Circumcision is a Covenant of God
The Lord God began circumcision in the days of Abraham. God said to Abraham
NASB Genesis 17:10-12 “This is My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.
11 ‘And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.
12 ‘And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations…”
What does circumcision mean, spiritually? Is it for you and me today? Most of you who are reading this devotional are “Gentiles” – people who are not Jewish by birth.
NASB Romans 2:29 “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”
So, all who are believers in Jesus as their Savior – are circumcised in their hearts. The Holy Spirit of God does this work when we receive Jesus as our Savior. The Jewish believers throughout Jerusalem and Judea had not yet learned this fact in the times following Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension into heaven.
Spiritual circumcision is Jesus doing all the work… He makes us complete; cutting away our whole corrupt, carnal nature; and raising us to life! Eternal life is ours! Astounding to think about, isn’t it? Another reason we need Jesus!
NASB Colossians 2:9-12 “For in Him (Jesus Christ) all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,
10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;
11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;
12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
Circumcision was (and is) very important to the Jewish people… the believers in Jerusalem heard that Gentiles had also received the word of God. [Gasp! But… but Gentiles were to be shunned, they were not God’s chosen people.] And when Peter returned to Jerusalem from Caesarea where he had entered the home of a Gentile, the Jewish believers in Jesus were ready for him… ready with accusations. What were you thinking Peter? How could you turn from our God?
NASB Acts 11:3 “… ‘You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
Righteous consternation, accusations, even anger. How can you have done such a thing, Peter?
~ Take it to heart ~
Be careful of what you accuse others ~ for they may be following the living God and His words – just as Peter did.
Tomorrow’s devotional will give Peter’s reasoning and leading of God.