Have you ever thought of that?  As “grace believers,” we’ve made much noise on the issue of baptism.  We frequently take listeners to the passage in Col. 2: 11 - 12  (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:  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.)  and tell them that just like verse 11 is a spiritual circumcision, likewise verse 12 is a spiritual baptism.  That’s all great!  But if they had occasion to change our baby boy’s diaper, would they find him physically circumcised?  Think about it!  Maybe your boy is already potty trained, and no one (except his wife) will ever view his private part, so this particular situation may never happen.  But the point remains, why do one and not the other?  Actually, why do either?

        We would like to pitch some common sense about this issue of circumcision, and then take a look at our final authority, the Holy Word of God.

        Some people believe that circumcision is done for what has been termed “health reasons.”  When we researched medical benefits for it, we found that information was never conclusive nor definite.  Particular phrases were repeated such as …… may be, might possibly, is sometimes believed …..  we discovered that evidence relating circumcision with decreased risk of diseases is, at best, very conflicting.  Citing health issues as a “medical” reason for circumcision is simply not an undisputed or knowledgeable decision.

        Some people claim to circumcise their baby boys because they say they want them to “look like their father.”  We would like to ask them several questions.  First and foremost, why would Junior see Dad’s privates anyway?  Remember that Ham was cursed for viewing his dad in the nude. Gen. 9:20-27  And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:  And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.  And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.  And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.  And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.  And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.  And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.  God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.  God made a clear statement regarding this very subject in Lev. 18:6-7 None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.  The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.  Surely scripture alone would dismiss that reason.  But if they say the law doesn’t apply to us, then maybe they would consider these other questions.  If Dad’s finger has been cut off, would you cut off Junior’s too?  What if Dad had a crooked nose, would you have Junior’s nose broken and reset?  If Dad’s already bald, will you keep Junior’s head shaved?  These are all related by visible parts.  If this is seen as ridiculous, then why proceed to the private parts, to make father and son look alike there?  Good old-fashioned modesty should be a guiding principal.

        Some people state “cosmetic reasons” for circumcision.  Here again, we ask, who’s going to be looking?  By whose standard is the attractiveness of “cut” or “uncut” judged?  Circumcision is not a normal surgery in the Gentile nations all around the world, although the practice has been “traditionally” observed by our country for many years.

        Some people have the fear that the foreskin may cause infection.  Using this theory, would they take other precautions as well?  Tonsils  commonly get infected in children, why not cut them out?  Boys can live without their tonsils, or appendix, or nose, or ears, or gallbladder, or fingernails.

There are many societies devoted to having the procedure abandoned, which have a long list of physical reasons why NOT to circumcise.  Anyone considering the procedure is encouraged to investigate.

The  Biblical  Origin  of  Circumcision

The first time circumcision is introduced by God to man is in Gen. 17: 10-14  This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.  And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.  And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.  He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.  And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

It was a special sign for God’s special nation.  His people, Israel, have always been identified as “The Circumcision.”  It was an eternal testimony in their flesh to make them different from the rest of the world.  If any Jewish man was not circumcised, he would be an outcast from the nation.

Deut. 10: 15-16  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.  Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

As well as commanding Israel to observe the physical sign of circumcision, God also taught His chosen people of a spiritual circumcision

Jer. 4: 3-4  For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.  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.

This passage has that famous phrase about “fallow ground.”  Here again, the spiritual circumcision is given to Israel.

Rom. 4: 9-12  Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.  How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.  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:  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.

“Father Abraham” believed God, before circumcision was ever even heard of, and was justified by faith.  Now Gentiles also can look to Abraham because of this.

        When circumcision is compared with the law, there are similar findings.  Once the law was written on tablets of stone, but it was promised to someday be written on Israel’s hearts.  It was originally physical and visible, but would also be super-natural (spiritual).

        When circumcision is compared with baptism, we find the same thing.  First Israel had a physical water baptism, but later they were promised a spiritual baptism with the Holy Ghost.

Should  Gentiles  Circumcise ?

        Oddly enough, this very question is discussed in the Bible.  Go to…

Acts 15: 1-7    And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.  When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.  And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.  And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.  But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.  And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.  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.

Some Jews were requiring Gentiles to be circumcised and obey the law.  Paul intended to “set the record straight.” 

Verses  19-20    Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:  But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

That is the conclusion of the matter.  Gentiles were NOT to be put under Jewish law.  They were NOT to be circumcised.

Verses  23-29    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: 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:  It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,  Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.  For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;  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.

That re-caps the whole situation.

Acts 21: 20-25    And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:  And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.  What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.  Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.  As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

Paul had to defend his Gentile ministry here with James and the elders at Jerusalem.  Paul specifically told them that he never told the Gentiles to be circumcised, nor keep Moses’ law.

One  was,  But  later,  one  wasn’t

Acts 16: 1-3    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:  Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.  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.

Due to his ministry among the Jews, Paul circumcised Timothy so he could minister with him.  This had nothing to do with “health reasons.”  It never did. 

Gal. 2: 1-5    Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.  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.  But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:  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:  To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Some people went into the church at Galatia and tried to get them, particularly Titus, to be circumcised, but he would not.  Paul stopped them from speaking because he didn’t want the Galatians to be put under the law.

1 Cor. 7: 18-20    Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.  Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.  Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

Paul told the Corinthian church (which was comprised of both Jews and Gentiles) to stay like they are.  Gentiles were not to be circumcised.

Are  There  Any  Benefits  to  Circumcision ?

Rom. 3: 1-2    What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?  Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

This scripture doesn’t mention “health reasons.”  Circumcision was viewed as distinctly Jewish.  They are so-called, as “God’s chosen people.”  He gave only to them his laws, prophets, covenants, etc.

        But  TODAY  in this dispensation, we now know that being a Jew is of no prominence.  They no longer have “favored-nation status” with God.  God did not make the Gentiles to be Jews, spiritually, nor especially physically.

Eph. 2:11   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;

This a good example of how the scriptures “label” Jews as the Physical Circumcision and Gentiles as the Uncircumcision.

Gal 5: 2-6   Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.  For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.  Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.  For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Look at this!  Circumcision is not only “no help” but it is tightly linked together with keeping the entire law.

When comparing circumcision to uncircumcision - Paul is actually comparing Jew to Gentile - (just as was seen in Eph. 2:11) and stating that now it doesn’t make any difference which you are.  God is no respector of persons.  The scripture NEVER speaks as though the Gentiles are physically circumcised. 

Verse 11   And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

Circumcision is seen here as “keeping the law.”  Had Paul preached “keeping the law,” he wouldn’t have been in trouble for preaching the doctrines of grace.

Gal. 6:12-15    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.  For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.  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.  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Paul warns the Galatians of people who would try to intimidate them into circumcision, just like was tried in Acts 15.  But now (for Gentiles), it takes away from the glory of the cross work of Christ.

Phil. 3:3-7   For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

We see that the Philippian Gentiles are considered “spiritually circumcised.”  This goes along with the spiritual circumcision in Col. 2:11.  Paul was a physically circumcised Jew, and because of his background in his religion, he had reasons to brag ….. but he realized that it was actually of no use to him, really.  He left it all behind.

The  Main  Issue

Col. 2: 10-15   And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:  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:  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.  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;  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;  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Because we see the spiritual circumcision in verse 11 ---- and the spiritual baptism in verse 12 ---- both of these two issues should be discussed in light of the truths we love and understand about the distinctive ministry and message of the apostle Paul.

        As grace believers, we are known for making physical (water) baptism a point of conversation.  Should we not also make physical circumcision one as well?  We are noticed for our position against physical baptism.  We should also take the position against physical circumcision.  It is a form of legalism, given by God strictly for the Jews’ identity.

        Both of these subjects should be of major concern for us to try to help people understand the system of “Judaism” they are living under today.

        Most people I know would argue about their practice of water baptism.  Shouldn’t we intend to tell them that their practice of physical circumcision is much the same?  I believe they don’t understand either one of them, but they propagate, promote, and participate in both.

        Obviously, circumcision is a decision parents make, usually at the time of birth of their male child who had no voice in their choice.  So if you are a circumcised Gentile, it would be through no fault of your own.  You may have even had your own sons circumcised.  But is it not after an examination of the scriptures and after we have knowledge of an issue that we become responsible for our actions regarding it?

Col. 3:11   Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

In summary, Christ is everything!  And as we began this study, we will end it, rejoicing that we are complete in Him!