Topical Encyclopedia Circumcision, the physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, holds significant importance in Jewish tradition. According to Genesis 17:10-14, God commanded Abraham and his descendants to circumcise every male as a perpetual sign of the covenant. This practice became a central aspect of Jewish identity and religious observance.In the early Christian church, the issue of circumcision became a point of contention, particularly as the Gospel spread to Gentile (non-Jewish) communities. The Apostle Paul, a former Pharisee and a zealous adherent to Jewish law, became a pivotal figure in this debate. His teachings and missionary work among the Gentiles led to significant opposition from certain Jewish Christians who insisted that circumcision was necessary for salvation. Paul's stance on circumcision is most clearly articulated in his epistles, where he emphasizes faith in Christ over adherence to the law. 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 teaching that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than through the works of the law, was revolutionary and met with resistance. In Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council was convened to address this very issue. Some believers from the party of the Pharisees argued, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses" (Acts 15:5). However, after much debate, the council, led by the apostles and elders, concluded that imposing the yoke of circumcision on Gentile believers was not necessary. Peter, another leading apostle, supported Paul's view, stating, "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). Despite the council's decision, Paul continued to face opposition. In Acts 21, upon his return to Jerusalem, he was accused by some Jewish Christians of teaching Jews living among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe Jewish customs (Acts 21:21). This accusation led to significant tension and ultimately to Paul's arrest. Paul's letters further clarify his position. In Romans 2:28-29 , he writes, "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." Here, Paul emphasizes the spiritual significance of circumcision, pointing to a transformation of the heart rather than a mere physical act. The controversy over circumcision highlights the early church's struggle to define the relationship between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant established through Christ. Paul's teachings underscore the belief that faith in Jesus transcends the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament, marking a new era in God's redemptive plan for humanity. Torrey's Topical Textbook Acts 21:21And they are informed of you, that you teach all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library General Character of Christians. Letter Lxxxii. (AD 405. ) Three Homilies. On Our Lord. Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance. The Religious Revolution The Seven Trumpets. On the Councils, Or, the Faith of the Easterns. An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ... 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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