Circumcision and the Gospel

This sermon explores the significance of the rite of circumcision and why the Jewish people were so angry when they thought had brought an uncircumcised Greek into the Temple (Acts 21:27-29). The purpose of circumcision was to be a sign and seal of having been born again (Romans 2:28-29) and of being declared righteous by means of faith (Romans 4:9-12). Circumcision was the first step in a life-long commitment to observe the laws of the Old Testament. That is why Paul warned Gentile believers that if they were circumcised, they were cutting themselves off from Christ and salvation under the New Covenant (Galatians 5:2-6; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:24-27). Paul circumcised Timothy in Acts 16:1-3 for pragmatic reasons.