Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Circumcision and Baptism in Col. 2

In the debate on the connection between circumcision and baptism, you get all the debate on what connection there is, if any, between vss. 11 and 12 in Col. 2. But it seems to me that vs. 13 seals the deal (pardon the pun): "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses...". To be uncircumcised is to be dead. You need to be circumcised (vs. 11), you need to put off your flesh by being buried (vs. 12), so then you can be raised from the dead with Christ. OT circumcision => NT baptism.

Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is a good writer. He isn't spinning out random, unconnected thoughts or doctrines. We might have a hard time following his flow of thought at times, but that there is a flow is apparent.