Circumcisions and Covenants
The carnal circumcision was a rite appointed by Jah to be a token (sign or symbol) of the “Everlasting Covenant” that He made with Abraham and his seed, and also the seal of the righteousness of his faith. Every male in Abraham's house was to be circumcised, and afterwards every male of his seed on the eighth day after birth (Psa. 105:10). It signified the separation of a people from the world to Jah. During the 40 years in the wilderness this rite was not performed, but on entering Jah's land all were circumcised at Gilgal, when the reproach of Egypt was rolled away (Jos. 5:2-9).
Circumcision became a synonym for Israel, so that they could be spoken of as “the circumcised,” and the heathen as “the uncircumcised” (Jud. 14:3; Ezek. 31:18; Acts 11:3). Contrary to the design of Jah, circumcision became a mere formal act, when the “Everlasting Covenant” itself was disregarded, and Jah then speaks of Israel as having “uncircumcised hearts.” Stephen charged the Jewish council with being “uncircumcised in heart and ears” (Lev. 26:41; Acts 7:51). In Romans chapter 4, Abraham is shown to be the “father of circumcision,” that is, of all that believe as the truly separated people of Jah.
Hence circumcision is typical of the putting off the body of the flesh by those who accept the crucifixion as the end of all flesh, because the Messiah was their cut off as to the flesh: Colossians 2:11 reads “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 the Messijah”; and again, “We are the circumcision which worship Jah by the Spirit, and rejoice in the Messiah Jahoshuwah, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3). “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth” (Col. 3:5).
“The Everlasting Covenant” that was made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob does not mean “Everlasting Circumcision” as some people think; the carnal circumcision was just a “token” (sign) in the flesh for “The Everlasting Covenant”. See Genesis 9:13. The carnal circumcision was an “ordinance imposed” upon Jah's people until the time of the “New Spiritual Covenant” (Gen. 17:11, 13, 19; 28:13-14; Lev. 26:42; Heb. 9:1, 10, 15).
The Apostle Paul affirms that the carnal circumcision was just a sign (mark) in the flesh - Paul lets us know that Abraham was counted righteous before he had received the “sign” of circumcision as a seal of righteousness concerning his faith (Rom. 4:11). Read Romans 4 and also see Genesis (15:6).
Now that the “New Spiritual Covenant” is affirmed, if anyone should presumptuously circumcise, they shall not be a part of spiritual Israel (Num. 15:30-31; Gal. 5:1-6; 6:12-16; Heb. 10:26-29). The Almighty Jah is more concerned with the “Spiritual Circumcision” than the carnal circumcision - the carnal circumcision was instituted until the “New Covenant” was affirmed (Jer. 4:4; Phil 3:3; Heb. 8:6-13; 9:15; 10:16-25).
All of the carnal commandments (ordinances) that were in the old carnal covenant were abolished; this includes the Levitical priesthood, animal-sacrifices, circumcision, drinks and diverse washings etc. (Heb. 7:11-12, 16; 9:10; Gal. 5:2-4).
Did the Messiah and John the Baptist circumcise? Yes they did circumcise during the time of the old covenant because the carnal ordinances were still binding then. See Luke 1:6.
The Messijah and John the Baptist were circumcised over 30 years before the “New Covenant was affirmed - they were the ones to fulfill all righteousness (Luke 1:59; 2:21; Matt. 3:15). The carnal ordinances (commandments) that included the carnal circumcision could not make Jah's people perfect so Jah took it out of the way nailing it to the cross (Col. 2:13-14).
“The Spiritual Circumcision” is within the “New Covenant” which is in the Messiah - the Messiah became the “Better Covenant” - to take part in the “New Covenant”, one needs to have faith and then baptize in the name of Jahshuwah for the remission of sins (Heb. 7:22; 10:1-39; Col. 2:11-12; Phil. 3:3; Acts 2:37-42).
The Messiah is a stumblingstone and a rock of offence to all unbelievers who go about to establish their own righteousness and have not attained unto the righteousness which is of faith (Isa. 8:13-15; Rom. 9:30-33; 10:3-4; 1 Pet. 2:6-8). If anyone disrespects Jah's “Spiritual Covenant” they shall perish (Heb. 10:26-31).
IF ANYONE IS CIRCUMCISED BECAUSE OF IGNORANCE OR BECAUSE OF FORCE THEY SHALL NOT BE CONDEMNED AS LONG AS THEY REPENT WHEN THEY COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR TRANSGRESSION (Num. 15:24-31; Acts 3:17-19; Eph. 4:17-21).
Notice in Acts 16:3, that a “New Covenant” (Testament) Israelite had to be circumcised because of the pressure of the old covenant Jews - the new testament Israelites were under constant pressure from the old testament Israelites. Bear in mind that the Old Testament Israelites could have became New Testament Israelites just by accepting Jahoshuwah the Messiah who is the “Better Testament” (covenant) (Heb. 7:22).
The apostle Paul warns: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship Jah in the spirit, and rejoice in the Messijah Jahoshuwah, and have no confidence in the flesh. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after the Messiah. For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Jahhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principalities and power: 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 the Messiah: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of Jah, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of “ordinances” that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new month, or of the Sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the Body (the Assembly) is of the Messiah. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind; And not holding the Head (the Messiah) from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of Jah. Wherefore if ye be dead with the Messiah from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh” (Phil. 3:2-3; Col. 2:8-23).
SUMMARY
Carnal circumcision is not necessary as a religious requirement for Salvation. Under the “NEW SPIRITUAL COVENANT” (TESTAMENT), Jah is calling a spiritual nation composed of individuals converted and begotten by His Holy Spirit. True Messiahn-Saints are now all to be “circumcised” spiritually.
Physical circumcision was only a forerunner or type of Spiritual Circumcision of the heart (mind) (Deut. 10:16; 30:6; Jer. 4:4). Notice also Romans 2:28-29: “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter…”
Spiritual circumcision is a process of conversion. It is Jahoshuwah the Messijah who circumcises one's heart - spiritually. “And ye are complete in Him [the Messiah]… 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 the Messiah” (Col. 2:10-11). This is why Jah inspired the apostles and elders of the New Testament (Covenant) Assembly to decree that physical circumcision was no longer necessary for salvation (Acts 15:24,28).
CONCLUSION
Now after all this what is the most important thing about the “Everlasting Covenant?” The most important thing about the “Everlasting Covenant” is that the “Everlasting Jah” wants to be the Jah of Israel forever (Gen. 17:7-8; Lev. 26:45).
As we can now see the Everlasting Covenant that Jah began with Abraham is now Revised to the “New Spiritual Everlasting Covenant.” The Almighty Jah found fault with the old carnal covenant so he instituted the “New Spiritual Covenant” with the blood of His Messijah (Heb. 8:6-13; 9:11-15; 10:29). The Messijah is now the “Better Testament (Covenant)” and the “Better Circumcision” as earlier mentioned (Heb. 7:22; Rom. 15:8; Col. 2:11).
The “Spiritual Circumcision” is that of the heart (mind) and not of the flesh - “Spiritual Circumcision is the keeping of the commandments of Jah” (Rom. 2:28-29; 1 Cor. 7:17-19; Phil. 3:3).
Written by the Elder and Founder of the Zion Assembly of Jah, David Wray
The Mount Zion Assembly of Jah
5 Kanarick Crescent
Toronto, Ontario M3L 1P3 Canada
647-231-9466
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