“For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery. Listen! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all! And I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace! For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait expectantly for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight – the only thing that matters is faith working through love.

You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you! A little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise! I am confident in the Lord that you will accept no other view. But the one who is confusing you will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. Now, brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those agitators would go so far as to castrate themselves!” Galatians 5:1–12

The Galatian Christians appeared to have viewed circumcision as a ritualistic act which although painful and inconvenient, was a small price to pay to be more spiritual. Thank goodness we do not look upon circumcision the same way in our churches today. Granted, there are significant differences between the Galatian churches of Paul’s day and the situation of today. The Galatian saints were saved and wanted only to enhance their spiritual standing. Many young couples today view baptism the same way — as a means to ensure salvation — in a legalistic not spiritual manner. We cannot earn salvation by the “work” of baptism. Furthermore, baptism is not associated with additional duties and obligations.

Circumcision for the Galatians however, carried with it far-reaching consequences which they did not seem to understand. They did not realize that circumcision implied certain binding obligations. It was Paul’s intention in this passage to point out the consequences of circumcision, showing them they had everything to lose by it and nothing to gain.

As I said earlier, we recognize that circumcision is not an issue for the Christian today — it is more an issue of hygiene than a mark of belonging. Yet not all male children are circumcised because it is even being viewed today as a cultural practice. And yet Paul’s message is clear — to fall back into legalism is a particularly grave danger. As such, we must pay all the more attention to the warning of the apostle. Christ freed us in order that we might be free. Bondage is the opposite of freedom, and since the Law produces bondage, living under it is inconsistent with the gospel.

And yet, that’s the way a lot of professing Christians view baptism. They don’t understand the relationship and the claiming that happens in baptism, but instead they feel some social pressure or fear of hell for their child. So they want to “get their children done” — in other words they go through the motions to have them baptized not worrying about or understanding what baptism is all about — naming, claiming and identity.

It is important that we teach our fellow believers, and our children, that baptism is not a matter of “legal obligation” — it is a matter of the Spirit — and the beginning of a relationship with G-d through Jesus.

Pastor Dave