Why circumcision lost it's relevance after Jesus came?

God's covenant with man - Why circumcision lost it's relevance after Jesus came?
India
May 16, 2010 8:51pm CST
Circumcision was the "sign" or physical brand of identification of the human participants (Genesis 17:11). Circumcision was relevant to Abraham's generation. Why it lost it's relevance after Jesus came?
5 responses
@Steinway (307)
• United States
17 May 10
I just studied this in Sunday School today. Look in Acts 15:1-19. The Pharises thought that the Gentiles should be circumsiced. But, the apostles and elders discussed it and Peter addressed this issue. It was decided that they should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
• India
17 May 10
Thanks Stein for quoting the reference. I personally feel that the Covenant God had made with Noah was unconditional, but the covenant God had made with Abraham was conditional. God gave his word to Abraham that he would have a generation as many as stars in the sky and grain of sand on earth if they resort to circumcision. God kept His word after He came as His own son. Once that covenant was fulfilled, it lost its relevance. Muslims circumcise because they do not recognize Jesus as Son of God and they are still waiting for Christ to come.
1 person likes this
• India
19 May 10
It is true I agree because Jesus was born in Isaac's line of descent and not in Ismael's line of descent. In Ismael's line of descent he is yet to come.
• Philippines
17 May 10
Circumcision is still in practice until today, even when Jesus was a baby he had been circumcised too, so I do not think its' relevance is lost. Also, circumcision is hygienic for males. I think that is the main reason why all males should be circumcised, it is not merely a sign of covenant, but it is for health reasons too.
• India
17 May 10
I mean to say why circumcision lost it's relevance as a covenant with God. I know people still perform circumcision for health reasons.
@Gordano (795)
• United States
18 May 10
Circumcision is an everlasting covenant between Allah the Almighty Creator and Prophet Abraham PBUH the father of faithfuls, Jesus Christ PBUH was also Circumcised at the 8th day as written, circumcision didn't loss it's relevance after Jesus came as you already said, but after Saul of tarsus (or the so-called Apostle Paul) preached the false message to the wrong audience. now Christianity and the Church give more attention to Paul's deception than the teachings of Jesus Christ, some people also consider Paul the founder of current version of Christianity, where all the teachings of Jesus were canceled and the the Law was abolished by Paul when he preached the false message to the wrong audience.
@redhotpogo (4401)
• United States
17 May 10
I don't think its lost its relevance. Maybe the health reasons are why God wanted it done in the first place. Everyone thinks the rules, and laws are there for the hell of it. Like God said "You do it cause I say so." But I think that kind of attitude is a human attitude. I believe everything that God said was for a reason. It was for our own good.
• United States
17 May 10
It hasn't lost its relevance. Jews still practice it as a religious and cultural act -- pretty much for the same reason you say Muslims practice it. To Christians it was never relevant, rejecting circumcision was one of the points on which Christianity schismed from Judaism.