Is It Enough to Live Under the Requirements Applicable in Noach's Time?
By Isaac Aluochier
[Author's note: The following article is a response to questions raised by a serious student of the Holy Scriptures.]
QUESTION: DISTINCTION BETWEEN RIGHTEOUS AND NON-RIGHTEOUS LAWS
ANSWER: DISTINCTION BETWEEN RIGHTEOUS AND NON-RIGHTEOUS LAWS
ARE PHYSICAL CIRCUMCISION AND THE LAW OF MOSHE ESSENTIAL FOR SALVATION?
COMMENT: YAHWEH DESIGNED POLYGYNY
Tell me if I understand you correctly. Are you saying that there is no need for disciples when Yahshua Himself taught His students to make disciples out of all nations... or did He? A Goy (Gentile) living under the Noachdic halakhah (teaching, legal requirements, legal practices) may be righteous in the sight of Yahweh but is this the will of Yahweh?
I endorse all of Yah'shuah's words, including his command to his disciples that they make disciples of all nations.
If I understand you correctly it appears to me that it is Yahweh's will that the Goyim live under what can be described as the Noachdic halakhah. Nevertheless, one should not understand the Noachdic halakhah in a shallow sense, but in a deeper sense. I will shortly explain what I mean.
QUESTION: DISTINCTION BETWEEN RIGHTEOUS AND NON-RIGHTEOUS LAWS
"Behold My servant whom I will raise up, My chosen one in whom is desire of My Nefesh; I have given My Spirit upon him. He will bring miyshpat to the goyim. ... to truth He shall bring miyshpat ... he shall not be darkened nor crushed until he has set miyshpat in the land and the isles await him" Y'shayahu (Isaiah) 42:1-4
The T'nak (Old Testament) teaches that a Jew, or geyr (disciple), may be justified (made tzadiyk) by adherence to miyshpat (provision of blood atonement being absolutely linked to one's sincere efforts to adhere to miyshpat).
My limited understanding of Rav Shaul is that he basically taught that Goyim could be righteous under the Noachdic halakhah. But when this is compared to Yahshua's teaching, it seemed to be only in preparation to the shomeyr of the entire Torah. It is clear to both of us that "You shall be shomeyr of ALL of My statutes and ALL of My miyshpatim... (Va-Yiykra 19:37 also 20:22). You have determined a method by which you can differentiate laws that contain His righteousness and those that do not. But, we are not called to make such a distinction, even if it makes sense? The book of Revelation "calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey Yahweh's commandments and remain faithful to Yahshua." Who are these saints? Are they Goyim, Geyrim or Yehudim? According to your construct, they can only be Yehudim and I am not convinced of that.
ANSWER: DISTINCTION BETWEEN RIGHTEOUS AND NON-RIGHTEOUS LAWS
I will address the matter of whether we are called to make a distinction between those laws of Yahweh that contain his righteous requirements and those that do not.
You will remember that Acts 15 records the dispute between some Yahudim on one side, mainly believers among the sect of the Perushim, and Shaul and Bar-Nabba on the other side. The Perushim believers contended that observance of physical circumcision and the law of Moshe was essential upon the Goyim for purposes of their salvation before Yahweh. Shaul and Bar-Nabba contended otherwise. The dispute was therefore taken to the assembly, apostles and Zakenim at Yerushalayim for determination.
'15:7When there had been much discussion, Kefa rose up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that a good while ago the Mighty One made choice among you, that by my mouth the Goyim should hear the word of the good news, and believe. 15:8The Mighty One, who knows the HEART, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us. 15:9He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by FAITH. 15:10Now therefore why do you tempt the Mighty One, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 15:11But we believe that we are SAVED THROUGH THE GRACE of the Master Yah'shuah, just as they are."'
'15:13After they were silent, Ya`akov answered, "Brothers, listen to me. 15:14Shim`on has reported how the Mighty One first visited the Goyim, to take out of them a people for his name. 15:15This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,
15:16'After these things I will return.
I will again build the tent of David, which has fallen.
I will again build its ruins.
I will set it up:
15:17That the rest of men may seek after Yahweh;
All the Goyim who are called by my name,
Says Yahweh, who does all these things.
15:18All his works are known to the Mighty One from eternity.'
15:19"Therefore my judgment is that we DON'T TROUBLE THOSE FROM AMONG THE GOYIM who turn to the Mighty One, 15:20but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood. 15:21For Moshe from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Shabbat."'
'15:22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the Zakenim, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Sha'ul and Bar-Nabba: Yahudah called Bar-Sabba, and Sila, chief men among the brothers. 15:23They wrote these things by their hand:
"The apostles, the Zakenim, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Goyim in Antioch and Aram and Cilicia: greetings. 15:24Because we have heard that some who went out from us have TROUBLED YOU WITH WORDS, UNSETTLING YOUR SOULS, saying, 'You must be circumcised and keep the law,' to whom we gave no commandment; 15:25it seemed good to us, having come to ONE ACCORD, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Bar-Nabba and Sha'ul, 15:26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Master Yah'shuah the Messiah. 15:27We have sent therefore Yahudah and Sila, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth. 15:28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than THESE NECESSARY THINGS: 15:29that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell."'
Extract From "Circumcision and the True Gospel"
The following is an extract from the article "Circumcision and the True
Gospel" at http://www.ServeYahweh.org/Articles/circumcision.htm.
ARE PHYSICAL CIRCUMCISION AND THE LAW OF MOSHE ESSENTIAL FOR SALVATION?
Some Preached that Physical Circumcision is Essential for Salvation
The issue here was whether circumcision according to the custom of Moshe was essential for salvation or not. The issue here does not appear to have been whether circumcision was still applicable to those of the household of Avraham, including those physically descended from him and those under the complete authority of Avraham’s physical descendants even though not physically descended from him.
In other words, circumcision in the flesh could very well still be valid for purposes other than salvation. But was it a requirement for salvation?
That Shaul and Bar-Nabba disputed with these men from Judea indicates that the view taken by Shaul and Bar-Nabba was that circumcision in the flesh was not essential for salvation.
If this was the view taken by Shaul and Bar-Nabba, on what did they rely on to back up this view?
Some Preached that Keeping the Law of Moshe is Essential for Salvation
Those of the sect of the Perushim, who were also believers, insisted that it was necessary to circumcise the Gentile believers and to command them to keep the Law of Moshe.
The issue here does not appear to have been whether or not circumcision and the Law of Moshe still applied to Avraham’s household. Rather it was whether or not these should be extended to the Gentiles; the implication being that those of the household of Avraham who were also believers were continuing with their practice of circumcision and adhering to the Law of Moshe.
The issues here were therefore whether both circumcision and the Law of Moshe were essential for salvation, and if so, whether or not their application should be extended to the Gentile believers, as these were already being kept by the Yisraelite believers.
Kefa stressed that circumcision of the heart was more important than circumcision of the flesh. In that Yahweh, who knows the heart, acknowledged the Gentiles by giving them his Holy Spirit, just as he had acknowledged the Yisraelite believers. Yet the Gentiles who so received the Holy Spirit were not circumcised in the flesh. For had they been circumcised in the flesh they would have been considered part of the household of Avraham, and would not have been considered Gentiles by the Yisraelites. For once a Gentile had become part of the household of Avraham by agreeing to have Yahweh as his Mighty One and manifesting this agreement through circumcision in the flesh, he thereby ceased being considered a Gentile but was in all respects an Yisraelite.
Kefa stressed that Yahweh made no distinction between the believing Yisraelites and the believing Gentiles, and purified the hearts of the believing Gentiles not by physical circumcision, but by faith. In other words, as these believing Gentiles were already circumcised in heart, in that they had Yahweh as their Mighty One, Yahweh justified them by faith, and not by any works - of which circumcision in the flesh and the works of the Law of Moshe are.
Justification before Yahweh is by faith, not by works - of which circumcision in the flesh and the works of the Law of Moshe are.
Kefa made it clear that those insisting that the believing Gentiles be circumcised in the flesh and be made to observe the Law of Moshe were testing Yahweh! He also wondered why these believing Perushim should place a yoke on the necks of believing Gentiles which neither their Yisraelite ancestors nor they the believing Yisraelites, had been able to bear or keep.
Salvation is by the Grace of Yah'shuah
Kefa reiterated that salvation is by the grace of Yah'shuah - an undeserved gift given to one. The works of circumcision in the flesh or the Law of Moshe cannot earn salvation.
Circumcision in the flesh and the Law of Moshe have other purposes - which do not include salvation. Salvation is by the grace of Yahweh and comes by faith in Yah'shuah the Messiah. It does not come from circumcision in the flesh or from the Law of Moshe.
Yaakov equated insisting that believing Gentiles be circumcised in the flesh and keep the Law of Moshe with troubling them. He also judged that believers should not trouble other believers. Therefore believing Gentiles should not be required to be circumcised in the flesh or to keep the Law of Moshe.
The letter from the assembly clearly stated the issues at stake - the insistence that Gentile believers be circumcised and be made to keep the Law of Moshe. The letter equated, just like Yaakov had earlier on, making this insistence with troubling the Gentile believers and unsettling their souls. Brethren - believers - should not trouble one another.
The long and short of this assembly, confirmed by the Holy Spirit as noted in verse 28, was that circumcision in the flesh and keeping the Law of Moshe were not essential for salvation. Salvation comes by the grace of Yahweh through faith in Yah'shuah the Messiah, not through works - such as circumcision in the flesh and keeping the Law of Moshe.
Coming back to the matter you raised, whether it is necessary to make a distinction between the portion of Yahweh's law that contains his righteousness and that devoid of it, it appears evident from the above that it is indeed necessary. For those Perushim believers who did not make this distinction, but required the Goyim to keep both circumcision and the entirety of the Law of Moshe, found themselves to be both testing Yahweh, and also troubling the believing Goyim, unsettling their souls! As we ought not to test Yahweh, nor trouble other believers, such as by making requirements of them that Yahweh himself does not make of them, it should appear clear that it is imperative upon us to make this distinction. For once we have made this distinction we will know which requirements not to make of other believers, thereby avoiding falling into the pit these believing Perushim fell into.
It should also be noted from where the assembly at Yerushalayim obtained the "necessary things" they insisted the believing Goyim had to keep. These largely came from Vayikra 19 and 20. They all had to do with holiness, for partaking of the forbidden mentioned things would defile the Goyim. As Yahweh has made the Goyim holy by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in them, they have to remain holy, even as Yahweh is holy. They therefore have to observe Yahweh's laws that require that what is holy must be preserved in its hallowed state.
Who Are the Holy Ones of Revelation 14: 12?
I will now turn to Revelation 14: 12: "Here is the patience of the holy ones, those who keep the commandments of the Mighty One, and the faith of Yah'shuah."
The context of this verse does not suggest that these holy ones are only the Yahudim. For verse 6 talks about the proclamation of the good news to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation, tribe, language, and people. And these were commanded to worship Yahweh and to fear him, giving him glory. In other words, they were commanded to be spiritually circumcised, having Yahweh as their Mighty One. And this is an obligation of Yahweh on all peoples, not just the Yahudim. Verse 9 to 11 show that those to drink of Yahweh's wrath are those who are not spiritually circumcised, in that they have another mighty one, in that they worship the beast and his image.
It therefore appears to me that the holy ones of Revelation 14: 12, who keep the commandments of Yahweh and the faith of Yah'shuah, are commandment keeping believers of all nations, including the Yahudim and the Goyim.
Drawing from our previous commentary, it also appears that these "commandments of Yahweh" that these "holy ones" keep are those which contain Yahweh's righteous requirement. For if these holy ones include the Goyim, and the Goyim are required to keep only Yahweh's commands that contain his righteous requirement, then these "commandments of Yahweh" must be those that contain Yahweh's righteous requirement.
It is also noted that these holy ones must keep the faith of Yah'shuah.
An Attribute of the Noachdic Halakhah
Going back to the Noachdic halakhah, it should be seen that Noach believed Yahweh, and therefore had faith in Yahweh. For he believed Yahweh's words that there would be a flood to cover the entire earth, and he showed his faith in Yahweh by his obedience to Yahweh in constructing the Ark and obeying the accompanying commands. And just as Avraham's faith, his belief in Yahweh and obedience to Yahweh, was reckoned as righteousness, so also was Noach's belief and obedience to Yahweh, that is Noach's faith.
Noachdic halakhah therefore includes faith, as was the case in Avraham's time, as is the case now in this period after Yah'shuah's first coming. Therefore those Goyim purporting to follow Noachdic halakhah must also have faith in Yahweh, which is the faith of Yah'shuah. For Yahweh did command in the Law that all were to believe his words spoken by the prophet like Moshe, who is Yah'shuah the Messiah. Therefore any Goy purporting to follow Noachdic halakhah must also have faith in Yah'shuah the Messiah.
So far you haven't convinced me, even with the issue concerning Yerushalayim. The book of Revelation speaks of the New Yerushalayim that will be the capital of the world. This is a New Yerushalayim built by Yahshua Himself not by any human hands. In it there is no temple. "I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord Yahweh Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" Rev 21:22. The only purpose for the temple is atonement...i.e. the killing of lamb, bulls and goats in keeping with blood covenants between Yahweh and humanity. But now that the ultimate spilling of blood has occurred, there is no need for any blood to be spilled, i.e. no temple, circumcision, sacrifices, stoning sinners to death. These mitzvoth are vicariously shomeyred for us through the ultimate blood covenant fulfilment.
The Yerushalayim that I spoke of in my previous letter was not the one spoken of in Revelation 21, but the one that will be in existence in the 1,000-year period of Revelation 20: 6, when Yah'shuah will be ruling the earth based from his earthly headquarters at Yerushalayim. For Yechezkel 40 to 48 does give the account of the Temple to be constructed and the various activities pertaining to this Temple. And it is during this 1,000-year period that the various animal sacrifices will be conducted at this Temple.
The time period for the establishment of New Yerushalayim is after the end of the 1,000-year rule of the Messiah and the holy ones.
COMMENT: YAHWEH DESIGNED POLYGYNY
Notice, however, that blood covenants between humans still hold. A woman has a blood covenant with her husband, i.e. the tearing of her hymen. Notice also that a woman can only tear her hymen once that is why she can only be married to one husband. One the other hand, a man can have blood covenants with several women. It is not for arbitrary reasons that Yahweh "allowed" polygyny. It was by design.
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