Linage and sonship,
In the days of Moses there was no mechanism for conversion to be part of Israel and her covenants.One became part of Israel in the same way that Ruth did, by choosing the God of Israel to be your God, and taking up an obedient life style. This fully entitled you to access to the covenants and their provisions. Ruth a gentile beomes the great great grandmother of David, and therefore the great great grandmother of Yeshua the Messiah. Linage was determined by the fathers bloodline, in regards to tribal relations. But conversion remained a process of election or adoption until Rabbinical Judaism renovated Judaism. After that it was the mothers line that was all important. Also the process of becoming a part of Israel changed around the second temple period, whereby one had to go through a proselization to become a Jew/Israelite. This included circumcision, Torah study, and several other things.
But this pocess was not what God had in mind at all. From the beginning any Gentile could become part of Israel by choice, or by Gods election. We see this reflected in Torah where in every aspect the "Ger", Gentiles attached to Israel, were to take part in the festivals, the sacrifices, and obedience to Torah. (Yes the covenant has priviledges and responsibilities as well.) "There is one Torah and one ordinance or all Israel and widows, orphans and the foreigner who lives among you."
We see this same process at work after Messiah. The Gentiles are included, without first being circumcised, (undergoing conversion) and they receive the same provisions including the filling with the Holy Spirit. Does Gods spirit dwell in someone who he does not consider holy and chosen? Of course not! We who are saved by faith are all in the same condition as Abraham, Moses, James, Conelieus the centuion, and every other believer. We are all adopted sons. Even the Jews who are saved are in a real sense then adopted by God, when they have faith in Messiah. They are grated in, the same as the Gentiles. Their unbelief which caused them to be cut off, separated them from true sonship. Their new faith grafts them back in. But we have to understand that when we are adopted by God though our faith, we also assume the position of sons and are called to obedience as sons. That obedience was laid out for us all in Torah. Again we are the same as all those who had faith Abraham, Moses, James, cornelius the centurion, you and me! God accepts us as sons, Children of Israel, just as the mixed multitude that included many different gentiles came up out of Egypt and were all called "Children of Israel". They all stood before the mountain of God and swore to follow the commandments that are prescribed to the children of Israel. We are no different than they. We are accepted and adopted even as gentiles, by or faith and are given the responsibility of living as sons, a holy people as directed by Gods word, Torah.
CIF
Excellent to have your responses in the mix, Mordechai! I'm so glad you're here 
