CIRCUMCISION, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

CIRCUMCISION, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

A Theological discourse and investigation by

Archbishop Prof. Mike D.D. JP, AP.

Consultant Theologian and Anthropologist.

Circumcision which is generally defined and accepted as the removal or cutting of the foreskin of a male genital organ started in the past ages as discovered and commanded by the Almighty God for His chosen people, the nation of Israel.

Circumcision, we need to come to an understanding of the fact that it has both physical and spiritual connotations and as such it has both physical and spiritual interpretations as well.

In this discourse, an attempt is being made to X-ray circumcision in the past, in the present and even in the future, to bring humanity to the understanding of;

i.                    God’s purpose for commanding such in the time past.

ii.                  What this means today (contemporary times).

iii.                What it signifies in the future.

It must be understood that right from the inception, the demand and the command was not general; it was specific, directed and demanded from a particular set of people, a holy nation chosen by God Almighty Himself. The nation and the people of God who were to be separated unto Him – Gen. 17:23-27.

CIRCUMCISION IN THE PAST:

Physical Connotation

The fore-skin of male genitals were to be cut as commanded by God in Abrahamic Covenant with His own people as a holy nation unto Him with distinct and unique personalities to showcase the glory of God amongst other nations of the world. Circumcision was therefore a distinguished factor between God’s people and others who did not know God nor worship Him as the Living God. This is a form of separation from the people of the world.

SPIRITUAL CONNOTATION:

Spiritually too, these people of God were to be separated and consecrated unto God in holiness as at the time of this covenant with Abraham. The Advent of Christ was yet to be made manifest and God demanded blood; as the fore-skin of male genitals were removed or cut to seal the covenant with blood and thus becoming a blood covenant between God and His chosen people.

Circumcision in the past was a part of Abrahamic Covenant, which was a sign of the promised Redeemer out of the loins of Abraham and of His works for all who wished to put off the sins of the flesh and serve God as New Creatures. Since Christ came physical circumcision avails nothing – Gal. 5:6; Col. 3:11. The blood was to be a cover and shadow for the remission of sin until Christ would be made manifest.

WHY MALE CIRCUMCISION?

When we have the understanding of the mystery of God’s creation as recorded in the Bible in the creation account of humanity that He God created them male and female and yet Adam (the male) was the one revealed at that time, until Adam female (Eve) was revealed much later on, we will appreciate the fact that Adam (male) concealed and incubated the Adam (female) who was later revealed as God brought her out of the Adam male.

The blood covenant was perfected by God with the male who incubated the female makes both the incubator and the one incubated holy and acceptable unto God.

Circumcision in the past was to make God’s covenant people unique unto Him, different from other people in the world and separated unto Him alone.  Circumcision in the past is pointing to the circumcision of the present and as well as that of future.

CIRCUMCISION IN THE PRESENT :

Christian circumcision is circumcision today, is in the heart/mind or spirit and not in the flesh – Rom. 2:28-29; 1 Cor. 7:19; Phil. 3:3; Col. 2:11.

Christ Advent brought to a close the physical removal of the fore-skin of male genitals and instituted another form and higher circumcision known as the “circumcision of the heart or mind and spirit of a Christian.

Although, almost all nations and people of the world had accepted physical circumcision for hygiene purposes, Christ institution of a new order was a shift in paradigm. God is still interested that His own people in the Church Age be consecrated to Him holy and without spot and wrinkle, but Christ blood offered to humanity was superior to the ordinary blood of human being or that of animal.

God’s commandment and desire at this time is that the mind and heart of every Christian be circumcised by the Spirit of the Living God to make modern man unique and acceptable unto God as covenant people of His. We need to come to the understanding that God hath remained constantly constant in His covenant, desires and commands but He can never be stareotory  and thus in different ages, the unchanging changer brings into play paradigm shift.

People were circumcised unto Him in the time past, people are being circumcised unto Him unto Him presently and He will finally be circumcised away from His enemies in the eternal future.

CIRCUMCISION IN THE FUTURE:

God, who is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever, has always demonstrated Himself a constant God and so shall He remain.

In the future, God at the Second Advent of Christ after the Millennium Reign, will re-establish the eternal Kingdom in eternity future and circumcised Himself from His enemies (the uncircumcised wicked people and powers), before sending them to the lake of fire. Praise God!

NB:      Covenant people in the eternity past were commanded to be circumcised unto God. Christ came by His Advent – was circumcised unto God the Father, and He instituted  circumcision of the heart, mind, soul and spirit in the Church Age time.

             God Himself, will perfect the covenant and circumcision, as He will be circumcised form His enemies

             Circumcising yourself from this world, as you are not of this world and you are therefore commanded to come out of them by the Almighty God –

The message issued in the past is still the message for us in the contemporary times.

“Circumcise yourself from them (the world),”

“Come out of them (the world)” and

Be consecrated and separated unto God alone.

2 cor. 6:17

Just as the Almighty God commanded the people of the nation of Israel to be circumcised from the world unto Him alone in consecration and holiness in the time past (eternity past), God is presently asking His own people today to be circumcised from the world by His Spirit and be consecrated unto Him alone in holiness.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE TO BE CIRCUMCISED FROM OR GET OUT FROM AS WE ARE NOT PART OF THE WORLD?

1.     The practice of the people of the world that is not attuned to God Almighty.

2.     The world systems.

3.     The pleasures of this world.

4.     The pollution of this world.

5.     The contamination of this world.

6.     The deception of this world.

7.     The sins of the people of this age.

8.     The corruption of this world and age.

9.     The falsehood of this age.

10.                        The practices of this age.

11.                        The perversion of the world etc.

Archbishop Prof. Mike D.D. JP, AP.

Consultant Theologian and Anthropologist.