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I know a grown man who went to be circumcised at the age of 60, for non religious reasons, he kept getting infections in the area, so he wanted it done for health reasons and hygiene. Doctors will still even do the procedure, which would probably be the safest and cleanest way at this persons age.
I personally am of the opinion that if you have the desire to be circumcised out of love/obedience to the commandment, then do it, if you are seeking some kind of approval, don't do it.
So Dan and Zion have explained that it's good to circumcise provided you understand that circumcision is not what saves you. We are saved through Yeshua's grace alone, not by works such as circumcision.
Here's something else:
Don't think that the circumcision will make you a Jew. You're already a member of Israel just by believing in Yeshua.
Most importantly, don't go to a non-Messianic Jewish community to have this ritual performed. They will entice you to reject Yeshua.
Circumcision is generally the act of removing the foreskin of the male genital. According to the Bible, this was done in ancient Israel on the eighth day after the child’s birth. (Genesis 17:12, 14; Leviticus 12:1-3) Circumcision was performed on Israeli children, their servants, and foreigners who chose to live among them on a long-term basis. (Genesis 17:12-14) Circumcision was carried out by the father initially using a flint knife. (Joshua 5:2-3; Exodus 4:24-26) Note that Zipporah was apparently upset that Moses’ procrastination at doing his duty had threatened their family and forced her to do the grisly job. Later, it was performed by specialists among the Levites. (Luke 2:21-24) Apparently a lot of cultures understood circumcision to be a rite of passage which allowed Jacob’s sons to use it as a disabling weapon. A baby recovers from circumcision rapidly, a grown man not so rapidly and apparently after three days, it was still so crippling that Jacob’s sons were able to overpower an entire village of men without much ado. (Genesis 34:14-26) The biblical origin of circumcision is found in the covenant God made with our spiritual ancestor Abraham. (Genesis 17:9-14) The Israelis were not the only ones who practiced circumcision. Jeremiah says that it was also done by the Egyptians, Edomites, Ammonites, Moabites, and the desert dwelling Arabians. (Jeremiah 9:25-26; Ezekiel 32:17-32) Those who refused to be circumcised were considered rebellious to God’s leadership. Though an outward, physical act, circumcision was understood to be indicative of the inward humble state of the heart. In this vein, circumcision, like baptism, was considered an external sign of an internal singularity of devotion to Yahweh. (Deuteronomy 10:16; Joshua 5:2-8) A person who refused to demonstrate their devotion to God in this manner made it difficult for them to hear anything else God had to say. (Jeremiah 6:10) A person who was not disciplined to God’s ways was considered a poor representative and incapable of leadership or public speech. (Exodus 6:12, 29-30) When Moses said “poor speaker” he literally said in Hebrew “I have uncircumcised lips”. In other words, Moses is not merely speaking of physical limitations (i.e. stammering) but of his lack of schooling in God’s Way. He is admitting his spiritual lack. The early church was unsure as to whether or not circumcision was to be a part of faith in Christ. (Acts 15:1-5) Largely through the leadership of the Apostle Paul, it was eventually determined that circumcision, though allowed, was not to be considered required for salvation. (Acts 15:6-21) What is required, as has always been required, is circumcision of the heart through faith and repentance. (Romans 4:9-12; Galatians 2:15-21)
First I will tell him not to cut too much....LOL!
ReplyDeleteThen I will tell him that if he believes that cutting the foreskin has any eternal consequences, then let him cut away.
I know a grown man who went to be circumcised at the age of 60, for non religious reasons, he kept getting infections in the area, so he wanted it done for health reasons and hygiene. Doctors will still even do the procedure, which would probably be the safest and cleanest way at this persons age.
ReplyDeleteI personally am of the opinion that if you have the desire to be circumcised out of love/obedience to the commandment, then do it, if you are seeking some kind of approval, don't do it.
To our friend in India,
ReplyDeleteSo Dan and Zion have explained that it's good to circumcise provided you understand that circumcision is not what saves you. We are saved through Yeshua's grace alone, not by works such as circumcision.
Here's something else:
Don't think that the circumcision will make you a Jew. You're already a member of Israel just by believing in Yeshua.
Most importantly, don't go to a non-Messianic Jewish community to have this ritual performed. They will entice you to reject Yeshua.
Blessings,
Peter
Circumcision is generally the act of removing the foreskin of the male genital. According to the Bible, this was done in ancient Israel on the eighth day after the child’s birth. (Genesis 17:12, 14; Leviticus 12:1-3)
ReplyDeleteCircumcision was performed on Israeli children, their servants, and foreigners who chose to live among them on a long-term basis. (Genesis 17:12-14)
Circumcision was carried out by the father initially using a flint knife. (Joshua 5:2-3; Exodus 4:24-26) Note that Zipporah was apparently upset that Moses’ procrastination at doing his duty had threatened their family and forced her to do the grisly job.
Later, it was performed by specialists among the Levites. (Luke 2:21-24)
Apparently a lot of cultures understood circumcision to be a rite of passage which allowed Jacob’s sons to use it as a disabling weapon. A baby recovers from circumcision rapidly, a grown man not so rapidly and apparently after three days, it was still so crippling that Jacob’s sons were able to overpower an entire village of men without much ado. (Genesis 34:14-26)
The biblical origin of circumcision is found in the covenant God made with our spiritual ancestor Abraham. (Genesis 17:9-14)
The Israelis were not the only ones who practiced circumcision. Jeremiah says that it was also done by the Egyptians, Edomites, Ammonites, Moabites, and the desert dwelling Arabians. (Jeremiah 9:25-26; Ezekiel 32:17-32)
Those who refused to be circumcised were considered rebellious to God’s leadership. Though an outward, physical act, circumcision was understood to be indicative of the inward humble state of the heart. In this vein, circumcision, like baptism, was considered an external sign of an internal singularity of devotion to Yahweh. (Deuteronomy 10:16; Joshua 5:2-8)
A person who refused to demonstrate their devotion to God in this manner made it difficult for them to hear anything else God had to say. (Jeremiah 6:10)
A person who was not disciplined to God’s ways was considered a poor representative and incapable of leadership or public speech. (Exodus 6:12, 29-30) When Moses said “poor speaker” he literally said in Hebrew “I have uncircumcised lips”. In other words, Moses is not merely speaking of physical limitations (i.e. stammering) but of his lack of schooling in God’s Way. He is admitting his spiritual lack.
The early church was unsure as to whether or not circumcision was to be a part of faith in Christ. (Acts 15:1-5) Largely through the leadership of the Apostle Paul, it was eventually determined that circumcision, though allowed, was not to be considered required for salvation. (Acts 15:6-21)
What is required, as has always been required, is circumcision of the heart through faith and repentance. (Romans 4:9-12; Galatians 2:15-21)
Excellent!
DeleteYes, well done, Cajun. : )
DeleteSolid... Thanks for posting. :D
DeleteYou're welcome.
ReplyDelete