1. Circumcision, Uncircumcision and Faith
Mission Seminar in Acts
Circumcision, Uncircumcision and Faith

2. Devotional Acts 16-19 Acts 20-22 Mission Seminar in Acts
Overview of the Day
Devotional
Circumcision Versus Uncircumcision
Acts 16-19
Paul’s and Peter’s Missionary Methods
Acts 20-22

3. Mission Seminar in Acts
Circumcision and Uncircumcision
One of the greatest theological and missional challenges facing the New Testament church centered on the question whether Gentiles needed to be circumcised and obey the other laws of Moses in order to enter into the covenant community. The battle was particularly fierce between Paul and the “Judaizers.”

4. Mission Seminar in Acts
Circumcision and Uncircumcision
Strong Arguments in Favor of Circumcision:
Gen. 17—Abraham was circumcised.
Ex. 4—Moses’ son was circumcised.
Ex. 12—Aliens circumcised for Passover.
Lev. 12—Boys circumcised on 8th day.
Luke 2—Jesus was circumcised.
It was argued by some Jews that circum-cision was greater than the Sabbath.

5. Mission Seminar in Acts
Circumcision and Uncircumcision
Theological Controversy and Mission:
Galatians 2:11-12 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.

6. Mission Seminar in Acts
Circumcision and Uncircumcision
Paul’s Arguments For Faith
Gal. 2—Received it from divine, not human
Rom. 4:11—Abraham declared righteous based on belief before he was circumcised
Deut. 10:16; Rom. 2:28-29—Circumcision is spiritual not physical
Gen. 17, 22; Rom. 4—Faith and Circumcision

7. Mission Seminar in Acts
Circumcision and Uncircumcision
Paul contextualized response to circumcision
Acts 15—Opposes Judaizers at Antioch
Acts 16:3—Circumcises Timothy
Galations 2:3—Does not circumcise Titus
Galatians 2:8—For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles.

8. Circumcision and Tradition
Mission Seminar in Acts
Circumcision and Uncircumcision
Circumcision and Tradition
Circumcision
Local Church Tradition
Grounded in OT
Often no direct Scripture
Connected to Abraham
Hazy history
Practiced for 1800 years
Practiced for 5 to 150
Seen as non-negotiable
Became a critical issue
Can become critical

9. Mission Seminar in Acts
Circumcision and Uncircumcision
Circumcision, Theology and Ministry Today
1. There will be different theologies in the church until the end of time.
2. We must understand how God reveals His truth through the Word, Spirit and Church.
3. Although we might not agree theologically we are called to act unitedly.