A Comparison of Old Testament Circumcision vs Baptism

A Comparison of Old Testament Circumcision vs Baptism to be Saved in the New Testament. Created by Bro, Eon Meusa - 7/2018

What is circumcision? Why is it done? Removal of male penile foreskin. Done by surgical procedure near the time of birth using sharp tools but can be done anytime in life using several methods. Modern family tradition or parental preference Jewish Religious Rite G-Rated Example Health Reasons (possible benefits)

Recent Medical History of Circumcision In 1949, Gairdner wrote that circumcision was medically unnecessary and non-beneficial, and contraindicated because of complications and deaths (Infection). The British National Health Service (NHS) deleted non -therapeutic neonatal circumcision from covered procedures in 1950. 1970 Dr. E. Noel Preston established that there is no therapeutic or prophylactic benefit to circumcision and also the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)issued a statement (1971) that “There are no valid medical indications for circumcision in the neonatal period. " Circumcision Positives- lower risk of urinary tract infections and of some sexually transmitted diseases in men. Some protection against penile cancer and a reduced risk of cervical cancer in female sex partners (HPV). Prevention of inflammation of the glans and foreskin. Circumcision Negatives– Reduced Sexual Sensation; surgical complications.

Circumcision trends in modern times

Instructor’s Biblical Position Before Study It is baptism not circumcision that is required for salvation. The instructor believes “that the bible teaches” that under the law of Christ, salvation is available to ALL (*and every Male whether or not circumcision was preformed at any point in that person’s life) if they have heard the gospel, believed, repented, confessed, and are Baptized (for remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit). Once baptized in a scripturally approved way that believer is a member of the Lord’s church (church of Christ) and must also continue in scripturally correct (new testament) worship practices with fellowship among saints while living faithfully and also seeking those attributes that make one’s call and election sure until physical death or the return of Jesus (whichever come first!). *Males were the ONLY group subject to circumcision under the old law.

Circumcision and the Bible There is disagreement as to the definitive origins of circumcision, the earliest evidence comes from the first ancient Egyptian mummies and paintings depicting the practice, around 2300 BC. (Abraham was born around 2000 BC? ). The command to circumcise Males is found in (Genesis 17) within God's renewed covenant promise to Abraham, following the initial covenant contract (Gen. 15). On this occasion, God gave him the sign of circumcision, which was to be imposed upon Abraham and his descendants as evidence of covenant membership and obedience (Gen 17: 10). For the Israelites it was a religious rite and was intended to mark the beginning of covenant for Abraham's descendants.

Biblical Circumcision History While Abraham and his household were circumcised right away, the Lord's command required that male infants were to be circumcised on the eighth day of life. When compared to other groups this was distinctively different from possible pagan practices, which was said to have associated the rite either with puberty or with approaching marriage. The fact that this was performed upon the male reproductive organ may have had at least a twofold significance: The cutting away of the foreskin spoke of the cutting away of fleshly dependence and their hope for the future posterity and prosperity was not to rest upon their own ability. Circumcision showed confidence was being placed in the promise of God and His faithfulness rather than in their own flesh.

Circumcision Meaning It was the obedience of the parents that was important, for if they did not obey God in this matter; their son would be cut off from his people (Gen. 17: 14). The covenant people must bear the mark of the covenant. Those who were not circumcised were to be "cut off" from their people (Gen. 17: 10– 14). Covenants in biblical times were often sealed by severing an animal (Gen 15: 8 -10), with the implication that the party who breaks the covenant will suffer a similar fate (Jerimiah 34: 18 -20). In Hebrew, the verb meaning to seal a covenant translates literally as "to cut". It is presumed by Jewish scholars that the removal of the foreskin symbolically represents such a sealing of the covenant. Moses might not have been circumcised; one of his sons definitely was not, Moses's wife Zipporah circumcised their son when God threatened to kill Moses (Exodus 4: 24– 26).

Circumcision Reminded The Lord repeated this command to Israelites (Joshua 5: 2). Israelite males born in the in wilderness were not circumcised until they crossed over the Jordan. (Joshua 5: 4). It is important to note that circumcision did not convey spiritual blessing to the recipient. An eight-day-old baby boy (Lev. 12: 3) would not even understand what was going on; and when he got older, the ritual would have to be explained to him. Unfortunately, the Jewish people did not realize that circumcision stood for something much deeper: the person’s relationship to God wants us to “circumcise our hearts” and be totally devoted to Him in love and obedience (Deut. 10: 16; 30: 6; Jer. 4: 4; Rom. 2: 28 -29)

Circumcision used in revenge plot Genesis 34 - Circumcision promoted for an unholy reason. Jacob’s daughter (Dinah) was sexually abused by a high ranking foreigner (Shechem, the son of a respected prince of the region, Hamor) but the Shechem claimed to loved her and wanted to marry her at any cost. Dinah’s brothers were angry and felt dishonored and while seeking vengeance come up with a plot to have all men circumcised as the price for the marriage (Gen 34: 15). The uncircumcised men of that city complied after a pep talk from Hamor and Shechem (Gen 34: 24). While they were healing from the surgery they were unexpectedly attacked and slaughtered by Dinah brothers (Simeon and Levi) (Gen 34: 25). Then Jacob’s other sons then took all their goods (Gen 34: 27). Now they all now had to leave that area and the Lord had to intervene (Gen 35).

Circumcision in early New Testament Circumcision became a distinctive indication of Jewish fidelity to the covenant. Thus John the Baptist was circumcised (Luke 1: 59), as were both Jesus (Luke 2: 21) and Saul of Tarsus (Philippians 3: 5), on the eighth day of life, making them accredited members of the covenant people. Jesus was already casting doubt on the preeminence of the rite when he stated that his healings made people completely whole (John 7: 22 -23). Stephen reinforced this by accusing contemporary Judaism of the very tendencies that Jeremiah had condemned (Acts 7: 51). Although in the period of the early church the Jewish believers maintained Jewish religious traditions, problems began to arise when the gospel was preached among Gentiles.

Circumcision Confusion Early Christians who had come from a Jewish background felt that Gentiles should become Jews through circumcision before being able to experience Christ's saving work. The legalistic element in the early church tried to make circumcision and obedience to the Law a requirement for salvation for the Gentiles, but this was Immediately refuted (Acts 15). Circumcision discussion at the Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15). To resolve the issue Paul and Barnabas consulted with the elders in Jerusalem, where it was agreed that Gentiles should NOT be compelled to be circumcised (Acts 15: 13 -21).

Circumcision - First Century Christians Paul warned Titus to beware of the "circumcision group. " (Titus 1: 10 -16) Romans 4: 9 -12 makes it clear that the physical operation had nothing to do with Abraham’s eternal salvation. Abraham had believed God and received God’s righteousness before he ever was circumcised (Gen. 15: 6). Paul did circumcise the partly Jewish Timothy (Acts 16: 3) to facilitate his mission, he opposed circumcision for the Gentile Titus (Gal 2: 3). Circumcision or Uncircumcision are meaningless, (Gal 5: 6). Finally, Paul taught that in the new covenant salvation came by grace and faith, not Physical works (Eph 2: 8). What always counted was the faith and obedience (which have both physical and spiritual components) that have always characterized covenants between God and humankind.

Spiritual Circumcision (Baptism) The seal of our salvation is not an external rite but the presence of an internal witness in the person of the Holy Spirit of God (Eph. 1: 13; 4: 30; Rom. 8: 9 -16). One might say the we have experienced a “Spiritual Circumcision” (Col. 2: 8 -14) that makes us part of the “true circumcision” (Philippians. 3: 1 -7). the Spirit of God performed “Spiritual Surgery” via Baptism that enables us to have victory over the desires of the old nature and the old life. Circumcision removes only a part of the body, but the true “Spiritual Circumcision” puts off “the body of the sins of the flesh” (Col. 2: 11) and deals radically with the sin nature. “Spiritual Circumcision” via Baptism, not Physical Circumcision is the only one that counts and that is for EVERYONE in this generation.

Instructor’s Biblical Position After Study It is baptism not circumcision that is required for salvation. The instructor believes “that the bible teaches” that under the law of Christ, salvation is available to ALL (*and every Male whether or not circumcision was preformed at any point in that person’s life) if they have heard the gospel, believed, repented, confessed, and are Baptized (for remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit). Once baptized in a scripturally approved way that believer is a member of the Lord’s church (church of Christ) and must also continue in scripturally correct (new testament) worship practices with fellowship among saints while living faithfully and also seeking those attributes that make one’s call and election sure until physical death or the return of Jesus (whichever come first!). *Males were the ONLY group subject to circumcision under the old law. THANK YOU – ANY QUESTIONS? ? ?