The Circumcision Of The Flesh Is Worth Nothing Without The Circumcision "Of The Heart"

 "When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son.  Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful LORD had done a wonderful thing for her, and they rejoiced with her.

When, on the eight day, they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father.  But his mother said, 'Not so; he shall be called John.'  They said to her, 'But no one in your family has that name!' and they made signs to his father for the name he wanted to give him.  Zechariah asked for a writing tablet, and wrote on it, 'His name is John;' and they were very surprised.  Immediately, Zechariah could speak again, and his first words were in praise of GOD.

A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the hill country of Judea the people talked about these events.  All who heard of it, pondered in their minds, and wondered, 'What will this child be?'  For they understood that the hand of the LORD was with him." - Luke 1:57-66 

(Circumcision, cutting of the skin called "foreskin" of the male organ, was an ancient custom of Oriental people.  It was one of those "initiation rites" which, among some people, mark the passage of an adolescent into adult society.  Circumcision was a religious rite intended to ensure fertility.

Circumcision took on a new meaning for Israel: it was considered the distinct sign of their  belonging to the chosen people.  A foreigner could enter the religious community of Israel only by being circumcised.

A married woman wears the ring her husband puts on her finger.  Something similar happens to people who enter into a community: they need a symbol of their membership in the community.  Similarly, every male descendant of Abraham must have an indelible sign of his belonging to the chosen race; this sign is circumcision.

Yet, the prophets teach that the circumcision of the flesh is worth nothing without the circumcision "of the heart,"  which means getting rid of one's vices.  The external rite is worthless if one does not live what the sign expresses.  See Jeremiah 9:24; Deuteronomy 10:16; Galatians 5:4; Philippians 3:3; Romans 2:25.

For Christians "being circumcised or not" is irrelevant.  Acts 11:3-15; 1 Corinthians 7:18; Galatians 6:15.  This particular obligation, as well as obligations regarding the Sabbath, abstention from pork, the temple sacrifices and rituals were only valid until the coming of CHRIST and only for the Jewish people: Colossians 2:11 and 2:16-22.

There is little meaning in baptizing children or receiving ashes when those doing so are indifferent to their faith.)

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