The Narrow Path Ministries

Many Reformed folks see Baptism as the "covenant sign" of the New Testament, whereas circumcision was the "covenant sign" of the Old.

Is there a typological connection between the two?

Collosians 2:11-13 seem to connect them rather closely. I must say though, that I have always thought of circumcision as a type of regeneration.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

God bless!

Derek,

As a strong advocate for the necessity of baptism, I must say that the mark of a Christian, or the visible sign of being in Christ, is not baptism. It is the possesion of The Holy Spirit. I do believe baptism is normatively the occasion of receiving the Spirit. This would seem to comport well with Colossians 2:11 where our circumcision "made without hands" is said to be done by Christ, and connected to baptism in v. 12, which is associated with the hands of men.

I had never noticed it before, but the comparison of this passage, Colossians 2:11-13, to Peter's sermon at Pentecost, in particular Acts 2:38, is striking. Peter told them to be baptized, their sins would be forgiven, and they would receive the Holy Spirit. Here Paul Paul speaks of the new birth (v. 11), being baptized (v. 12), and forgiveness of sins (v. 13).

Ephesians 1:13-14 also seems to indicate the identifying mark of the Christian is the Holy Spirit. This mark ought to be noticeable, "faith working through love". Baptism itself isn't much of a mark. Who would know who has been dunked and who hasn't?

In comparing baptism and circumcision, one can probably think of as many dissimilarities as similarities.

Just my thoughts anyway.

hello from oregon city , I am not a regular computer user more of a fax and phone and in person type, so bear with me. In the book of jeremiah God tells us thru prophesey that he will circumsize our hearts himself and give us a new spirit. In Col 2:10-12 Christ is shown cutting away the sin from our hearts at baptism so that we can recieve the gift of the holy Spirit (acts 2:38 ) the flesh is literally put to death as further discused in Romans 6: 1-4 and we are raised new creatures born of the water and spirit. Jesus told Nicodemus in John as he asked how can one be born again ? as teachers we are to clearly understand these things that we are to be born from above of water and spirit and this occurs thru faith in the operation of God as discussed in Col 2:10-12. In Heb 6 we are told of the elementary teachings of Christ and baptism is one of them the church must return to these teachings or it will continue to become more infantile and never grow up in Christ as he intended us to do, so dig deep and lay the only foundation that wise men build on the foundation of Jesus Christ and his elementary teachings