Thursday, June 6 - Acts 15 - The Question of Circumcision

The Question of Circumcision

Why were the new Christians abandoning a covenant sign that had been a mark of their identity since the time of Abraham.?  Was it because it was a heavy burden for a male Gentile to experience this painful and bloody rite?  Was it considered a stumbling block?

I think no.  And here's why?

The mark of circumcision, in my understanding, was a covenant promise that was built on Genesis 3:15:  God declares to the serpent:  "He (the seed of the woman) shall crush your head;  and you shall bruise his heel."  

The rite of circumcision is exacted on that organ which produces the seed of future generations.  By bringing blood and sacrifice to this organ, God was pointing forward to the One, THE Seed, THE Messiah, who will ultimately be bloodied and sacrificed so that the head of the serpent (Satan) might be crushed.

This covenant was pointing forward to the cross of Christ -- and during the time of promise (Old Testament), every Israelite male and his wife had a visual reminder (every time they consummated the relationship) that the promise awaited fulfillment.

When the promise is finally fulfilled, the early Christians understood that it was no longer necessary to have a mark that was intended to point forward -- since God had accomplished His work of salvation.  Instead, Jesus had commissioned them to make a new sign, baptism, which celebrated every man's (and woman's) cleansing from sin by their connection to Him.

In short, the early believers weren't abandoning their heritage and giving up the mark of their identity simply because it was old fashioned and a heavy burden.  They did it because it was an Israelite ritual that was no longer necessary because the time of promise was over and the time of fulfillment was upon them.

Those who bear the mark today can continue to celebrate the Seed, Christ, who accomplished our blood-bought redemption.  But more important is our being buried with Him through baptism, and raised up by Him to new life.  Hence, baptism is now the way God chooses to mark us as His own and to incorporate us into His family.

PH