Bought with a Price

By Dr. William L. Payne

Every issue facing society today either directly or indirectly affects the blood system, whether it be drugs, sex, sickness, disease, war etc. Why is the blood so important? What mystery does it hold, that if unlocked, can insure our future? Does blood have a voice after the body dies? Is there a higher spiritual significance to the blood that flows through our veins? Why is the blood of Jesus Christ the most important element in Christianity? All of these questions are answered in this book as Dr. Payne unveils the mystery of the rite of blood covenanting.

From the beginning of creation blood covenanting has been the most important, yet least understood, ceremony in human history. In Bought With A Price Dr. Payne takes you on a journey, from Adam, the first man, to our contemporary 21st Century in explaining what "blood covenanting" is, why it is necessary, even in out modern times, the rite itself, and its results and benefits. Using the Bible as his guide, along with documented historical event~ you will see the real meaning behind blood transfusions, cannibalism, human sacrifices, abortions, and self inflicted scars on the bodies of tribal peoples.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Mar 24, 2001
• ISBN: 9781469710730

Dr. William L. Payne

Dr. William L. Payne, Th.D., is a teacher of God’s Word in the U.S. and abroad. He is an expositor on blood covenanting & Jewish history, and obtained the first television footage of archaeological excavations at Temple Mount area in Jerusalem, Israel dating back to the times of King Solomon.

Book preview

All Rights Reserved © 1987, 2001 by W. L. Sonny Payne, Jr.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any

means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,

taping, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the

permission in writing from the publisher.

Authors Choice Press

an imprint of iUniverse.com, Inc.

For information address:

iUniverse.com, Inc.

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Lincoln, NE 68512

www. iuniverse.com

Originally published by Milk & Honey Communications, Inc.

ISBN: 978-1469-71073-0 (ebook)

ISBN: 0-595-17570-8

Contents

INTRODUCTION

1

TRANSFORMED

2

THE BLOOD COVENANT

3

THE ADAMIC COVENANT

4

GOD MAKES A WAY

5

PREMEDITATED MURDER

6

THE NOAHIC COVENANT

7

GOD’S CHOICE

8

THE BERITH

9

THE SACRIFICE OF FAITH

10

THE BRIDEGROOM

11

THE PASSOVER

12

MOSAIC COVENANT

13

THE SACRIFICES

14

THE DAVIDIC COVENANT

15

THE CONSEQUENCES OF COVENANT VIOLATION

16

BEHOLD THE LAMB

17

A BLOOD TRANSFUSION

18

EAT MY FLESH AND DRINK MY BLOOD

19

SEALED IN BLOOD

20

THE TREE OF JUDGMENT

21

LIFE CONQUERS DEATH

22

POURED OUT

23

BOUGHT WITH A PRICE

REFERENCES

ENDNOTES:

To Reva, my beloved wife and best friend,

other than Yeshua,

To my son Timothy and his wife Bonnie,

To my daughter Ami Elizabeth, and

To those whose prayers and faithfulness

have helped make this book possible.

A special thanks to my son Tim for writing

the introduction, and to Judy Helton and

Bobbi Bush for being able to take what was

only a picture in my mind and put it on canvass

for the front cover of this book.

TO CONTACT:

Dr. W. L. Sonny Payne

917 Hudson Street

Tyler, Texas 75701

Phone [phone]

The secret (of the sweet, satisfying companionship) of the Lord have they who fear—revere and worship—Him, and He will show them His covenant, and reveal to them its (deep, inner) meaning. (Psalm 25:14, Amplified.)

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. (Psalm 25:10, Amplified.)

Introduction

by Tim Payne

Particles of dust flickered as they drifted through the shafts of light piercing the worn shutters over the windows. The sparsely furnished room smelled faintly of the earth from which it was constructed, and the walls were warm from hours of soaking in the bright Middle-Eastern sun. The air was heavy, but not as heavy as the spirits of the men who had gathered here almost two days earlier. Their conversations were muffled, subdued, until an occasional exclamation would incite a flurry of Shhh’s.

Suddenly a tall brute of a man with a fierce red beard leaped up from one of the huddled groups and shouted almost in a rage: We ran! We all ran! Like a pack of scared dogs we ran! His voice trailed off as tears rose in his eyes and he clutched his head in his massive hands, sobbing.

Peter! It was a whispered scream. Get ahold of yourself! Your rashness has jeopardized all our lives more than once, and I’ll have no more of it!

But James, he’s right! cried another. We did run. Just as fast and far as we could. Why, before I knew it, I was completely on the other side of Jerusalem.

Yes, I know he’s right, replied James composing himself, but there is no more excuse for his outbursts. Yeshua is dead at the hands of our leaders and they would like nothing more than to add our heads to their count. Squads of soldiers patrol the alleys below us more times in a day than I care to number.

Eight times in the span of one day, added a small man with short black hair and keen eyes.

Thank you, Matthew, retorted James sarcastically. Why, of all people, did Yeshua choose a tax collector to be a disciple? Counting, always counting. Will you ever stop living in a world of numbers?

I’m sorry, James … but before he could finish, he was interrupted by the humble voice of the James he was more accustomed to.

No, I owe the apology. Please forgive me, my dear Matthew. Yeshua Himself once told us, ‘Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye.’ I’m afraid my eyes have been rather ‘plankish’ of late.

As have all our eyes, added the mellow voice of a strikingly handsome man in his twenties. This was John, the beloved, one of the three disciples closest to Yeshua while He was alive. "We have all been on edge, all twel … , I mean eleven of us." Then rising, he walked to Peter who was standing before the closed window, streaks of light glistening on his wet cheeks.

Peter, he began compassionately. Then, slapping the giant’s shoulder, he exclaimed, ’The Rock’ Yeshua called you. And so you are. Tell me, who was it who walked on the water when the rest of us sat in the boat?

I sunk.

"But you did take a step or two. Surely that counts for something. And what you said a moment ago about all of us running was exactly right. We all ran, not just you, Peter. So why do you make it so hard on yourself?"

Because I was the only one who denied Him! and the tears began again.

What do you mean you were the only one? interrupted Andrew. You just finished agreeing to the fact that we all deserted Yeshua in Gethsemane. I don’t understand you, Peter. Even when we were young, you took it harder than the rest when Father scolded us. You always have been a type of martyr.

Brother Andrew, what you say is true, I’ll have to admit, came the resonant reply, but you don’t understand, none of you do. I denied Yeshua three times after that!

When? inquired John.

Peter turned to face the room and after a deep breath began, After we fled the garden I searched out the company of soldiers that had arrested Yeshua and followed them with John to the house of Annas. Since John was known to Annas, he passed through the gate while I was left outside. It wasn’t long, though, until John came and spoke to the servant girl who kept the gate and got me in. Once I was in the courtyard, the girl asked me if I was not also one of Yeshua’s disciples.

And? queried James.

Peter hesitated, And I said I was not.

At these last words a volley of murmurs shot through the little gathering.

Why, Peter?

I was scared, Andrew. I’m still scared. Two more times after that people tried to identify me as a follower of Yeshua, but I cursed and swore and lied. I denied Him. I denied Yeshua! And now his entire body shook with the sobs of his broken heart.

Silence pervaded the little gathering. Then John, with tears in his eyes, turned from Peter and addressed the disciples: Brethren, why do we play the hypocrite and act so self-righteous? Our Lord continually berated us for looking down on one another; and yet, like the Pharisees who brought to Yeshua the woman caught in adultery, how quickly we look for stones to cast. Will we never learn to forgive as Yeshua forgave? John’s face flushed red with the intensity of his appeal, and the words of the disciple of love momentarily became a two-edged sword thrusting into the hearts of everyone present. Which one of us, he cried, forgetting the danger which lurked in the streets below, think back now to Gethsemane, which one of us did not commit in his heart the deed that Peter merely manifested?

Though all were still silent, heads were cast down and eyes were damp. Then one by one, as if compelled by some unseen force, the disciples rose and went to Peter, who was still standing by the closed window, and embraced him asking his forgiveness for their judgmental attitudes.

Then, in the same spirit, these eleven shepherdless sheep began hugging one another, their tears expressing finally the emotions that had been pent up for days. These eleven, hand-picked by Yeshua Himself, had been left all alone, abandoned in death by Him whom they had loved more than anyone in the world. Now they were like children suddenly taken from their parents with no one to love them, to care for them. Here stood the eleven disciples of faith whom Yeshua had sent out by twos to minister God’s Word, working miracles in the process, and reporting back with joy that even the demons were subject to them. Here they now stood in an obscure upper room in Jerusalem crying on one another’s shoulders.

The sudden clanking of armor, however, immediately brought everyone back to an awareness of the danger they were in.

Quiet! whispered Andrew.

Outside the clanking stopped just below the window of the room. For what seemed like an eternity, not a sound was heard except the snorting of the horse on which the Roman centurion rode, his plumed helmet and sword gathering the waning rays of light from the setting sun and dancing them across the walls of the homes that lined the narrow street. Standing at attention behind him were eight more soldiers on foot, each carrying a javelin in his right hand, a round shield in his left, and a short broadsword at his side. It was one of these swords that held Peter’s attention as he gazed through a crack in the shutter. Only two nights before, he cleanly sliced off the ear of one of Annas’ servants, who by sheer instinct had barely dodged a powerful sweep aimed at his skull. Spontaneously, Peter remembered, Yeshua had grabbed the ear from the damp ground of Gethsemane, held it up to the servant’s blood-covered cheek and, deftly moving aside the hands that cradled the screaming

man’s head, placed the ear back in position. Instantly, the servant, whose name it was later discovered was Malchus, stopped crying out and assumed his normal posture as much to his own surprise as to everyone else’s.

Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me? Yeshua had said.

Back in the garden Peter? interrupted John quietly. Peter nodded.

Just then the centurion hurled a brief command and the patrol continued its march through the city.

The tension broken, sighs of relief were breathed as conversation began again in the little room.

I was trying to kill him, but he moved too quickly.

But aren’t you glad you didn’t? asked John.

No! exclaimed Peter, No, I’m not! I wish I had killed every last one of them; or been killed myself! As it is, Yeshua lies dead in a cold tomb, and I live merely in the flesh; my spirit has stopped trying.

Have you forgotten the Master’s words Peter? He said, or at least implied, that He would rise from the dead after three days, ‘Destroy this temple and after three days I will raise it up again’ is what He promised.

And I’m Caesar! retorted Peter. He is dead: if His purpose was to keep living, why didn’t He come down off the cross?

They asked Him to, you know, replied John calmly, "but He would not because He was born to die, Peter. I am only now beginning to understand that in its fullness. He came to earth to die! Mary expressed to me through her tears that very statement, that Yeshua was on earth to fulfill a mission. You think you grieve, well think of her. She was His mother. She lived in the same house with Him for thirty years until He began His ministry.

John paused, then continued, "I was there at the crucifixion, and I tell you God grieved! Yes, He grieved, the sky grew black, thunder shook the ground, and lightning blasted through the

clouds. There was the earthquake, and I have even heard it rumored that at that same time the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom supernaturally. Yes! Jehovah, the God of our fathers grieved when His Son died. This Yeshua whom we have touched with our hands, whom we have walked with these three and one-half years, this Yeshua said He would rise from the dead in three days, and even through my doubts, I have no choice but to believe Him!"

It’s all well and good to talk this way, brethren, inserted Thomas, an intelligent-looking man with wavy brown hair and sharp features, but the fact remains—Yeshua is dead.

The words were spoken so calmly, so rationally that they belied the deep cynicism which was not visible on the surface.

"I’ve been sitting here thinking, listening, trying to justify in my mind the events of the last few days, but I cannot find a definite explanation to it all.

This cup, for instance … He held up a silver goblet engraved with a few ordinary designs, this is the cup that Yeshua gave us to drink from at Passover. He said, This cup is the New Covenant in My blood which is shed for many for the remission of sins.’ Forgive my skepticism, but the wine, at least to me, imparted no supernatural sensation, no tingling, nothing out of the ordinary. Then holding the goblet to his nose he sniffed sharply, It even smells like ordinary wine. And look, he said as he pointed the open mouth of the cup first at James then in a sweeping motion, at the rest of the disciples, there is even a residue of wine dried in the bottom here. Does it look in any way different from the standard grade of wine sold in taverns all over the city?

You speak crudely, Thomas, challenged James.

Maybe so, but answer me this, Thomas’ voice lowered as daggers shot from his eyes. How can a dead man fulfill a covenant?

1

Transformed

K)r my determined purpose is that I may know Him—that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding (the wonders of His Person) more strongly and more clearly. And that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection (which it exerts over believers); and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed (in spirit into His likeness even) to His death, (in the hope) that if possible I may attain to the (spiritual and moral) resurrection (that lifts me) out from among the dead (even while in the body). (Philippians 3:10, 11, Amplified.)

Fear! It is a force that can turn a strong man into a cringing, powerless nobody. The Jewish followers of Yeshua* knew what fear was as they huddled in that room in Jerusalem. Yes, their leader was dead, but would He remain so? Would He really be resurrected as He had promised and thereby complete the New Covenant in His blood?

While the disciples were hiding in the upper room something incredible happened; Yeshua rose from the dead, causing no small stir in Jerusalem. The Roman legionnaires who had been guarding His tomb had been knocked to the ground by the power of God. The heavy stone, weighing almost two tons,

had been moved completely away from the tomb by an angel. The bewildered soldiers had been paid off by the Jewish leaders who instructed them to say Yeshua’s body had been stolen by His disciples. The women who followed Him had gone to the tomb early in the morning on the first day of the week and had seen angels, and not only angels, but the Lord Yeshua Himself, in resurrected form.

Later, their leader, Yeshua haMashiach, * appeared to His trembling disciples and for forty days taught them concerning their mission and their future. He then instructed them to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Afterward, from the Mount of Olives, before their very eyes, He ascended into heaven in a cloud.

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched,

He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

(Acts 1:9, NKJ.)

Ten days later, during the Jewish feast of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended from heaven and entered each of the disciples. Endued with God’s power, they instantly became fearless and began to speak the word of God with boldness in the temple compound and throughout Jerusalem. What had happened? Why were they suddenly so different?

First, they had become convinced that their true Messiah had come, lived, died, and risen from the dead, sealing forever their redemption and future glory with God in heaven.

Secondly, they were filled with the Holy Spirit of the living God and could not only speak in other tongues supernaturally, but also had God’s resurrection power coursing through their beings. They were not the same men. They were truly changed.

These followers of Yeshua knew the importance of their blood covenant relationship with God, that it was a life and death covenant. To them it was a serious, yet most rewarding

privilege to be a part of God’s church. These men were Israelites, sons of the covenant through Abraham. Their heritage ran deep. They were committed to one purpose, and that was to be obedient to God. The Jewish Apostle Peter stood up in the face of fierce opposition from the Jewish religious leaders and said to them:

… We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him. When they heard this, they were furious and took counsel to kill them. (Acts 5:29-33, NKJ.)

These disciples of Yeshua were Jews, learned in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible), even though they were called unlearned and ignorant by the Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13, NKJ.)

During the time of Yeshua’s ministry on earth, the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem said, if you want to become rich, go to Galilee. If you want to become learned come to Jerusalem and study in one of the academies. The religious group in Jerusalem said if you did not receive your training there, you would be classed