Circumcision by the Spirit
What is Circumcision? Genesis 17
To cut of the foreskin (the flesh that covers the sensitive part of the penis).
What does circumcision signify?
Circumcision is a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham.
Who did God promise to bless by this covenant?
Abraham and his descendants as long as they kept the covenant of circumcision.
What did he promise them?
God made an everlasting covenant between Abraham and his descendants.
God promised to make Abraham very fruitful and greatly increase his numbers. He said Abraham would be the father of many nations. Kings of nations would come from him.
He promised to be their God and give them the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession.
What did Abraham have to do?
God told Abraham to walk before him and be blameless and he would confirm his covenant with him. Abraham had to believe the promise and circumcise all in his household, including his slaves.
Was this covenant superceded or replaced by subsequent covenants that God made with his people?
No, it was an everlasting covenant.
Who was the first to be circumcised?
Abraham and Ishmael and everybody in his household including those that he had brought with his money.
Do we need to be circumcised in the flesh? Acts 15:1-20 1Cor 7:18-20
No.
How can we become children of the the Promise given to Abraham?
By faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:29-4:18 Galatians 3:1-4:7
How did Abraham receive the promise?
By faith. For if the inheritance depends on the Law, then it no longer depends on a promise. God, by his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise so that by faith he would receive it. Gal 3:18
What is circumcision by the Spirit? Deuteronomy 10:16 Deuteronomy 30:6 Jeremiah 4:4 Romans 2:17-29
This is the inward change that results from believing in the promises of God. Circumcision signifies obedience to God. If a Jew believes and obeys God's commandments, his heart is circumcised by the Spirit.
Can you be a Jew without being circumcised by the Spirit?
No. Romans 2:28
Do the Gentiles have to be circumcised by the Spirit? Colossians 2:11-12
Yes.
Did the Jews continue to be circumcised in heart? Jeremiah 9:25-26
No.
Why was it necessary for God to send his son Jesus Christ? Galatians 3:15-29 Hebrews 9:22-10:14
Nobody is able to keep the law. Christ came to fulfill the the righteous requirements of the Law by paying the price for us.
What is the sign of the New Covenant?
Baptism.
What is the inward change called?
Baptism in the Spirit.
Is there a term that embraces the new and the old covenants?
Yes. Born Again. (Regeneration)
Did the Jews accept Christ?
Yes, at least some did. Those who were baptized in the Spirit at Pentecost were all Jews (Acts 2:1-6). The Gentiles were baptized in the Spirit shortly after (Acts 10:45-11:18).
What happened to those that rejected Christ? Romans 11:11-24
They were broken off so that the Gentiles might be grafted in.
Does God keep his promises? Romans 11:25-32
Yes.
