B...,
All of G-d's commandments listed in scriptures.
All of G-d's commandments listed in scriptures.
what do you make of this:
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
(Galatians 5:6)
Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.
(Galatians 6:15)
For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
(1 Corinthians 7:19)
it is not disputable that God at a certain time to a certain people commanded physical circumcision. to Abraham, as the sign of His covenant with him in Genesis 17. to Moses, under threat of death in Exodus 4. carried out before entering the Levant, Joshua 5. commanded in the Law, Leviticus 12. required of anyone who wishes to share in the Passover, even slaves, Exodus 12. kept by Jesus Christ, Luke 2. not allowed to enter the temple without it, Ezekiel 44.
three times this is written in the new testament tho: in Christ, circumcision/uncircumcision doesn't count for anything. what matters is:
- faith working through love
- the new creation
- keeping the commandments of God
but God had commanded it. to Abraham, the father of all who have faith in God ((Romans 4)). commanded in the Law. commanded in the prophets.
what's all this, then?
what is really meant by 'the commandments of God' if here is one, physical circumcision, that is commanded in scripture -- that is not physically required? if it is physically required what in the word do we do with Galatians and 1 Corinthians and Romans?? it seems clearly not required unless one deletes Paul from the Bible. some people in fact argue to do so, and it is generally, universally understood that such people are heretics and false teachers. doesn't this indicate that for us in Christ, to us in Christ, 'God's commandments' are not the things required of Abraham, not the Law of the Sinai covenant?
- 1
- Show all