A Biblical Study on Circumcision

     Because it was brought to my attention that a proposal to ban male circumcision and make it illegal had actually been brought before a San Francisco court I was compelled to do a study. Not the first study on the subject, I assure you, as one can find as many "studies" to verify their point as there are opinions on the subject.  And not a study concerning the hygienic or medical value or discredit of the procedure, but a study considering the one and only final authority in my life and that is the Word of God.

     Before an impartial study of this type can be done two things have to be in place. First, one has to know (and I am paraphrasing) that the law of scriptural understanding is by the enlightenment of other scriptures. ...only on the testimony of two or three witnesses shall a charge be established. One scripture cannot be pulled out of context to establish or validate a person's belief.  And two, a person should be willing to let the guidance of the Holy Spirit renew his mind to the truth of the Word. Or in my words, a neutral position until revelation has come by the Word. And then one can stand firm in that position.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Tim2:15KJV

       In order to "rightly divide" the Word, one must understand "to whom" or "about whom" the scripture is talking. For example, to understand the book of Revelation you must be able to recognize who the particular scripture is talking to or about, otherwise you will misunderstand the revelation and get confused. The entire Bible is for the Body of Christ to gain understanding, but not every scripture was written to or about the Christian believer. The Word of God speaks "to" and "about" three individual groups of people and you need to understand to which group you belong.

1Cor 10:32KJV Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God:

       The word "Gentile" in its basic form meant "non-Jew". But the word used here for Gentiles in the original language was "Hellen", which means Grecian. In the wider sense the word meant all nations not Jewish and was a reference to a difference of religion and worship, which biblically means those "without God". The words "Greeks" and "nations" were also translated and used to describe this group of people. Paul refers to these three groups here as well.

1Cor. 1:22 For while Jews [demandingly] ask for signs and miracles and Greeks pursue philosophy and wisdom, ²³ We preach Christ (the Messiah) crucified, [preaching which] to the Jews is a scandal and an offensive stumbling block [that springs a snare or trap], and to the Gentiles it is absurd and utterly unphilosophical nonsense. ²⁴ But to those who are called, whether Jew or Greek (Gentile), Christ [is] the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.

       The words "we" and "those who are called" are of course the Church, Body of Christ or Christian believers. If you are Born Again of the Spirit of God you are not Gentile (Hellen) or of the nations in the sense of "without God". In other references Paul used the word "Ethnos" which was also translated Gentile. It's most common meaning is simply a tribe, nation or people group; although, used in the Old Testament it described foreign nations not worshipping the true God, pagans, or Gentiles. However, in the New Testament Paul used this term to differentiate between Jewish and non-Jewish believers, or to describe Gentile Christians, not pagans or those without God. If you are not Jewish by birthright, but you are a believer, this term would refer to you. In reading the context of the scripture reference you should be able to comprehend whether the word "Gentile" was translated from the word Hellen or Ethnos.

With this knowledge let us proceed further.

     In researching the scriptures that address the subject of circumcision I found what may or may not be new information to you. I know I learned more than I knew before. As I said, it was the proposal to ban circumcision and make it illegal that prompted me to do a research. I wanted to know all that God said concerning circumcision and to whom He was addressing. So I desire to present scripture to reveal a more complete understanding on the subject. At the risk of this article being enormously long nevertheless I feel it necessary to include the complete scripture and not just the reference.  Scripture will be presented here in italics from the Amplified version unless otherwise noted and my comments will be in a regular font. Scripture underlining and bold type is not from the Amplified version but are my emphasis. Also the bold type and underlining is for the purpose of bringing attention to the subject to be discussed further, not to project a belief.

      The subject of circumcision is no new debate. It was discussed in the early days, even infancy, of the church as to what was required by the Gentile converts to be saved. And may I add here that they too needed the direction of the Holy Spirit. So is circumcision still required by God, and if so, for whom? Is it a choice? Are there any benefits to having my son circumcised? Does the church promote or discourage it? Is circumcision an abusive practice? Am I a horrible parent if I choose to circumcise my son? Am I in rebellion if I don't?  The scriptures answer all of these questions and more.

Acts 15:1 But some men came down from Judea and were instructing the brethren, Unless you are circumcised in accordance with the Mosaic custom, you cannot be saved. ² And when Paul and Barnabas had no small disagreement and discussion with them, it was decided that Paul and Barnabas and some of the others of their number should go up to Jerusalem [and confer] with the apostles (special messengers) and the elders about this matter. ³ So, being fitted out and sent on their way by the church, they went through both Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles (the heathen), and they caused great rejoicing among all the brethren. ⁴ When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were heartily welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they told them all that God had accomplished through them. ⁵ But some who believed [who acknowledged Jesus as their Savior and devoted themselves to Him] belonged to the sect of the Pharisees, and they rose up and said, It is necessary to circumcise [the Gentile converts] and to charge them to obey the Law of Moses. ⁶ The apostles and the elders were assembled together to look into and consider this matter. ⁷ And after there had been a long debate, Peter got up and said to them, Brethren, you know that quite a while ago God made a choice or selection from among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the message of the Gospel [concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God] and believe (credit and place their confidence in it). ⁸ And God, Who is acquainted with and understands the heart, bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit as He also did to us; ⁹ And He made no difference between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith (by a strong and welcome conviction that Jesus is the Messiah, through Whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God). ¹⁰ Now then, why do you try to test God by putting a yoke on the necks of the disciples, such as neither our forefathers nor we [ourselves] were able to endure? ¹¹ But we believe that we are saved through the grace (the undeserved favor and mercy) of the Lord Jesus, just as they [are]. ¹² Then the whole assembly remained silent, and they listened [attentively] as Barnabas and Paul rehearsed what signs and wonders God had performed through them among the Gentiles. ¹³ When they had finished talking, James replied, Brethren, listen to me. ¹⁴ Simeon [Peter] has rehearsed how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people [to bear and honor] His name. ¹⁵ And with this the predictions of the prophets agree, as it is written, ¹⁶ After this I will come back, and will rebuild the house of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its [very] ruins, and I will set it up again, ¹⁷ So that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom My name has been invoked, ¹⁸ Says the Lord, Who has been making these things known from the beginning of the world. ¹⁹ Therefore it is my opinion that we should not put obstacles in the way of and annoy and disturb those of the Gentiles who turn to God, ²⁰ But we should send word to them in writing to abstain from and avoid anything that has been polluted by being offered to idols, and all sexual impurity, and [eating meat of animals] that have been strangled, and [tasting of] blood. ²¹ For from ancient generations Moses has had his preachers in every town, for he is read [aloud] every Sabbath in the synagogues. ²² Then the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, resolved to select men from among their number and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, [both] leading men among the brethren, and sent them. ²³ With [them they sent] the following letter: The brethren, both the apostles and the elders, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings: ²⁴ As we have heard that some persons from our number have disturbed you with their teaching, unsettling your minds and throwing you into confusion, although we gave them no express orders or instructions [on the points in question], ²⁵ It has been resolved by us in assembly to select men and send them [as messengers] to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ²⁶ Men who have hazarded their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷ So we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will bring you the same message by word of mouth.²⁸ For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to lay upon you any greater burden than these indispensable requirements: ²⁹ That you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from [tasting] blood and from [eating the meat of animals] that have been strangled and from sexual impurity. If you keep yourselves from these things, you will do well. Farewell [be strong]!

 

                From this set of scriptures there should be no question as to whether or not the non-Jewish convert is required to be circumcised in order to be saved. The answer cannot be clearer here that circumcision is most definitely not a requirement for the Gentile to be saved. I emphasize and call your attention to the word "requirement" because of what takes place in the very next chapter.

Acts 16:1 And [Paul] went down to Derbe and also to Lystra. A disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer [she had become convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and the Author of eternal salvation, and yielded obedience to Him]; but [Timothy's] father was a Greek. ² He [Timothy] had a good reputation among the brethren at Lystra and Iconium. ³ Paul desired Timothy to go with him [as a missionary]; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those places, all of whom knew that his father was a Greek. 

       After Paul went to such lengths to get a decree from the apostles and elders of the church to not require the Gentiles to be circumcised why did he then turn right around and circumcise Timothy? Is Paul for or against circumcision?

Paul was neither "for" nor "against" the act of circumcision.

But he vehemently protested the Jews for forcing others to trust in the act, and in priding themselves in it instead of trusting the One Who covenanted with them and sealed that covenant with circumcision.    

 

Commentary on Acts 16:3 by John Darby's synopsis of the New Testament is as follows:

      "There is perhaps no example of this more remarkable than that which Paul does with regard to Timothy. He uses circumcision in all liberty to set aside Jewish prejudice. It is very doubtful whether, according to the law, he ought to have been circumcised. Ezra and Nehemiah shew us the strange wives sent away; but here, the mother being a Jewess, Paul causes the child of this mixed marriage to follow the rule of the Jews and submit to that rite. Liberty fully recognises the law in its place, although itself exempt from it, and distinctly states, for the assurance of the Gentiles, the absence of all pretension, on the part of the Judaean Christians, to impose the law upon Gentiles. Paul circumcises Timothy, and does not give subjection for an hour to those who would have compelled Titus to be circumcised. He would become a Jew to the Jews from love; but the Jews themselves must renounce all pretension to impose the law on others. The decrees given at Jerusalem are left with the churches-a plain answer to every Jew who desired to subject the Gentiles to Judaism. The decrees, we may remark, were those of the apostles and the elders."

 

Paul could not be against the ACT of circumcision because it is an everlasting covenant to the Jews.

Gen 17:7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting, solemn pledge, to be a God to you and to your posterity after you.

Gen 17:10-13 This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your posterity after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised.¹¹ And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a token or sign of the covenant (the promise or pledge) between Me and you. ¹² He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male throughout your generations, whether born in [your] house or bought with [your] money from any foreigner not of your offspring.¹³ He that is born in your house and he that is bought with your money must be circumcised; and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.  

       Nowhere in the Bible are the Jews told to discontinue the act of circumcision. It is an interesting note to point out that all the books Paul argues the point of circumcision not being necessary were written to the Gentile converts; letters to the Church. Yet the subject is never spoken of in the book of Hebrews where the author (most theologians say was Paul) is encouraging the Hebrew converts not to revert back to Judaism. If it was not for the Jews to circumcise their sons any longer it most assuredly would have been brought out in this book to the Jews. In addition, the book of James was written by the brother of our Lord Jesus Christ to the "twelve tribes scattered abroad" (that's Jews). It also never mentions the subject of circumcision must less a mandate to terminate the practice. 

James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered abroad [among the Gentiles in the dispersion]: Greetings (rejoice)!...

Paul did not teach that the Jews were not to circumcise.

Acts 21:18 On the next day Paul went in with us to [see] James, and all the elders of the church were present [also].¹⁹ After saluting them, Paul gave a detailed account of the things God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. ²⁰ And upon hearing it, they adored and exalted and praised and thanked God. And they said to [Paul], You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and all of them are enthusiastic upholders of the [Mosaic] Law. ²¹ Now they have been informed about you that you continually teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn back from and forsake Moses, advising them not to circumcise their children or pay any attention to the observance of the [Mosaic] customs. ²² What then [is best that] should be done? A multitude will come together, for they will surely hear that you have arrived. ²³ Therefore do just what we tell you. With us are four men who have taken a vow upon themselves. ²⁴ Take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses [for the temple offering], so that they may have their heads shaved. Thus everybody will know that there is no truth in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself walk in observance of the Law. ²⁵ But with regard to the Gentiles who have believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ), we have sent them a letter with our decision that they should keep themselves free from anything that has been sacrificed to idols and from [tasting] blood and [eating the meat of animals] which have been strangled and from all impurity and sexual immorality. ²⁶ Then Paul took the [four] men with him and the following day [he went through the rites of] purifying himself along with them. And they entered the temple to give notice when the days of purification (the ending of each vow) would be fulfilled and the usual offering could be presented on behalf of each of them.

       If Paul had been in disagreement of what the elders proposed to him, or if what they were saying was not the truth he most assuredly would have contested it.  We know Paul did not agree or "go along" with this request because he was afraid of a multitude gathering upon him. We also know that Paul was not concerned of being in disagreement with the elders for he had already opposed Peter on hypocrisy. Paul stood for what he believed was right in the sight of God and was led by the Spirit of God.  

 Paul brings an awareness of the two groups of believers in his letter to the churches of Galatia.

      He wants them to understand that God calls and anoints different people for different tasks 

Gal1:2 And all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia:

Gal 2:3-10 But [all went well!] even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled [as some had anticipated] to be circumcised, although he was a Greek. ⁴ [My precaution was] because of false brethren who had been secretly smuggled in [to the Christian brotherhood]; they had slipped in to spy on our liberty and the freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might again bring us into bondage [under the Law of Moses]. ⁵ To them we did not yield submission even for a moment, that the truth of the Gospel might continue to be [preserved] for you [in its purity]. ⁶ Moreover, [no new requirements were made] by those who were reputed to be something-though what was their individual position and whether they really were of importance or not makes no difference to me; God is not impressed with the positions that men hold and He is not partial and recognizes no external distinctions-those [I say] who were of repute imposed no new requirements upon me [had nothing to add to my Gospel, and from them I received no new suggestions]. ⁷ But on the contrary, when they [really] saw that I had been entrusted [to carry] the Gospel to the uncircumcised [Gentiles, just as definitely] as Peter had been entrusted [to proclaim] the Gospel to the circumcised [Jews, they were agreeable]; ⁸ For He Who motivated and fitted Peter and worked effectively through him for the mission to the circumcised, motivated and fitted me and worked through me also for [the mission to] the Gentiles. ⁹ And when they knew (perceived, recognized, understood, and acknowledged) the grace (God's unmerited favor and spiritual blessing) that had been bestowed upon me, James and Cephas (Peter) and John, who were reputed to be pillars of the Jerusalem church, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, with the understanding that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised (Jews). ¹⁰ They only [made one stipulation], that we were to remember the poor, which very thing I was also eager to do.

       At the risk of being redundant here, 1 Peter is written undoubtedly with the scattered Jewish believers on Peter's mind (not excluding the Gentile converts though) he essentially supports the authority of Paul as an apostle of God yet never mentions the subject of circumcision.  

Paul addresses what circumcision is and what it is not.

        To keep this already long article from being even longer I will refrain from listing the context of every scripture where Paul mentions the subject of circumcision. To let you study further that Paul's argument was not over whether the "act of circumcision" was right or wrong; but rather that the trusting in the act of circumcision to make one righteous was unfounded and useless I will refer you to the book of Romans chapters 1 through 4. He starts off his argument in Romans chapter 2 to the Jewish converts concerning their pride in their relationship to God by the rite of circumcision. He continues this argument in Chapter three with what does make for righteousness. Notice he makes a distinction between the "circumcised by faith" and the "uncircumcised by faith" because he is bringing two groups of peoples into a totally new group called the Christian Church.

Rom 3:29 Or is God merely [the God] of Jews? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, ³⁰ Since it is one and the same God Who will justify the circumcised by faith [which germinated from Abraham] and the uncircumcised through their [newly acquired] faith. [For it is the same trusting faith in both cases, a firmly relying faith in Jesus Christ]. ³¹ Do we then by [this] faith make the Law of no effect, overthrow it or make it a dead letter? Certainly not! On the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Law.

He mentions this again in Chapter 4 when he quotes a Psalm.

⁸ Blessed and happy and to be envied is the person of whose sin the Lord will take no account nor reckon it against him. ⁹ Is this blessing (happiness) then meant only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.

Then he reminds them of the origin and purpose of circumcision for the Jew. Speaking of Abraham he says;  

Rom 4: 11 He received the mark of circumcision as a token or an evidence [and] seal of the righteousness which he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised-[faith] so that he was to be made the father of all who [truly] believe, though without circumcision, and who thus have righteousness (right standing with God) imputed to them and credited to their account, ¹² As well as [that he be made] the father of those circumcised persons who are not merely circumcised, but also walk in the way of that faith which our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Remember that this is an everlasting covenant with the Jews.

 

        Further study in Paul's Galatian letter clearly shows him addressing a mindset of being justified by the act of circumcision.

Gal 5:2 Notice, it is I, Paul, who tells you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no profit (advantage, avail) to you [for if you distrust Him, you can gain nothing from Him]. ³ I once more protest and testify to every man who receives circumcision that he is under obligation and bound to practice the whole of the Law and its ordinances. ⁴ If you seek to be justified and declared righteous and to be given a right standing with God through the Law, you are brought to nothing and so separated (severed) from Christ. You have fallen away from grace (from God's gracious favor and unmerited blessing). ⁵ For we, [not relying on the Law but] through the [Holy] Spirit's [help], by faith anticipate and wait for the blessing and good for which our righteousness and right standing with God [our conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action, causes us] to hope. ⁶ For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.

 

He summed this up so well in 1 Corinthians while bringing no condemnation for the act of circumcision.

1Cor. 7:18 Was anyone at the time of his summons [from God] already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the evidence of circumcision. Was anyone at the time [God] called him uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. ¹⁹ For circumcision is nothing and counts for nothing, neither does uncircumcision, but [what counts is] keeping the commandments of God.

 

Circumcision in Comparison to the Passover and the Blood of Jesus

            If you are a non-Jewish Born-Again Believer I must ask you this question. Do you practice the feast of Passover? If you do, why do you practice it? Does it play a part in your salvation; is it a requirement adjacent to your confession of faith? Is it sacrilegious for you to practice the feast of Passover? Is it forbidden for you? Are you judged one way or the other if you do or if you don't?

To the Jew, Messianic or Orthodox, Passover is in the very make up of his being.

Passover, like circumcision, is an everlasting covenant to the Jew.

Exodus 12:13-15 The blood shall be for a token or sign to you upon [the doorposts of] the houses where you are, [that] when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall be upon you to destroy you when I smite the land of Egypt. ¹⁴ And this day shall be to you for a memorial. You shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations, keep it as an ordinance FOREVER. ¹⁵ [In celebration of the Passover in future years] seven days shall you eat unleavened bread; even the first day you shall put away leaven [symbolic of corruption] out of your houses; for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel.

 

Ex.12: ⁴⁷ All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.⁴⁸ When a stranger sojourning with you wishes to keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it.  (Remember that bold type and underlining is to bring attention to a subject to be discussed further and not to be understood as a projection of belief.)

 

To the Church at Corinth Paul instructs the Born-Again "Gentile" Believer how to practice the feast of Passover.

1Cor.5:6-8 [About the condition of your church] your boasting is not good [indeed, it is most unseemly and entirely out of place]. Do you not know that [just] a little leaven will ferment the whole lump [of dough]? ⁷ Purge (clean out) the old leaven that you may be fresh (new) dough, still uncontaminated [as you are], for Christ, our Passover [Lamb], has been sacrificed. ⁸ Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with leaven of vice and malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened [bread] of purity (nobility, honor) and sincerity and [unadulterated] truth.

Every Born-Again Believer, Jew or "Gentile", knows that Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Messiah, is our Lamb that was slain from the foundations of the world. Rev 13: 8. He is our Passover!

 

A type and shadow of what was to come

Comparison of the physical foreskin circumcision and a spiritual circumcision of the heart 

God spoke of a "circumcision of the heart" even in Old Testament scriptures. Physical circumcision was a representation of what God ultimately wanted of His people; a circumcision of the heart.

Deut 10:12,13,16  ¹² And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you but [reverently] to fear the Lord your God, [that is] to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being, ¹³ To keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?... Verse 16, So circumcise the foreskin of your [minds and] hearts; be no longer stubborn and hardened.

Deut 30: 6 And the Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with all your being, that you may live.

 

Paul brings this comparison into complete clarity when talking to the Saints at Colossae.

Col. 1:2 To the saints (the consecrated people of God) and believing and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae...

Col. 2: ¹¹ In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but in a [spiritual] circumcision [performed by] Christ by stripping off the body of the flesh (the whole corrupt, carnal nature with its passions and lusts). ¹² [Thus you were circumcised when] you were buried with Him in [your] baptism, in which you were also raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God [as displayed] when He raised Him up from the dead. ¹³ And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [God] brought to life together with [Christ], having [freely] forgiven us all our transgressions,

 

With that said I will bring back the underlined words of Exodus 12:47.

But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it (Passover).   

       The feast of Passover was a type and shadow of that which was to come in order to prepare them to receive and recognize The Passover Lamb, The Messiah. And it is an ordinance forever for the Jews. They are still looking for the Messiah. For us who have received the Messiah and who are circumcised of the heart are welcome to partake of the feast of Passover as long as we keep in focus Who the Passover Lamb is and celebrate it as a worship and thanksgiving to the One slain for us. But it certainly is not a mandate for the Born-Again Believer to follow the rituals of the Passover feasts as a requirement to salvation. However the Word says that we will be celebrating the feasts for eternity.

A question arises; Do Messianic Jews circumcise their sons?

        In researching this question (online research) I found a common consensus that Messianic Jews do indeed circumcise their sons, and they do so under the covenant of Abraham and not the Law of Moses.  Incidentally, it is not hard to find numerous articles where Ethnic Jews list their secular reasons why they no longer find the need to circumcise, or practice any of the laws of Judaism. This should not be surprising. Jews have been rebelling and disobeying God since Abraham's day. If you want to know the truth, listen to the heart.

Circumcision and the Mosaic Law are not one in the same.

    Jesus addressed the origin of circumcision when the Pharisees sought to kill him for "working on the Sabbath".

John 7:22 Now Moses established circumcision among you-though it did not originate with Moses but with the previous patriarchs-and you circumcise a person [even] on the Sabbath day.

      The reference to Genesis 17 bears this truth, for it was established with Abram, even before Isaac was born, as God was changing his name to Abraham. Most Messianic Jews view circumcision not as a means to salvation but a part of sanctification. A Messianic Jewish quote is, "HaShem said that ‘circumcision was to be the sign of the covenant between Me and you'. It was to sanctify the Jewish people, to set them apart, not to save them." And they believe that this was indeed the argument that Paul presented to all the converts.  

My Conclusion

     From this study I have come to the understanding that for me, as a Born-Again Christian, I have no need to promote physical circumcision, for I have received a circumcision of the heart and will teach my children the same. However, I could not condemn a Jew for their conviction of physical circumcision based on an Abrahamic covenant, or someone already circumcised even through ignorance of "our liberty and the freedom which we have in Christ Jesus". As Paul said, "Let him not seek to remove the evidence of circumcision. For circumcision is nothing and counts for nothing, neither does uncircumcision, but [what counts is] keeping the commandments of God. "

      Also as Paul, I would, however, vehemently argue the fact that physical circumcision is not a requirement for salvation and should not be looked at or trusted in as justification. If you should choose to circumcise your son you should not do it haphazardly or without great understanding of why you are doing it. We cannot perform any single act and presume we are alright with God. He looks on the heart. I cannot improve on the argument Paul gives in his letters to the churches that circumcision is unnecessary so I will leave you with encouragement to study the scripture to be well informed.

    But remember this study was provoked because of a proposal to make circumcision illegal in America. From this study I am convinced that the covenant sign of circumcision is an everlasting covenant to the Jews and with this understanding I can only recognize a proposal to make circumcision illegal an anti-Semitic act brought forth by the spirit of anti-Christ only to persecute once again the Jews and their covenant with God. Unfortunately, to see an example of this, we only have to look back in history to Antichous Epiphanes, the younger son of Antichous the Great, king of Syria. In "A Dictionary of the Bible" John D. Davis writes as such: "He was a type of the final antichrist reffered to in Daniel 11:6; 2Thes. 2:3-12; 1John 4:3; 2John 7; and Revelation 13:5-8. He stirred up the Jews by robbing the temple and setting up a statue of Jupiter in the Holy of Holies. He also pulled down the walls of Jerusalem, commanded the sacrifice of [forbidden] swine, forbade circumcision, and destroyed all the sacred books that could be found."

   I could not with all peace of mind support this proposal, but instead would have to oppose it with whatever stand I was called upon to do so. For I take seriously Genesis 12:3 in speaking of Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you..." I would have to take whatever measures needed not to allow the Jews to be persecuted in my land on my watch. I would have to defend the Word as I understand it. Today or some day in the future you may have to make a stand on what you believe and why you believe it instead of pacifying a nonchalant, indifferent view on this subject.  I pray this study will help your stand to be based on the Word.

       Secondly, in my humble opinion those who view physical circumcision as a cruel, abusive and an inhumane act need to reconsider calling God Jehovah a cruel and abusive parent. For it was He who gave this command as a sign of His covenant to those who will forever be called His chosen people? To call it abusive is to call God abusive. And if the argument arises that what was done in biblical times is not the same practice as what is done today I only refer you to Gen 34:25 and Joshua 5:8. For it truly was a procedure severe enough to demand days of healing and recuperation. Some argument has been made that the practice was and is done only to innocent and defenseless infants not able to choose for themselves. But according to scripture it was a mandate so set in the minds and hearts of Jews that it was not only imposed on their infants, but also a choice of grown men to carry out the commandment of God and to be set apart for God. And it is a practice still chosen by grown men today. I am not saying that I promote it; I am just stating a fact.

Lastly, physical circumcision is a cutting away of the flesh! The Christian is still called to cut away "flesh" in the spiritual circumcision of the heart.

Colossians 2:11 In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but in a [spiritual] circumcision [performed by] Christ by stripping off the body of the flesh (the whole corrupt, carnal nature with its passions and lusts).

      Anyone who walks in spiritual circumcision of the heart knows it is not pretty or comfortable. And it is indeed a procedure that takes a commitment to follow God even to the end of oneself.  A cutting away of the "flesh" (the old nature) is at best only painful. Crucifixion of the flesh is a death and is never pleasurable or even agreeable. We are called to put away the flesh. In Paul's letter to the Galatians he is imploring them not to seek to be justified and declared righteous by the rite of physical circumcision but to walk, live and be guided by the Holy Spirit so they will not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh. (Chapter 5 verse 16) Then he makes very clear the "flesh" that is to be "cut away".

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,²⁰ Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),²¹ Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

       One might be able to pride himself of not being guilty of immorality, idolatry or drunkenness; but what about selfishness and anger. I can surly admit I have to constantly crucify (circumcise) that flesh. Then he gives us a list of the fruit of the spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (v23) It would stand to reason that anything opposite of this fruit is in opposition of the Spirit. He goes on to say in verse 24 , "And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires."

     Since physical circumcision of foreskin has over and over again been compared to spiritual circumcision of carnal "flesh" I would have to question a person who opposes physical circumcision (to the point of requesting it to be illegal) as to how willingly they accept spiritual circumcision. The very thing we as Christians are endeavoring to do is to free ourselves of the flesh that brings with it the curse of a sinful nature.  We cannot oppose God on one hand then desire His deliverance on the other. Again, I am not promoting physical circumcision for the Christian, for it is not necessary. I am only questioning the heart motive of those who oppose physical circumcision as Paul questioned the heart motive of those who demanded it as a requirement for salvation.

Final conclusion

Jesus brought to light a startling truth in John 16:2 ....and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. NLT  

       On a first thought I would think that I could never be guilty of such a thing. But unless I could haughtily declare that I have never had a thought in opposition of God or His way I would have to consider that I too could be found contrary to Truth, hence, Anti-Christ no matter how sincere the intentions are. The only way I can avoid this tragedy is to let my passion, or "soap box cause" be tempered by the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit regardless of my initial carnal "wisdom".

 Paul said that those who are guided by the Holy Spirit would not gratify the desires of the flesh. And the clear purpose is this: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Rom 8:14) I desire to be known as one of the sons of God.