Lost and Found

To set the stage, here are some definitions to aid our understanding of what is meant by parables which both the Father and His Son used in their teachings:

A parable is usually a short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude. Allegory is the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence and a metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable; a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else. 

Y'shua spoke in parables many times, telling stories to illustrate spiritual lessons; stories that are to be understood in order to reveal the hidden meaning of what he was teaching. There is no real mystery. He was teaching us to use our 'brain', to think and reason and not just follow the most popular preacher of the day or what was fashionable at the time.

Matthew 13:34
All these things Y'shua spoke in parables to the crowd, and he would not speak to them without a parable, so might be fulfilled the things which was spoken through the prophet who said, "I will open my mouth with parables and will bring out secrets that were from before the foundation of the world." (Psalms 78:2) 

In Luke 8 we read the Sower of the Seed parable. He tells his apostles that they are given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of Elohim but to the rest of the people it is spoken in parables because although they see, they will not see, and though they hear, they will not comprehend.

In Luke 10 is a short story told as an example of who's one neighbor really is, which was brought on by the questions a scribe was posing to Y'shua. In Chapter 12 the parables are Master/servant related and we are told to seek the Kingdom of Yahweh and not worry about what we will eat or drink or wear. We are likened to those who wait for their Master to return from the wedding feast, so when he knocks we will readily open the door for him.  The explanation of this parable is given: Therefore be ready for when we don't expect it, the Son of man will return.  In Chapter 14 is the parable of the man who made a great supper and called on many to attend and many refused to come making various excuses. The Master sends his servant out to get whoever he can to come to this feast so that his house would be full. Just reading that alone makes me think of the time we are told many will be called but few are chosen. Please take the time to read Luke from your copy of Scriptures when you have time.

Onto Chapter 15 which is the reason for this study as it has been used to prove that the "Prodigal Son" represents Ephraim and that Ephraim and Judah will be reunited (two houses become one).  If you do a word search using the Bible Hub search window you will discover that the word 'prodigal' isn't found in Scriptures, so that tells me somebody attached it to one particular parable so they could spin their own interpretation of it. Also, take into consideration that Y'shua has told us not everyone will understand.

The term prodigal means wasteful expenditure aka a reckless spendthrift.  A spendthrift is someone who is given to spending money freely or foolishly, who is wasteful with money.  So yes one could suppose to call this younger son in the parable the prodigal son compared to his older obedient brother, but why spin it beyond Y'shua's lesson? Some folks use quotes found in the writings of Jeremiah to tie it together but even Yahweh used parables, allegories and metaphors long before His Son came on the scene (Like Father like Son).

In Chapter 15 it is the scribes and Pharisees who are none too happy with Y'shua, mumbling, grumbling and accusing him of un-Torah-like behavior; in this case it disgusted them that Y'shua sat among sinners and even ate with them. So Y'shua told them parable #1: 

Who among you who has one hundred sheep won't go after the one that has gotten lost, leaving the 99 in the open until you find the one?  And when you find it you take it upon your shoulders to bring it home, calling out to your friends and neighbors - Rejoice with me! I have found my sheep that was lost!

He tells the scribes and Pharisees that is what it will be like in heaven over one sinner who repents. The other 99 righteous ones do not need repentance.  It also points out that Y'shua didn't come to sit among the righteous but to teach the sinners and unrepentant ones.

Mark 2:16 ~ When the scribes and the Pharisees saw Y'shua eating with these people, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Y'shua  told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

And he told them parable #2:

A women had 10 coins and lost one of them. She does nothing else but search for it carefully until she finds it. And when she does she calls out to her friends and neighbors Rejoice with me! I have found my coin which was lost!

He tells the scribes and Pharisees, likewise, there will be joy before the Messengers of Elohim over one sinner who repents.

To further drive the point home to those hard headed scribes and Pharisees, he tells them parable #3 about a man who had two sons. The younger son asked for his share of dad's estate now instead of waiting for it in due course.  He gathered everything that was his share and went away.  He ended up wasting all his wealth while living lavishly.  He used up everything he had and then famine hit the land and he was in dire straights. He got a job tending swine. He was so hungry he was ready to eat the slop being fed the swine and no one would give to him.  He finally came to his senses and decided to go back to his dad's house where he knew servants were fed and he offered to be one of his servants.  He confessed to his father that he realized he has sinned against him and Heaven and was not worthy to be called his son.  His father's love for him could not be contained as he was elated that his son returned. He put on a feast for the boy.  This didn't go over too well with the elder son who knew he had been faithful to his father, doing all the work that was required of him, but never once was he given anything to celebrate with. Dad reassures his elder son of his love, he knows he has been with him all this time and that everything that he has belongs to him as well. But it was right to call out to their friends and neighbors to Rejoice with them, because his younger son who was lost was found.

From these three stories Y'shua is sharing with the scribes and Pharisees (and us) the same message: Rejoice for what was lost has been found. We should be able to see that this points to our old sin natures, we who were lost but now have been found and forgiven our past sinful ways. We who have become redeemed and Set Apart can be left alone while the Good Shepherd seeks out his other sheep.  The Father's love is steadfast and true for those of us who return. Those who are already in His household no longer require repentance, but what a joy it is even to the Messengers in heaven when another sinner repents and returns.

Romans 11:25 ~
For I want to let you know about this secret, brothers, so that you will not claim to be wiser than you are: Stubbornness has come to part of Israel until the full number of the Gentiles comes to faith.

What is meant by 'fullness'? The definition found in the Webster Dictionary is:

: the quality or state of being full

: at some point : eventually

Apply this to Scripture and understand that at some point, eventually, more Gentiles (non-believers) will repent of their pagan ways, return to Yahweh, abide by His Instructions and have the testimony of His Son, by faith. As we know, there are many non-believers in the world and not all of them will come into this 'fullness'.  The writings in Luke 15 give us a picture of lost souls, sinners who repent, confess their wrongdoings and because of the great love of the Father, they are forgiven and taken back into the fold.

John 10:11 ~ (Y'shua says) I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the flock. But a hireling who is not the shepherd nor are the sheep his, when he sees a wolf coming he leaves the sheep and flees. And the wolf comes and plunders and scatters the flock.
John 10:14 ~ I am the Good Shepherd and I know those who are mine. And those who are mine know me.
John 10:16 ~ And I also have other sheep, those who were not from this sheepfold. And also them, it is necessary for me to bring them and they will hear my voice and all the flocks will become one. And there will be One Shepherd. 

YHWH's Chosen People are the descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob along with those who have been adopted in:  We who come into covenant with the Creator and abide by His Instructions and have the testimony of His Son.  It is no longer a tribal thing because when anyone of any background comes into covenant with our Creator we all become part of the House of Israel.  We worship YHWH in Spirt and in Truth.

Click here to go to my study: Who is Israel

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Obeying His Instructions - Or Not

The Rock

Exodus 17 ~ From the wilderness of Sin they traveled and camped at Rephidim. There was no water to drink. The people argued with Moses about this and he pointed out they were trying Yah's patience.  They wouldn't cease and thought Moses led them out of Egypt to die there. Moses cries out to Yah and Yah says: Go before the people and take some elders with you and the rod you used to strike the Nile. I will be standing on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock and water will issue from it and the people will drink. (This place was named Massah [trial] and Meribah [quarrel] because the people argued, testing Yahweh asking Is He among us or not?)

About 38 years later....
Numbers 20 ~ The people camped at Kadesh. Miriam died and was buried there.  The community was without water and this generation argued with Moses about the situation. Moses and Aaron went to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. The Presence of Yahweh appeared to them and said: You and your brother Aaron will take the rod and assemble the community and before their very eyes order the rock to yield its water.  Moses seems to be fed up with the whole crowd, their behavior and lack of faith. After they were assembled he said: "Listen, you rebels, shall we get water for you out of this rock?" And then he struck the rock two times with the rod. Out came copious amounts of water but he disobeyed Yah's instruction. Yahweh tells Moses and Aaron: Because you did not trust Me and affirm My sanctity in the sight of the community (by obeying His Instruction) you shall not lead this people into the promised land.

After leaving Kadesh they arrive at Mount Hor, the place where Aaron died and the office of high priest was passed onto Aaron's son, Eleazar.

Deuteronomy 32, the poem of Moses, the last of his words to that stiff-necked people ~ (note: I have lightly paraphrased to keep on the topic of the Rock, so please read it from your own copy when you have time ~ Dusty)

Listen O heavens, let me speak; let the earth hear the words I utter! May my discourse come down as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, like showers on young growth, like droplets on the grass. (He wants what he has to say to be received eagerly)

I proclaim the Name Yahweh; give glory to our Elohim! The Rock! His deeds are perfect, all His ways are just; He is faithful and never false, true and upright is He. A crooked and perverse generation has played Him false.  Do you requite Him, you dull and witless people?  Is He not the Father who created you, fashioned you and made you endure? Remember the days of old, consider the years gone by. Ask your parents, your elders, they will tell you that when the Most High gave peoples their homes and set the divisions of man, He fixed the boundaries of peoples in relation to Israel's numbers because Yah's portion is His people, Jacob His own allotment.

Yet, over the years you grew fat and gross and coarse and forsook Yahweh who made you and you spurned the Rock of His support. You neglected the Rock that begot you, forgot the Elohim who brought you forth.

Moses continues with a prophecy about Yah's wrath which will pour out in the end because of all the treachery displayed by that disloyal, pagan-god worshiping breed. These people are void of sense  and lacking discernment. Their rock is not like our Rock, in our enemies own estimation.  It will be like Sodom and Gomorrah for those people and their disaster will come which will vindicate Yah's people. There will be no doubt that Yahweh is Elohim and there is no god beside Him. He deals death and gives life; He wounds and heals; none can deliver from His hand.

Moses went up from the steppes of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the summit of Pisgah, opposite Jericho, and Yah showed him the whole land. Yah tells him this is the land which He swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and will be assigned to their offspring.  Yah let Moses see it with his own eyes but did not let him cross there.  Moses died there in the land of Moab and was buried in the valley near Beth-peor.

We must stand as one and in faith establish we are His people. He will avenge the blood of His servants, wreak vengeance on His foes, and cleanse the promised land before us.

Click Here to go to my study Who Is Israel

Psalm 18 ~ David says these words after Yah had saved him from all his enemies and the clutches of Saul. He said: I adore you, O Yahweh, my strength, my crag, my fortress, my rescuer, my rock in whom I seek refuge, my shield, my haven. Yah Lives! Blessed is my Rock! Exalted be Elohim, my deliverer, who has vindicated me, rescued me from my enemies, who raised me clear of my adversaries, saved me from lawless men. As Yah lives, blessed is my Rock!

Psalm 61 ~ Hear my cry O Yahweh Elohim, heed my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to You;  when my heart is faint, You lead me to a rock that is high above me.

Psalm 62 ~ Truly my soul waits quietly for Yahweh; my deliverance comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and deliverance, my haven, I shall never be shaken.

Isaiah 17 ~ Truly, you have forgotten the Elohim who saves you and have not remembered the Rock who shelters you; that is why even though you plant a delightful sapling, what you sow proves a disappointing slip.
Isaiah 51 ~ Listen to Me, you who pursue justice, you who seek Me; look to the Rock you were hewn from, to the quarry you were dug from.  Look back to Abraham for he was only one when I called him, but I blessed him and made him many.

In First Corinthians 10:4 ~ And they all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that attended them, and that rock was Yahshua.

John 4:14 ~ Everyone who drinks from the waters that I give to him will not thirst forever. Those waters that I give will become in them a spring of water that will spring up in life that is eternal.


Rephidim:


Kadesh:

Mount Hor:


Mount Nebo and Pisgah:


Beth-peor:

Seen by the Mind

Romans 1:20 ~ From the foundations of the world, the hidden things of Yahweh are seen by the mind in the things He created, even His eternal power and divinity, so the they might be without excuse.... 

"Seen by the mind"

We acknowledge that Yahweh is our Creator while we 'see' (understand) His power and divinity reflected even in the things we don't see while marveling at what we do see. It is by our faith, committing ourselves to The Creator, that we choose to follow His teachings. This would be akin to what Y'shua said about  hearing and recognizing the Good Shepherd's voice - he knows who are his and we know who he is. We are One because of Yah's Set Apart Spirit.

His Son gave us this same Spirit His Father gave him, calling it The Comforter and the Spirit of Truth.  I've said it before that I don't need 'science' to prove 'God' to me and if our mind is capable of seeing the 'hidden things' of Yahweh (via His Spirit) would that help define what is meant when we read His Kingdom is Near? 

"Without excuse" 

Romans 1:16 ~ I am not ashamed of the Good News for it is the power of Yahweh to life; as it is written, the righteous by faith will live.

Folks who have a knowledge about Yahweh but do not glorify or even give thanks to Him become vain in their imaginings and their unwise heart is darkened. While they thought they were pretty smart, they became fools.  They change the glory of the incorruptible El Shaddai into the likeness of corruptible man and into other icons like birds, animals and reptiles. These people change the truth of Yahweh into a lie and worship and serve the created things (Humanism) much more than the Creator of them, to whom belongs glory and blessing, forever and ever.

From the very beginning Yahweh has told us everything we need to know in order for us to have life eternal.  Through our studies and searching Scriptures His truth is revealed via His Spirit dwelling within us. Yah has not hidden anything from us but man sure has piled on tons of deceptions, lies and distractions upon the Word of Yahweh our Creator for thousands of years.  Once we begin uncovering these truths we have no excuse to continue as carnal Gentiles, do we?

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"I swear to God!"

It's in the movies, it is written in stories and maybe you've heard it said in real life or even said it yourself:

".... I swear to God ...." 

It seems to be something said by folks who think it gives absolute proof that they are telling the truth. In several cases that I have witnessed the truth is not always being told.  Some who use the phrase and are in fact telling the truth seem to lack conviction and expect God to stand up for them.

Regardless....

In Jeremiah 4 we read that Yahweh told His people:

If you return to Me.... If you remove your abominations from My presence and do not waver, and swear "As Yah lives" in sincerity, justice and righteousness (you shall be a blessing to others).  

He tells us we should not plant seeds among thorns and to open our hearts to Him.

He has also told us not to take His Name in vain and, just maybe, carelessly saying, 'I swear to God' is part of that bringing Him to nothingness. We are to let our 'yes' be yes and our 'no' be no. If we swear an oath to another let it be in His Name, Yahweh the living Elohim, and mean it sincerely, in all justice and righteousness.

Exodus 20:7 ... do not bring the Name of יהוה your Elohim to naught, for יהוה does not leave the one unpunished who brings His Name to naught.

Just another thought to ponder as we travel His Path of Righteousness.

Did Jesus Spend Time in Hell?

If you have ever heard anything like this, it originated from The Apostles' Creed, which was not written by the Apostles.... it was written about 140 years after the death of Y'shua. It seems that the early church fathers wanted to put their 'faith' in words.

And here is that creed for your further research and study:

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy catholic Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

Please note that the use of the word 'catholic' in this creed means 'universal' as in the church being fellowship in the body of 'christ'; and not specifically the Roman Catholic Church at that time.  Today it is easy to see the RCC as the universal church, or at least they think they are.

Chapter and Verse used to support this claim:

Ephesians 4:8 - Therefore it is said: He ascended on high and carried captivity away, and gave gifts to men. Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also previously descended deep into the heart of the earth?  He who descended is also the same that ascended up high above all the heavens, that he might fulfill all things. (He who died was resurrected)

Now we know that when we die we don't go to heaven or hell; we sleep until the return of Messiah. It makes no sense that Y'shua would make a visit to hell - there is no one there to preach to.  The fallen angels have been locked away in chains until judgment day.

First Peter 3:18 - For the Anointed One also once died for our sins .... that he might bring you to Yahweh. And he died in body but lived in spirit. And he preached to those souls which were detained in Sheol (the grave? Hades?) which were formerly disobedient in the days of Noah when the long suffering of Elohim commanded an ark to be made, in hope of their repentance; and eight souls only entered into it and were kept alive in the waters.
Second Peter 2:5 - And if Elohim did not spare the former world but preserved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness...

Take this into consideration: 

The Spirit of Yahweh is the same spirit of His Son which was the same Spirit in Noah who preached to those souls who were disobedient up until the Flood came.

What, then, does 1 Peter 3:18 teach?

The passage affirms that The Spirit during the days of Noah, proclaimed Yah’s truth to the evil, pre-flood generation. How did He do that? He was operating through Noah, a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5).

In this same letter Peter stated that the “Spirit” was in the Old Testament prophets as they declared Heaven’s message (1:11). This is a key verse in explaining First Peter 3:18. When Y'shua, through Noah, preached to those evil people, they were alive and on the earth. But at the time Peter wrote his letter, they had long been dead.

Acts 2:31 ~ And he (David) foresaw and spoke concerning the resurrection of Y'shua and that he was not left in 'the grave/tomb' nor did his body see corruption.

The Origins of the Islamic Religion

Quoted from The History of Mecca:

Islamic rituals are found to be little more than thinly repackaged pagan Arabian moon, sun, star and jinn-demon worship, embellished by books inspired by Hebrew and Arabian fables that Mohammed learned during his travels, or was taught by friends like Jabr, his wives and concubines, as well as influence by Zoroastrianism and the 2nd century occult cult of the Sabians. So deeply involved was Mohammed and three of his cousins in the cult of the Sabians, that folks in his own tribe referred to Mohammed simply as “the Sabian”. Indeed Mohammed mentions the Sabians right alongside Christians in the Quran. It should be no surprise then to learn that the Sabians/Harranians prayed five times a day, practiced ablution, prostrated in prayer, wore long white robes and fasted for 30 days during the same month as Ramadan, which are rituals that Mohammed incorporated into his religion, with a claim that the practices were dictated to him while taking an overnight ride on a flying donkey-mule from Mecca, to Jerusalem, to Heaven and then back to Mecca by morning.

Mecca was settled around the 4th century A.D. by the Yemeni tribe of Khuzaa'h, joined later by Mohammed’s tribe the Quraish. The Kaaba was built around the early 5th century likely by Asa'd Abu Karb, for Arabian Star Family worship after the black stone made it's way to Mecca, most likely from Yemen. Early reporters recounted that prior to the construction of the Kaabah, a tent occupied the site. The Kaaba eventually housed 360 idols dedicated to Arabian moon, sun, star and jinn (demon) worship. It is no secret that the black stone that Muslims still prostrate themselves toward 5 times a day, venerate, and circumambulate, is the same black stone idol that pagan Arabians venerated and circumambulated. In other words, the Quraish established the rituals that Mohammed eventually adopted and then adapted to his religion.

Quoted from Brother Pete's site:

The Hadith records that pagans controlled the Kaaba before Mohammed started his religion, and that the Kaaba contained 360 idols. After Mohammed returned to Mecca from Medina and broke the "Truce of Hudaybiyyah" he had made with his own tribe the Quraish, he then removed all the idols except one. The black stone that remains to this day is the same that pre-Islamic pagans went on pilgrimage to and circumambulated, in Arabian moon god and Star Family worship. There is no question that Muhammad - as "prophet" - engaged in the very same pagan rituals.

The pattern seems the same as to what Constantine did in creating Christianity: bring in pagan customs and rituals to attract non-believers into the church.  Mohammed used the same tactics in starting his religion: take from all existing Muslim beliefs and hone it down into a new and improved system of belief.  All religion ends up being is paganism painted with nicer colors.  I've said it before and will say it again because it is true: Satan has a counterfeit for everything Yah said.

Muslims are taught that walking around the Kaaba seven times, kissing the black stone, traveling from hill to hill near Mecca, casting stones and cutting their hair may provide remission of sin, while at the same time they are taught to reject the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the sinless Lamb of God, whom God manifest to save everyone from sin - whether they can afford to travel or are poor - who have faith in His shed blood.

Circumambulating Kaabas, kissing stone idols, and going on pilgrimages to religious sites were pagan rituals that preceded Mohammed by centuries.  Mohammed spun his version of religion using many threads from previous, familiar pagan behavior and mixing in bits and pieces from Scriptures.  There are some common threads but Yahweh kept His covenant through Jacob and not Esau.

Allah is not Yahweh.

Misunderstood Even in His Day ~ Paul

What a perfect choice for one to teach the Gentiles about the Kingdom to Come. What a perfect example of sin, forgiveness, repentance and faith for us all.  Paul's life and times reflect in our lives to one degree or another. He was 'blinded' and had to rely on faith to find his way back. Paul was directly convicted by Y'shua on that road to Damascus. Afterwards, he delayed in approaching the established Apostles for three years and even then they were afraid and suspicious of him - they all remembered who he was and what he was capable of. If we don't see our own sinful past in his story then we've misunderstood Paul just as he was misunderstood in his own time. I believe this is why so many 'believers' cast a scornful eye upon the writings of Paul.... he hits too close to home.

Acts Chapter 8 

Paul was a participant in the murder of Stephen as well as part of the great persecution going on towards the congregation of the followers of Y'shua in Jerusalem.  He was part of those who persecuted the congregation of Yahweh. He entered homes and dragged out the men and women and took them to prison.  Chapter 9 - Paul was full of intimidation and the fury of murder towards the disciples of our Master Y'shua.  Paul asked for letters from the chief priests to take to the assemblies in Damascus giving him permission to arrest any followers he may find there and bring them to Jerusalem. On the road to Damascus a light from heaven suddenly shone upon him, and he was thrown to the ground. He heard a voice saying to him, "Shaul! Shaul! Why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick the stakes."  

Paul asks, Who are you my Master? I am Y'shua the Nasraya, he whom you persecute! But rise up and enter into the city, and there you will be told what you should do. 

The men who were travelling with Paul were amazed because they heard only a sound but no man was visible to them. Paul got up from the ground and was no longer able to see, even though his eyes were open.  The men guided him as they continued to Damascus. Paul was unable to see for three days and neither did he eat or drink during this time.  (a very humbling experience)
In Damascus was a disciple named Khanan-Yah whom had a vision wherein Yahweh told him to go to Straight Street and ask at the house of Judah for Paul from Tarsus. While this Paul was praying he had a vision of you coming to him, placing your hand upon him so that his eyes would be opened."  Khanan-Yah is afraid of Paul because they all know about him and how much evil he had inflicted on Yah's Set Apart believers in Jerusalem.  Yahweh tells him to get up and go because Paul is a vessel chosen by Him to carry His Name among the Gentiles and kings and among the sons of Israel. "For I will reveal to him how much he will suffer because of My Name."  Khanan-Yah went.
He went to the house and placed a hand upon him saying, Paul, my brother, our Master Y'shua has sent me. He who appeared to you on the road while you were coming here, that your eyes might be opened and that you might be filled with the Set Apart Spirit of Yahweh.  At once something like scales fell from Paul's eyes and his eyes were opened. Paul got up and went to be immersed. He ate and was strengthened and gathered with the disciples that were there in Damascus.  Immediately he began preaching about Y'shua that he was the Son of Elohim.  Everyone who heard him were amazed because they knew he was the one persecuting those in Jerusalem and knew he had come to Damascus for the same reason.  After many days the Jews there wanted to kill him. The plot was shown to Paul that they were keeping watch of the gates of the city day and night to kill him.  The disciples ended up placing him in a basket and lowered him down from the wall during the night.  Paul went to Jerusalem desiring to join the disciples there but all of them were afraid of him.  They did not believe that he had become one of them.  Bar-Naba ended up taking him to the Schlichim and explained to them what had happened. They let him in with them and they went out into Jerusalem. Paul was boldly speaking in the name of Y'shua and disputing with those Jews who spoke Greek and they desired to kill him.  When the brothers  knew this they brought Paul  to Caesarea by night and sent him to Tarsus... nevertheless, the assembly that was in all Judah and Galilee and Shamrin now had peace in them.  The assembly grew, built up and instructed in the fear of Yahweh and in the comfort of the Ruach haKodesh.

(Moses was also placed in a basket and saved from death)

Paul describes himself in Philippeans 3:5- "Circumcised when eight days old; of the stock of Israel; of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew, descendant of Hebrews; in regards to Torah, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the assembly of Messianic believers; and as to the righteousness of the oral Torah, I was without fault." (Oral Law is rabbinic tradition). Paul's attitude about himself and all he had mastered dramatically changed after he saw the superior knowledge of Y'shua and learned that his own righteousness came from Faith in the Messiah and the righteousness which is from Yahweh, and not of himself. Paul was not a 'Jew' pretending to be a Greek, but was well aware of his heritage as a descendant of Abraham. His Hebrew name, Saul, was taken from the first king of Israel, who was from the tribe of Benjamin, and Paul's teacher, Gamaliel, was also from the tribe of Benjamin. They were Jews by location, not by birth or religious affiliation, although Paul was under the influence of religion before Y'shua called him out. What a wonderful example for all of us!

Once he was called out of Judaism and Roman law Paul did not hesitate nor make the excuse that 'we're all on different parts of the path' .

This statement always tugs on my very soul whenever I read it. It was said by the Apostle Paul and I offer it as a prayer for all who are ready to come into covenant with our Creator today. I pray for all fellow Set Apart believers that we may become one people with one understanding, and of one faith under one Elohim. By this we will come to know the unsearchable riches of Y'shua the Anointed One. It is through us that the manifold wisdom of our Creator becomes known. Lets take that seriously and act accordingly.

Ephesians 3 ~ To me, Paul, who am the least of all the Set Apart believers, has this grace been given that I should announce among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of the Mashiyach, and should show to all men what is the architecture of the mystery which for ages was hid in Elohim the Creator of all things, so that by means of the assembly (of Set Apart believers) the manifold wisdom of Elohim might become known - which He arranged ages before and worked it through Y'shua our Master. 
Therefore I pray - and I bow my knees to the Father of our Master Y'shua from whom the whole family in heaven and on earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit; that in your inner man the Anointed One may dwell by faith, and in your hearts by love while your root and foundation increases greatly in strength; and that you may be able to explore, with all the Set Apart believers, what is the height and depth and length and breadth, and may know the greatness of Y'shua's love and that you may be filled with all the fullness of Yahweh.

Apostle Peter pointed out that Paul's letters were not easy to understand, but were “twisted” by those who were untaught (2 Peter 3:15,16). Peter warned us to watch, lest we be led away to destruction by the delusion of the lawless. He didn’t include Paul as a lawless one, but stated that his letters were being twisted, as were “the other Writings”. For those who have interpreted that Paul wrote of an “end to the law”, Peter’s warning was written directly to those who live without the Torah.

We were once carnal unbelievers raised up in false religions enjoying the imaginations of other men.