Topic(s): Baptism, Bible Study

Bob Prichard

Circumcision was a sign of the covenant for God’s people, instituted by God with Abraham as an act of obedience. Over time it came to symbolize all that it meant to be a Jew. The Jews thought of themselves as “the circumcision,” and those who were not Jews were “the uncircumcision.” Paul wrote that “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3) even before he was circumcised. He wanted the Jews to understand that not birth as a Jew, but the new birth (John 3:3-5), would make man acceptable to God. God requires instead a circumcision of the heart. “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” (Romans 2:29).

Baptism is much like circumcision, in that it also is an act of obedience, and marks those who are God’s people. Just as Abraham responded to God’s command to be circumcised, those who want to please God must respond to His command to be baptized. As Peter told the multitude at Pentecost, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Any who refuse to be baptized do not please God.

We must note, however, that baptism does not serves exactly the same function as circumcision, and Abraham’s faith was not “faith only,” but an obedient faith. “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:8-10). God counted him righteous before his circumcision, but not before his obedient faith.

In Colossians 2, Paul warned Christians about being bound by the traditions of men. They were to remember their spiritual circumcision, a “circumcision made without hands” by God (Colossians 2:11). Paul stressed that it was absolutely necessary to be “buried with him in baptism” so that the Christian could have spiritual life and forgiveness of sins (Colossians 2:12-13).

Birth as a Jew made one a member of the covenant relationship, of the seed of Abraham. Circumcision was only a sign of that relationship. Christians, however, are brought into that relationship with God by their baptism into Christ, by which they become Abraham’s seed. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. . . . And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:27-29). Baptism is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38), but circumcision never served that purpose. Under the old law, babies were circumcised on the eighth day after birth, without their knowledge or consent. New Testament baptism can only be scripturally administered to one who has believed the gospel, repented of sins, confessed faith in Christ, and wishes to render obedience to God.