“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.” Romans 4:11-12
Circumcision was a sign and seal that one was a partaker of God’s covenant and, like Abraham, counted just and righteous in God’s eyes through faith in God’s promise of a Savior. Thus, Abraham is the father of all who trust God’s promise of mercy and forgiveness in the Messiah and Savior, whether circumcised or uncircumcised. New Testament baptism supersedes Old Testament circumcision and is the circumcision made without hands, the circumcision of Christ, the sign and seal that we are partakers of God’s new covenant of grace and our sins are washed away in Jesus’ shed blood. It signifies that we are now dead to sin and alive to God through faith in Christ (cf. Col. 2:11ff.).
O Lord, grant that I do not view baptism as my work but as Your gracious work, making me a partaker of the New Covenant in Your blood in which I have forgiveness for all my sins and a place in Your everlasting kingdom through faith in You and Your atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. Amen.
[Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]