INDUCTIVE BIBLE TOPIC STUDY

INDUCTIVE BIBLE TOPIC STUDY

CIRCUMCISION

By Dennis Schmidt 12/2006

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This paper discusses circumcision. Circumcision is an Israelite rite representing spiritual purification of the heart that every Jewish boy must do. Abraham was the father of faith for all nations first before the law of circumcision. Circumcision does not precede faith. All scriptures are from the King James' Bible.

INDUCTIVE COMMENTS:

THEME: God wants men to worship Him in truth and with a right spirit. God does not want a fleshly attempted to keep the law of Moses.

Philippians 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." God wants men to worship Him in truth and with a right spirit. God does not want a fleshly attempted to the law, but a faithful person who believes as Abraham, the father of faith.

PURPOSE: There is a parallel to baptism and circumcision of having a pure heart.

Romans 6:3-6 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? {4} Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. {5} For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also <in the likeness> of <his> resurrection: {6} Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with <him>, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. .

KEY VERSE:

WHO: God written mostly by Bible authors Moses, Luke, John, and Paul

TO WHOM: Elected Christians

WHAT: God wants a circumcision of the heart and not of the flesh.

Ephesians 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;"

WHY: The grace of God through faith has saved the believer, not the fleshly keeping of laws.

Acts 15:5-11 "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. {6} And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. {7} 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. {8} And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as <he did> unto us; {9} And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. {10} Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? {11} But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." Peter answers that God made the Gentile believers without the law.

WAY: God wants a circumcision of the heart and not of the flesh

Romans 2:25-29 "For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. {26} Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? {27} And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? {28} For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither <is that> circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: {29} 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 God." The same circumcision, of the heart is found in Deuteronomy 10:16-19 also.

WHEREAS:

WHERE: on earth

WHEN: On the eight day after birth the males are to be circumcised.

Genesis 21:4 "And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him." Abraham followed the law Genesis 17:10-14

WHILE: Jewish people observe circumcision law of Moses.

Genesis 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. {11} And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. {12} 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. {13} 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. {14} 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." Circumcision is an everlasting covenant to the Jewish nation.

PAPER OUTLINE:

I) GOD'S COMMANDS CIRCUMCISION AS TOKEN OF COVENANT:

II) ABRAHAM & ISHMAEL CIRCUMCISION:

III) ISAAC CIRCUMCISION:

IV) MOSES WAS GOING TO BE KILLED BY GOD FOR NOT CIRCUMCISING HIS SONS:

V) GOD WILL DO A CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART:

VI) CIRCUMCISION OF HEART TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL HEART AND NEIGHBOR:

VII) PROPHETS TEACH WE ARE TO HAVE A CIRCUMCISION OF HEART:

VIII) JOSHUA CIRCUMCISED MALES BEFORE THEY WENT INTO PROMISE LAND:

IX) JESUS CIRCUMCISION:

X) NEW TESTAMENT CIRCUMCISION TEACHINGS:

XI) JESUS TEACHING VALUE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS VERSUS CIRCUMCISION LAW:

XII) DISAGREEMENT, IN EARLY CHURCH, OF GOSPEL OF JESUS TO THE GENTILES:

XIII) DISAGREEMENT, IN EARLY CHURCH, OF GENTILES BEING CIRCUMCISED:

XIV) EARLY CHURCH TEACHING GENTILES DO NOT NEED TO BE CIRCUMCISED:

XV) PAUL HAD ONE GENTILE DISCIPLE CIRCUMCISED TO APPEASE JEWS:

XVI) JEWISH BELIEVERS FALSELY CLAIM PAUL TEACH JEWS NOT TO CIRCUMCISE:

XVII) JEWISH BELIEVER LEADERSHIP TOLD PAUL TO SHOW HE OBSERVES MOSES LAW:

XVIII) JEWS FALSELY CLAIM PAUL TOOK GENTILES IN TEMPLE:

XIX) PAUL'S TEACHING ON CIRCUMCISION TO GENTILES:

XX) JEWS SHOULD NOT BECOME GENTILES NOR GENTILES BECOME JEWS:

XXI) PAUL MINISTRY IS TO GENTILES & PETER'S MINISTRY TO JEWS:

XXII) TRUE CIRCUMCISION IS OF THE HEART:

XXIII) PAUL'S CIRCUMCISION AND WHY HE DOES NOT TEACH GENTILE CIRCUMCISION:

XXIV) GOD'S CIRCUMCISION, IS OF THE HEART, TO BELIEVERS IN CHRIST JESUS:

XXV) CIRCUMCISION AND BAPTISM PARALLELS AS SEEN IN COLOSSIANS 2:11-2:12:

I) GOD'S COMMANDS CIRCUMCISION AS TOKEN OF COVENANT:

Genesis 15:5-6 "And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. {6} And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." God's promises are to Abraham for Jewish people of faith.

See my paper: "Israel & Jewish People in God's Plan" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "God's Word/Bible/Scripture" for more information on this subject.

II) ABRAHAM & ISHMAEL CIRCUMCISION:

Genesis 17:23-24 "And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him. {24} And Abraham <was> ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin."

III) ISAAC CIRCUMCISION:

Genesis 21:4 "And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him." Abraham followed the law.

IV) MOSES WAS GOING TO BE KILLED BY GOD FOR NOT CIRCUMCISING HIS SONS:

Exodus 4:24-26 "And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. {25} Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast <it> at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband <art> thou to me. {26} So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband <thou art>, because of the circumcision."

Moses' Gentile wife circumcised their son since Moses did not. This stopped God from killing Moses for disobeying the law of circumcision.

V) GOD WILL DO A CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART:

Deuteronomy 30:6 "And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live." Jesus first commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul & might.

VI) CIRCUMCISION OF HEART TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL HEART AND NEIGHBOR:

See my paper: "Love" for more information on this subject.

Deuteronomy 10:16-19 "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. {17} For the LORD your God <is> God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: {18} He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. {19} Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." Jesus second commandment is to love your neighbor as our self.

VII) PROPHETS TEACH WE ARE TO HAVE A CIRCUMCISION OF HEART:

See my paper: "Jesus as Prophet, Priest, & King" for more information on this subject.

Jeremiah 4:4 "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." A pure heart towards God of He will punish the Jew as well as the Gentile who does evil.

Jeremiah 9:25 "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all <them which are> circumcised with the uncircumcised;"

VIII) JOSHUA CIRCUMCISED MALES BEFORE THEY WENT INTO PROMISE LAND:

Joshua 5:2-5 "At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. {3} And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. {4} And this <is> the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, <that were> males, <even> all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt. {5} Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people <that were> born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, <them> they had not circumcised."

Joshua 5:7 "And their children, <whom> he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way." New start for Jews.

IX) JESUS CIRCUMCISION:

See my paper: "Jesus in the Old Testament" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Messianic Prophecies that Jesus Fuflfilled" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Jesus Life, Events, & Identity" for more information on this subject.

Luke 2:21 "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb."

X) NEW TESTAMENT CIRCUMCISION TEACHINGS:

XI) JESUS TEACHING VALUE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS VERSUS CIRCUMCISION LAW:

See my paper: "True Gospel for Salvation by the Imputed Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Imputed/Reckoned/Counted Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.

John 7:22-24 "Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. {23} If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? {24} Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." Jesus teaches men to do the spiritual right thing of following the law.

XII) DISAGREEMENT, IN EARLY CHURCH, OF GOSPEL OF JESUS TO THE GENTILES:

See my paper: "What Does God Really Want?" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Questions & Answers on Law, Faith, & Liberty" for more information on this subject.

Acts 11:2-4 "And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, {3} Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. {4} But Peter rehearsed <the matter> from the beginning, and expounded <it> by order unto them, saying," Peter was told by God to allow Gentiles to become Christians. Prior to this, only Jews were allowed to become Christians.

XIII) DISAGREEMENT, IN EARLY CHURCH, OF GENTILES BEING CIRCUMCISED:

Acts 15:1-2 "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. {2} 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." The question is if the Gentile believer needed to follow the laws of Moses.

XIV) EARLY CHURCH TEACHING GENTILES DO NOT NEED TO BE CIRCUMCISED:

See my paper: "Christians Are Not Under Law, But Jews can Culturally Keep God's Commandments" for more information on this subject.

Acts 15:15-20 "And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, {16} After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: {17} That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. {18} Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. {19} Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: {20} But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and <from> fornication, and <from> things strangled, and <from> blood."

XV) PAUL HAD ONE GENTILE DISCIPLE CIRCUMCISED TO APPEASE JEWS:

See my paper: "Apostles" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Disciples & Others of Jesus Family" for more information on this subject.

Acts 16:1 "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:" Paul did not circumcise every disciple. See Titus example below.

Acts 16:3 "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."

Galatians 2:3 "But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:" Paul did not circumcise Titus.

XVI) JEWISH BELIEVERS FALSELY CLAIM PAUL TEACH JEWS NOT TO CIRCUMCISE:

Acts 21:21 "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." The statement was not true. Paul's ministry was to the Gentiles who were not required to follow the laws of Moses or be circumcised.

XVII) JEWISH BELIEVER LEADERSHIP TOLD PAUL TO SHOW HE OBSERVES MOSES LAW:

See my paper: "Sermon on the Mount" for more information on this subject.

Acts 21:21-25 "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. {22} What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. {23} Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; {24} 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. {25} 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 goes to the temple and observes the Jewish law on vows with Jewish believers.

XVIII) JEWS FALSELY CLAIM PAUL TOOK GENTILES IN TEMPLE:

Acts 21:27-30 "And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, {28} Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all <men> every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. {29} (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) {30} And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut." Paul was innocent of these statements.

XIX) PAUL'S TEACHING ON CIRCUMCISION TO GENTILES:

Romans 3:1-2 "What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit <is there> of circumcision? {2} Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God." Jews are the only people to have the Bible, temple & revelation of the one true God, but each Jew must have his heart circumcised, which is a desire to serve God.

Romans 3:30 "Seeing <it is> one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith." God word teaches faith as the means of pleasing God which is true to Abraham and the Gentile as well.

Romans 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. {10} How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. {11} 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: {12} 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." Faith is means for righteousness came to Abraham before he was circumcised.

Romans 15:8-12 "Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises <made> unto the fathers: {9} And that the Gentiles might glorify God for <his> mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. {10} And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. {11} And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. {12} And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust." Paul shows, from scriptures, Gentiles can be saved.

XX) JEWS SHOULD NOT BECOME GENTILES NOR GENTILES BECOME JEWS:

1 Corinthians 7:18-20 "Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. {19} Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. {20} Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." Jew & Gentile should remain in their calling of faith.

Galatians 5:2-6 "Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. {3} For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. {4} Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. {5} For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. {6} For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love." Gentiles should not keep the laws of Moses.

Galatians 6:13-16 "For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. {14} 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. {15} For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. {16} And as many as walk according to this rule, peace <be> on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." Jewish believers should not try to make Gentiles keep the law.

XXI) PAUL MINISTRY IS TO GENTILES & PETER'S MINISTRY TO JEWS:

Galatians 2:7-9 "But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as <the gospel> of the circumcision <was> unto Peter; {8} (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) {9} And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we <should go> unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision." Jewish believers can continue to circumcise their children as heirs of Abraham.

XXII) TRUE CIRCUMCISION IS OF THE HEART:

Ephesians 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;"

XXIII) PAUL'S CIRCUMCISION AND WHY HE DOES NOT TEACH GENTILE CIRCUMCISION:

Philippians 3:4-9 "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: {5} 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; {6} Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. {7} But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. {8} Yea doubtless, and I count all things <but> loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them <but> dung, that I may win Christ, {9} And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:" Just as Abraham believed God and He counted this as righteous.

XXIV) GOD'S CIRCUMCISION, IS OF THE HEART, TO BELIEVERS IN CHRIST JESUS:

Colossians 2:11-17 "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: {12} 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. {13} And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; {14} 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; {15} <And> having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. {16} Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath <days>: {17} Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body <is> of Christ." Circumcision, for believers should not be observed as a law, since Jesus completed the law through the cross.

Colossians 3:10-11 "And have put on the new <man>, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: {11} Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond <nor> free: but Christ <is> all, and in all." What is of most importance is having a relationship with Jesus.

XXV) CIRCUMCISION AND BAPTISM PARALLELS AS SEEN IN COLOSSIANS 2:11-2:12:

See my paper: "Apostle Baptism" for more information on this subject.

Both baptism and circumcision are rites representing spiritual purifications of the heart. Baptism, in the name of Jesus, clearly is a identification with every act of Jesus. This is shown in the Romans 6:3-6.

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