THE RITE OF CIRCUMCISION

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

Circumcision is a minor operation, prescribed by GOD to Abraham, and is required to be performed on every male child. In the beginning of the chapter dealing with circumcision, GOD declared to Abraham, "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou wholehearted" (Gen. 17:1). Our sages teach us that circumcision is the way in which the Covenant child expresses his "wholehearted" faith in GOD. Our sages also say that the Mitzvah (Commandment) of circumcision is equal to all the other Mitzvot (Commandments) of the Torah because it furnishes the evidence of our commitment to all the rest. We are also told that heaven and earth only exist in the merit of the special act of circumcision (Talmud, Nedarim 32a).

Brit Milah, or the "Covenant of Circumcision" refers to the agreement GOD made with Abraham and his descendants for all generations, as an outward sign of which Abraham performed the ceremony of circumcision, first upon himself and then upon his sons and male servants.

Abraham was 99years old when he circumcised himself following the Covenant with GOD, and his Son, Ishmael was 13years old at the time of Abraham's Covenant with GOD. Therefore, Abraham circumcised him when he was 13years old. He also circumcised all the male members of his household as required by GOD. The text says: "And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham\'s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him. And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son. And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him" (Gen. 17:23-27). Isaac was not born as yet at the time. It was only after Abraham's circumcision that GOD sent His angels to inform Abraham that his wife Sarah would give birth to Isaac who was going to be the heir to the promise which GOD made to Abraham.

The act of circumcision consists of three parts namely,

• The cutting of the foreskin of the male genital

• A sub-incision of the remaining skin, which is folded back that it may not grow over the glans, and

• The sucking or wiping off of the blood.

The religion of Israel by tradition, is paternalistic. There was always greater joy at the birth of a boy than at the birth of a girl. The male studied Torah, ascended to it in public, and joined with other male members to form a congregation. The son bore the seal of the covenant.

Chapter 2: A FATHER'S RESPONSIBILITY

Circumcision is a Mitzvah (Commandment) and the duty of entering a son into the Covenant rests upon the father. During Biblical times, circumcision would ordinarily be performed by the father of the child, although there is one case where even a mother undertook this operation. That was in regard to the son of Moses, for the text says: "And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision" (Ex. 4:24-26). The same is true of the Maccabean period when circumcision was prohibited on penalty of death, and Jewish mothers risked their lives for the Mitzvah (2 Macccabees 6:10).

If a father fails to enter his son into the Covenant on the eighth day of life, it becomes the son's responsibility to enter into the Covenant when he grows up.

Today, circumcision is performed, not by a father, but by a circumciser trained for the purpose. He is called a Mohel, an observant Jew and somebody learned in the Torah. He is essentially the father's delegate to perform the rite.

In Rabbinic Judaism, is part of the conversion process for a male converting to Judaism. In the event that the prospective convert is already circumcised, a symbolic drop of blood is drawn, called hatafat dam brit. This also happens where one may have been circumcised on the eighth day medically (and not by a Mohel) but the proper blessings were not recited. In Jewish law, it is the operation of the Mohel that gives the circumcision the stamp of holiness. A doctor can carry out a good surgical operation, but only a qualified Mohel can perform it according to Jewish law.

The baby is named immediately after his circumcision operation, to remind us of how GOD changed Abram's name to Abraham following Abraham's circumcision.

After the naming of the child, reception follows, usually consisting of refreshments and other forms of rejoicing.

As a result of this double ceremony -- the circumcision and naming -- the child establishes his identity as a Covenant child in the following two ways:

• Physically, through the circumcision operation, and,

• Spiritually, because as a result of the circumcision, he is expected to become a wholehearted with GOD as was the patriarch Abraham.

The rite is usually performed during the morning, as a reminder of the fact that Abraham got up early in the morning in order to obey GOD's commandment.

Chapter 3: BLESSING SAID BY THE OFFICIANT BEFORE THE CIRCUMCISION

Baruch atah Adonai Elohaynu melech ha'olam asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav ve'tzivanu al ha'milah

Blessed are You, Adonai our GOD, Sovereign of the universe, who made us holy through mitzvot and instructed us concerning circumcision.

Chapter 4: BLESSING SAID BY THE FATHER AND MOTHER AFTER THE CIRCUMCISION

Baruch atah Adonai Elohaynu melech ha'olam asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav ve'tzivanu le'hachniso be'vrito shel Abraham Avinu.

Blessed are You, Adonai our GOD, Sovereign of the universe, who made us holy through mitzvot and instructed us to bring our son into the covenant of Abraham our father.

Chapter 5: RESPONSE BY ALL THOSE PRESENT

Keshem she'nichnas labrit keen yikanes le'torah ule'chuppah ule'ma'asim tovim.

As he has entered the covenant, so too may he enter a life of Torah, marriage, and good deeds.

Chapter 6: IT IS AN EIGHTH DAY COVENANT

Since the eighth day was the time specified by GOD to Abraham (Gen. 17:12), circumcision must be performed exactly on the eighth day after birth. It is a Commandment (Mitzvah) of GOD, and it is to be performed on the male child on the eighth day, and not earlier or later. The eighth day is counted from birth. For instance, if a male child is born on a Monday during the daytime, even in the afternoon, the circumcision is held on the Monday a week later, and in the morning. If the child is born on a Monday after nightfall, the circumcision takes place on Tuesday of the following week.

To underscore the importance and significance of the eighth day, If the eighth day falls on a Shabbat or other holy days, even on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the circumcision is performed. According to our sages, "Great is circumcision that it supersedes the stringent Shabbat" (Talmud, Nedarim 31a). Here is what the Scriptures say: "And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed" (Lev. 17:9-12). This Covenant was extended to the people and entrenched in the Law and it is written: "If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised" (Lev. 12:2-3).

According to Rabbinic law, a child is born Jewish only if he or she is born of a mother who either has been born Jewish, or has been converted to Judaism. The Covenant of circumcision goes beyond literal Jewishness, for the text says: "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ\'s, then are ye Abraham\'s seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:26-29).

Yahshua made an allusion to circumcision on the Shabbat day, for the text says: "Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the Sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the Sabbath day receive circumcision, that the Law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the Sabbath day?" (Jn. 7:22-23).

Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born and Isaac was the first to be circumcised on the eighth day of life, for the text says: "And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him" (Gen. 21:3-5).

The Bible records that Yahshua was circumcised on the eighth day of his life on earth, for the text says: "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS (Yahshua), which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb" (Lk. 2:21).

Likewise the Apostle Paul was circumcised on the eighth day of his life, for the text says: "Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee" (Phil. 3:4-5).

Chapter 7: WHY EIGHTH DAY?

No reason is assigned by GOD for the requirement of circumcision of a male child on the eighth day of his birth. However, by waiting until the eighth day, the child goes through a full week of good health. What is more, the clotting factor is much improved by that time.

However, it is said that while the natural world is represented by the number "seven" (seven heavens, seven days of the week, seven weeks of counting the omer, seven years of the shemittah \[Sabbatical years\] cycle, and seven shemittot of Yovel), "eight" represents the suprarational and the infinite, that which is beyond the natural order of this world. "Eight signifies a leap beyond the logical. As much as we study and internalize the beautiful significance of Brit Milah, it remains beyond our understanding. Indeed, it expresses the bond that we have with GOD, which transcends the human mind. Through placing a sign of our bond to GOD at the place of human reproduction, we make the act of procreation into something sacred, spiritual, and special -- beyond the natural. This is one reason that Brit is held on the eighth day. Seven signifies the rational, natural order of things (seven heavens, seven days of the week etc). Eight is the leap beyond the limits of our world, and a peek into the infinite" (Menachem Posner, "Twenty Facts about Jewish Circumcision").

Chapter 8: SUSPENSION OF THE EIGHTH DAY COVENANT

According to Jewish law, extreme care should be taken not to circumcise an infant who is ailing, as the fulfillment of all precepts must be postponed if there be danger to life. The circumciser should therefore examine the child to ascertain if he is healthy. If he suspects that the bilirubin count is high or sees any other cause for concern, the circumcision is delayed until it is certain that no health risk is involved. His mother should likewise be careful to notify the circumciser in case she observes some weakness in the infant. In Jewish law, circumcision can be performed later than the time appointed by Law, but the soul of an Israelite once sacrificed can never be restored (Yore Deah, cclxii and cclxiii).

As soon as the child is healthy enough for the circumcision, it is forbidden to delay the performance of this precept for any reason, e.g., to gain time for providing for the circumcision feast, or the like. When circumcision is delayed on health grounds, it is no longer to be performed on the Shabbat, Yom Kippur or Feast day.

Chapter 9: CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART

Circumcision is an everlasting sign of the Covenant child's indelible connection to GOD, requiring the flesh of the foreskin to be removed as evidence of the seal of the Covenant, for the text says: "He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant" (Gen. 17:13-14).

The Torah of GOD speaks also of circumcision of the heart. The text says: "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward" (Deut. 10:16-17).

The text says: "And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live" (Deut. 30:6).

The text says: "And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity" (Lev, 26:41).

The text says: "Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings" (Jer. 4:4).

The text says: "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised. Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart" (Jer. 9:25-26).

The text says: "In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations ... Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel\" (Ezek. 44:7, 9).

The text also says: "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye" (Acts 7:51).

Put simply, to be circumcised in the heart is to love GOD with all of one's heart and soul. To love GOD with the heart and soul is to keep His Commandments, for the text says: "And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments" (Ex. 20:6). See also Deut. 5:10.

The text says: "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations" (Deut. 7:9). See also Dan. 9:4; Neh. 1:5.

As further proof that to love GOD is to obey His Commandments, Yahshua also said: "If ye love me, keep my commandments ...He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.... Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (Jn. 14:15, 21, 23).

And from the Apostle John, we read: "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him" (1 Jn. 2:5). We also read: "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous" (1 Jn. 5:3).

It is a mistake to think as our forebears did, that merely bearing the outward mark of the Covenant of circumcision in the flesh, is sufficient to ensure connection to GOD. Yes, the physical mark is important and has its significance in the sight of GOD. It is a Commandment to bear it. Referring to our father Abraham, the Torah says: "Because that Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My Commandments, My statutes and My laws" (Gen. 26:5). Notwithstanding that in the beginning of the chapter dealing with circumcision, GOD declared to Abraham, "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou wholehearted" (Gen. 17:1), Scriptures record that GOD called Abraham at the age of 75 (Gen. 12:4) and that he was obedient to GOD in everything without wavering. Being obedient, the implication is that he was spiritually circumcised in the heart and loved GOD.

And as the Apostle Paul wrote: "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised" (Rom. 4:3-12).

Faith consists in obedience to the Commandments of GOD, for obedience is the evidence of faith, for the text says: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (Jas. 2:17-26).

GOD gave the Covenant of circumcision to Abraham when he was 99 years of age and commanded him to undergo the procedure at that age as noted earlier on. Abraham circumcised himself at 99 years despite the pain of the procedure as a very mature adult. It stands to reason that spiritual circumcision of the heart does not obviate the need for the physical procedure and the outward sign. Here is what GOD said: "He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised; and my Covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting Covenant. And the uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my Covenant" (Gen. 17:13-14).

Conversely, receipt of the outward mark without the spiritual circumcision of the heart is meaningless. For properly understood, receipt of the outward mark or sign is an initiation into the love of GOD and obedience to all His commandments. As it is said: "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh" (Phil. 3:2). And as it is also said: "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom. 8:7-8).

The Bible also talks of uncircumcised ears and lips as for example: "To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it" (Jer. 6:10); and "And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips? ... And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?" (Ex. 6:12, 30). The uncircumcised ear is the ear that rejects the Law of GOD and is disobedient to Him. In the context of Moses, the uncircumcised lips is one that is not eloquent, for Moses had complained about his commission saying to GOD: "Oh LORD, I am not a man of words, neither heretofore, nor since Thou hast spoken unto thy servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue" (Ex. 4:10).

Chapter 10: SHOULD GENTILE BELIEVERS IN YAHSHUA BE CIRCUMCISED?

There is a curious no-circumcision gospel message going on among Christian preachers of our time. They find authority for such pernicious message in their warped understanding of the words of the Apostle Paul in his Letters (Epistles) to Gentile believers and those of the Apostles and elders of the early assembly of Yahshua's disciples when the question arose as to whether Gentiles who turned to GOD required to be circumcised for their salvation.

Here are some of the misunderstood writings of the Apostle Paul:

"Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God" (Rom. 2:23-29).

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature" (Gal. 6:15).

"Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love" (Gal. 5:2-6).

"Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God" (1 Cor. 7:18-19).

"Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all" (Col. 3:11).

The way to study the Bible is to seek to harmonize it. That is the first hermeneutic principle. The Apostle Paul was not called to work at cross purposes with Yahshua and GOD's kingdom. The Apostle Paul could not intend to be saying that the Covenant of circumcision is null and void. He could not be saying that the law of GOD of which he was an advocate is null and void. If he so intended, he would be a blasphemer, GOD forbid! His emphasis was the love of GOD and obedience to His laws, which is only possible with the spiritual circumcision of the heart. For indeed, the outward mark is meaningless if one does not love GOD and obey His laws.

Circumcision is so important that GOD commanded that the uncircumcised cannot celebrate the Feast of Passover, for the text says: "All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. One law shall be to him that is home-born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you" (Ex. 12:47-49). And in Joshua 5:2-3, 8-10, we read: "At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. ...And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole. And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day. And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho." This happened after the children of Israel crossed Jordan into the Promised Land.

When Moses the servant of GOD called for the circumcision of the heart of the people (Deut. 10:16), he was not saying that the Covenant of circumcision has been done away with, neither was he saying that the law on circumcision (Lev. 12:3) has been done away with. He was simply reaffirming the importance of the spiritual circumcision of the heart in addition to the outward sign. For Moses had said earlier: "And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?" (Deut. 10:12-13). Only the spiritual circumcision of the heart can produce that result in the people.

In the genius of the language of the King James version of the Bible, the Jews are referred to as the circumcision, and the Gentiles as uncircumcision. The Apostle Paul's commission is to take the message of salvation to the Gentiles (uncircumcision) and the Apostle Peter to the Jews (circumcision), for the text says: "But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision" (Gal. 2:7-9).

The Apostle Paul observed the laws of GOD and in the example of Yahshua and made no pretenses about it. This is what he said about himself: "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets" (Acts 24:14). The way the Jewish establishment of his time called the heretical way was the way of Yahshua.

In order, however, not to slow down the process of bringing the Gentiles into the commonwealth of Israel, the Apostle Paul employed a sleight of the hand to convert as many Gentiles as was possible. He deployed all manner of acrobatics and gymnastics. For instance, he wrote to the Romans: "For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? Whose damnation is just" (Rom. 3:7-8).

Of his style and approach he wrote: "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel\'s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain" (1 Cor. 9:19-24). The phrase "By all means" would require use of both conventional and unconventional methods. To use a commonplace phrase, "By hook or crook." If the Apostle had to resort to lies to persuade and convince in order to bring a Gentile to GOD, he was comfortable with that approach, for as far as he was concerned, the end justified the means.

And exulting in the efficacy of his style he wrote: "But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile" (2 Cor. 12:16).

It is no surprise therefore, that he wrote to the Galatians in terms that if a Gentile is circumcised he is bound to keep the whole law of GOD and that the death of Yahshua would have meant nothing to him. He did so because he sensed that circumcision was a big issue to the Gentiles who were willing to come to GOD, and so nothing must stop them. The Apostle Paul knew that his Gentile converts would come to terms with reality as long as they attend Synagogue services every Shabbat where the Law and the Prophets are read and expounded. And so he must bring them in by all means necessary and GOD is able to make them stand as the whole truth is brought home to them, for the text says: "For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day" (Acts 15:21). Also Acts 13:15, 27. The text also says: "Who art thou that judgest another man\'s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand" (Rom. 14:4).

The questions then are, "Did Yahshua die that Gentiles who turned to God should live in disobedience to the Laws of GOD?" "Is Yahshua a Minister of sin?" GOD forbid! Was it not the same Apostle Paul who wrote, among other things, as follows:

"Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law" (Rom. 3:29-31). Does this not mean that the Jew and the Gentile are bound to keep the law?

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Rom. 6:1-2). Is sin not defined as transgression of the Law of GOD? For the text says: "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law" (1 Jn. 3:4). And also: "All unrighteousness is sin ...." (1 Jn. 5:17). Is righteousness not defined as obedience to the commandments of GOD? For the text says: "And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as He hath commanded us" (Deut. 6:25).

"But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid" (Gal. 2:17).

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" (Rom. 6:14-16). The text also says: "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin" (Jn. 8:34). If a man is said to be under the Law, does it not mean that he is a sinner and that the law is made for him? For the text says: "But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine" (1 Tim. 1:8-10). By the same token, to live above the law is to live without sin, that is, without breaking the law.

"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin" (Rom. 7:12-14). Only a spiritual man (one circumcised in the heart) can obey the Laws of GOD because the law is spiritual. A carnal man cannot, for the text says: "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom. 8:7-8). The Gentile convert as well as the Jew, is required to be spiritual in order that he may keep the law of GOD in the example of Yahshua.

"For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified" (Rom. 2:11-13). See also Col. 3:25.

"And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again" (2 Cor. 5:15). To live unto Yahshua is to live in newness of life, a life without sin. A life above the law, for the law is meant for sinners. See also Rom. 6:4; Col. 3:10.

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ\'s, then are ye Abraham\'s seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:26-29). Can one be a seed of Abraham and not bear the outward mark or sign as required by GOD in Genesis 17:13-14? Certainly not.

Gentiles were brought in to become members of the same household of GOD, for the text says: "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God" (Eph. 2:19). They were engrafted into the Jewish olive tree. The text says: "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, the branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear" (Rom. 11:17-20). The sap and nutrient that makes the olive tree (Israel) fat is their adherence to the Laws of GOD. The Gentiles are engrafted into the olive tree to be partakers of that fatness by adherence to the same laws.

The generation of Israelites who left Egypt in the Exodus included Gentiles who were referred to as mixed multitude and strangers, for the text says: "And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle" (Ex. 12:37-38). GOD repeatedly declared that the same laws bound the Jews and Gentiles. Gentiles are not to set up their own way of righteousness. Gentiles are not to pick and choose what law of GOD to obey and not to obey. The text says: "One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance forever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you" (Num. 15:15-16).

GOD made His Covenant with the Jew and the Gentile. He is not GOD of the Jews only as we have stated. It is written: "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do. Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel, Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water: That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day: That he may establish thee today for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath; But with him that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day" (Deut. 29:9-15). The Covenant was also made with the Gentiles (strangers) who were not then present.

GOD said in the Law thus: "And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God" (Lev. 19:33-34). GOD's intention from the beginning has always been that His house shall be a house of prayer for all people (Isa. 56:7) with everyone bound by the same rule of faith.

It was in the same spirit of removing every impediment in the way of the spread of the gospel and conversion of the Gentiles that the early Apostles dealt with the question as to whether circumcision was a precondition for a Gentile who turns to the GOD of Israel for salvation. Here is a summary of the narrative:

"And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. ... But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, that it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses. ... Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: ... Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: ... For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well" (Acts 15:1-2, 5, 19, 24, 28-29). The Apostles were guided by the Holy Spirit not to appear rather overbearing and impose the heavy burden of circumcision on the would-be Gentile converts, and merely imposed four prohibitions on them seeing, according to them, that the law of GOD is read in the Synagogues every Shabbat (Acts 15:21). The idea is that they would learn all of GOD's requirements for ultimate salvation as they attend the gathering of the people of GOD where the law is read and expounded, for faith comes by hearing the word (Law) of GOD (Rom. 10:17). Repentance is a process and GOD is able to make them stand.

Gentile believers in Yahshua must therefore, be circumcised since they are Abraham's seed and heir according to the promise made by GOD to Abraham.

Chapter 11: WHY CIRCUMCISE?

As with most of His laws, the All-Knowing GOD does not state the reason(s) why they must be kept. The text says: "The earth is the LORD\'S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" (Ps. 24:1). He is the creator and the very author of life. He has a perfect understanding of the work of His hands. He did not state any reason for the requirement of the rite of circumcision. He is our Master and we are His servants. Speaking of Israel, He said: "For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen ...For unto me the children of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God" (Lev. 25:42, 55). Gentiles who worship the GOD of Israel are also called to be His servants, for the text says: "Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants ...." (Isa. 56:6). He demands complete obedience from us. Our lot is to do or die and not ask the reason why.

Because there is no unrighteousness in Him (Ps. 92:15; Deut. 32:4; Ps. 145:17; Job 34:10; 2 Sam. 22:31; 2 Chron. 19:7), obedience to His laws only tend to life, for the text says: "... man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live" (Deut. 8:3). See also Matt. 4:4; Lk. 4:4.

The text says: "Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD" (Lev. 18:5). See also Ezek. 20:11, 13, 21.

The text also says: "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it... I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live" (Deut. 30:15-16, 19).

The text further says: "Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye" (Prov. 7:2).

The practice of circumcision has been proved to be a good preventative of many diseases affecting the sex organs. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends circumcision and promotes it as an effective means of combating certain diseases. This is just to show that obedience to GOD's laws is always for the good of man, whether or not He vouchsafes the reasons for demanding obedience. GOD's Covenant children do not practice the rite for health reasons. They do because it is a commandment of their loving father who is all-knowing and whose thoughts towards His children are good thoughts.

Chapter 12: FEMALE CIRCUMCISION

There is no female circumcision in Judaism. The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 27a) informs us that women are born "circumcised" i.e., already possessing the additional holiness that comes with the Covenant of circumcision (brit milah).

Regarding naming a girl child in Judaism, a girl receives her name in the synagogue on the first Shabbat (or on the Monday or Thursday) after her birth, when her father is called to the Torah. This event is often followed by a Kiddush after the services.

Chapter 13: CONCLUSION

I conclude that since every male believer, Jew or Gentile, is one in Yahshua the Messiah and Abraham's seed and heir according to the promise, the rite of literal circumcision is inescapable as much as circumcision of the heart. On the other hand, for the female believer, all that is required is a circumcision of the heart in order to partake of the promise of GOD to Abraham.

-- By The Apostle (Justice) Paul Madubochi

Note: This message contains sacred literature. Please do not deface or discard