Circumcision (2013)

By: Elisabeth C. Pointer

CIRCUMCISION Physically & Spiritually

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INTRODUCTION •

When we discuss circumcision, there is the physical meaning and the spiritual meaning.

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We will discuss both in this presentation, placing special emphasis on spiritual circumcision and its importance to our salvation.

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PHYSICAL CIRCUMCISION •

Male circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the male organ.

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For a typical procedure of today, the foreskin is first opened and then separated from the glans.

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A topically or locally anesthetic can be used to reduce any pain.

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If the male is an adult, general anesthesia can be an option.

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DID YOU KNOW?...

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Physical circumcision is said to have health benefits including decreasing the risk of STDs, such as HIV. It can possibly reduce the occurrence of urinary tract infections (UTI) as well.

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Additionally, females engaging in conjugal activity with a male that is circumcised is less likely to develop cervical cancer.

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Circumcision is possibly the most widely performed procedure in the world, with approximately 1/3 of the males being circumcised worldwide.

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Males typically are circumcised during infancy or early 20s.

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DID YOU KNOW?... •

The reasons for male circumcision rarely are due to medical reasons.

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Instead, it is due to personal preference or religious customs.

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CIRCUMCISION IN ANCIENT TIMES

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As a token of the covenant God established with Abraham, he commanded that he along with all males in his household be circumcised.

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Let’s take deeper look at two key words, ‘covenant’ and ‘token.’

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WHAT IS A COVENANT? •

A covenant is a promise or agreement made between 2 parties.

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In this case, the parties included Abraham and God.

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What is important about a covenant is that each party has a responsibility. It is not one sided.

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God promised to make Abraham the “father of MANY nations.” However, the seed that would pass through his son, Isaac, would become God’s firstborn nation, Israel.

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ISRAEL

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Israel would be sanctified as a holy nation, to which he would give the 10 commandments of God.

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He also promised Abraham that he would give his seed the land of Canaan, also known as the Promise land.

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But Abraham had to keep his side of the covenant as well. God said this, “I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”

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This meant that Abraham was to obey God and keep his holy commandments all of his life to receive this blessing.

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IT TAKES TWO •

It seems that many individuals and churches of this world fail to realize that when it comes to the promises and blessings of God, we must make an effort on our part in order to receive them.

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God would not have chosen Abraham to be the father of many nations, if he was not faithful, obedient or willing to sacrifice.

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We too, must be faithful, obedient and be willing to sacrifice in order for the promise of eternal life to come to pass for us.

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TOKEN

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A symbol, sign or a tangible representation. It can also be an action done as a symbolic gesture.

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As we know, God instructed Abraham and the males of his household to be circumcised to serve as a token or sign of their covenant they had made between each other.

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PHYSICAL CIRCUMCISION

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Physical circumcision was an ordinance that God commanded us to keep up until the death of Christ, which is stated in Colossians 2: 14

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This physical act is in no way as important as the circumcision of our hearts, that is, spiritual circumcision.

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Paul had this to say about circumcision in Romans Ch. 2: 25-29 & Colossians 2: 11 -13

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ROMANS 2: 26-28 “For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:�

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ROMANS 2: 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.�

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COLOSSIANS 2: 11-13

“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: 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. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;�

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PHYSICAL CIRCUMCISION

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What is circumcision of the heart?

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That foreskin keeps us stubborn, willful and disobedient unto God. We are unable to nurture the faith necessary to resist temptation.

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In addition, circumcision of the heart is necessary to be obedient to the Almighty so that we keep our part of the covenant of God.

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We cannot keep the laws of God if that old part of us remains.

It is removing that part of us that wants to sin. This is sometimes called killing the old man (removing the foreskin).

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QUESTIONS? For questions regarding this presentation please contact us via email at info@householdofisrael.org or by phone at 219.949.9308

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SPECIAL THANKS This presentations was developed by Elisabeth C. Pointer & Melissa C. Pointer