There was much contention regarding circumcision in the first century church, and most would agree the controversy is still alive and well today.  But as we take a closer look, the reasons for disagreement and misunderstanding begin to rise to the surface. 

Two foundational points need to be brought out to help us understand the importance of the topic of circumcision, especially within the Israelite community:

• Circumcision was to be a sign of covenant for Abraham and his descendants FOREVER! Genesis 17:10-14, 23-27 says;

“You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you…My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.  And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is NOT circumcised, shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”

• Anyone wanting to join, or sojourn with, the Israelites had to be circumcised! Exodus 12:48

Not only was the covenant sign of circumcision mandatory for Abraham’s descendants, but any non-Israelite (gentile) who would join themselves to Israel had to be circumcised! 

This explains why many Jewish converts not only assumed the Israelites must continue to be circumcised, but also any gentiles wanting to join them.  Their stance was, “…Except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1).  We know this eventually led to the Acts 15 council meeting.

Missing Puzzle Pieces:

What did Paul and the other apostles understand about the covenant sign of circumcision of the flesh that led them to rule it no longer necessary?

First, Circumcision was given as a sign of covenant BEFORE the Book of the Law (BOL) was given at Sinai, just as the Sabbath, Holy Days, and Clean/Unclean meats were also before the BOL.  These were before the rebellion at Sinai and the golden calf incident. 

After the rebellion at Sinai, the LORD was going to destroy Israel and start over with Moses (Exodus 32:10).  Moses intercedes and God relented, instead calling Moses back up the mountain a second time to provide Israel a life preserver (Deuteronomy 10:1-10).  The Levitical priesthood, with the animal sacrifices, cleansing/purification rituals, and ordinances, was added after the rebellion (Galatians 3:19), and given as a life preserver to Israel until their Messiah Jesus would come as the once and for all blood atonement to be sacrificed on their behalf.

Moses wrote a 2^nd book (BOL) with the added arm of the Levitical priesthood and all it entails and gave it to the sons of Levi to put in the side of the ark of the covenant to be a witness against them (Deuteronomy 31:9, 24-26).

Circumcision was “codified”, or included, in the BOL (see Leviticus 12:3), as was the Sabbath, Holy Days, and Clean/Unclean meats.  These four categories were all reiterated in BOL.  All were given BEFORE BOL, but also included IN the BOL.

After Jesus the Messiah came and was crucified on their behalf, that added arm (BOL) was done away with.  The Levitical priesthood, set up to administer animal sacrifices, cleansing and purification rituals, etc., on behalf of the people, added because of transgression (Galatians 3:19), was canceled out! 

As previously stated, the sign of circumcision predated the BOL.  Circumcision was given to Abraham in Genesis 17:9-11, and is the first time circumcision is mentioned in the Word of God.   It was given as the sign of Covenant between God and Abraham’s seed.  But why?

Abraham Requested a Sign:

Abraham was the one who requested a sign from God in Genesis 15:8, asking how he’d know the promises God gave him back in Genesis 12, would come to pass. 

After Abraham’s question, God put Abraham into a deep sleep and showed through a dream, the LORD walking through the blood between slain and divided animal pieces.  This ceremony was commonly performed between parties making a covenant in Abraham’s day.  But both parties would walk through the blood, signifying if one of the parties broke Covenant, that party would pay the death penalty – their blood would be shed.  

But only God walked between the pieces, signifying if the covenant was broken – He Himself would pay the death penalty. 

Then in Genesis 17,

God gave Abraham  the sign of circumcision. 

Both the blood ratified covenant and the sign of circumcision were given after God’s original promises to Abraham in Genesis 12 – and not part of the original Covenant between the two.  God’s promises to Abraham were not contingent on anything but God Himself.  This is critical!

God was going to fulfill the blood covenant – pay it Himself.  And it was indeed paid in full through Jesus’ sacrifice. 

And God would also perform the circumcision Himself – that of the heart. It was alluded to in Deuteronomy 10:16, where God tells Israel, “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more rebellious.”

In Deuteronomy 30:6, God prophesied through Moses of the day when Israel would disobey and be scattered among the nations, saying, “The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your seed, to love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, that you may live.”

The promises of God originally given to Abraham had no contingency clauses.  The Lord swore by His Own Name, because there was no other. Only after Abraham asked how he was to know all these things would come to pass, was he given the blood covenant dream and the covenant sign of circumcision. 

The Conclusion of the Matter:

Jesus Christ fulfilled the added requirements of the BOL – which required blood sacrifice for the sins of the people.  The Levitical Priesthood, instituted for cleansing/purification rituals, and ordinances of animal sacrifices, etc., has been done away – no longer needed, and the original Melchizedek priesthood of Jesus Christ restored. 

Jesus fulfilled both signs given to Abraham.  Not only the blood atonement, but the sign of circumcision has been fulfilled.

Circumcision of the flesh is no longer needed, as we now have the Holy Spirit.  We’re told in Romans 2:29, “But an Israelite is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.”

Colossians 2:11-12 describes believers being circumcised with a “circumcision made without hands” through faith. 

The circumcision of the heart is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit.  The prophecy mentioned previously in Deuteronomy 30:6, that the LORD our God will circumcise our hearts, is fulfilled.  The Holy Spirit has been sent to do that very thing!

Paul makes it plain in Galatians 5:6, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith that works by love.”

As a matter of fact, Jeremiah 9:25-26 says, “Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised; Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners…for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.” 

So, plainly we need to allow the Holy Spirit do the work – the circumcision of our hearts, to perfect that which concerns each and every one of us.

Many Christians have concluded that because Jesus fulfilled the blood atonement required for sin by shedding His own blood, as well as the circumcision requirement by sending the Holy Spirit, that all the law of God is therefore cancelled out and observance no longer required. 

One must remember; every kingdom on earth has laws, and basic rules of conduct.  The Kingdom of God has the highest standards of law and order.  Our God is no respecter of persons, having rules for one group – and not another.  The people in Covenant with Him represent His Kingdom to the nations.  Paul said the law is holy, just, and good (Romans 7:12). 

Sin is defined as lawlessness.  “Whosoever commits sin commits lawlessness: for sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4).  The word for “law” used in this passage is “nomos.”  Nomos is the Greek translation for the word “torah” in Hebrew. 

Jesus observed the commandments of His Father; He kept the Sabbath, appointed festivals, and dietary instructions, as did His disciples after Him.

Jesus said,

“If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). 

“Think not that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets.  I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17).

Many misunderstand the meaning of the word “fulfill.”  For example: If one says he/she has fulfilled their marriage vows/covenant, it does not mean the vows are nullified or done away.  It means the individual has kept them.  Jesus made it very clear He did not come to do away with His Fathers commandments. 

It’s time to be very diligent in rightly dividing the Word of Truth. 

There is so much more, but I’ll stop here.  More content surrounding the first century time period  and what they were dealing with may be added later in the comments section.  I pray this post has shed some light on the subject of circumcision.    Please take all before the Lord and allow Him to minister wisdom and understanding regarding this most important topic. 

Blessings!

Additional Scripture References:

Book of the Covenant: Exodus 24:4-7; 2 Kings 23:2; 2 Chronicles 34:30

Book of the Law: Deuteronomy 29:21; Deuteronomy 10:1,8; Hebrews 7:11; Deuteronomy 31:9,24-26; Galatians 3:19