God's Covenant of Cirumcision with Abraham

Vol 1 - No 10, May 2, 2004

The Word of God to Abraham, the father of all that believe-Romans 4:1111 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

-Part Four:

God's Covenant of Circumcision with Abraham and his descendants-Genesis 17:11 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

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God had already made a covenant with Abram documented in Genesis 15:1818 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

when he by faith and in obedience to God's Word offered sacrifice of a heifer, a she goat, a ram, a turtledove and a young pigeon - Genesis 15:99 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.

. In that covenant God promised Abram and his seed all the land between the Euphrates and Nile rivers. As to the sacrifices offered by Abram, it is important to remember that throughout history from Abel until the Apostle Paul, God's children were required to offer sacrifices of burnt offerings as an act or sign of their faith.

Subsequently, God made the covenant of circumcision with 99 year old Abram and changed his name to Abraham - Genesis 17. God's promise here was that Abraham would have a son born to 90 year old Sarai whose name was changed to Sarah and that from their son a multitude would be born to make Abraham the father of many nations. From Genesis 17:9 - 149 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.

10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.

13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

we read "And God said to Abraham: As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant."

By faith in God's Word Abraham and every male in his household was circumcised. From that time, estimated to be at about 1997 BC, until God revealed differently to the Apostle Paul, which was over 2000 years later, it was necessary for any man who placed his faith in God for salvation to be circumcised as an act or sign of faith. No man who lived during the time between Abraham and Paul was righteous before God unless he was circumcised as an act of faith. Conversely, it is important to recognize that the physical act of circumcision, in and of itself did not save. Just because a man was circumcised did not automatically make him a true believer in God with the assurance of eternal life. Then, as always, the true test was faith in God's Word and, - God knows the heart every man. All were, as they still are, judged based on faith in His Word.

Saul is a good example of a man that outwardly was perfect, he was circumcised the eighth day, offered burnt sacrifices according to the law, became a leading Pharisee in the Jewish religion, and who in fact lived without blame under the law of Moses. And yet he did not truly know God - Philippians 3:5 - 85 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

. Saul is first mentioned in Acts 7:5858 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

when he consented to the death by stoning of Stephen, one of Jesus Christ's disciples. In spite of his being circumcised and all the rest he never the less was totally lost and did not know God until the Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself to him on the road to Damascus - Acts 9:2 - 82 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

. Saul became the Apostle Paul to whom the Lord Jesus Christ disclosed His Word to and for us. Among many other truths for today, the Lord Jesus Christ showed Paul the significance and meaning of circumcision.

In Romans 4:9 - 139 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Paul explains it was because of Abraham's faith that he was reckoned righteous and not because of the act of circumcision. Paul explains that circumcision was a sign or seal of the righteousness of Abraham's faith and as such, Abraham was the father of all those living after him who believe, that is, all who have faith in God's Word, as he had faith.

In Galations 6:15 Paul reveals "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." In other words, it no longer is necessary to be circumcised in order to be in right relationship with God, as it was from Abraham until Paul. What is necessary is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and in this faith a person becomes new creation in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul reminds us that before Christ's redeeming work was completed on the cross the Gentiles, that is, those who were not circumcised, were not part of the family of God. As stated in Ephesians 2:11 - 1311 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

"Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."

If Christ had not died, risen from the dead, ascended into heaven and from there spoken this new revelation to the Apostle Paul we who are gentiles, which are called the uncircumcision, would be lost and without hope of eternal life just as Gentiles were before Christ's finished work. But now, because of Christ's finished work we do not depend on the act of circumcision, baptism, sacrificial burnt offerings, or on any other physical act, for our salvation and being in a right relationship with God. Paul writes in Philippians 3:33 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

"For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."

To Paul was revealed that he and all after him who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, become members of the Body of Christ - Colossians 1:1818 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

; 2:9, 10 & 17 - 19. To Paul was revealed that "In whom (that is, in Christ) 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." - Colossians 2:11 & 1211 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:

12 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.

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The Word of God to Abraham was different than His Word to Paul, which is to us. But, the proof and the evidence that presents, is the same for us as it was for Abraham and that is faith in the Word of God. Abraham believed what God told him and his belief was counted to him for righteousness - Genesis 15:66 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

. Paul quotes this in Romans 4:33 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

where he argues the point to us, concluding with the wonderful truth "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." - Romans 5:1 & 21 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

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Genesis 15:6 is quoted again by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 3:66 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

. It is recommended that you read Galatians 3:6 - 146 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

where Paul explains further how our blessings from God come through faith.

"Now faith is the substance (or title deed) of things hoped for, the evidence (or the proof) of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God - Romans 10:1717 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

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