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 practice became a central aspect of Jewish identity and religious observance. However, with the advent of Christianity and the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles, the necessity of circumcision for salvation and inclusion in the Christian community became a contentious issue, particularly due to the influence of Judaizing Christians.The early church faced significant challenges regarding the role of the Mosaic Law in the life of Gentile converts. Judaizing Christians, a group within the early church, insisted that Gentile believers must adhere to Jewish customs, including circumcision, to be fully accepted as part of God's people. This teaching was met with strong opposition from the apostles, particularly Paul, who argued that faith in Jesus Christ, not adherence to the Law, was the basis for salvation. In Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council addressed this issue directly. The council, led by the apostles and elders, concluded that Gentile believers should not be burdened with the requirement of circumcision. Acts 15:10-11 records Peter's argument: "Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." Paul's epistles further clarify the theological stance against the necessity of circumcision for salvation. In Galatians 5:2-4 , Paul warns, "Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit 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." Paul emphasizes that circumcision is not a requirement for righteousness or inclusion in the body of Christ. In Galatians 6:15 , he states, "For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation." This underscores the transformative power of faith in Christ, which transcends the physical act of circumcision. The epistle to the Philippians also addresses this issue. Philippians 3:2-3 warns believers to "Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh! For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by His Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh." Here, Paul redefines true circumcision as a spiritual reality, characterized by worship in the Spirit and reliance on Christ. The insistence on circumcision by Judaizing Christians was a significant theological error that threatened the purity of the Gospel message. By attempting to impose the Law on Gentile believers, they undermined the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and the doctrine of justification by faith. The New Testament consistently affirms that salvation is a gift of grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from works of the Law, including circumcision. Nave's Topical Index Acts 15:1And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brothers, and said, Except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved. Nave's Topical Index Library Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ... Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Acts xv. 13, 15 Resources Who was Zipporah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgDoes Romans 2:7 teach works salvation? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about how to get baptized / how to baptize? | 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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