What exactly did circumcision signify in the old days... Abraham's covenant or Moses' covenant?
First, it is one covenant with different administrators. Though circumcision in Christianity began with the Abrahamic Covenant it
continued on (Acts 3:13) as a covenant sign and seal in another form (baptism - final administration) that one (including the family) was in the covenant of God.
Gen 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.
9 And God said unto Abraham, And as for thee, thou shalt keep my covenant, thou, and thy seed after thee throughout their generations.
10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised.
Second, has this continued on into the NC? Paul wrote to the church, saying, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal 3:29; Acts 3:25; Acts 7:1 ff). As you can see the church is Abraham’s seed and amazingly just prior to this Paul says,
Gal 3:27-28 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Third, this sign and seal of circumcision/baptism signified what? Again Paul answers saying,
Rom 4:9 Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness.
10 How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision:
11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them;
12 and the father of circumcision to them who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision.
As one may plainly see, Paul sees the connection: (1) between the covenants, old and new (compare Col. 2:11-12), (2) that the covenant sign in the OC was circumcision and baptism in the new (Gal 3:27 ff), (3) that faith for Abram came before his circumcision (compare Gal 3:6 ff), and (4) though only Abraham believed EVERY male in his family (Israel) was to be circumcised, etc.
It is very important to note that Abraham had “the same” Gospel preached to him as is preached to us – faith! As Paul writes, “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith,
preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed” (Gal. 3:8).
Fourth, is everyone that is circumcised/baptized a Christian? Of course not! Paul answers again, saying, “For as many as are of the works of the law are
under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them” (Gal. 3:10). But for the elect Paul says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Gal. 3 13-14).
Fifth, Abraham’s covenant is still in effect and cannot be annulled. Again, as Paul states,
Gal. 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man's covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto.
16 Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect.
If the covenant is still in effect and the same Gospel is being preached, then though the sign and seal have changed, (because we are under a new administration – Christ’s (Gal. 3:27-28)), the covenant sign and seals are still administered similarly. Children should be baptized. Baptist's should not try to annul this!
That is about as uncomplicated as I can make it. BTW anyone who has been here for any length of time can attest that I was (1) once a Baptist (preacher), and (2) adamantly posted believer’s baptism. I knew the Baptist arguments inside out and then the lights went on concerning the continuity of the covenants and a few 1000 other things and now the truth concerning this doctrine reigns in my life.
BTW I used pennies from heaven <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/my2cents.gif" alt="" />
