The Circumcision of Christ

I began assembling with the Church of God in the summer of 1985. That fall I dropped everything to go the the Feast of Tabernacles. I had no money and it was tough… but I wanted to be a part of what the Church of God was doing… so I went

Then Passover rolled around the next spring… and I learned that while the rest of the Church would be there Passover evening… I would be left out. I was not baptized and I was not eligible to participate in the Passover (at that time the Church did not even allow people to come as “observers”).

I wanted to be included… so I asked about baptism. But, the ministry made me wait and I had to sit out that first Passover. I knew I needed my sins forgiven… I knew I needed God’s holy spirit to overcome… But most of all, I wanted to be part of the group. I wanted to be a part of God’s Church.

The scriptures… the counsel of the ministry emphasize repentance and belief. But, over the years I have come to believe that a desire to belong is legitimate part of the path to baptism… I  believe that belonging, and knowning that you belong, is one of the Father’s great gifts of love.

Full participation in the new covenant Passover is for baptized members only. It is a reminder of what Christ has done for you through His sacrifice…. and its also a reminder that you belong. And for those not yet baptized Passover continues to stand as a call to action… a call to enter into a relationship of belonging with the Father and the Son.

Circumcision and Baptism

Exodus 12:43-49  The original Passover instructions which God gave to Israel states that only those who are circumcised in the flesh (for women it meant being part of a circumcised household) could participate in the Passover. Here is the basis for our practice of limiting participation in the Passover service to those who are baptized. 

So, why not then require circumcision in the flesh as a requirement for participation in the Passover? Why baptism instead of circumcision?

Colossians 2:11-13 baptism is called the circumcision of Christ. The new covenant substitution of baptism to replace circumcision is another exmple of how when there is a change to the priesthood there is a change to the law. Under the new covenant, the office of priest is not done away with… it is made better. The necessity of atoning sacrifice for sin is not done away with it is made better.

Likewise, having an outward sign of one’s commitment to the covenant is not done away with… its made better. A person’s belonging is no longer based on a mark in the flesh… or who’s household one belongs to. Baptism is a personal commitment to spiritual change.

A sign and symbol open to Jews and non-Jews, as well as both men and women. Exclusivity is no longer based on the flesh… exclusivity (to be set part as the chosen of God) is based on spiritual change.

The Meaning and Purpose of Circumcision

Circumcision first appears in scripture as a mark in the flesh and a sign of God’ s covenant with Abraham and his descendants Genesis 17:6-12. The ordinance requiring circumcision carried over into God’s Sinai covenant with the nation of Israel Leviticus 12:3.

Circumcision was a physical act meant to accomplish two ends:

l Physical: circumcision served as a visible sign of who Abraham’s descendants were… and who belonged among the covenant people. Outsiders could become part of the covenant people through circumcision.

l Spiritual: from the very beginning  circumcision was meant to serve as a symbol, seal, a sign, a reminder of a spiritual reality, goal or principle.

Both of these purposes apply within the new covenant but are applied to “the circumcision of Christ, which is baptism:

l Physical: baptism serves as an action we take in the flesh (a physical act administered by the Church, witnessed and attested to by others). This public act is used to signify who belongs to the people of the new covenant. Added to baptism is  the laying on of hands which signifies who has receive d the downpayment of eternal life through the power of the holy spirit.

l Spiritual: of itself baptism is nothing. Its just a quick dunk under water. But it is a sign of your commitment, it is a sign of God’s forgiveness… an outward sign of a spiritual reality taking place within. If that spiritual reality is not taking place then the baptism was meaningless.

An Outward Sign of Spiritual Change Within

God uses tangible, real, concrete, signs and experiences when dealing with physical, mortal, flesh bound people… danger and rescue… suffering and healing… physical blessing and cursing. Spiritual lessons are taught in physical ways… including signs and symbols.

Deuteronomy 10:12-16 from the beginning, circumcision was meant to be a reminder to give yourself totally to God in obedience and love. That you belong to Him, giving yourself to Him as He gives himself to you.

Deuteronomy 30:1-6 Circumcision was a always meant to be a reminder of redemption through repentance. To overcome the consequences of sin.

Old covenant circumcision was a sign made in the flesh of male children before they had any opportunity to do either good or evil. They were se as belonging to God because they were physical descendants of Abraham. Outsiders could become part of Israel after the third generation… but, for the most part a person became part of the covenant people because they were born into it.

A person born in Israel might pick up the social and religious aspects of God’s way… usually without ever experiencing (or desiring) that change of heart God wanted for them. Under the Sinai covenant circumcision came first and spiritual change came afterward… maybe. Sadly, it usually didn’t.

Israel’s experience was not evidence of a failure on God’s part… what it did was prove a point. Merely having the right laws does not lead to righteousness. The priority has to be upon the spiritual change within. Notice that with the circumcision of Christ, baptism is accompanied with the blessing of God’s holy spirit. A spirit of conviction and dedication Israel did not receive along with their circumcision.

Hebrews 8:7-13 the weakness of the old covenant was  not the law… it was the people… If ever there was a way of life written down to define righteous, just, compassionate living that was it (Romans 7:12-14) The new covenant does not dispense with the holy commandment… it writes the spiritual commanment upon the heart and mind.

Circumcision of the Heart

The new covenant change to the symbols of covenant belonging recognizes and teaches the priority of the spiritual transformation.

Romans 2:25-29 in and of itself the outward physical act (whether its circumcision or immersion in water) is of not the true measure of a person’s righteousness and belonging. Character, behavior and obedience are the substance of a person’s relationship with God.

Circumcision was only a physical sign… testifying to everyone that the person (and his household) belonged to a nation that was in a covenant with the most high God.

Likewise, baptism is only a physical sign… testifying to everyone that the person has entered into a covenant with the most high God through faith… and only then does God reckon them as part of His people.

Romans 4:3, 10-12 Abraham’s relationship with the most high God began with faith. A faith that lead him to follow and obey God. Circumcision was only administered afterwards as a sign of the spiritual change already begun in faithful Abraham. The outward symbols of covenant inclusion have been updated but the underlying spiritual process have not.

The new covenant formula is: repent--> believe--> and be baptised for the remission of your sins. The process begins with fruits of spiritual change… and then is sealed with a sign.

An Outward Sign of Spiritual Transformation

Abandoning circumcision was traumatic for the Church. At that time most of them were Jews and it undermined their sense of belonging and inclusion in God’s choosing. Major portions of Romans, Galatians, Corinthians, and Ephesians discuss the issue. Acts 15 records the historic council of the church which formally ruled that physical circumcision was not to be required of new converts to the faith… and therefore not part of the New Covenant.

Many of Paul’s arguments emphasized the primacy of spiritual change over outward signs. Strangely, some use these same arguments against the necessity of baptism. Its merely an outward sign etc.

God  knows your heart… but He still wants to see your changed heart show itself in action. He wants your obedience, He wants to see the fruits of repentance, the fruits of the spirit… and He wants you to get baptized. On outward sign on your part that you are commited to spiritual change within… an outward sign He gives to you… that you belong.

God Tells His Church To Baptize People

Matthew 4:13-17 Jesus Himself was baptized (not for the remission of sins but as our example).

John 3:22, 4:1-2 Jesus ministry was a baptizing ministry. He baptized His disciples and they then baptized others. A model for the Church.

Matthew 28:19 the ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ is fulfilled through His church. One of the outward signs of His ministry at work is baptism.

You receive and you give a sign of belonging to the people of God when you are baptized for the remission of sin and have hands laid upon you for the receipt of the holy spirit (the downpayment of sonship).

Romans 6:3-12 you are baptized into His death… which means ongoing spiritual change.

Acts 22:16 baptism is a spiritual washing

Revelation 1:5 the true washing from sin comes through the blood of Jesus Christ

Baptism and Passover

Exodus 24:4-8  the old covenant was ratified when the people agreed to the terms and then were sprinkled with the blood of bulls using branches of hyssop. The sign of belonging to that covenant people was circumcision.

1 Corinthians 11:25-26 the blood of Jesus Christ establishes the new covenant. Your God-given sign of belonging to the covenant people is baptism… the circumcision of Christ.  

It is good to want to belong… it is good to show the signs of belonging… it is good to receive the signs of belonging… it is good to feeling the joy of belonging.