We Are The Circumcision

1
We Are The Circumcision

• (Faithful) Christians realize that we are the
  circumcision. Romans 217-29

2
Introduction

• There are many times that, as Christians, we try
  to distinguish ourselves from those of Old
  Testament days.
• We are under a new covenant, therefore
  delineating between us and those under the law.
• We are under grace, not law. Rom. 614
• Our conditions of salvation are different from
  the Jews of the Old Testament.

3
Introduction

• Though Christians are not under the old covenant,
  Christians are very much known by some very OT
  terms.
• As the apostle Paul emphatically states we are
  (true) the circumcision. Phil. 33

4
We WorshipBy the Spirit of God

• Old Testament circumcision.
• The cutting off (mutilation) of the flesh.
• Originating with Abraham as a sign of Gods
  covenant with Israel. Gen. 179-11
• It was at Gilgal that God reminded Israel of
  their deliverance from Egypt and used
  circumcision as a sign and reminder of Gods
  covenant and grace. Josh. 57-9
• Circumcision was also to be the outward sign of
  what was to be obedience from the heart. Cp.
  Deut. 1016 306

5
We WorshipBy the Spirit of God

• Old Testament circumcision.
• The Jews, by New Testament times, made much of
  circumcision.
• Many were more caught up with the incidentals of
  the law they forgot the Lawgiver. Cp. Jer. 3131
• Some of the Jewish Christians bound upon their
  Gentile brethren for salvation. Acts 151-5
• It is no different than Christians today are
  simply get wet through baptism, rather than
  have their sins washed away.

6
We WorshipBy the Spirit of God

• New Testament Circumcision.
• The New Testament declares that the outward sign
  of Gods people is baptism. Col. 28-14
• Implied the cutting off of sin (the fleshly
  lusts).
• The putting on of Christ. Gal. 326-29

7
We WorshipBy the Spirit of God

• New Testament Circumcision.
• This circumcision is that of the heart. Rom.
  225-29
• This is the difference between the circumcision
  by the true children of God and those who
  outwardly keep the law.
• This should serve as a warning for those who use
  baptism in the same way the Jews of the O.T. used
  circumcision.
• Christians, therefore, worship by the spirit of
  God, and noted as being the real Jews or Israel
  of God. Gal. 616 (Gal. 327-29) Phil. 33

8
We Glory In Christ

• We glory in Christ Jesus
• This is a far cry from the fleshly Israel that
  rejected the prophets and Messiah. cp. 1 Pet.
  110-21
• The true Israel glories in Christ. 1 Cor. 130-31

9
We Glory In Christ

• We have no confidence in the flesh
• To contrast the fleshly Israel and the real
  Jews the apostle calls them those mutilators of
  the flesh.
• Paul warns his brethren against dogs, those who
  do evil, and the mutilation (concision).
• Pauls term was used in a to show Israels lack
  of trust and obedience to God and their trust in
  themselves as the chosen nation.

10
We Glory In Christ

• We have no confidence in the flesh
• The real Jews (spiritual Israel of the New
  Testament) would not boast of fleshly things
  Phil. 34-6
• Circumcision.
• Genealogy.
• Keeping the Law as means of justification.
• What the real Jews have is confidence in Christs
  salvation.

11
Conclusion

• There is a difference with the nation of Israel
  who rebelled against God in rejecting the
  Messiah.
• As the real Jews may our glory and confidence
  be in the Messiah who brought us into His
  everlasting kingdom.