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, in the early Christian church, the necessity of circumcision for salvation became a contentious issue, particularly as the Gospel spread to Gentile (non-Jewish) communities.The New Testament addresses the controversy surrounding circumcision, especially in the context of false teachers who insisted on its necessity for salvation. These individuals, often referred to as Judaizers, taught that Gentile converts to Christianity must adhere to the Mosaic Law, including circumcision, to be fully accepted by God. The Apostle Paul confronted this false teaching directly in his epistles. In Galatians 5:2-4 , Paul warns the Galatian believers, "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." Here, Paul emphasizes that reliance on the Law, symbolized by circumcision, undermines the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and the grace offered through faith. In Acts 15, the early church convened the Jerusalem Council to address this very issue. Some believers from the party of the Pharisees insisted, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses" (Acts 15:5). However, after much debate, the apostles and elders, guided by the Holy Spirit, concluded that imposing circumcision on Gentile converts was not necessary. Peter argued, "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?" (Acts 15:10). The council's decision affirmed that salvation is through the grace of the Lord Jesus alone, without the need for adherence to the ceremonial aspects of the Law. Paul further addresses the issue in his letter to the Philippians, warning against those who promote circumcision as a requirement for salvation. He writes, "Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the mutilators of the flesh!" (Philippians 3:2). Paul contrasts these false teachers with true believers, who "worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:3). The insistence on circumcision by false teachers was not merely a matter of cultural or religious tradition but a fundamental misunderstanding of the Gospel. By asserting its necessity, they distorted the message of salvation by grace through faith, as articulated by Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9 : "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." In summary, the New Testament clearly refutes the teaching that circumcision is necessary for salvation. The early church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, affirmed that faith in Christ alone is sufficient for salvation, liberating believers from the yoke of the Law and affirming the universality of the Gospel message. Torrey's Topical Textbook Acts 15:24For as much as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: Torrey's Topical Textbook Galatians 6:12 Titus 1:10 Library The Mission of Paul and Silas to Macedonia. Letter Lxxxii. (AD 405. ) Book ix. In the Last Book we Treated of the Indistinguishable ... Introduction. Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the ... Coornhert and the Collegiants --A Movement for Spiritual Religion ... Sources and Literature of the Apostolic Age. Acts xv. 13, 15 Index of Subjects. Homilies on the Gospel of John. 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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