This is an important question that many Christians wrestle with. Both baptism and circumcision are signs of belonging to God’s covenant people. So what role does each play in their respective covenants?
To start, we should review what the Bible teaches about circumcision under the Old Covenant. God instituted circumcision as the sign of His covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:10-14). All of Abraham’s descendants were to be circumcised on the 8th day after birth. This served as a physical reminder that they were part of God’s covenant people, the Israelites. It set them apart from the other nations.
Circumcision continued to be an important identifying mark for the people of Israel into New Testament times. But with the coming of Christ and the New Covenant, did baptism replace circumcision as the new sign of belonging to God’s people? Let’s look at what the New Testament teaches.
Baptism in the New Testament
As we trace through the book of Acts, we see baptism taking on a very significant role in the early church. When people repented and believed in Jesus for salvation, they were immediately baptized (Acts 2:38-41). Baptism marked their entrance into the church, the new covenant people of God.
The strong connection between baptism and conversion can be seen in the multiple accounts of baptisms in Acts. For example:
- Acts 8 – The Samaritans believe and are baptized.
- Acts 9 – Saul converts and is baptized.
- Acts 10 – The Gentiles at Cornelius’ home believe and are baptized.
As the gospel spread in the early church, baptism was universally practiced as the initiation rite into the Christian faith. Just as circumcision was the mark of belonging to God’s old covenant people, baptism became the identifying mark of the new covenant people of God.
Paul Connects Baptism to Circumcision
The apostle Paul explicitly connects baptism to circumcision in Colossians 2:11-12:
In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
According to Paul, baptism serves as the New Covenant counterpart to Old Covenant circumcision. Both are signs and seals of belonging to the people of God. One is external and physical (circumcision), the other is spiritual but still visible (baptism). But both indicate the work of God cleansing and claiming His people.
Paul again parallels baptism with circumcision in Colossians 3:11. After arguing that race, social status, and gender no longer divide God’s people, Paul says, “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” Circumcision previously distinguished Jew from Gentile. But Paul says it no longer applies. All who are baptized into Christ are one.
So Paul clearly connects baptism to circumcision in these Colossians passages. Baptism is the sign of belonging to the New Covenant people of God, just as circumcision was for the Old Covenant people.
The Covenant Signs Compared
When we compare baptism and circumcision directly, we see both similarities and differences:
Similarities Between Circumcision and Baptism
- Both are commanded by God for His people.
- Both mark entrance into the covenant community.
- Both symbolize spiritual realities – cleansing and belonging.
Differences Between Circumcision and Baptism
- Circumcision was for infant boys, baptism is for believers of any age or gender.
- Circumcision marked physical descendants of Abraham, baptism marks those born again by faith.
- Circumcision was regional/national, baptism is global and inclusive.
So while there are key differences appropriate to each covenant, baptism and circumcision serve as parallel covenant signs for God’s people in the Old and New Covenants.
Objections and Responses
Some will object to equating baptism and circumcision:
Objection 1 – Circumcision was required, baptism is optional
Response: This is incorrect. While forced circumcision of outsiders did happen at times in Israel’s history, within the covenant community, refusing circumcision meant being “cut off from his people” (Gen. 17:14). It was required, not optional. In the same way, baptism is commanded by Jesus for all disciples (Matt. 28:19). It is required for membership in the New Covenant people of God.
Objection 2 – Infants were circumcised, but only professing believers are baptized
Response: This difference is appropriate to the distinct covenants. As a national covenant, all physical descendants of Abraham were circumcised as infants so that the nation would be marked as God’s people. But the New Covenant is based on spiritual inheritance. Therefore only professing believers are baptized.
However, the difference does not invalidate the basic parallel between the two covenant signs. Circumcision was the entrance rite into Israel. Baptism is the entrance rite into the church. The mode reflects the unique aspects of each covenant.
Objection 3 – Paul says circumcision is no longer necessary
Response: This is true, but it does not refute our position. Paul insisted that the Judaizers stop forcing Gentiles believers to be circumcised (Galatians 2:3-5). He argued strongly that requiring circumcision for Christians was to abandon the New Covenant and go back under the law (Galatians 5:2-6). As a sign of the Old Covenant, circumcision has no place in the church.
However, this does not mean there is no New Covenant equivalent. Paul himself parallels baptism with circumcision in Colossians 2:11-12. The external sign changes with the new covenant, but the spiritual reality remains – identification with the covenant people of God.
Baptism as the Fulfillment of Circumcision
Seeing baptism as the counterpart of circumcision enriches our understanding of both signs:
- Circumcision was a bloody removal of flesh, pointing forward to Christ’s bloody sacrifice that fulfilled the demands of the law. The simpler baptism signifies the finished work of Christ.
- Circumcision was limited to half the covenant people. Baptism includes all, male and female, on equal grounds (Galatians 3:28).
- Circumcision marked ethnic Israel as God’s national people under the law. Baptism marks global believers as God’s people of the resurrection.
In Christ, the divides have been torn down. As Paul proclaimed, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Baptism beautifully signifies this fulfilled, united people of God.
Baptism fulfills the purpose of circumcision under the greater New Covenant. Therefore, according to Scripture, we can rightly say that baptism serves as the New Covenant replacement and counterpart of Old Covenant circumcision.
Old Testament Roots of Baptism
Looking beyond circumcision, baptism has deep roots in the symbolism and prophecy of the Old Testament. Understanding these connections helps highlight the continuity and fulfillment between the Old and New Covenants.
Ritual Cleansing
Baptism has links to Old Testament ritual washings. The Mosaic Law prescribed many ceremonial washings. While these were not salvific, they symbolized spiritual cleansing. Immersion into water represented purification from sin and consecration to God’s service (Exodus 29:4, Leviticus 8:6).
John the Baptist built on this rich background of ritual cleansing in his baptizing ministry. Those coming to John confessed their sins and were immersed in water as a sign of spiritual renewal in anticipation of the coming Messiah (Mark 1:4-5). So while new in form, Christian baptism has conceptual links to OT ritual washings.
The Exodus
The Exodus foreshadowed New Covenant redemption. Paul tells us the Israelites were “baptized into Moses” when they passed through the Red Sea (1 Corinthians 10:2). Their immersion symbolized allegiance to God through the Mosaic covenant. It also represented cleansing from Egyptian slavery.
In the same way, Christian baptism represents being joined to Christ, the new covenant mediator. Just as the Israelites were “baptized into Moses,” believers are now baptized into Christ and His body the church (Romans 6:3-4). This Exodus typology enriches our understanding of baptism’s deep connection to God’s redemptive covenant purposes.
Prophetic Pictures
Ezekiel 36:24-27 describes God sprinkling clean water on His people, giving them new hearts, and putting His Spirit within them. This prophecy finds fulfillment in Christian baptism and regeneration by the Spirit. So baptism is linked to the prophetic expectations of renewal for the coming messianic age.
Likewise, Zechariah 13:1 poetically foretells a fountain that will wash away sin on “that day.” The following verse makes clear “that day” refers to the coming epoch of the Messiah. So again we see a prophetic image of cleansing that resonates with the practice of New Covenant baptism.
While baptism was new in form under the gospel, it drew rich imagery from the Old Testament background. This understanding helps illuminates the deep continuity between redemption anticipated under the Old Covenant and accomplished under the New.
New Testament Teaching on Baptism
Beyond its covenant connections to circumcision, the New Testament unpacks vital truths represented in Christian baptism:
Union with Christ in His Death and Resurrection
“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4)
Baptism beautifully pictures our spiritual death and resurrection in Christ. Going under the water represents our old self being buried with Christ. Emerging from the water pictures our new resurrected life as new creations in Him.
Washing Away of Sins
“And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16)
Baptism does not earn salvation, but it beautifully pictures the washing away of our sins by the blood of Jesus. It is a powerful visual representation of our cleansing from sin by God’s grace.
Receiving the Spirit
“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
According to Peter, baptism marks the point at which believers publicly receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit regenerates us and baptizes us into the one body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).
Clothing Ourselves with Christ
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)
In baptism we symbolically clothe ourselves with Christ (vs. our old selves). It pictures our new spiritual identity in Him as children of God.
This sampling of New Testament passages shows the deep theological significance given to baptism. It vividly depicts Gospel realities every believer needs to grasp hold of by faith.
Baptism and Salvation
This overview of baptism may raise questions about the precise relationship between baptism and salvation. To clarify a biblical understanding on this vital point:
- Baptism does not earn or merit salvation. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Baptism is commanded by Christ for all who repent and believe (Matthew 28:19). It is the biblical response to saving faith.
- Baptism is a symbol and public profession of faith in Christ. It visibly marks the transition from an unbeliever to a believer.
- Baptism spiritually signifies the inward cleansing and renewal only Christ’s blood achieves for us (Acts 22:16).
- Therefore, baptism is not absolutely essential to become a Christian. But it is the normative and expected response of loving obedience for all who have been saved by grace through faith.
Baptism holds deep covenantal meaning and beautifully testifies to Gospel truth. It tangibly pictures the spiritual transformation occurring in the believer’s life. So baptism serves a vital role for Christians both individually and corporately. It is a unifying public testimony that strongly marks out Christians in covenantal relationship with their Lord and with each other.
Conclusion
In the same way circumcision marked entrance into the Old Covenant people of God, baptism marks entrance into the New Covenant people of God. This covenantal understanding of baptism is seen in the strong connections between the two signs made in Colossians 2:11-12. Beyond the covenantal parallel, baptism as practiced by the New Testament church powerfully represented profound spiritual truths, including union with Christ in His death and resurrection.
Baptism does not save, but it is a powerful sign and testimony that biblically represents the deepest spiritual realities accomplished by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Baptism beautifully symbolizes and publicly marks the transition from being an unbeliever cut off from God’s promises to being a new creation in Christ and full member of His church. For this reason, while not absolutely essential to become a Christian, baptism is vitally important and commanded by Christ for all who have been saved by grace through faith.
