Leading Question:

"Is the debate over circumcision in the early church relevant for Christians today?"

Key Passages:

Galatians 2:1-14 – Paul and the apostles agreed that circumcision was not necessary for Gentiles.

Galatians 5:2-6 – Circumcision is not a prerequisite for becoming a Christian.

Acts 16:1-7 – Paul is not opposed to circumcision in and of itself. Timothy is circumcised.

Key Points and Questions:

The Issue of Circumcision: Why were some Jewish believers so insistent that Gentiles be circumcised, while Paul and others strongly disagreed (cf. Acts 15:1-2, 5; Gal 5:2-3, Gal 5:12)? While this question may sound highly irrelevant to us today, understanding this issue is essential to appreciate ...