IS PHYSICAL CIRCUMCISION REQUIRED FOR SALVATION?

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God refers to this type of circumcision again in Deuteronomy 30-
v 5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
v 6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live

Let's turn now to the New Testament where we see the practice was still being performed even with the circumcision of Jesus on the 8th day.
After Jesus' birth notice in Luke 2:21- "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Does God then require circumcision for salvation, as the Pharisees were preaching?

In the New Testament we find the Apostle Paul, himself being a former Pharisee, had much to say about physical circumcision.

But first let's notice the result of that council in Jerusalem in Acts 15; Peter speaks first-

v 7 - "And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
v 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
v 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
v 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
v ll But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

The men talked it over, and finally James the brother of Jesus, stood
up to speak. ""
Acts 15:13-And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
v 14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
v 19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
v 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood v. 22- "Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
v 23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia."

And notice their final decision in v 24 -"Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:"

v 28-"For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
v 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
v 30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:"

Now let's notice how Paul handled this decision. Because today there are some who believe Paul took it upon himself to condemn physical circumcision.

This is not so. He merely agreed that physical circumcision had nothing to do with salvation. Some say that Paul preached one thing, but practiced another, thereby making him a heretic and a hypocrite. So let's notice something that Paul advocated about circumcision in relation to Timothy.

In Acts 16:1-"Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:[Gentile]v 2-Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
v 3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.(It could have been a stumbling block to the Jewish converts.)

Paul had Timothy circumcised so he wouldn't be hindered in preaching the gospel to the Jews or the Gentiles. Remember circumcision was a big thing with the Jews and especially the Pharisees.

The Apostle Paul was preaching doctrine similar to that which had been agreed upon at the council in Jerusalem (Acts 15).

Let's turn to the book of Romans where Paul is talking about Abraham, the Father of the faithful.

Romans 4: 1-"What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
v 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
v 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
v 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
v 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
v 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
v 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
v 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
v 9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
v 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
v 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
v 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
v 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Now let's move ahead to the book of Corinthians. In I Corinthians 7:17- But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches." Then notice Paul's words in v. 18- "Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised
v 19- circumcision is nothing, uncircumcision is nothing But the keeping of the commandments of God.
v 20-"Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
v 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
v 22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
v 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

Paul then wrote to the Church of God in Galatia. Remember Paul is writing to Gentiles, not the Jews.

Galatians 2: 1-" Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
v 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
v 3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
v 4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:"

I believe in v. 4 Paul is referring to those of the sect of the Pharisees.

Then notice his words in Gal.5: l-" Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
v 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
v 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
v 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
v 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
v 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Again, Paul takes the Pharisees to task for preaching that one must be circumcised in order to be saved.

Gal. 6: 1-"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
v 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

v 12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
v 13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
v 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
v 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

What marks did Paul bear? Probably his beatings which he suffered while preaching Christ.
v.16- "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God ."

How could Paul do this? Did Christ beat him? Hardly! Paul is referring to Christ who now lives in the converted Paul.

WHAT CIRCUMCISION SHOULD CHRISTIANS SEEK?

We have read how physical circumcision is not required for salvation. Yet both the Lord God and the apostles tell of a circumcision that is necessary.

Paul mentions this to the church of God in Ephesus.

Ephesians 2: 8-"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
v 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
v 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
v 11 Wherefore remember, that ye 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;

Perhaps a more modern translation would explain this in terms we all can understand.

Jerusalem Bible: Eph. 2:11- Do not forget then, that there was a time when you who were pagans physically, termed the uncircumcision by those who speak of themselves as the circumcision, by reason of a physical operation.

Eph.2: 12-"That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
v 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
v 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;"

In this case that was physical circumcision, whereby the Pharisees (Jews) looked at the Gentile Christians as inferior and without salvation since they were not under the token of the covenant made by God with Abraham.

This is why the sect of the Pharisees said unless these Gentiles were circumcised after he manner of Moses they couldn't be saved.

Paul is saying that wall of circumcision has been broken down through Christ Jesus.

Now let's go to the writing of the Apostle Paul to the Colossians.

Col. 2: 1-"For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
v 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
v 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
v 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
v 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
v 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
v 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
v 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
v 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
v 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

The Apostle Paul is writing these new Gentile converts to beware of what they formerly believed as pagans, and to also beware of those (Pharisees) that preach 'tradition' over and above the word of God.

Paul gives us the answer as to what circumcision we are circumcised with in:

v 11 "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:"

Did you get that? Do you realize that with this circumcision women also are saved as are the men, who had not been physically circumcised?

In Col. 2:12-"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
v 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;"

Now perhaps we can understand what Paul is writing about in v. 8- "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
v 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
v 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
v 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
v 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
v 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
v 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
v 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

This has nothing to do with Christ nailing the law (the commandments) to His cross. In Romans 7:12 we read: "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, just, and good.

Why would God do away with something designed to help mankind to follow Him?

Those of the sect of the Pharisees (Acts 15:5) were doing their best to destroy the salvation of Jesus Christ. They refused to accept Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah. To this day, the Jews refuse to acknowledge Jesus as the Christ (Messiah).

Let's turn back to the book of Matthew and read what Jesus said about the Pharisees teachings.
Matthew 16: 1- "The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
v 2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
v 3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
v 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
v 5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
v 6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

The disciples didn't understand what Jesus meant by His words. Notice His answer in v. 11-"How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
v 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees."

Remember Peter said 'Why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear.

WHAT CIRCUMCISION DID GOD REALLY WANT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT?

Again, turn back to the book of Deuteronomy and read what the Lord God told Israel in Deut. 10:12- And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
v 13 To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
v 14 Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.
v 15 Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.
v 16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
v 17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

Notice again in Deut. 30: 1-" And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,
v 2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;
v 3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.
v 4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:
v 5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
v 6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

In Jeremiah 4: 3 we read "For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
v 4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings."

Am I advocating that male babies should not be circumcised? Not at all, I understand that it is now being done by most doctors for health reasons. Despite what some radical doctors might tell you.

What I am saying is through the Word of God and as a minister of Jesus Christ, physical circumcision of the flesh is not necessary for salvation.

However, spiritual circumcision of the heart is, and Paul said in Col. 2:11-In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
v 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
v 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;"

Again, the wonderful part of all of this is that both men and women can be circumcised without hands, but by the circumcision of Christ:

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©2004 Harold E. Cormany, Herald Ministries, Box 233 Sandwich, IL 60548
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