Over the past several weeks we have explored how God operates through covenants, what a covenant is, and how we are currently under the final and everlasting covenant of reconciliation that was purchased with the blood of Christ. The most recent past two articles laid the groundwork for understanding the importance of learning what the scriptures say regarding how one enters into this covenant of reconciliation. The only way is the way reflected in the unaltered all-encompassing scriptures that relate to us the terms of the new covenant.
When God separated Abram (Abraham) and his future descendants (12 tribes of Israel), He gave instructions regarding what Abram and every male in his household and of future generations must do in order to enter this covenant God was making specifically with them.
This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. (Genesis 17:10-11)
From this moment forward, this was the entry requirement under the previous covenant with God…circumcision. The writer of Hebrews mentions several times that the practices and articles of the old covenant were a copy or shadow or symbolic of the practices and articles in the new covenant (Hebrews 8:5; 9:9, 23-24; 10:1). So, what did the required practice of circumcision in order to mark one as in the covenant relationship with God foreshadow and symbolize in the new covenant? I believe a direct correlation is provided by the inspired Apostle Paul in his letter to the Colossians.
In Colossians 2:16-17 Paul makes reference to this same shadowing of the old covenant, but the texts of interest is found a few verses earlier in Colossians 2:11-12…note that these two verses together form only one sentence…always pay attention to punctuation rather than verses.
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
There is much to digest from this one sentence; and much more when you take into account everything the New Testament has to relate on this topic. But let’s focus on a few things here first. Note the bolded text indicates that there is a form of circumcision associated with the new covenant. Unlike the circumcision of the old covenant, this one is not performed with hands, thus not a physical cutting away of anything. Note who is performing this circumcision; it is Christ Himself. Note what is being circumcised, the sins of the flesh. And lastly note where this circumcision is taking place, when one is buried with Him in baptism. I like to picture it as follows: you have terrible cancer called sin, you go to the world renowned surgeon Christ to have it removed, and He performs the surgery to remove your cancerous sin in the operating room of the baptism.
There is more to notice here. One undergoing this circumcision places their ‘faith in the working of God.’ That is to say, you place your faith in that God will do the work He promised to do for you, thus entering the covenant of reconciliation with Him. You see, the act of baptism is not a work that the one being baptized does; you or I do nothing; the work of removing sin is being done by Christ, and the work of transferring you or I into the Kingdom of the Son is being done by God. In Colossians 1:12-14 Paul comments on this transfer God accomplishes on our behalf.
…giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Anyone who refers to baptism as a ‘work’ does not truly understand how it works. The only work being done during the circumcision that occurs in the operating room of baptism is done by Christ and God, not us. We receive the benefit of Their work, the removal of sins, placement in the Son’s Kingdom, and the entrance into a covenant relationship with God which thus qualifies us to partake in the eternal inheritance. Our work follows Their work. Our work is to align our hearts and minds with God’s way and live for Christ.
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3)
I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)
This is but the tip of the iceberg of all that occurs in this operating room where Christ and God do Their initial work on one entering into the covenant, which Christ purchased with His own blood. The inspired Word of God contains so much more to say on this matter, which we will continue to explore in the next few upcoming articles.
(Carl Hartman is the Minister at Main Street Church of Christ in Lockney)
