Is circumcision a requirement for salvation for Christian males?

No, you most certainly do NOT have to be circumcised to get into heaven. This issue was resolved long ago by the apostle Paul and the early Church. Circumcision has absolutely nothing to do with your salvation. It is one of many Old Testament requirements that ended the moment that Jesus Christ died for our sins. Circumcision had to do with the Old Testament relationship between God and the Jews. (See: Circumcision) It has never been a requirement for Christians.

The primary reason this subject is discussed in the New Testament is because of confusion in the early Church among some Jews that had become Christians. At one point, some tried to pressure Titus, a Greek Christian friend of Paul, into being circumcised. (See: Titus) In reality, this was only the beginning of the demands of the Judaizers; they wanted him and all other Christians to practice ALL the other requirements of Jewish law, as well. In a council meeting in Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas convinced the Jewish Christians of the very dangerous error in this kind of thinking (Acts 15). Thereafter, the Church took a strong stand against requiring circumcision.

First Corinthians 7 makes it clear that if an uncircumcised man becomes a Christian, he is not to have himself circumcised (at least not for religious reasons) (1 Corinthians 7:18). To do so would be a bad testimony to others, as it tends to indicate that the person believes that circumcision is a requirement of Christianity. It is not. To claim that any work of man is required for salvation is heresy. Salvation is by grace, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Circumcision means nothing to God, since Christ’s death (see Acts 6:15; 1 Corinthians 7:19).

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV).

For information on related topics, see…

• How can I get to heaven? Answer
• Teach me ABOUT THE BIBLE Go…
• With so many denominations and religions, how can I decide which are true and which are false? Answer

[ If this information has been helpful, please prayerfully consider a donation to help pay the expenses for making this faith-building service available to you and your family! Donations are tax-deductible. ]

Author: Paul S. Taylor of Eden Communications

Copyright © 2001, Eden Communications, All Rights Reserved - except as noted on attached “Usage and Copyright” page that grants ChristianAnswers.Net users generous rights for putting this page to work in their homes, personal witnessing, churches and schools.

www.ChristianAnswers.Net
Christian Answers Network
PO Box 200
Gilbert AZ 85299