VIDEO HERE < -------
Found this video and I have to ask, why do you (Jews for Jesus) still circumcise your male children if you believe that you’re no longer under the law. Aren’t you contradicting yourselves by having your children circumcised in this fashion?
Tradition huh!
I watched the video. Though I am not Jewish, I believe I can answer your question.
With the coming of Messiah, Y'shua, circumcision was not rescinded, for Y'shua was circumcised. Just as Sabbath was not rescinded. Neither were the Jewish holidays, those set out in the Law. They show God's redemption and provision, and not only for the Jewish people, but all who would come to trust under His wings. They were given to the Jewish people, and since God has not forsaken His people the Jews, neither is it a contradiction for Jews who have believed on Y'shua (Jesus) to circumcise their male children.
It is a token of an everlasting covenant to be their God (see Genesis 17); and note the everlasting possession of the land is promised right after:
7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
Whenever we say, "Come, Lord Jesus", this is what we are advocating, because this is what is accomplished at His return.
Oops… Now that I’ve looked at that video for the 4th time I can see that their not circumcising a child but rather simply reading a scroll.
Don’t I feel stupid!!!
VIDEO HERE < -------
Found this video and I have to ask, why do you (Jews for Jesus) still circumcise your male children if you believe that you’re no longer under the law. Aren’t you contradicting yourselves by having your children circumcised in this fashion?
Tradition huh!
The covenant of circumcision was not under the Law of Moses but was between God and Abraham (and his descendants) (Gen. 17:9-14). Circumcision does not save, but it is a recognition of the covenant that God made with Israel and of our entering into that covenant. If we remain outside that covenant (i.e. do not get circumcised) then we are putting ourselves outside of Israel and our Jewish people (Gen. 17:14).
That is why I think many of us Jewish believers feel that circumcision is important; not for salvation but for identification as part of our Jewish people before God
The covenant of circumcision was not under the Law of Moses but was between God and Abraham (and his descendants) (Gen. 17:9-14). Circumcision does not save, but it is a recognition of the covenant that God made with Israel and of our entering into that covenant. If we remain outside that covenant (i.e. do not get circumcised) then we are putting ourselves outside of Israel and our Jewish people (Gen. 17:14).
That is why I think many of us Jewish believers feel that circumcision is important; not for salvation but for identification as part of our Jewish people before God
Hi Richard,
As it turns out your right in saying that circumcision wasn't passed down from Moses since we read the following:
John 7:22 NIV
Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a child on the Sabbath.
However, we also read:
Romans 2:29 NIV
No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.
So it seams to me that if people circumcise their males at the age of eight days that their actually seeking men approval over that of God.
I have to wonder, how deep does the rabbit hole go?
Most of us Gentiles have been circumcised, but not under the written code. It seams right to me that those who follow Christ should put these traditions aside, and should they want to circumcise their children to do so privately, and not hole a celebration. After all,
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. 1 Corinthians 7:19 NIV
Besides, if those who have placed their trust in God’s eternal Son practice circumcising their males on the eight day, aren’t they leading people to place their trust in the flesh, and isn’t that a dangerous thing to do?
Philippians 3:3
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—
Again, how deep does the rabbit hole go?
However, we also read:
Romans 2:29 NIV
No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.
So it seams to me that if people circumcise their males at the age of eight days that their actually seeking men approval over that of God.
Again, how deep does the rabbit hole go?
I don't believe there is any rabbit hole. The scripture verse you quoted is addressed to believers so doesn't apply. Eight day old babies are not believers. Believing and accepting Jesus or rejecting Him is a decision each person must make at some point in their lives for both Jews and Gentiles. No one is born a believer.
So as a Jewish believer I would have any male children ritually circumcised, recognizing they are Jewish but also recognizing the children are not believers in Jesus yet.