Flesh, Heart, and Water
Circumcision versus Baptism
Colossians 2:11-12 When you came to Messiah, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Messiah performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature: {by what method did He do that?} For you were buried with Messiah when you were baptized{by immersion}. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.
- See also "Circumcision of the Heart" => https://sidnash.org/docs/HeartCircumcision.html
- It seems that Paul indicates that, after the cross, physical circumcision was replaced by baptism. But, is that true? let's continue...
- Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Messiah, and it is no longer I who live, but Messiah lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.
1 Peter 3:21 This{the saving of 8 souls from the flood} is a symbol of immersion, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus the Messiah,
- Is "the putting away of the filth of the flesh" a reference to circumcision? Possibly, but likely a reference to the ceremonial cleansing so prevalent in the former ceremonies given to Israel in the past.
- Exodus 19:10-14 : Before Mount Sinai, the Israelites are instructed to wash their clothes and be clean, preparing them for the encounter with God.
- Leviticus 8:6 : Aaron and his sons are washed with water as part of their consecration ritual.
- Leviticus 14:8-9 : The ritual for cleansing a leper involves washing in water, shaving, and offering sacrifices.
- Numbers 19:1-10 : The ritual for the red heifer involves the ashes being mixed with water to create a cleansing solution for those who have come into contact with a dead body.
These passages demonstrate that ritual washings and cleansings were an integral part of Israel's worship and purification practices.
In addition, there are several Old Testament passages that use the imagery of washing or cleansing to describe spiritual purification:
- Psalm 51:2 : David prays for God to "wash me thoroughly from my iniquity" and "cleanse me from my sin."
- Isaiah 1:16 : God commands the Israelites to "wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes."
- Ezekiel 36:25 : God promises to "sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols."
These passages use the imagery of washing and cleansing to describe spiritual purification, laying the groundwork for the New Testament concept of baptism as a symbol of spiritual cleansing and rebirth.
Galatians 3:27-29 And all who have been united with Messiah in baptism have put on Messiah, like putting on new clothes. 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Messiah Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Messiah, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.
- Regarding being "one in Messiah", see John 17:11-24.
- Believers are said to be "baptized into Messiah" and have "put on Messiah," indicating that baptism is a spiritual act of identification with Messiah.
Romans 2:25-29 The ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it. 28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
- Paul writes that physical circumcision is not what matters, but rather the circumcision of the heart. He states that a person's spiritual state, not their physical condition, is what truly counts.
Galatians 5:6 For in Messiah Yeshua neither circumcision nor uncircumcision amounts to anything, but faith working through love.
Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Messiah Yeshua, and have no confidence in the flesh;
- So who are the circumcision? Those who =>
- worship God in the Spirit
- rejoice in Messiah Yeshua
- have no confidence in the flesh
Desiring to live by every word that comes from the mouth of Jehovah ( Deut8:3; Matt4:4 )
-Sid Nash: 11/22/2025. Latest version: