Spirit and Circumcision

One theory is that baptism correlates to circumcision, this led to the implementation of infant baptism since babies were circumcised. Yet, another theory is that the Holy Spirit correlates with circumcision instead of baptism. Immersion is accomplished by man, forgiveness and the seal of the Spirit are God's work.

Our circumcision is not with human hands.

1. Circumcision was called a seal and a sign.

2. The Holy Spirit is the Christian seal and gifts were outward signs.

3. Belief and recognized righteousness came before circumcision with Abraham, just as belief in the Gospel proceeded the seal of the Spirit.

Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Rom 4:11  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:

This is important because Catholics teach the Holy Spirit is given to babies by a spiritually gifted priest before the babe has faith. Before they hear "the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation". Thus, they claim to administer the seal of salvation, which is false.

Thus they part from scripture. The seal of the Spirit is administered by the Father, not through laying on of a priest's hands. It is administered after hearing and believing the Gospel.

Signs on the other hand are for unbelievers and believers. Such as Cornelius' household where there was a mixture of believers and unbelievers. Signs could be with apostles  present and administered through their hands or through the Father or Spirit's administration. Cornelius' household was given signs just  as the Apostles received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, Tongues were a sign for unbelievers, prophecy a sign for believers.

Circumcision was a seal to Abraham, but a sign to his offspring. Signs were meant to teach a concept and educate. The Holy Spirit had multiple functions just as circumcision had two functions.

1Co 14:22  Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe.

The administration of the Spirit in signs was for both believers and unbelievers.

Circumcision was for believers (Abraham), and unbelievers (Babes).

The Holy Spirit producing signs correlates to the concept circumcision as a sign.

The Holy Spirit sealing those who believe the Gospel and being forgiven correlates to Abraham being sealed by circumcision after being declared righteous.

So, why were babies circumcised? As a sign or token of Abraham's faith, not their own faith. It was a sign Abraham was reckoned righteous through the faith he lived before the law and before circumcision. This sign reminded Jews justification comes through faith, faith by God's word and promises.

Justification is through faith, not at faith.  Just as important is all those following the line of Abraham through faith must be sealed, not by physical circumcision but through the Seal of the Spirit.

Misapplying baptism with circumcision led people to implement infant baptism. Forgiveness and receiving the Holy Spirit seal correlates with believer's circumcision. Receiving signs such as tongues was a sign toward unbelievers.