Romans 4:11, Sign of circumcision. Circumcision is a seal of righteousness not the cause of righteousness. Humans are perpetually endeavoring to mold religion into their own image in order to highlight their goodness and remove the focus off of YHVH’s terms and conditions for receiving his grace, love, imputed righteousness resulting ultimately in the glorification of man. This is humanism, the fundamental premise of which is the goodness of man resulting in the promotion or elevation of man (in his own eyes, at least) and the demotion of Elohim.
The religion of humanism originated in the Garden of Eden where the serpent (Satan), in the first lie, told man that he could attain immortal life not by having faith in and assiduously adhering to the word of Elohim, but by twisting or conforming the word of Elohim to suit man’s carnal passions. After Adam and Eve had succumbed to the alluring lies of the serpent, they attempted to make amends for their disobedience to YHVH’s word by covering themselves in their own works of self-righteousness. This they did when they fashioned an apron of fig leaves to cover the shame (the result of their disobeying YHVH’s word) of their (spiritual and physical) nakedness. These garments—a symbol of man’s self-righteousness based on his own “good works”—were made to conform to man’s body. In Hebraic thought, fig leaves are a metaphor for Torah (YHVH’s instructions in righteousness). Man’s first sin was to twist YHVH’s word and to rebel against that word or the instructions of YHVH (i.e., the Torah). His first religious and legalistic act was to attempt to atone for his own sins (by covering himself with fig leaves) through his own efforts. They attempted to conform the Word of Elohim to fit their own carnal passions. This scheme of man to save himself through his own works-based or humanistic attempts didn’t relieve man of his sin guilt nor redeem him from the wages or result of sin, which is death, then, and it doesn’t work now. Atonement of sins occurs only through the shedding of blood, which likely occurred when YHVH made animal skins (most likely from a lamb) for Adam and Eve to wear to replace the fig leaves they had made for themselves (Gen 3:21).
A Biblical Overview of the Subject of Circumcision
The first question many will ask is whether redeemed believers should practice circumcision today or not. There is definitely a blessing anytime we obey YHVH’s commands, including circumcision. Being circumcised is not a condition for salvation, but it brings us closer to YHVH, and we must endeavor to obey all his commandments because we love him (John 14:15). In the Torah, an Israelite had to be circumcised in order to keep the Passover (Exod 13:48). This requirement never ceased. Furthermore, circumcision of the heart doesn’t replace physical circumcision. YHVH wants both. The Torah mentions both types of circumcision, and so does Ezekiel (Ezek 44:7).
Heart Circumcision
The idea of heart circumcision did not originate in the Testimony of Yeshua, but in the Torah.
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. (Deut 10:16)
And YHVH thy Elohim will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love YHVH thy Elohim with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. (Deut 30:6)
Circumcise yourselves to YHVH, 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. (Jer 4:4)
A Requirement to Keep Passover
Physical circumcision was a requirement for keeping Passover.
And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the Passover to YHVH, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. (Exod 12:48–49)
A Requirement for Entering the Promised Land
See Joshua 5:1ff.
A Requirement to Enter Into Ezekiel’s Temple
In Ezekiel’s temple, which may be a picture of a millennial temple or it may be a picture or allegorical description of the spiritual body of Yeshua of our day, YHVH tells us that he wants his people to be both physically circumcised, and circumcised in heart, and that none who are uncircumcised will enter into his sanctuary.
In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. (Ezek 44:7).
Thus saith Adonai YHVH; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel. (Ezek 44:9)
Circumcision Was the Sign of the Abrahamic Covenant
Let’s note some reasons why YHVH chose circumcision to be the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant. Remember, physical circumcision is not passé, but is still a requirement for those desiring to be priests in YHVH’s spiritual temple (Ezek. 44:7,9). It is not a requirement of salvation (Acts 15), but doing so is an act of obedience that indicates one’s identity with the Abrahamic Covenant of salvation and with the people of Israel. Additionally, the Torah makes it clear that circumcision is necessary for all men who desire to take Passover, and those who do not keep the Passover will be cut off from Israel (Exod 12:47–48):
- It is a token or sign of spiritual things—a sign that always goes before us. (Gen. 17:11)
- It signifies purification of the heart from all unrighteousness by cutting away a piece of the flesh that would otherwise be a carrier of filth and disease.
- It is a holy seal of righteousness—the foreskin removed is round like a ring. A ring signifies a bond or union and is worn constantly even as the seal of circumcision is worn constantly.
- Circumcision occurs at eight days of age. Eight is the number meaning new beginnings. A new heart, a consecration of the person to YHVH; the commencement of a covenant. (Gen. 17:12)
- The rite of circumcision is painful and humiliating. So is repentance and self denial of which circumcision is a picture.
- From the penis flows the seed of life. Circumcision is a sign that the seed should and could be righteous and consecrated to YHVH.
Circumcision in the Renewed Covenant
Romans 4:11 says, “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.”
Paul teaches us here that circumcision is a sign, mark or token, and a seal (placed on someone) or an impression or stamp made by a signet ring signifying ownership, something which distinguishes one from others and by which one is known.
Circumcision spoke of Abraham’s righteousness and the faith he had in YHVH and YHVH’s “ownership” of Abraham. Faith proceeds circumcision, but when one is circumcised, one commits to walk in the faith and righteousness of Abraham, and to enter into a deeper, more committed and more intimate (covenant-based) walk with YHVH Elohim.
Paul teaches that redeemed believers not only can be saved without undergoing the rite of physical circumcision, but that all (including women) are circumcised through Messiah’s circumcision, even as each has “died” to sin and were resurrected to new spiritual life through his death, burial and resurrection.
Colossians 2:10–13 states, “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 Messiah: buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of Elohim, 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.” (See also Phil 3:3.)
For those of the priesthood who will be ministering in the millennial temple, physical circumcision will still be a requirement to fulfill covenantal, ritual cleansing and the requirements of spiritual types and shadows (Ezek 44:7,9).
Torah Obedience Is Required
If one is circumcised and doesn’t follow the Torah, it’s as if he were not circumcised.
For the name of Elohim is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the Torah: but if thou be a breaker of the Torah, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the Torah, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the Torah, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the Torah? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of Elohim. (Rom 2:24–29)
Conclusion
While physical circumcision is not a requirement for salvation (much like water baptism), in doing so, one is demonstrating one’s desire to be obedient to all the Word of YHVH including the commands of Torah. Yeshua clearly stated that not one jot or tittle of the Torah has been nullified, and that those who keep all of YHVH’s Torah commands will obtain a higher reward in his eternal kingdom than those who do not (Matt 5:17–19).
This is heresy–the same Judaizer heresy the early church encountered and combated. circumcision DOES NOT bring you closer to God, and Paul specifically said circumcision moves you away from God, because the covenant of Moses is completely ABOLISHED.
Let’s have an intelligent and enlightening discussion on this subject based on the facts of the Scriptures. That way, we can all learn.
Please cite the Scriptures (in context) that you feel back up your opinion, and let’s discuss them.
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Gal 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
Gal 5:3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Gal 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
There is no way around this. There are many more Scriptures I can post, but let us see if you will simply accept what Paul said here.
How could I not agree with these scripture? The broader context of Paul’s discussion of circumcision is this: Circumcision isn’t a salvation issue. It never has been from the time of Abraham until now. That was the issue in Paul’s day. Rather, circumcision is an obedience, righteousness and holiness issue. This is the same with the rite of baptism or even communion. Baptism and communion doesn’t save us, yet we do them out of love and obedience for Yeshua. They are simply outward signs of inward spiritual realities.
Obedience to YHVH is a heart issue. Some have it in their hearts to do so, some don’t in that they’re constantly looking for ways around obedience to YHVH by twisting the Scriptures to fit human notions that at the root are predisposed to rebellion and antagonism against the laws of Elohim as Paul states in Romans 8:7. Let us not be like this! If we truly love Yeshua, we’ll willingly keep his commandments (John 14:15)—even the ones that aren’t salvation issues, because we have faith in the Word of Elohim and know that ultimately obedience is for our own good and blessing whether we fully understand the commands or not.
Those who have eyes to see and ears to hear this will understand.
Your response COMPLETELY IGNORES the statements of Paul. Circumcision AVAILS NOTHING. And those that are circumcized show they are falling away from the faith.
Circumcision is part of the old dispensation, the old law, that is abolished and passed away. Judaizers simply cannot accept SIMPLE IDEAS like the CONTRACT WITH MOSES is finished, and we are under a different one, THE NEW COVENANT.
Also, let me add, that your use of the word “torah” is a deliberate PLOY for deception. Instead of using the term “law of Moses” which would immediately make many Scriptures clear and upend your heretical, Judaizer view, you constantly use the word Torah to cloud the issue, and in using such a broad and nebulous word, as a trojan-horse, it allows you to re-introduce the law of Moses into this dispensation. You are engaging in deception.
Drop this “torah” NONSENSE. If you are referring to the covenant of Moses, SAY SO. Your use of Torah is to make it appear Christians reject all God’s instructions as found in the Hebrew SCRIPTURES. We do not reject THE SCRIPTURES. We reject your PERVERSION OF THEM, YOUR DENIAL OF THEIR TEACHING,AND YOUR REBELLION TO THEM. The contract with Moses is a SMALL PART of the Hebrew Scriptures. It is PASSED AWAY–ALL OF IT. Paul teaches this OVER AND OVER. So you replace his teaching about the contract with Moses with the word “torah” and in so doing, try to make it appear that we are twisting what Paul said because Paul wouldn’t tell us to ignore the WHOLE BIBLE, would he?
My friend, no one walking in the light, and by the Spirit of truth, engages in such deception. You are deceived and deceiving, as the “torah” warned
We may disagree, but I’m glad you’re still reading my blog.
The fact that you can’t just walk away peacefully and stop reading this blog indicates that the truth of the Scriptures that I’m presenting here has a hook in your mind and heart. Down deep in your heart, you know that there’s truth here, or else you wouldn’t be fighting it so vehemently.
I give you Scriptures and reason, and you attack me personally with cliches, buzzwords and out-of-context snippets of Scripture. Something is wrong here. But I love you nonetheless and forgive you.
May the Elohim of all love and the light of His truth pierce through the religious blinders that 1900 years of non-scriptural church traditions and anti-semetic theology have forced so many of our brethren in the church system to wear slavishly and unquestioningly.
For the record, the term Judaizer doesn’t appear in the NT. That’s a man-made term and anti-Semitic slur. Shame on those who employ this term.
Next, the word for law in the OT in most cases is the word Torah. The two words are interchangeable and synonymous.
The only slavery is those who want to put people back under the law. Paul said we are NOT under the law, but under grace. Go and learn what that means.
I gave you just a part of Galatians 5, which REFUTES your assertions about circumcision. You have given nothing Scripturally in return, because you CAN’T. You just make groundless assertions as if they are fact. They are not. Now I just gave you Rom. 6:14. It is plain as day. We are NOT UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE. You can’t accept that.
Here is another for you 1Co 7:19a “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing”
So here Paul plainly says circumcision is NOTHING, as is uncircumcision. You say otherwise, as do all Judaizer errorists.
As for that term, it is not an anti-Semitic slur, but a term to identify a groups of heretics and the heresies they peddle. Crying racism won’t work with me. When I lived in New York, I told a group of thirty black men in a Christian rehab EXACTLY what Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton were, lying frauds, racists, immoral, false ministers and the one’s who keep the black’s down by fanning the flames of discontent in their culture. I told them a whole lot more. I did not worry about what they might say afterwards. Only one had a problem with me, the other 29 appreciated what I taught them.
So then, let me give you what Paul calls people who teach the kinds of heresies you are encouraging:
Php 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Php 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Paul called Judaizers DOGS, EVIL WORKERS and the concision. And then he says WE ARE THE CIRCUMCISION, who worship God rightly, in spirit and truth.
You don’t believe this, and part of it is your confusion about the use of the word “law”. Inadvisingly using torah instead of “law” and then clarifying further about which law, adds to confusion, or the ability to deceive. Paul mentions three different laws just in Rom 7. Anyone taking your approach would mangle that chapter and not understand anything
Tit 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Tit 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
Tit 1:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
Tit 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
This blog has stated “Rules of Conduct” which are listed on the our main page for those who wish to post comments. They involve posting comments that are loving and respectful even when one disagrees with another. There is no place for anger or name calling on this blog. Because you seem to not be aware of the rules of conduct for this blog, you have forced us to place you on “moderated status.”
I have already addressed elsewhere many of the issues you have brought up in your recent posts. I have a series of YouTube videos that shows where the church has missed it with regard to the Torah (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT21_Q4Sbnk&list=PL5EzE5DQnrHc5rM823z83vD7PUT2KYmT0). Plus I have numerous posts on this blog that answer many of your objections (use the blog search engine and type in the word “Torah”). In addition, on my website I have a whole section under “Torah” including commentaries and articles dealing with Yeshua’s and Paul’s view of the Torah (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT21_Q4Sbnk&list=PL5EzE5DQnrHc5rM823z83vD7PUT2KYmT0 and http://www.hoshanarabbah.org/teaching.html#yeshua and http://www.hoshanarabbah.org/parshiot.html). Thank you for giving me a reason to “advertise” my teaching resources in these areas to this audience!
With regard to circumcision, let me leave you with this truth. When Paul expressed ambivalence toward circumcision, the greater context of the Pauline epistles and the first church council in Acts 15 was to deal with the issue of whether circumcision is a necessary prerequisite for salvation. The determination by the apostles was that it was not. When Paul expresses the opinion that circumcision didn’t matter, he is speaking against the backdrop of this debate.
I, like the apostles, don’t believe that circumcision is a prerequisite for salvation, therefore, I don’t fit the category of those who were advocating a works-based salvation. Your false accusation against me are unacceptable, which is one of the reasons I have placed you on moderated status, meaning we may or may not choose to post future comments from you on this blog.
Beyond that, Paul in Romans 8:7-8 perfectly describes those individuals who resist, decry, castigate, rebel against, defame, criticize, speak against,and, yes, blaspheme against YHVH and his Torah, which is a reflection of the very character and nature of the Godhead and is, as such, spiritual and immutable. There Paul says under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”
My friend, please repent.
I am not surprised at this turn of events. I am not surprised at yout attempt to totally twist Rom. 8:7, completely out of context, and after all that Paul said in Romans 7! Your method of “proof-texting” is textbook cultic.
Paul is not JUST speaking about about whether circumcision is necessary for salvation, but whether it is necessary period. You are wrong. Not only was Paul against legalism, but nomism as well. Paul goes FAR BEYOND your “backdrop” which you claim is all Paul meant. Paul said circumcision is NOTHING. End of story.
Now you can continue to spin our exchanges as if they favor your agenda, but they do not. Any honest person can see you are peddling error and cannot answer my points. All you have is Rom 8:7, OUT OF CONTEXT. You will offer no contextual analysis, which starts in chapter 7:1. To do so would be to expose and destroy your position.
We are both obviously viewing the Word of Elohim through two very different sets of glasses. You see Paul as being anti-Torah, and I don’t. The Torah defines the attributes of love toward God and toward one’s fellow man. Paul says this himself in Romans 13:10. It literally defines the very character and nature of Elohim which is pure love and holiness. How could Paul(or anyone else for that matter) be against that without being against God himself?
Let me ask you this. You say that Paul was against the law. So What laws of the Torah was Paul against? Thou shalt not murder? Thou shalt not commit adultery, lie, covet, steal? Honor your mother and father? Don’t take YHVH’s name in vain? Don’t worship idols? Keep the Sabbath? Don’t have sex with animals, your daughter or sister? Don’t kidnap? They all stand or fall together. If we violate one, we violate them all according to James.
I posted your comment hoping that we could have a civil discussion. If you continue to accuse, name-call, resort to cliches to support your arguments and use ad hominem tactics, I will have no choice but to cease posting your comments on this blog. To have a civil discussion, one must discus the issues and keep personality out of it as much as possible.
You are familiar with the COVENANT OF MOSES? That Covenant, often called “the law” is ABOLISHED. It is FULFILLED. It is FINISHED. You seek to REINTRODUCE parts of it as applicable in this dispensation. It is not. THE WHOLE THING is gone.
You also confuse God’s moral law with the civil and ceremonial laws he gave the Jews on Mount Sinai and afterwards. Why can’t you understand this? We are in a different dispensation and under a NEW COVENANT. Why do you seek to go back under the old? Paul said we are NOT UNDER LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE. What do you think he meant by this?
Your objections are dealt with in my new post that I challenge you to have the courage, openness
and honesty of mind and heart to read where I discuss what the phrase “under the law means.”