Q&A Home > C > Circumcision

Is circumcision in the New Testament still as essential as it used to be in the Old Testament? Is it necessary that our baby boys be circumcised?

In the Old Testament circumcision was a sign of entering in a covenant with God as He commanded Abraham. In the New Testament circumcision is replaced with baptism (Col 2:11,12). Today it has become a cultural custom, in pursuit of hygiene.

In the Holy Book of Acts this issue is discussed among the apostles for some sect of the Pharisees who believed in the need for circumcision, preached that one has to be circumcised before becoming Christian. St. Peter addressed this issue in Acts 15:5-11.Also St. Paul wrote about circumcision "Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters" (1 Cor 7:18-19).

"Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing" (Gal 5:2).

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love" (Gal 5:6).