Bible Question:
what is the difference between christians in antioch and christians in jerusalem |
Bible Answer: The previous answer was good, only Paul wasn't opposed to circumcision (he circumcised Timothy who was according to first century Jewish law, a gentile), rather he was opposed to how it was being applied/used to be a mandate for inclusion into the Body of Christ. Originally, circumcision was the sign of the Promise given to Abraham, only the sign wasn't given until Abraham realized and accepted that God's promise wouldn't come about by his (Abraham's) strength, but by God's. (Abraham tried to make the promise come about by having Ishmael.) It's interesting that a covenant is given in Genesis 12, again in Genesis 15, but no sign of the covenant promise is provided. Not until Genesis 17 when God says Sarah will have a son is the sign given. It's no mistake that it's that part of the body that Abraham used to try and make God's promise come about that gets cut. Therefore, the original meaning of circumcision was to be a sign/reminder that the ultimate Promise will not come about by our deeds, strength, or works, but by God alone. By the first century the Jewish religious authority had ruled that non Israelites (non-Jews) would not have a place in the world-to-come unless they first went through ritual conversion which included 1) baptism, 2) saying the Shema (which also meant taking on the full yoke of the Law as interpreted by the Sanhedrin), 3) give (or pay for) a sacrifice at the Temple, and 4) become circumcised. Of course, making circumcision the act that earned you salvation was turning the sign on its head. The rule of the day did, however, accomplish its desired goal which was to keep the Judaism of the day pure. Paul obviously stood apposed to this understanding which placed a wall of separation between Gentile believers and Jewish believers in Jesus. (Jews can't eat with non Jews...not a good thing for a mixed community). But in relationship to Timothy, Paul did not oppose circumcision. Why? Because it removed an obvious impediment to the ministry task (hard to minister if you can't eat together or be in the same home). Also, Paul, and therefor Timothy, had a proper Biblical understanding of the meaning and purpose of the sign. It was not performed in order to earn anything, but a response of Faith that God would see to it. (Genesis 22:8) MJH |