1Cor 7:18-20 What Really Counts?

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What Really Counts?

1Cor 7:18-20 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him.

In other words if a person came to Christ as a Jew (as all earliest Christians did), to the extent to which it does not interfere with his practice of Christianity, he need not give up his Judaism. The Jews had developed regulations which restricted them from fellowshipping with Gentiles. These were eliminated  in book of Acts, but Jews did not have to become Gentiles to becomes Christians. Christianity is in fact the true Judaism - worshipping God in the Spirit, following the Spirit of the Law. The Law of Moses represents Jewish regulations - in a sense applications of the general principles - whereas while the general principles apply to the Christian life, regulations are not absolute but each may develop their own regulations as they seek to follow the Spirit of the Law. Thus Jews are allowed to follow their ceremonial regulations to the extend they are in keeping with the Spirit of the Law.

Symbolism and rituals, such as circumcision in the case of Jews, are nothing of themselves. Likewise for "sacramental sects" of Christianity. It's keeping God's commands that counts and not forms or ceremonies. "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" Rom 14:17

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The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources