“Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your hearts…” (Jer 4:4, NKJ)
Circumcision was the Old Testament process by which you were sealed into the covenant with God. Reformed theology argues that this process of circumcision is replaced in the New Testament with infant baptism. But there is not one Scripture that supports this. Jesus is the best testimony of how the two testaments and dispensations culminate in Him.
Jesus was, according to requirements (Gen 17:10-14), circumcised on the eigth day (Luke 2:21). But when He came to John the Baptist, He asked John to baptise Him. John was uncomfortable with the request, but Jesus said to him: “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matt 3:15). Later He explains baptism to all his followers: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16).
The secret of rebirth, we presume more and more, is intricately inter-linked with baptism. In essence, rebirth is “circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ” (Col 2:11). In Ez 36:25 it is prophesied about this: “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” With rebirth and baptism you are circumcised in Christ. For this reason Rom 2:29 says: “and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit …” Thus: “in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation” (Gal 6:15).
Already in the old covenant it was God’s desire: circumcision of heart – spiritual – and not just the outer, physical (religious) signs. Thus He says: “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart …” (Deut 10:16)! This condition brings you into the new covenant: “And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart … to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.” (Deut 30:6). Just here your new life can begin, because LIFE has risen up in you.
- Sela: What does the statement of Jesus mean: “to fulfill all righteousness”? With this read: Heb 5:13, 11:7, Matt 6:33, Rom 1:7 en Eph 4:24.
- Read: Gen 26; Ps 26; 1 John 5
- Memorise: 1 John 5:7-8
