Circumcision - The law of Moses

Posted By: kland

Circumcision - The law of Moses - 11/01/17 08:38 PM

If circumcision was part of the law given to both Abraham and the Jews, to be kept "forever", then what was it that caused it to no longer be required? We've read quite a bit in Galations and now in Romans. Paul was addressing those saying circumcision was required and the law of Moses.

We are now circumcised of the heart. But why were the Jews required to be physically circumcised instead of just circumcised of the heart?
Posted By: APL

Re: Circumcision - The law of Moses - 11/04/17 07:18 PM

Originally Posted By: kland
But why were the Jews required to be physically circumcised instead of just circumcised of the heart?
Unbelief and transgression.
Posted By: kland

Re: Circumcision - The law of Moses - 11/06/17 11:27 PM

But do we (and the Galations) not have unbelief and transgression?
Posted By: APL

Re: Circumcision - The law of Moses - 11/07/17 01:02 AM

Originally Posted By: kland
But do we (and the Galations) not have unbelief and transgression?
We do! But we have the real deal in Jesus. It is sad so many reject His testimony. As for the Galations: Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love.

As for transgression: If man had kept the law of God, as given to Adam after his fall, preserved by Noah, and observed by Abraham, there would have been no necessity for the ordinance of circumcision. And if the descendants of Abraham had kept the covenant, of which circumcision was a sign, they would never have been seduced into idolatry, nor would it have been necessary for them to suffer a life of bondage in Egypt; they would have kept God's law in mind, and there would have been no necessity for it to be proclaimed from Sinai or engraved upon the tables of stone. And had the people practiced the principles of the Ten Commandments, there would have been no need of the additional directions given to Moses. {PP 364.2}
Posted By: kland

Re: Circumcision - The law of Moses - 11/09/17 11:19 PM

So centering on Christ seems to be the key, here.

That's a good quote, and probably what I was looking for. Do you know of similar ones, especially indicating Christ changed things?
Posted By: APL

Re: Circumcision - The law of Moses - 11/10/17 12:55 AM

Perhaps read Acts of the Apostles, chapter 19 titled: "Jews and Gentiles". Here is a sample from the chapter: The Holy Spirit saw good not to impose the ceremonial law on the Gentile converts, and the mind of the apostles regarding this matter was as the mind of the Spirit of God. James presided at the council, and his final decision was, "Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God." {AA 194.3}

This should enlighten us today, when those that want to take parts of the ceremonial law and impose it on the church today, such a "priests" or "feasts".
Posted By: dedication

Re: Circumcision - The law of Moses - 11/10/17 08:33 AM

Posted earlier on the Sabbath School Lesson Thread, was A.T.Jone's answer to the question --


The question of circumcision

.
Posted By: kland

Re: Circumcision - The law of Moses - 11/10/17 04:25 PM

Yes, I've read Jews and Gentiles several times.

Interesting with A.T. Jones. I wonder if it could be considered that besides circumcision, the feasts were not in the original plan? I recall reading something similar from Ellen White that if the Hebrews had continued walking with God, they would not need all these other laws added.

Ah, that's where I read it, APL's post right above! smile
Posted By: Alchemy

Re: Circumcision - The law of Moses - 11/11/17 09:20 AM

Originally Posted By: APL
Perhaps read Acts of the Apostles, chapter 19 titled: "Jews and Gentiles". Here is a sample from the chapter: The Holy Spirit saw good not to impose the ceremonial law on the Gentile converts, and the mind of the apostles regarding this matter was as the mind of the Spirit of God. James presided at the council, and his final decision was, "Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God." {AA 194.3}

This should enlighten us today, when those that want to take parts of the ceremonial law and impose it on the church today, such a "priests" or "feasts".


It is important to note that the Levitical Priests never kept the feast days. They never could. We never can.

It is also important to note that Levitical Priests really do exist!
Posted By: dedication

Re: Circumcision - The law of Moses - 11/12/17 04:05 AM

Levitical priests throughout the temple years, kept the feast days. They didn't all do their temple work at the same time, they were divided into 24 "courses" in which each "course" had their allotted time or turn, to do service.

Levites are members of the tribe of Levi, the third son of the patriarch Jacob. Members of the tribe are either priests (Kohanim) or Levites, their status being established by family tradition and which family they were born into. Only members of the tribe of Levi who were descendants of Aaron could be priests.
The offering of the sacrifices was the function of the priests. The function of the Levites was to assist in various ways and also to provide the music, be security guards, and gatekeepers.

Yes, they are real people -- and there are still Levites (descendants of Levi) today. Levites still act as spiritual leaders among the Jews and Jewish proselytes to this day.

They (and many Christians) feel the true fulfillment of a son of the tribe of Levi is to once again serve God in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Since 1987 the Temple Institute has been dedicated to the reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. They are preparing for this by getting things ready, like the manufacture of various pieces of Temple furniture and vessels; some of the High Priest’s vestments etc. Their goal is to have a fully functional Temple, once again, in Jerusalem. It is claimed that every aspect of this work is carefully based on Scripture and Jewish writings.

There's the excitement over a finding perfect "red heifer". The ashes of perfect red heifer are needed (according to the ancient jewish rituals) to "purify" today's Levitical priesthood and to "purify" the temple mount in preparation for the building of the Third Temple.

The claim is made that according to Malachi 3:1-2 the Messiah will come to this rebuilt Temple. The Levitical priests will be serving in the restored temple, over there in Jerusalem, throughout the coming millennium.

Of course this includes the revival of all the Jewish feasts as well. Something that is being promoted not only in Jewish communities but in many Christian circles today. Though right now they are more "memorial of the feasts", once the plan for a restored temple is reality, they will be fully executed feasts complete with sacrifice.

Also, circumcision was and still is an important marker of Jewish identity. Will Gentiles be required to be circumcised in order to enter the rebuilt temple, (if it is rebuilt)?

The above is the action plan that you will find all over the internet and Christian Radio stations.

BUT IT IS NOT ADVENTIST BELIEF.


Adventists believe in a heavenly sanctuary,
a heavenly High priest -- Jesus Christ
a heavenly millennium.

The earthly was merely a shadow
the reality is the heavenly.
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