Circumcision was a ritualistic operation that removed all or part of the foreskin from the male sex organ. The
practice is of ancient origin, depicted on Egyptian tombs, and also practiced by African, Australian, Aztec, and American
Indian tribes. It functioned in most cultures as a "rite of passage" or an initiation ceremony into manhood.
Circumcision of the Jewish male, however, was required as a visible, physical sign of the covenant
between the Lord and His people. Any male not circumcised was to be "cut off from his people" (Gen.
17:14) and regarded as a covenant breaker (Ex. 12:48). In most cultures of the ancient world
the ceremony was performed when the youth was about twelve, but among the Hebrews it occurred on the eighth day after birth
(Gen. 17:12).
Although circumcision was required by the Mosaic Law, the rite was neglected during the days when
the people of Israel wandered in the Wilderness. Perhaps this was a sign that the nation had broken their covenant with God
through their disobedience. The rite was resumed when they entered the land of Canaan, with Joshua performing the ritual on
the generation born in the Wilderness (Josh. 5:1-8).
Moses and the prophets used the term circumcision as a symbol for purity of heart and readiness to
hear and obey. Through Moses the Lord challenged the Israelites to submit to "circumcision of the heart," a reference to their
need for repentance. "If their uncircumcised hearts are humbled, and they accept their guilt," God declared, "then I will
remember My covenant" (Lev. 26:41, 42; also Deut. 10:16). The prophet
Jeremiah characterized rebellious Israel as having "uncircumcised" ears (6:10) and being "uncircumcised
in the heart" (9:26).
The Hebrew people came to take great pride in their circumcision, and it became a badge of their spiritual
and national superiority. Other peoples, such as the Philistines, were distainfully called "the uncircumcised" (2
Sam. 1:20), and male converts to Judaism were required to be circumcised.
During New Teatament times, a crisis erupted in the church of Antioch when the Judaizers taught, "Unless
you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved" (Acts 15:1, 2). A council
was converned at Jerusalem to resolve the issue (Acts 15:6-29).
The apostle Peter argued during this meeting that to insist on circumcision for the Gentiles would
impose a burdensome yoke (Acts 15:10). Years later Paul reinforced this decision when he wrote
that Abraham, "the father of circumcision" (Rom. 4:12), was saved by faith, long before the physical
act of circumcision was required of Jewish males (Rom. 4:9-13).
Paul also spoke of the "circumcision of Christ" (Col. 2:11) referring to
His atoning death which "condemned sin in the flesh" (Rom. 8:3) and nailed our sins "to the cross"
(Col. 2:14). All that ultimately matters for both Jew and Gentile, Paul declared, is a changed
nature, which comes only through faith and repentance as a person commits himself to Christ (Eph. 2:14-18).
