2006-09-14 08:31:00 · 11 answers · asked by o 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Yes, the Judaisers who came from Israel were compeling new converts to follow Jewish Law. Paul realised that the Holy Spirit was doing a new thing and didn't require converts to follow Mosaic Law in order to be saved.
2006-09-14 08:37:51 · answer #1 · answered by Jay Z 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO. This was required of the Hebrews, but not of the Christians and if you read all of Acts 15 it would have said that. The Circumcision of the Heart is a symbolic one that symbolized becoming a christian believer and separating yourself from the world, not following Idols and Fornication. It was not an actual "physical" act.
Circumcision of the heart was a divine requirement of even the Israelites who were already circumcised in the flesh. Moses told Israel: "You must circumcise the foreskin of your hearts and not harden your necks any longer." "Jehovah your God will have to circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, that you may love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul for the sake of your life." (Deut. 10:16; 30:6) Jeremiah reminded that wayward nation in his day of the same thing. (Jer. 4:4)
'Circumscision of the heart' means getting rid of anything in one's affections or motives that is displeasing and unclean in Jehovah's eyes and which makes the heart unresponsive. Similarly, ears that are not sensitive or responsive are spoken of as "uncircumcised." (Jer. 6:10; Acts 7:51).
The Bible even describes a "plants fruit" as its "foreskin." (Lev. 19:23) describing how planting a tree which would be "uncircumcised for 3 years" meaning it would not produce fruit for that long.
2006-09-14 15:45:41 · answer #2 · answered by AdamKadmon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There still was some teachings when Jesus was here that you still need to physically be circumsied, But the New circumcise is now of the heart, no it is not a literal circumsisum, but a re-newing of the heart spiritually.
2006-09-14 16:05:07 · answer #3 · answered by birdsflies 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Acts 15:1 (A-KJV)
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
In the context the 'certain men' referenced were talking about physical circumcision, but a man (woman) must be circumcised spiritually to be saved/go to heaven. re:
Romans 2:28&29
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.
2006-09-14 15:33:00 · answer #4 · answered by Randolph 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This particular chapter referred to circumcision of the flesh ( as in Moses' time). However the next chapter covers the fact that being saved comes through Christ, not circumcision or mosaic law.
2006-09-14 15:41:12 · answer #5 · answered by mortgagegirl101 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In the early church there were certain believers called Judaizers that claimed physical circumcism was necessary in order to be saved. If you read further, you will see that Paul and Barnabas dissented against them heartily. In the New Covenant with Christ, it is circumsism of the heart that counts, not physical circumcism.
2006-09-14 15:39:58 · answer #6 · answered by Preacher 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both, man do a physical circumcision, and every one and one has to try to take the bad things outside of his hearts.
2006-09-14 15:35:14 · answer #7 · answered by yafit k 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"Circumcision" was originaly ment as a sacrifice to God in the Old Testiment. Therefore, any sacrifice made in the "name of the Lord" were acceptible.
According to Acts 15:1, It means that none were accepted that did not believe in the word.
2006-09-14 15:41:19 · answer #8 · answered by grumpyfiend 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Circumcision is removal of the skin on the penis, not the heart. Circumcisions are also performed on females. That involves the female genitalia.
2006-09-14 15:34:42 · answer #9 · answered by Kathryn™ 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Another bible myth. Your heart only pumps blood. Your emotions, thoughts, feelings, consciousness, etc, are all in your brain not your heart. Can't take the bible literally, only figuratively. If you cut your heart you will bleed to death internally.
2006-09-14 15:34:06 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋