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I. SPIRITUAL CIRCUMCISION — its meaning.

1. Declared in the Old and New Testaments, as, in the text, also in Jeremiah 4:4, and elsewhere.

2. Spoken of as a seal of the righteousness of faith (Romans 4:11).

3. Spoken of as representing the renunciation of, and cutting off of, the superfluity of the flesh (Colossians 2:11).

4. Therefore true circumcision is of everlasting and universal obligation.

II. LITERAL CIRCUMCISION. Temporary and preparatory.

1. For males only.

2. Superseded by baptism.

III. CIRCUMCISION AND BAPTISM.

1. Two points in which they differ.

(1) Baptism, in its literal sense, taken as an outward rite, is of universal and continual obligation — continual, that is, as long as this dispensation lasts.

(2) Taken in its literal sense, circumcision was the initiatory rite of the old covenant, as baptism is of the new.

2. Three points of resemblance.

(1) In a spiritual sense, both have the same signification. Both point to the renewal of heart which is required of all.

(2) Neither circumcision nor baptism are of value as mere rites, unaccompanied by the spiritual grace which they typify (Galatians 5:6; 1 Peter 3:21).

(Archbp. Whateley.)

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KJV: Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.

WEB: Behold, to Yahweh your God belongs heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is therein.