Baptism: Circumcision by Christ
by: Keith Camp
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To my knowledge, no church which claims allegiance to Jesus denies that baptism is a command of the Lord to be obeyed. But most churches DENY that baptism IS FOR the remission of sins (cf., Acts 2:38) and generally accuse those who do as believing in a salvation based upon meritorious works. But careful consideration of Colossians 2: 11-12 disproves that charge and teaches that baptism IS necessary to remit past sins.
| Colossians 2:11-12 reads: "In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead." |
Circumcision is a surgery, a cutting off. Of course, the surgery in this case is spiritual -not physical- because it is cutting off "the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ." But how and when does Christ "cut off" a persons sins? Verse 12 plainly states when "buried with Him in baptism" and "raised with Him through faith in the working of God." It is in baptism sins are "cut off" by Christ.
Most churches will deny that and argue against it saying that I am teaching people to place their faith in their own works for salvation. No, I am teaching people to place their "faith in the WORKING OF GOD"; that is, "the circumcision of Christ." Baptism is not man's work; it is God's work for every sinner to submit for salvation (cf., Mark 16:15-16: Romans 6:3-6).
Is it taught where you worship that baptism, the circumcision of Christ, is necessary for salvation? |
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