Topical Encyclopedia Circumcision, the physical act of removing the foreskin of the male genitalia, was a significant covenantal sign given by God to Abraham and his descendants. It served as a physical mark of the covenant between God and the people of Israel (Genesis 17:10-14). This practice was a central aspect of Jewish identity and religious observance, symbolizing the people's dedication to God and their separation from the surrounding nations.In the New Testament, the advent of the Gospel brought a transformative understanding of circumcision, shifting the focus from physical to spiritual. The Apostle Paul, in particular, addressed the issue of circumcision in the context of the new covenant established through Jesus Christ. In his epistles, Paul emphasized that physical circumcision was no longer a requirement for God's people, as faith in Christ superseded the old covenantal signs. 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 at all. 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." Paul's argument is that adherence to the law, including circumcision, is not the means of justification before God. Instead, it is faith in Jesus Christ that justifies and brings believers into a right relationship with God. This shift from the physical to the spiritual is further emphasized in Romans 2:28-29 , where Paul states, "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." The Jerusalem Council, as recorded in Acts 15, further affirmed this understanding. The early church leaders, including the apostles and elders, gathered to address the question of whether Gentile converts to Christianity were required to be circumcised according to the law of Moses. The council concluded that imposing such a requirement was unnecessary, as salvation is through the grace of the Lord Jesus (Acts 15:11). In Colossians 2:11-12 , Paul elaborates on the spiritual nature of circumcision in Christ: "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." Here, Paul equates the believer's union with Christ in His death and resurrection with a spiritual circumcision, marking the believer's transformation and new identity in Christ. Thus, the Gospel message redefines circumcision, emphasizing a heart transformed by faith and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This spiritual circumcision signifies the believer's covenant relationship with God, rendering the physical act obsolete in the context of salvation and inclusion in the people of God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ephesians 2:11,15Why remember, that you 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; Torrey's Topical Textbook Colossians 3:11 Library Hymns and Spiritual Songs General Character of Christians. Indexes and Tables An Index to Find any Hymn by the Title or Contents of It. The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians. A Servant of Men Acts XVI The Conversion of Cornelius. On the Creation of the World Resources Why do some cultures practice female genital mutilation (FGM)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the bodily discharges mentioned in Leviticus 15, and why did they make a person unclean? | GotQuestions.org Summary of the Book of Colossians - Bible Survey | 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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