ALTERNATIVES TO CIRCUMCISION

TEXT-- Philippians 3:1-3

INTRODUCTION-- Though Paul speaks of a delicate subject, he is dealing with a very important spiritual truth.

Christians are "the circumcision." Romans 2:25-29

Fleshly circumcision, promoted as a means of salvation, troubled the early church. Acts 15:1-9

1. Paul and Peter divided their work. Galatians 2:6-10
   
2. Paul was selective in his treatment of circumcision.
   
   1. He circumcised Timothy for one reason. Acts 16:1-3
      
   2. He refused to circumcise Titus for another. Galatians 2:1-5
      

The "circumcisers" came to Galatia.

1. Paul warned of their influence. Galatians 1:6-9, 5:1-4 (See also 3:10-12.)
   
2. So, Paul offered "alternatives to circumcision."
   

LESSON-- "Circumcision is nothing...nor uncircumcision."

BUT..."a new creature." Galatians 6:12-15

1. We become new creatures "in Christ." 2 Corinthians 5:17
   
   1. We are "baptized into Christ." Galatians 3:26-27
      
   2. we are "raised to walk in newness of life." Romans 6:3-4 (We are "dead to sin," Vs. 1, 11; and must "put off old man," Vs. 6)
      
2. We are "re-created" to attain certain goals (this is Christian recreation).
   
   1. To "good works." Ephesians 2:10
      
   2. To the destruction of "gentile-ism." Ephesians 4:17-24
      

BUT... "Faith working through love." Galatians 5:6

1. God helps us. Philippians 2:12-13
   
2. Works make faith "perfect." James 2:21-24
   

BUT... "Keeping the commandments of God." 1 Corinthians 7:18-19

1. "You are my friends, if you do the things which I command you." John 15:14
   
2. "Hereby we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments." 1 John 2:3
   
3. Paul said, "If anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed." (He could say this, because he also said to those who were spiritual, "...acknowledge that the things I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." 1 Corinthians 14:37
   
4. Which commands do we obey? Can we be selective?
   
   1. ALL of them. Matthew 7:21, 28:19-20
      
   2. All must repent. Acts 17:30-31
      
   3. "Every tongue (must) confess." Philippians 2:11
      
   4. Every person must be baptized. Acts 2:38, 10:47-48, 22:16
      
   5. Everyone must be diligent to "handle aright the word of truth," and "depart from iniquity." 2 Timothy 2:15-19
      

APPLICATION--

1. Questions such as circumcision become important in the minds of many, but fellowship based on truth blends us together. Colossians 3:1-11
   
2. Saving faith is apart from circumcision. Romans 4:3, 9-12
   
3. We need first to receive a circumcision "not made with hands." Colossians 2:8-13