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Objection 1: It seems that circumcision was instituted in an
unfitting manner. For as stated above (Article 1) a profession of
faith was made in circumcision. But none could ever be delivered from
the first man's sin, except by faith in Christ's Passion,
according to Rm. 3:25: "Whom God hath proposed to be a
propitiation, through faith in His blood." Therefore circumcision
should have been instituted forthwith after the first man's sin, and
not at the time of Abraham.
Objection 2: Further, in circumcision man made profession of
keeping the Old Law, just as in Baptism he makes profession of
keeping the New Law; wherefore the Apostle says (Gal. 5:3):
"I testify . . . to every man circumcising himself, that he is a
debtor to do the whole Law." But the observance of the Law was not
promulgated at the time of Abraham, but rather at the time of Moses.
Therefore it was unfitting for circumcision to be instituted at the
time of Abraham
Objection 3: Further, circumcision was a figure of, and a
preparation for, Baptism. But Baptism is offered to all nations,
according to Mt. 28:19: "Going . . . teach ye all nations,
baptizing them." Therefore circumcision should have been instituted
as binding, not the Jews only, but also all nations.
Objection 4: Further, carnal circumcision should correspond to
spiritual circumcision, as the shadow to the reality. But spiritual
circumcision which is of Christ, regards indifferently both sexes,
since "in Christ Jesus there is neither male nor female," as is
written Col. 3 [Gal. 3:28]. Therefore the institution of
circumcision which concerns only males, was unfitting.
On the contrary, We read (Gn. 17) that circumcision was
instituted by God, Whose "works are perfect" (Dt. 32:4).
I answer that, As stated above (Article 1) circumcision was a
preparation for Baptism, inasmuch as it was a profession of faith in
Christ, which we also profess in Baptism. Now among the Fathers of
old, Abraham was the first to receive the promise of the future birth
of Christ, when it was said to him: "In thy seed shall all the
nations of the earth be blessed" (Gn. 22:18). Moreover, he
was the first to cut himself off from the society of unbelievers, in
accordance with the commandment of the Lord, Who said to him (Gn.
13:1): "Go forth out of thy country and from thy kindred."
Therefore circumcision was fittingly instituted in the person of
Abraham.
Reply to Objection 1: Immediately after the sin of our first
parent, on account of the knowledge possessed by Adam, who was fully
instructed about Divine things, both faith and natural reason
flourished in man to such an extent, that there was no need for any
signs of faith and salvation to be prescribed to him, but each one was
wont to make protestation of his faith, by outward signs of his
profession, according as he thought best. But about the time of
Abraham faith was on the wane, many being given over to idolatry.
Moreover, by the growth of carnal concupiscence natural reason was
clouded even in regard to sins against nature. And therefore it was
fitting that then, and not before, circumcision should be instituted,
as a profession of faith and a remedy against carnal concupiscence.
Reply to Objection 2: The observance of the Law was not to be
promulgated until the people were already gathered together: because
the law is ordained to the public good, as we have stated in the FS,
Question 90, Article 2. Now it behooved the body of the faithful
to be gathered together by a sensible sign, which is necessary in order
that men be united together in any religion, as Augustine says
(Contra Faust. xix). Consequently, it was necessary for
circumcision to be instituted before the giving of the Law. Those
Fathers, however, who lived before the Law, taught their families
concerning Divine things by way of paternal admonition. Hence the
Lord said of Abraham (Gn. 18:19): "I know that he will
command his children, and his household after him to keep the way of
the Lord."
Reply to Objection 3: Baptism contains in itself the perfection of
salvation, to which God calls all men, according to 1 Tim.
2:4: "Who will have all men to be saved." Wherefore Baptism is
offered to all nations. On the other hand circumcision did not contain
the perfection of salvation, but signified it as to be achieved by
Christ, Who was to be born of the Jewish nation. For this reason
circumcision was given to that nation alone.
Reply to Objection 4: The institution of circumcision is as a sign
of Abraham's faith, who believed that himself would be the father of
Christ Who was promised to him: and for this reason it was suitable
that it should be for males only. Again, original sin, against which
circumcision was specially ordained, is contracted from the father,
not from the mother, as was stated in the FS, Question 81,
Article 5. But Baptism contains the power of Christ, Who is the
universal cause of salvation for all, and is "The Remission of all
sins" (Post-Communion, Tuesday in Whitweek).
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