NEW COVENANT CIRCUMCISION

The concept of circumcision has been a part of human culture and religious practices for thousands of years, particularly within the context of Hebrew-Roots, Judaism and Christianity. At its core, circumcision is a physical act that involves the removal of the foreskin from the male reproductive organ. In the Scriptural narrative, circumcision was first introduced as a sign of the Covenant between Alahim and Abraham, marking the beginning of a long history that intertwines with the faith of Israel.

Within Christianity, the necessity of circumcision for believers has been a topic of heated debate. Some argue that it remains a required practice under the New Covenant, citing certain Scriptural passages that they believe mandate its continuation. On the other hand, many contend that with the coming of Messiah and the establishment of the New Covenant, physical circumcision is no longer a requirement for deliverance.

This difference in belief stems from varying interpretations of Scripture. For instance, Paul wrote extensively on the subject, arguing that true circumcision is a spiritual one, not a physical act, emphasising that what matters is the circumcision of the heart (a divine heart operation) ... a concept rooted way back in Deuteronomy and also echoed in the New Covenant.

The contention surrounding circumcision today largely revolves around Understanding the New Covenant. Some see it as a fulfilment and continuation of the Old Covenant practices, while others view it as a significant departure, rendering previous physical rituals obsolete. Understanding the spiritual perspective though allows believers to see that Yahusha's intention behind the New Covenant is to establish a direct, personal relationship with each individual, not to continue a physical practice as a prerequisite for belief.

The Rite of Circumcision

The first thing we consider is the `rite of circumcision’. Although in these days, it is not such an issue, it very much was in the Early Assembly. Great religious significance was attached to it. In ACTS 15 the Great Jerusalem Council met together over this very matter. Many from Judah had followed Paul and caused great confusion among the Gentile Assemblies, by saying that the Gentiles could not be delivered, except they were circumcised after the manner of Moses. They also taught them to keep the Law of Moses as writ! The Assembly in Galatia were especially bewitched by these Religious Teachers of the Old Covenant Law. In his letter, Paul had to deal with the matter of circumcision.

(GAL 5:1-11 & 6:12-15).

The issue (as will be seen) is Great Covenantal Confusion, and the answer (of course) is found in the Torture Stake of our Master Yahusha Messiah.

COVENANT GIVEN TO ABRAHAM

In Genesis 17 we have the details of the rite of circumcision as given to Abraham. In fact, Stephen, in his speech before the Sanhedrin (ACTS 7:8) spoke of it as "the covenant of circumcision" . So we consider the important details of this Covenant of Circumcision from the Book of Genesis. 

GENESIS 17 (BRS)

(ABOUT 15 YRS PRIOR YAHUAH ESTABLISHED HIS FIRST COVENANT WITH ABRAM BY CUTTING UP SEVERAL ANIMALS AND HE HIMSELF PASSING THROUGH THEM LIKE A BURNING TORCH WHILE ABRAM WAS IN A DEEP SLEEP!)

Thirteen years after the birth of Ishmael, Yahuah Alahim appeared to Abram once again saying, “I'm Yahuah Al Shaddai (STRONG SUFFICIENT ALAHIM OF THE MOUNTAIN), come walk before Me and behave perfectly. I'm raising up My Blood-Covenant with you again son, and no longer will you be known as Abram (EXALTED FATHER), for I’m changing your name to Abraham (FATHER OF MANY). Now it’s time to begin increasing your family so that you become the father of nations. Yes, Kings and Priests shall come from your loins and My Blood Covenant of Deliverance will be for all of their generations too, for I'm giving your descendants all of this land of Canaan as an eternal inheritance and I'll reign over all of them, blessing and protecting them”.

And after changing Abram’s name, Yahuah refreshed His Blood-Covenant with Abraham saying, “This Blood-Covenant between Me and you has terms now Abraham and involves the seed from your loins, and so ANIMAL BLOOD WILL NOT SEAL THE DEAL HERE, for this is far too important, so much so, that you and all the men in your household, (whether slave or free) are to circumcise the flesh of their foreskins and BE PARTAKERS IN THIS SHEDDING OF BLOOD AS A SIGN OF MY BLOOD COVENANT WITH YOU. Every male child born into your household is to be circumcised after 8 days, for any male found in your household that is not showing this SIGN of My Blood-Covenant in their flesh will be cut off for being disobedient. Indeed all the nations that are produced from your circumcised flesh shall be born into My Blood Covenant of Deliverance. It is your responsibility to Guard My Instructions and My Covenant Abraham, behave perfectly and do not call your wife Sarai anymore, for she is to be raised up and restored in this Covenant too and you will now call her Sarah (PRINCESS) for I'm about to bless her with a son, yes, she will give you a son Abraham and Kings and Priests will come from her body.”

And Abraham fell on his face and cracked-up laughing, saying to himself “How on earth will a child be born to me when I’m 99 years old, or Sarah who is 90?” And Abraham said to Yahuah, “That’s crazy-talk, just let my son Ishmael carry this promise for You, we’re way too old to have a child now”. But Yahuah said “No Abraham, your wife Sarah is to have a son and you will call him Isaac and I will continue My Blood Covenant with him and with his descendants. And don’t worry about your son Ishmael, for I have heard your request and I know you love him very much, so I will bless him also and he will be a mighty nation, bringing forth 12 princes. However I will continue to establish My Blood-Covenant of deliverance through Isaac, who Sarah will give birth to next year”. And after Yahuah had finished speaking, Abraham immediately took his 13 year old son

Ishmael and all of the males in his household, (both slave and free) and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very day, sealing them all through their bloodshed in the Blood-Covenant, just as Yahuah had commanded, for indeed this Blood-Covenant of Deliverance and Relationship (ONCE SEALED WITH ANIMAL BLOOD TO AN UNCIRCUMCISED ADAM, NOAH AND ABRAM etc) was now made alive through the cutting away and shed blood of Abraham’s own flesh as the mediator, for his behaviour and obedience pleased Yahuah greatly in his generation.

ABRAM’S COVENANT INVOLVED THE BLOOD OF ANIMALS BUT ABRAHAM’S NEW REFRESHED COVENANT INVOLVED MANKIND’S OWN BLOOD (FROM THEIR FORESKINS). REMEMBER ALAHIM'S EARS ARE DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE DIVINE `LIFE-FREQUENCY' OF MANKIND'S BLOOD - MAKING THE SHEDDING OF IT A FAR MORE POWERFUL `BRIDGING OF RELATIONSHIP' THAN MERE ANIMAL BLOOD ... FOR SACRIFICE = INTIMACY AND LOVE TO OUR ALAHIM.

REMEMBER THAT STANDARD COVENANT-PROTOCOL REQUIRED SHEDDING OF BLOOD (TYPICALLY ANIMAL BLOOD) AND THE CUTTING OF FLESH  (TYPICALLY ANIMAL FLESH) AND THE SEPARATING OF THAT CUT-UP FLESH INTO TWO GROUPS. HERE, WITH CIRCUMCISION, THE COVENANT PROCEDURE OCCURRED USING THE MALE BODY AS THE SACRIFICIAL FLESH - THE FLESH WAS CUT, BLOOD SHED, AND THE CUT-UP FLESH SEPARATED; ONE PART BURIED IN THE GROUND, THE OTHER REMAINING ON THE BODY. QUITE LITERALLY, ABRAHAM AND HIS MALE DESCENDANTS WORE THE COVENANT, AND WERE THE COVENANT.

THE PENALTY FOR REFUSING THE CIRCUMCISION COVENANT WAS STERN: YOU WERE TO BE CUT-OFF FROM YOUR PEOPLE. THIS WAS BOTH SPIRITUAL AND LITERAL. WHEN A MALE DESCENDANT OF ABRAHAM REFUSED THE CIRCUMCISION, OR WHEN A PARENT REFUSED TO HAVE THEIR BOY-CHILD CIRCUMCISED ON THE 8TH DAY AFTER BIRTH, THEY WERE PHYSICALLY SEPARATED FROM THE CLAN, AND THEY WERE SPIRITUALLY SEPARATED FROM YAHUAH. THEY WERE NO LONGER HEBREWS AND COULD CLAIM NO RIGHT TO ANY OF YAHUAH’S PROMISES.

THIS IS WHY PAUL EXPLAINED THAT WHAT ALAHIM REALLY WANTED WAS CIRCUMCISED HEARTS, NOT CIRCUMCISED FLESH. HE WANTS OUR HEARTS TO ACCEPT AND WEAR THE BLOOD-COVENANT THAT CAME TO US AT SO GREAT A PRICE (YAHUSHA'S BLOOD). AT OUR SPIRIT BAPTISM, OUR HEARTS ARE CIRCUMCISED AND WE ARE VERY LITERALLY ACCEPTING ALAHIM'S BLOOD-COVENANT PROTOCOL UPON OURSELVES. AND NOW WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE SAME POSITION AS ABRAHAM: EITHER WE ARE CIRCUMCISED BY ACCEPTING THE NEW COVENANT WHICH IS THE BLOOD OF YAHUSHA, OR WE REFUSE IT. IF WE ACCEPT IT, WE ARE ACCEPTED AS PART OF HIS BRIDE. IF WE REFUSE, WE ARE CUT-OFF……SEPARATED…..

So by these comments we see how important the Rite of Circumcision was. No one was entitled to the promises or privileges in the Abrahamic Covenant without being circumcised. They were cut off from the people of Alahim. No circumcision meant they had broken the Covenant or were not in Covenantal Relationship with the one true, living Alahim. So Circumcision had great spiritual and Covenantal significance. From this time on (and in due time) all nations would be divided into two ethnic groupings; the chosen Nation of Israel, and all other outside nations or goyim, (what we’d call Gentiles). Paul specifies these two ethnic groupings as the 'circumcision' and the 'uncircumcised' in his day (Jews and Gentiles).

(EPHESIANS 2:11-12 and GALATIANS 2:7-9)

Three things were involved in the Rite of Circumcision:

1. The cutting off of the foreskin flesh of the male reproductive organ and the

shedding of blood because of it, by reason of the instrument used.

2. The rite took place on the eighth day after the male child's birth.

3. The naming of the child also took place at this time.

These things had great significance in the mind of Alahim (even if the sons of Abraham did not fully understand them). When the threefold act of circumcision was accomplished, the child was officially in Covenantal Relationship with Yahuah Alahim, and other circumcised seed, and an heir to the promises and privileges of the Abrahamic Covenant. Life is in the blood and comes from the seed (sperm) of man, which would now pass through the covenant-cut and blood-sealed phallus into the womb of a woman, thus multiplying the nation and the promise given to Abraham.

So important was this rite that Yahuah sought to kill Moses (even after calling him) for he had failed to bring his own sons into Covenant Relationship. And later Moses even said that he was "a man of uncircumcised lips", revealing (again) more of the true fulfilled nature of circumcision in relation to NEW HEARTS & BEHAVIOUR!

COVENANT GIVEN TO MOSES

In EXODUS 12, Yahuah charged Moses concerning the keeping of the Feast of Passover. No Israelite and no stranger among them could eat of the Passover unless they were circumcised, meaning they were in Covenant. It should be recognised that circumcision was originally given to Abraham, not Moses. Circumcision was way before Moses but certainly re-established and confirmed under Moses after the Exodus. That token or sign of the Abrahamic Covenant was incorporated and continued on into the Mosaic Covenant. (LEVITICUS 12:1-4)

The Jews in Yahusha’s time almost overlooked this fact and even exalted circumcision as originating with Moses rather than origination with Abraham by Yahuah. Yahusha reminded them of this in JOHN 7:22-23 "Moses therefore gave you circumcision; not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers... (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob)". The problem in Acts 15 is the same because the Religious Teachers tried to make the Gentile Believers go through the Rite of Circumcision, in keeping with the Law of Moses in order to be delivered!

The Galatian Assembly experienced the same trouble over the matter of circumcision (GAL 2:7-9, 5:2-6, 6:12-16) and this is what Peter and Paul had to settle in Jerusalem. However, under Old Covenant times, Gentiles, who became proselytes to the faith (which just means they converted and joined into the Covenant of Israel) … they certainly underwent the external Rite of Circumcision. Some did this voluntarily and  others were forced to do so in unscrupulous manner, thus making the Rite of Circumcision a distorted and despised thing. The tragic thing is seen in the fact that Israel and Judah missed the whole spiritual truth and experience of circumcision while holding on to the physical fact and external ritual-experience of the rite.

B. Yahusha's New Covenant

What then becomes of circumcision under Yahusha’s New Covenant? Does it continue on from Abraham into Moses and now on into the New Covenant? The answer is 1000% in the negative. Circumcision is fulfilled in Yahusha, taken to the Torture Stake and there finished and fulfilled regarding its physical-religious external fleshly value and acceptance for righteousness. However, in the Torture Stake something truly marvellous occurs, for this Rite of Circumcision takes on its proper, true and spiritual significance, which ACTUALLY MAKES IT EVERLASTING (as promised to Abraham). For the physical, fleshly, temporal aspects passed away, while the spiritual alone is eternal, and can never pass away. Let’s see why these things are so :

1. The Circumcision of Yahusha 

(LUKE 2: 21-24)

Yahusha (as a babe) physically experienced the Rite of Circumcision on the eighth day when He was named according to the Angel's Word before His birth. Paul said that any man who was circumcised was debtor to do the whole Torah-Law (GAL 5:3). So when Yahusha (born under the Old Covenant) was circumcised, He was committed as a debtor to do the whole Torah-Law and this He did. He came and was born under the Law, in order to redeem them that were also under the law (GAL 4:4-5). But His physical circumcision pointed to a greater "circumcision" yet to come.

2. The Circumcision of the Stake 

(COLOSSIANS 2:11-17)

There is no doubt about that which took place relative to the Torture Stake, for it was the greater "circumcision" which Yahusha experienced. For there He was "cut off' for our sins. In Colossians Paul speaks of it as "the circumcision of Messiah”, and he is not talking about that physical circumcision of Messiah (as the babe of eight days old). No, he’s talking about Yahusha’s body of flesh that was broken for our sins, and His perfect divine blood that was shed for our forgiveness (ISAIAH 53:1-12). And after three days and three nights He raised from the dead. His resurrection took place at the end of the 7th Day Sabbath, in the early morning hours of the 8th Day.

Yes He technically arose late at night as the eighth day begun, ushering in a New Week. And after a short post-resurrection ministry He was ascended on high and exalted to receive a New Name, Yahusha Alahim. So Circumcision in relation to Yahusha Messiah was fulfilled both physically and redemptively, as illustrated right here:

The physical/fleshly rite of circumcision (as to its New Covenantal value) was fulfilled and finished at the Torture Stake of Yahusha Messiah, for at the stake circumcision moves into the higher and spiritual level of experience. This is seen in the revelation given in both Old and New Covenants.

3. The Circumcision of the Believer

The true and spiritual meaning of circumcision is that OF THE HEART! Writings under both Old and New Covenants affirm this truth. The Jews hung on to the physical aspect and missed the spiritual aspect. They tried to impose the physical fleshly ordinance onto the Gentiles, glorying in the flesh and not in the spirit. Let us consider the important Scriptures concerning this in Old and New Covenant times.

(a) THE OLD COVENANT

In DEUT 10:16 Yahuah told Israel to "circumcise therefore the skin of your hearts” and be no more “stiff-necked”. He promised in DEUT 30:6 & LEV 26:41 that He would "circumcise your heart and the heart of your seed, to love Yahuah your Alahim with all your heart, and with all your being, that you may live”.

In JER 32:39 and EZ 11:16 & 36:26 such great prophetic words were given to those already circumcised in the flesh. Yahuah lamented (through Jeremiah) that Judah was "uncircumcised in heart" though already circumcised in the flesh, and that He would punish both “the uncircumcised with the circumcised”. The circumcision in the flesh was of course Judah (or the Jews). The uncircumcised were Egypt, Edom, Ammon and Moab. Yet Yahuah saw the heart (JER 9:25-26). So when we look into Alahim’s mind through His Words, we see that both Jews and Gentiles were all uncircumcised before Yahuah: one in the flesh and the other in the heart.

(b) THE NEW COVENANT

Paul is the one who gives the fullest and clearest interpretation of the "circumcision of the heart" for the New Covenant times. CIRCUMCISION BECOMES UNCIRCUMCISION IF THE JEW FAILS TO KEEP THE LAW, WHILE UNCIRCUMCISION BECOMES CIRCUMCISION FOR A GENTILE IF HE KEEPS THE ROYAL LAWS OF LOVE (BEING A FULFILMENT OF ALL TORAH & PROPHETS). A Jew is not one outwardly by circumcision of the flesh. In ROMANS 2:24-29, Paul states that a Jew is one inwardly by that circumcision of the heart, and in ROMANS 4:9-12, Paul shows that Abraham is the father of all who believe, whether circumcision or uncircumcision. But How?

Because Abraham “BELIEVED ALAHIM” while he was still uncircumcised, or still a gentile (physically) yet his heart had already received and believed the first part of the Covenant give to him by Yahuah Alahim. Then over 13 years later he received the sign and seal of circumcision because he believed and trusted Yahuah’s Words. And his TRUSTING BELIEF was attributed to him as righteousness. THE ISSUE IS THE HEART BELIEF - NOT THE FLESHLY CIRCUMCISION !!!

So, whether Jew or Gentile (circumcised or uncircumcised) - if they believe, they become the SEED OF ABRAHAM (THROUGH YAHUSHA'S BLOOD) for the issue is the trusting belief, not the physical circumcision or uncircumcision. "All those who are in Yahusha are the seed of Abraham", and inherit the promises given to Abraham through Yahusha Messiah and His work on the Torture Stake. It's all about His NEW COVENANT DIVINE BLOOD, not the Old Covenant animal and foreskin blood, which (we can see in retrospect) was merely a shadow and could never truly deliver a person and give them eternal life.

To the Galatian believers, Paul writes that "CIRCUMCISION PROFITS NOTHING". If a man is circumcised, he is debtor to do the whole law or comes under the curse of the law. He says in GAL 5 that "in Messiah Yahusha neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but belief that works by love”. He tells them to stand fast in the liberty and freedom wherewith Yahusha has made them free. He rebukes those religious jewish teachers who glorified the flesh. They did not keep the law themselves, yet tried to enforce circumcision on the believing Gentiles, coming into Yahusha’s Reign. He reiterates again in GAL 6:12 that “In Yahusha neither circumcision avails anything, not uncircumcision, but a NEW CREATURE”. As many as walk by this rule, peace on them.  

Peter was recognised as the Disciple to the Jews (the Circumcision) and Paul was the Disciple of the Gentiles (the Uncircumcision). Both Peter and Paul came to the recognition that neither state mattered to Yahusha. It was the circumcision of the heart that counted. To the PHIL 3 Paul writes, "For we are the circumcision who worship Alahim in the spirit, and rejoice in Messiah Yahusha, and have no confidence in the flesh!” He warns them of the Judaizing Religious “dogs", "evil workers" and "the concision.”

Paul writes to them as a circumcised man, yet realises that there is no spiritual value in such before Yahusha, and that one is not counted righteous or delivered by this physical act. And again, even though Paul had Timothy circumcised (because of the Jews) he would not consent to having Titus circumcised. It seems that Paul did this with the idea of becoming all things to all men that he might win some - not because he believed in the practice any longer.

In Colossians PAUL LINKS CIRCUMCISION WITH THE IDEA OF BAPTISM for the believer as well as the work of the Torture Stake. The believer is circumcised with a circumcision "made without hands", because it is an operation of Yahusha Alahim by the Spirit upon the heart. The body of the sins of the flesh is put off by the circumcision of Yahusha - that is, by the cutting off on the Torture Stake and the shedding of His precious blood.

So COMBINING THE SHADOWS OF CIRCUMCISION AND BAPTISM, we see what John the Baptism said regarding the type of immersion/baptism required. “I baptise you in water” he said, “but the One coming after me, whose sandle-straps I’m not even worthy to tie …  He will baptise you in Spirit and in Fire!" So in Yahusha’s New Covenant Baptism of Spirit & Fire, we are buried with Him in Spirit and then risen with Him through trusting-belief in the operation of His deliverance Vein ... what ?

In other words; WHEN YAHUSHA REVEALS HIMSELF TO US AND WE SEE WHO HE IS AND HOW WE HAVE LIVED BEFORE HIM ALL OUR LIVES … WE REPENT, AND WE ARE CUT ... NOT TO THE FLESH, BUT CUT TO THE HEART, PIERCED, SHATTERED, BROKEN, SEVERED, DESPERATE AND SORRY.

WE DO NOT ENTER AN OLD FLESHLY COVENANT THROUGH FLESHLY CIRCUMCISION… NO! WE ENTER A NEW COVENANT THROUGH A SPIRITUAL CIRCUMCISION NOT MADE WITH HANDS. A CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART IS NEEDED - FOR THIS IS A HEART ISSUE, A HEART CONDITION. WE HAVE ALL BEEN BORN WITH A CORRUPT SEED IN OUR HEART WHICH HAS RUINED AND SHAPED OUR WHOLE LIVES, SO IN ORDER TO BE TRULY DELIVERED WE NEED THAT CORRUPT SEED (AND THE WICKED HEART IT RESIDES IN) TO BE CUT OUT (CIRCUMCISED) WHEREBY WE RECEIVE A NEW HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT IN ORDER ACCESS THE NEW REIGN OF YAHUSHA’S KINGDOM.

THROUGH OUR BELIEF IN THE WORK OF YAHUSHA’S DEATH ON THE TORTURE STAKE, WE PARTAKE OF HIM, WE ENTER HIS BODY AND BLOOD, BEYOND THE VEIL, AS HE IS THE NARROW GATE FOR THE SHEEP TO ENTER FOR LIFE. AND WHEN WE ENTER THIS VEIN, WE BECOME A NEW CREATURE AND (JUST AS YAHUSHA WALKED) WE TOO ARE TAKEN THROUGH A PROCESS OF SUFFERING, DEATH OF OUR FLESHLY SELF (AND THE SPIRIT WITHIN THAT CONTROLS US)… AND WHEN WE ARE DEAD, BURIED AND SOLD OVER TO YAHUSHA, HE RESURRECTS US, TRANSFORMING US THROUGH HIS NEW COVENANT CIRCUMCISION. IT IS OF THE HEART, IN THE SPIRIT AND NOT IN THE FLESH OR THE LETTER.

Therefore in conclusion, all the heritage, adoption and intimate Covenant Relationship given to Abraham’s Family through Circumcision is transformed in Yahusha Alahim’s work on the Torture Stake and finds it’s spiritual fulfilment in the Narrow Gate/Vein of deliverance whereby man and women can become NEW CREATURES to behave His Royal Love Laws and Fruits of Righteousness.

For these behaviours are the true sign and seal and proof of our deliverance. When people see the change and feel the love - they will know Yahusha in us! This work is done in the spirit, for the flesh profits nothing. Therefore "All in Yahusha Alahim are the seed of Abraham through the promise, and there is no longer Jew nor Greek, circumcision nor uncircumcision, slave nor free, but Messiah is all and in all". It is all because of His life, His Body and His blood that we can know Him and be delivered … nothing we can do in our fleshly heritage or frail human existence.

THE TRUE SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE OF SPIRIT AND FIRE BAPTISM IS THE NEW COVENANT CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART: A DIVINE HEART OPERATION! IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT BOTH "THE UNCIRCUMCISED IN HEART, AND THE UNCIRCUMCISED IN FLESH" (IN EZEKIEL'S TEMPLE VISION) HAD TO PASS THROUGH THE TORTURE STAKE AND BE TRANSITIONED INTO SPIRITUAL REALITY. SO EVER SINCE THE TORTURE STAKE OF YAHUSHA ALAHIM, IT IS ONLY THE SPIRITUAL CIRCUMCISION IN THE HEART, THAT FULFILS THE ‘EVERLASTING COVENANT’ OF CIRCUMCISION MADE TO ABRAHAM. THE STAKE TRULY IS THE KEY TO COMING OUT OF COVENANTAL CONFUSION,  BOTH THEN AND TODAY !