New testament on circumcision
The New Testament does not explicitly condemn or promote circumcision as a requirement for salvation or as a means of spiritual growth. However, there are some passages that provide insight into the issue:
- Acts 15:1-35: The Jerusalem Council, which consisted of Jewish and Gentile (non-Jewish) believers, debated whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised to be saved. The council ultimately decided that circumcision was not necessary, and that faith in Jesus Christ was sufficient for salvation (Acts 15:11).
- Galatians 2:1-10: Paul, who was a Jewish Christian, had a disagreement with Peter, who was also a Jewish Christian, over the issue of circumcision. Paul argued that faith in Jesus Christ was sufficient for salvation, and that circumcision was not necessary (Galatians 2:3-5).
- Colossians 2:11-12: Paul writes that in Christ, "you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."
- Romans 2:25-29: Paul argues that true circumcision is not about physical circumcision, but about being a circumcised heart, which is a result of faith in Jesus Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 7:18-20: Paul writes that if a person is already circumcised, they should not seek to be uncircumcised, and if they are already uncircumcised, they should not seek to be circumcised. He emphasizes that the important thing is to keep the commandments of God, not to be circumcised or uncircumcised.
In summary, while the New Testament does not explicitly condemn circumcision, it does not make it a requirement for salvation or spiritual growth either. The emphasis is on faith in Jesus Christ and living a life that is pleasing to God, rather than on physical circumcision.