In the book of Acts, the gospel is spreading like wild fire as the apostles preach the good news and do miraculous signs and wonders by the power of the holy spirit. Even in the face of persecutions, being jailed, flogged, and killed, the apostles proclaim the news that Jesus Christ is God's son and we have been reconciled to God through Jesus' birth, ministry, death, and resurrection. The church spread and spread, and eventually even the gentiles began accepting Jesus. As the gentiles began accepting Christ, it created this big controversy in the church over whether the gentiles need to be circumcised or not. It really was a question of whether gentiles needed to convert to Judaism before they could become Christian. Ultimately it was decided that the gentiles did not need to be circumcised first because Christ had opened the church to all people.
To many of us, the question of circumcision seems silly or in some cases legalistic. But the heart of the question still applies to us today. Ultimately, the question of circumcision is really a question about how to we change and adapt as the church expands and new people join the church? What are the traditions in our community life together that are non-negotiable? What are the things that are less important, what are the things we are willing to let go of to incorporate new people into the church?
As Calvary seeks to grow and to reach out to the community around us it's important for us to consider what we are willing to let go of. What are the non-negotiable traditions that we must be intentional about maintaining?
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Paul advises Christians not to put faith in physical circumcision and says that it will not save them. Baptism replaced circumcision in the new testament. So why do so many Americans still practice circumcision?
ReplyDeletePaul, you are right that Paul said circumcision alone will not save anyone. And in many ways baptism has become the new circumcision, in that baptism is the sign of the covenant community. Baptism is a big part of the identity of the Christians community. But does that mean that circumcision shouldn't be done at all? Are there any benefits associated with circumcision that aren't spiritual? Why do you think so many people, Americans and others, still practice circumcision?
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