In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Colossians 2:11-12
If circumcision and baptism are connected, then there could be some significant implications for the belief that we receive forgiveness of sins through baptism, as opposed to the position that we are baptized as a testimony to forgiveness of sins that has already happened. As an exercise, I am going to quote some New Testament passages, starting in Romans, that talk about circumcision and then see what happens if I replace references to circumcision with references to baptism.
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.
Romans 2:25-29
Next, I will insert baptism in place of circumcision, and for this particular passage, I will also make a substitution for the word Jew. Just to be clear, the above passage is Scripture, and the following is my little "experiment."
For baptism verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy baptism is made un-baptism. Therefore if the un-baptism keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his un-baptism be counted for baptism? And shall not un-baptism which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and baptism dost transgress the law? For he is not a Christian, which is one outwardly; neither is that baptism, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Christian, which is one inwardly; and baptism is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Now, I am not saying that these substitutions are automatically valid, but they do provide some food for thought. Let's try another verse.
Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Romans 3:30
Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the baptism by faith, and un-baptism through faith.
From here, we turn to a section of Scripture where Paul is discussing the faith of Abraham, and how this faith counted as righteousness.
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.
Romans 4:9-12
Cometh this blessedness then upon the baptism only, or upon the un-baptism also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in baptism, or in un-baptism? Not in baptism, but in un-baptism. And he received the sign of baptism, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being unbaptized: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not baptized; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of baptism to them who are not of the baptism only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet unbaptized.
It seems clear to me that in this passage from Romans, Paul is explaining that Abraham was made righteous because of his faith, and then he circumcised himself as a sign of this righteousness. He didn't become righteous because of his circumcision; he already was. Given that, I realize that it might be a stretch to consider baptism and circumcision fully interchangeable in these verses. On the other hand, if this is a valid comparison, it would be a clear indication that baptism is a sign that demonstrates that a person is already righteous, not the means by which a person becomes righteous. From here, let's check out what Paul has to say in some of his other letters.
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 Corinthians 7:18-19
Is any man called being baptized? let him not become unbaptized. Is any called in un-baptism? let him not be baptized. Baptism is nothing, and un-baptism is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
At this point, I want to clarify that I believe that baptism is required for Christians. After all, it is a commandment of God. So, why is Paul making a distinction between circumcision (or baptism) and the commandments of God? Aren't circumcision and baptism commandments? This is definitely open to interpretation, but perhaps the apostle is referring to "commandments of God" by which we become righteous (excluding circumcision/baptism). I think a similar idea might be at play in the following passage from Galatians. I don't think Paul is telling us that any person who is circumcised cannot be a Christian but rather that it is false to be circumcised (baptized?) with the purpose of becoming righteous.
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.
Galatians 5:2-3
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be baptized, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is baptized, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Galatians 5:6
For in Jesus Christ neither baptism availeth any thing, nor un-baptism; but faith which worketh by love.
As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Galatians 6:12-15
As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be baptized; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are baptized keep the law; but desire to have you baptized, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither baptism availeth any thing, nor un-baptism, but a new creature.
The idea of being constrained to be baptized is striking, especially if you consider the history of certain institutional churches and their penchant for compulsory infant baptism. The next verse immediately follows the widely quoted Bible verses from Ephesians 2 that inform us that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works.
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Ephesians 2:11
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Un-baptism by that which is called the Baptism in the flesh made by hands;
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Philippians 3:3
For we are the baptism, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Colossians 2:11
In whom also ye are baptized with the baptism made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the baptism of Christ:
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Colossians 3:11
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, baptism nor un-baptism, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Fascinating results. Has this exercise been worthwhile? I hope so, but as with many things, that probably depends on your point of view. Soli Deo gloria.
