This was a question asked by the young rich man in Matthew 19:16. Messiah responded in verse 17 with this: “…but if thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments.” Is this still valid today?
When this young man was alive, he lived under the law, as did Messiah. (Galatians 4:14) They were both under Deuteronomy 29:20:
“Yahweh will not spare him, but then the anger of Yahweh and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and Yahweh shall blot out his name under heaven.”
Paul tells us in Galatians 3:13 what Messiah did for all mankind, including this rich young man: “Messiah hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree.”
When the Messiah spoke with this young man, he had not yet died on the tree. They were both under the law and were therefore required to keep the commandments. At that time, it was only by keeping the whole law that you could enter eternal (Greek: aionian, age-abiding) life.
After Messiah’s death and resurrection, there was a significant change. The old covenant had been terminated and a new covenant was to go into effect.
In Acts 2:37 Peter, as well as the other apostles, was asked a similar question to the one posed by the rich young man to Messiah: “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
In verse 38, Peter provides a very different answer than the one given by Messiah: “Then, Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of YahwehShua Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
What difference does the Holy Spirit make? When one is baptized, the Holy Spirit of the Father is freely given. At that same time, the seed of the Spirit of Messiah is also given. It is not fully available as the Father’s Spirit is available. The Spirit of Messiah develops over time. It is the Spirit of Messiah that is really unique and necessary to having aionian life in the resurrection when Messiah returns.
Paul delves into this important understanding in Romans 8:9-11:
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you: now if any man have not the Spirit of Messiah he is none of his. And if Messiah be in you, the body is dead because of sin: but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up YahwehShua from the dead dwell in you, he that raised the Messiah from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
It is the Spirit of Messiah that is being formed within you that makes the real difference. Paul confirms this in Galatians 4:19: “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Messiah be formed in you.” This seed of the Spirit of Messiah was not available to the rich young man at the time of their encounter. Messiah had to first die and be resurrected.
When Messiah met the rich young man, Messiah was known by his name given at birth, Yahshua. However, since he died in sin, all the sin of mankind, he had to have his birth name blotted out as required in Deuteronomy 29:20. After his resurrection he had to have a new name as revealed in Hebrews 1:4: “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name then they.” This more excellent name was the name of his Father, Yahweh. Psalm 148:13 explains who had the more excellent name: “Let them praise the name of Yahweh: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heavens.”
The firstfruits must be baptized in the same name given to Messiah after his resurrection. This is confirmed in Revelation 14:1 where we learn that the 144,000 resurrected saints or firstfruits had, “His name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads.”(Diaglott)
If you wish to be among the 144,000 firstfruits in the better resurrection, the first step is baptism in the name of YahwehShua. The birth name of Messiah was blotted out according to the law. The only name for a valid baptism is the name of both the Father and the Son.
Remember what Paul tells us in Romans 8:9: “Now, if any man have not the Spirit of Messiah, he is none of his.”
Take note of what John tells us in 1 John 3:23-24:
“And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son, YahwehShua Messiah, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in him and he in him.And hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirithe hath given us. “
The formation of his Spirit in us is very important. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:5 why having his Spirit is so necessary: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Messiah YahwehShua.” By having his Spirit being formed in us, we are developing his mind, his knowledge, his truth, his faith, and his love.
The carnal mind cannot do it! Paul is very emphatic about this in Romans 8:7: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against Elohim: for it is not subject to the law of Yahweh, neither indeed can be.” Unless Father calls us, we cannot discover his truth simply with our carnal mind. Once called by the Father, he will lead us into his truth. We can’t discover it. It is revealed to us!
Many who are led to our website are full of questions. That is good, but the carnal mind can only take them so far. If you really want to grow in grace and knowledge, you must have the Spirit of the Messiah being formed in you. Without accepting baptism in the name of YahwehShua, you are stuck with your very limited carnal mind. You must be baptized to have the tools necessary to increase your understanding.
Messiah told the rich young man that he had to keep the commandments; the law. However, the difference of being under the new covenant is that you are not alone. Paul explains this further in Galatians 2:16: “Knowing that man is not justified by the law, but by the faith of YahwehShua Messiah, even we have believed in YahwehShua Messiah, that we might be justified by the faith of Messiah, and not the works of law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
Paul declares this again in Galatians 3:11: “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of Yahweh, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith.” By having the mind of Messiah being formed within us after baptism, we are not left with simply our carnal minds, but have his spiritual mind to support us. In addition to his mind, we also have his faith. With his mind and faith, we are no longer walking by sight but by his faith. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
As his Spirit forms more completely, your understanding of Scripture will increase. You will progress from the milk of the word to the meat. Many questions you find so difficult or confusing now will be opened unto your understanding. I have experienced this blessing myself. The Spirit will lead you and not just your carnal mind.
Consider what Paul tells us in Galatians 2:21: “I do not frustrate the grace of Yahweh: for if righteousness came by the law, then Messiah is dead in vain.” In Romans 3:27-31, Paul gives us more insight into the value of his faith versus the works of law:
“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he that Yahweh of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one Yahweh, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? By no means: yea, we establish the law.”
The righteousness we must have to be in the resurrection when Messiah returns is his righteousness. This is being increased in us as his Spirit is more completely formed. Abraham believed in Yahweh and that was accounted to him for righteousness. (Galatians 3:6) Abraham and others from the Old Testament will be in the resurrection with us because they believed or trusted in Yahweh. John confirms this in John 10:16: “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.”
We will learn to keep the law through his faith and his love. It is not about us, but all about him in us. He will give us what we need. Paul reminds us of this in Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Messiah which strengthens me.” It is not about what one can do alone, but what the Messiah can accomplish through each of the firstfruits.
You must be willing to completely leave the external requirements of the old covenant. 1 Corinthians 13 is better instruction than the Levitical law. Stop thinking about the 613 laws, tzitzits, prayer shawls, circumcision, beards, washing your hands and all the other external concerns associated with the old covenant. It’s really more important to understand why you should not use the birth name of Messiah for baptism!
Paul provides this instruction in Galatians 3:29: “And if ye be Messiah’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” We must be willing to believe Yahweh as Abraham did. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac, if that had been Yahweh’s will. We too need to be willing to sacrifice our lives as well.
Paul confirms our need to be willing to sacrifice ourselves in Romans 12:1-2:
“I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of Yahweh, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to Yahweh, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this age: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yahweh.” (Diaglott)
How do you renew your mind? Through baptism! At baptism, you will receive the down payment for the Spirit of Messiah. His mind will grow within you and slowly displace the inadequate carnal mind. You will be becoming more like Messiah and less your carnal self. This is why John tells us in 1 John 3:2 that: “When he shall appear, we shall be like him.”
In the resurrection, the firstfruits are 144,000 copies of Messiah. His Spirit will be fully formed and we will no longer be our carnal selves. This allows us to judge the rest of mankind in the last great day. We will judge with his mind, his love, and not our corrupt carnal minds.
Now, a warning! Should you accept your calling and be baptized in the name of YahwehShua, there is no going back. The Messiah confirms this warning in Luke 9:62: “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of Yahweh.” Paul, in Hebrews 10:26-27 makes an even stronger statement about failing to overcome once you have the down payment of the Spirit of Messiah:
“For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”
We of the Light of YahwehShua, are not here to debate or denigrate anyone. Your calling is fully within the domain of Yahweh. We are here to provide information and let you draw your own conclusions. When and if you may be ready for baptism, we are prepared to facilitate such a request.
I can assure you of this: without baptism in the name of YahwehShua, you will never have the saving knowledge. You will not be in the better resurrection. All that is left for you is the last great day and the uncertainties, which that resurrection will provide.
We are here to serve Yahweh, not man or ourselves. We encourage you to consider leaving the old covenant, replacing your ignorance of Yahweh’s truth with his truth and embrace the new covenant with us.
May Yahweh bless your efforts.
If you wish to submit a question or comment, email our Elder at john12e4567@gmail.com.