Extra Info & Argumentation

Clothed in Christ

v.27

And I have to say this, as a shepherd and teacher of God’s Word and people.

If baptism took the place of circumcision...

This would have been the perfect place to say so.

Argument over...in one breath.

Judaizers: You need to be circumcised to be in covenant with God.

Paul: No, baptism has taken circumcisions place. So baptism is how we enter covenant with God now.

But, that is not what Paul argues at all.

Paul says physical circumcision is nothing...

But a new creation is what matters.

What does that mean?

It means regeneration...

Spiritual circumcision is how you enter the New Covenant.

And Spiritual Circumcision/Regeneration is expressed through faith in Christ...

Faith is the sign of regeneration.

Faith in Christ.

The Mediator of the New Covenant.

By the way, if baptism merely replaces circumcision...

How easy would it have been for Paul...

And the Jerusalem Council, as well...

To just say, Listen, the reason you don’t need to be circumcised is because baptism has replaced circumcision.

So, stop arguing and get baptized.

I mean, debate over.

No more need for discussion.

But, they didn’t...

And that is because there is a fundamental difference in the two.

Circumcision was for the recognition of the physical lineage of Abraham.

Baptism is for the recognition of the spiritual lineage of Abraham...

Those who are in Christ by faith.

Which is exactly why the NT focuses on faith in Christ.

Faith is what is necessary.

And, faith is what expresses a spiritual reality...

Which is spiritual circumcision...

Which is the actual fulfillment of physical circumcision.

Nicodemus to Jesus...

How can one enter the Kingdom of God?

How can one become a citizen of the Kingdom of God?

How do people become the children of God?

Regeneration, Nicodemus.

Spiritual circumcision is the true entrance into the family of God.

And, when that happens it will manifest itself like the wind manifests itself in the moving of limbs, leaves, and debris.

Repentance and faith will be expressed.

A desire to publicly identify oneself with the King of this Kingdom of God.