Circumcision in the flesh: A covenant to a Nation but not to The
Church, The Body of Christ.
Gen 17:10-13
10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
(KJV)
This circumcision was an introduction as an everlasting covenant to the Nation Israel to make them different from all other Nations.
Now lets look at some verses that show us there is no difference today between Jew or Gentile, Bond or Free and even Male or Female the latter of the three plays the biggest role in this issue of circumcision.
1 Cor 12:13
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
(KJV)
Eph 4:4-6
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
(KJV)
We know that in the Verses above it is BY the Spirit we are baptize and SO in the Verse below the Spirit circumcise us also.
Col 2:10-13
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
(KJV)
In the verses above you read some significant findings in God's Word about you (if you are a part of the body of Christ). You are complete in him (Christ). In the next verse you are told you have been circumcised with the circumcision made without hands. If no hands are involved this takes the flesh out of the way and this is a spiritual circumcision and because there is no difference between male or female this occurs in all who believe, Christ died for their sins and their salvation lies faith exhibited in the cross and that alone! It seems so easy to understand this concept but water baptism also goes hand in hand with circumcision in that God in times past required a physical submersion but now he spiritually baptizes all who believe (Col 2:12) it clearly states it's the operation of God. We must learn to read the bible and take God at his word and leave all other opinions out this will clear up much confusion for you as it did for me years ago.
Now let's go back to the Old Testament and look at the origin of physical and spiritual circumcision that God gave to Abraham.
Deut 10:15-16
15 Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.
16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
(KJV)
This verse clearly is talking about a spiritual circumcision but be careful look who it's talking to, the Jews. Do not try to apply this verse to your life and twist the Word to make it work just ACKNOWLEDGES this is to the Jews and learn from it.
Jer 4:3-4
3 For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem…
(KJV)
This verse is also clearly speaking of spiritual circumcision and is also clearly speaking to the Jews and this verse has been used out of ignorance by pastors today regarding breaking up the fallow ground of your heart, that is not what this passage meant and it has no bearing on the body of Christ it is only for understanding of times past.
Rom 4:9-12
9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
(KJV)
Well look at the verse above Paul has asked AN important question and then he answered it for you. Abraham first exhibited faith and then followed it with a work namely circumcision. And more importantly he was spiritually circumcised first and then physically.
Should you be circumcised today? And what instructions did the apostle to the gentiles say about this subject.
Acts 15:1-7
1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
(KJV)
Acts 15:19-35
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
(KJV)
Acts 21:20-25
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
(KJV)
In the verses above Paul never told the Gentiles to be circumcised you will see Paul knew what the physical circumcision was for and he knew that it never included the gentiles. And look at this next verse and you'll see Paul tell Timothy to be circumcised but it is for a good reason.
Acts 16:1-3
1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
(KJV)
It's important to note Timothy's mother was a Jew and Paul knew if Timothy was not circumcised he could be a stumbling block. This is the only logical explanation for Paul to tell Timothy to be circumcised.
In the verses below they tried to put Titus back under the law and persuade him to be circumcised and Paul spoke out against it.
Gal 2:1-5
1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
(KJV)
In the next few verses you will read what Paul has to say regarding if you have been circumcised because you did not understand God's word don't try to undo it you couldn't if you wanted to but concentrate on the future and share your new found knowledge with other believers who may have a decision to make about a soon newborn baby boy and what God's word says about circumcision. It is very clear in verse 19 Paul says circumcision is NOTHING. So there is no reason for any child to be circumcised today.
1 Cor 7:18-20
18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
(KJV)
Rom 3:1-2
1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
(KJV)
In this verse notice there is nothing to do with health reasons or cosmetic reasons in God's word for a child to be circumcised. It was only for the Nation Israel (a Jew requires a sign a Greek seeks after wisdom).
Eph 2:11
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
(KJV)
In this verse it shows there were two groups God referred to and gentiles were known as the uncircumcision. Notice this is not spiritual it is flesh in other words physical circumcision and gentiles were not circumcised in times past.
Gal 5:2-6
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
(KJV)
In this verse Paul says he would not suffer all this persecution if he would go back to talking about circumcision and stop preaching the cross. It is never worth it to Paul to stop preaching the cross because this is where salvation lies for all who believe.
Gal 5:11
11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
(KJV)
It is very clear circumcision will profit you nothing today and even goes as far to say if you are circumcised you are a debtor to the law and fallen from grace. Do not ignore God's word because you and generations before you have a custom to be circumcised your customs are not recognized by God.
Gal 6:11-13
11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
(KJV)
You should know why you circumcise a child and Paul is saying do not glory in the flesh, today we deal with this more in water baptism it isn't uncommon to hear a congregation brag about how many people they baptized this month and this is exactly what Paul is talking about. And no one speaks on circumcision this is an individual decision but still should be taught from the pulpit how else will the saints learn if the teacher chooses not to bring it up.
The whole emphasis in the verse below is we have no confidence in the flesh. It's all spiritual no flesh no hands no man involved it all points to what Christ has done NOT what you can do.
Phil 3:3
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
(KJV)
Now let's go back to Col 2:10 where we looked early on in this study. This verse says a lot all by itself.
Col 2:10
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
(KJV)
How can you be complete and still require something. The answer is simple you can't.
Col 3:11
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
(KJV)
I would like to say that there are many who will tell you that when it comes to circumcision that it's God's doing by the Spirit but Why don't they say that when it comes to Baptist? What do you think?
visit Ed's Message Board, at http://pub30.bravenet.com/forum/show.asp?usernum=2500475413
Return to Index of Ed and Sharrie's Writings
e-mail Ed and Sharrie Yarber