Physical circumcision always prefigured, or foreshadowed, the true and greater circumcision God wanted, which was spiritual circumcision of the heart. Spiritual circumcision of the heart occurs when people repent and put their faith in Christ, and are saved. Consider these verses:
• Colossians 2 verse 11 says, " In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands (this means it's not physical circumcision), by putting off the body of the flesh (this refers to the spiritual flesh), by the circumcision of Christ."
• Romans 2, verses 28-29 says, "No one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. " This means the letter of the law, which can't provide spiritual circumcision. Only the Holy Spirit can circumcise hearts, by producing repentance and faith.
Family Worship Guide
Memory verse: Romans 2:29
Read the verses and then answer the questions.
Day one: Col. 2:11, Rom. 2:28, Lev. 24:41-42, Jer. 6:10, Ez. 44:6, Deut. 30:6. What did circumcision always prefigure? Was God upset with these Israelites about circumcision when they had already been circumcised?
Day two: Acts 2:23, 36-41 cf. Acts 7:51-58. When did the Jews finally experience the true and greater circumcision God desired for them? Although Peter and Stephen's messages were similar, why do you think there were such opposing responses to them?
Day three: Acts 8:30-39, 16:30-33. When should people, whether adult or children, be baptized? Why was the Ethiopian eunuch able to be baptized? Why was the Philippian jailer and his family able to be baptized? |
