If we go back to the time of the flood, when all the wicked perished and only the family of Noah survived, all the people that survived at that time were gentiles. The covenant made at that time, in Genesis 9, is known as the Noahic Covenant, and was for all people.
Later at Sinai another covenant was made, this time with those that became the Israelites. This covenant consisted of the same things as the Noahic covenant, but it had additional commandments as well. These additional commandments pertained to the Israelites because they were to be a light unto the nations. They were to be an example to the gentiles. The Israelites were to be a Holy nation. The extra commandments pertained to dietary guidelines for purity, they also contained commandments for their ‘priesthood’, and Sabbath keeping.
Now, back to Noah and his family. As people dispersed, they took the Noahic Covenant with them. This is why we see so many similarities between so many religions of the world. There are differences too. These differences are what we call today ‘traditions of man’. Remove these differences, and focus on the similarities and you find 3 things.
1. Belief in G-d
2. Instructions in moral conduct (we know them as the 10 commandments, but other religions call them other things, such as the 10 fold path, the negative confessions, the precious garland, the 10 charges, etc.)
3. The Golden rule, or Royal rule. We know this as ‘do unto others’.
Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence. (Confucianism - Mencius VII.A.4 )
Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. (Christianity - Bible, Matthew 7:12)
Tsekung asked, “Is there one word that can serve as a principle of conduct for life?” Confucius replied, “It is the word shu—reciprocity: Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.” (Confucianism - Analects 15.23)
Confucious predates Yehoshua (Jesus) by about 500 years.
Baptism is a man made tradition. G-d knows your heart, your every thought. He knows if you belong to Him or not. He doesn’t need baptism, an outward sign to know if you love Him. Your actions and thoughts will tell him all He needs to know.
There is One G-d, not two, not three. One.
G-d didn’t expect us to be ‘perfect’. He knew that we would at times fail. This is why He gave us repentance and prayer. When you fall, get back up, acknowledge your shortcoming and strive to do better next time. G-d forgives as often as necessary, all we have to do is repent and ask for forgiveness.
Proverbs 24
16 For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again, but the wicked stumble under adversity.
G-d/YHWH is our savior, there is no other. We do NOT need a mediator, G-d knows our hearts and thought before we even think them.
Be good to people, especially those in need. Help others.
It isn’t about labels. G-d didn’t give a name to the faith He wanted people to practice. He simply asked us to obey His instructions. Those instructions are more important than any label. You either belong to G-d, or you don’t.
When a gentile strays from the Noahic covenant, they stray back into paganism, but, they can return to G-d at any time.
In Jeremiah YHWH promises the descendants of Israel (who, through captivity, exile, and intermarriage with Gentiles became assimilated and inculturated Gentiles today) that they will find “grace in the wilderness” (verse 2).
They returned to YHWH.
The thing about the Noahic and Mosaic Covenants is that they are bound together by their Commandments, they complement each other, they strive for the same goal.
Yehoshua was Jewish. He was not ever a Christian.
So let me put this simply if I can...
You see alot of *legalism* with the relationship between Mankind and G-d?
Does *works* enable *Man* to boast? Meaning one man can say I know G-d better or I have better favor with G-d because of my legalistic and spiritualistic knowledge and behavior of G-d?
Do you see Mankind spending an infinite time always trying to please G-d?
You know I have been reading all your posts, and something came to me that I would like to share with you.....
I speak on another site with many people who have abandoned G-d faith and religion and are really hostile to G-d, they blame religion for all the hate and War in the world, they could care less about Israel, and one of the main things they constantly tell me, is that the G-d of the Old testament is Cruel, Evil and hates people, as I always bring in the love of Christ, his Gospel teachings and his love of trying to reconcile Sinners to a Holy Just G-d.
YET:
They always throw scripture at me how YAWEH killed babies and children in Noah’s flood, how GOD has been punishing the Jews by letting them spend 40 years in the Wilderness, they go on about the Canaanites and on and on about the Monster they think the G-d is off the Old Testament.
They say many Atheist and Secular people do good things and do not need a G-d to be a decent human being and do the right thing, and other writings have taught on the Ten Commandments like the Code of Hammurabi ...
You seem to be or have a very legalistic idea of G-d as someone who just wants *Obedience* lastly you said: The thing about the Noahic and Mosaic Covenants is that they are bound together by their Commandments, they complement each other, they strive for the same goal.
What is that goal? and when will that goal finally be completed?
Thanks Netizen...a great summary for my new-found faith...magritte