Davy
Well-Known Member
Let me see if I get you right.
You are saying that being a Jew relied solely upon bloodline? And even converts like Rahab and Ruth could not be Jews themselves, but only their descendants after marrying into the bloodline?
So that he is not a Jew that is one outwardly by circumcision of the flesh, because he is only a Jew by bloodline, and he is a saved Jew that also is inwardly circumcised in Christ?
As when Paul referred to himself as an Israelite of the stock of Israel, and also grafted in again to the olive tree of God?
So, no one can lay claim to being of the children of Israel and a Jew outwardly just by circumcision, nor inwardly even with circumcision of the heart, other than them born of the bloodline of Jacob and grafted in again to God's olive tree?
If you'd only study your Old Testament history you'd well understand what I'm talking about. Do I really... need to point it out to you line upon line? No, do your own Bible study! I've given ample Scripture proof already.
Per the JEWISH HISTORIAN JOSEPHUS, he said the title of 'Jew' originated with the tribe of Judah, and that is the name which those returning to Jerusalem from the 70 years Babylon captivity used, including all the strangers that returned with them (which means foreigners NOT born of Israel). (Antiquities of the Jews, by Flavius Josephus, Book XI) That means the majority of Israelitesl did NOT call themselves Jews; the ten northern tribes that were removed from the holy lands about 120 years PRIOR to Judah's captivity to Babylon were not known as Jews.
When Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon came upon Jerusalem/Judea to destroy the city and temple, and take the "house of Judah" captive to Babylon for 70 years, NONE of the ten northern tribed "house of Israel" were present. They were already... gone in their own captivity by the kings of Assyria, about 120 years prior.
Because those of "house of Judah" took the title 'Jew' for themselves, which originated from the TRIBE of JUDAH, that is WHY... Apostle Paul would call himself a Jew, even though he was born of the tribe of Benjamin! If you knew your OT history you'd be aware of this, because when God split old Israel into two separate kingdoms per 1 Kings 11 forward, only the tribe of Benjamin sided with the tribe of Judah at Jerusalem. They eventually included some small remnants of the ten tribes that moved south because of refusing king Jeroboam's gold calf idol worship. Likewise, the Levites in the northern lands also went south and joined with Judah, because Jeroboam made common priests of the people instead. And all those made up the "kingdom of Judah" PER GOD'S Holy Writ, just 3 main tribes and strangers that lived in the southern lands of Judea.
As for your concern over Jewish circumcision, that subject has nothing to do with this, and I think you well know it.
Those who call all... the seed of Israel Jews don't know what they're talking about, and reveal their Biblical illiteracy in the Old Testament Books. Because God removed the ten northern tribes of the "house of Israel", who did not call themselves Jews, ONLY the 3 tribe "house of Judah" was LEFT in the holy land. When the kings of Assyria removed the ten northern tribes of Israel, he put in their place in the northern lands where the ten tribes were, foreigners from 5 different provinces of Babylon! Those foreigners... became the Samaritans of New Testament times. They were not of the seed of Israel at all. This is why Christ's Apostles were amazed at Jesus even speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well.