Topical Encyclopedia Circumcision, the physical act of removing the foreskin of the male genitalia, was instituted by God as a sign of the covenant between Him and Abraham, as recorded in Genesis 17:10-14. This rite was a distinguishing mark of the Jewish people, signifying their unique relationship with God and their commitment to His laws. However, with the advent of the New Covenant through Jesus Christ, the necessity of circumcision as a religious obligation was abrogated.In the New Testament, the issue of circumcision became a significant point of contention, particularly as the early Church expanded to include Gentile believers. The Apostle Paul addresses this matter extensively, emphasizing that physical circumcision is no longer required for those who are in Christ. In Galatians 5:2-6 , Paul writes, "Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you. Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love." The Jerusalem Council, as described in Acts 15, further solidified the understanding that circumcision was not a requirement for Gentile converts. The apostles and elders, guided by the Holy Spirit, concluded that imposing the Mosaic law, including circumcision, on Gentile believers was unnecessary. Acts 15:28-29 states, "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things." Paul's epistles further elucidate the spiritual significance of circumcision under the New Covenant. In Romans 2:28-29 , he explains, "A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise does not come from men, but from God." This shift from a physical to a spiritual understanding of circumcision underscores the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. The abrogation of circumcision as a religious requirement highlights the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and the new identity believers have in Him. Colossians 2:11-12 articulates this truth: "In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead." Thus, while circumcision was a significant covenantal sign under the Old Testament, its abrogation in the New Testament reflects the fulfillment of the law in Christ and the establishment of a new covenant based on faith and grace. Nave's Topical Index Acts 15:5-29But 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. Nave's Topical Index Romans 3:30 Romans 4:9-11 1 Corinthians 7:18,19 Galatians 2:3,4 Galatians 5:2-11 Galatians 6:12 Ephesians 2:11,15 Colossians 2:11 Colossians 3:11 Library Another Instance of Marcion's Tampering with St. Paul's Text the ... On the Sacraments of the Old Testament, the Tree of Life ... Period ii. The Post-Apostolic Age: AD 100-AD 140 Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of ... General Character of Christians. Letter xxiii. (AD 392. ) The Law of God Of the Law. The Epistle to the Romans. St. Paul Cannot Help Using Phrases ... Marcion, Justifying his Antithesis Between the Law and the Gospel ... Resources What is circumcision of the heart? | GotQuestions.orgIs baptism the New Covenant equivalent of circumcision? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about circumcision? What is the Christian view of circumcision? | GotQuestions.org Circumcision: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Circumcision was Performed by Persons in Authority Circumcision was Performed by the Heads of Families Circumcision was Performed in the Presence of the Family Circumcision was Performed with Knives of Flint Circumcision was Performed: Even on the Sabbath Day Circumcision was Performed: On Males Home-Born and Bought Circumcision was Performed: On the Eighth Day Circumcision without Faith, Vain Circumcision without Obedience, Vain Circumcision: A Designation of Christians Circumcision: A Designation of the Jews Circumcision: A Painful and Bloody Rite Circumcision: A Prerequisite of the Privileges of the Passover Circumcision: A Seal of Righteousness Circumcision: A Seal of the Covenant Circumcision: Abolished by the Gospel Circumcision: Accompanied With Naming the Child Circumcision: Called The: Circumcision in the Flesh Circumcision: Called The: Concision Circumcision: Called The: Covenant of Circumcision Circumcision: Characterized by Paul As a Yoke Circumcision: Child Named at the Time of Circumcision: Covenant Promises of Circumcision: Enforced by the Law Circumcision: First Performed on Abraham and his Family Circumcision: Instituted by God Circumcision: Introductory Jewish Ordinances Circumcision: Israelites at Gilgal Circumcision: John the Baptist Circumcision: Necessary to Enjoying the Privileges of the Jewish State Circumcision: Necessity of, Asserted by False Teachers Circumcision: Necessity of, Denied by Paul Circumcision: Necessity of, Falsely Taught by Judaizing Christians Circumcision: Neglect of, Punished Circumcision: Not Performed in the Wilderness Circumcision: Paul Denounced for Opposing Circumcision: Paul's Argument Against the Continuance of Circumcision: Performed by Joshua at Gilgal Circumcision: Performed on all Males on the Eighth Day Circumcision: Performed on Timothy As a Matter or Expediency Because of The Circumcision: Promises to Abraham Previous To Circumcision: Punishment for Neglecting Circumcision: Purity of Speech Circumcision: Readiness to Hear and Obey Circumcision: Rite of, Observed on the Sabbath Circumcision: Saints the True Spiritual Circumcision: Sometimes Performed on Slain Enemies Circumcision: The Jews: Denominated By Circumcision: The Jews: Despised As Unclean Those not of The Circumcision: The Jews: Held It Unlawful to Intermarry With Those not of The Circumcision: The Jews: Held No Intercourse With Those not of The Circumcision: Trusting To, a Denial of Christ Related Terms Uncircumcision (19 Occurrences) Uncircumcised (48 Occurrences) |
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