The other extreme position declares that all commands are part of the narrowed purpose given to Israel and therefore doesn't apply to us. Both of these extremes is erroneous. We must find the balance and that begins to be found by actually understanding and accepting the premises that I've stated thus far.

During the first century, before The Apostasy of the Roman Church took place (70-135 C. E.), the Apostolic Teachers understood "The Law and The Prophets." However, Christian Teachers of today are still deluded by 'the Man of Sin' and his demonic doctrines. Paul said that

'the Man of Sin'¹

will arise after

'he who hinders'² is moved out of the way (II Thessalonians 2).

After the weakening and removal of the Spirit-filled Netsarim Community [by the Beastly Roman Empire], this False Prophet¹ came forth and will continue to prosper until the Lord destroys him at his Coming!!

_____________________________

¹The Man of Sin is a personification of the false religious system - The Roman Catholic System; see Revelation 12 & 13)

²He who hinders is a personification of the The Netsarim Community - James, The Apostles & Elders, etc.