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Objection 1: It seems that circumcision was not a preparation for,
and a figure of Baptism. For every figure has some likeness to that
which it foreshadows. But circumcision has no likeness to Baptism.
Therefore it seems that it was not a preparation for, and a figure of
Baptism.
Objection 2: Further, the Apostle, speaking of the Fathers of
old, says (1 Cor. 10:2), that "all were baptized in the
cloud, and in the sea": but not that they were baptized in
circumcision. Therefore the protecting pillar of a cloud, and the
crossing of the Red Sea, rather than circumcision, were a
preparation for, and a figure of Baptism.
Objection 3: Further, it was stated above (Question 38,
Articles 1,3) that the baptism of John was a preparation for
Christ's. Consequently, if circumcision was a preparation for, and
a figure of Christ's Baptism, it seems that John's baptism was
superfluous: which is unseemly. Therefore circumcision was not a
preparation for, and a figure of Baptism.
On the contrary, The Apostle says (Col. 2:11,12): "You
are circumcised with circumcision, not made by hand in despoiling the
body of the flesh, but in the circumcision of Christ, buried with
Him in Baptism."
I answer that, Baptism is called the Sacrament of Faith; in so
far, to wit, as in Baptism man makes a profession of faith, and by
Baptism is aggregated to the congregation of the faithful. Now our
faith is the same as that of the Fathers of old, according to the
Apostle (2 Cor. 4:13): "Having the same spirit of faith .
. . we . . . believe." But circumcision was a protestation of
faith; wherefore by circumcision also men of old were aggregated to the
body of the faithful. Consequently, it is manifest that circumcision
was a preparation for Baptism and a figure thereof, forasmuch as "all
things happened" to the Fathers of old "in figure" (1 Cor.
10:11); just as their faith regarded things to come.
Reply to Objection 1: Circumcision was like Baptism as to the
spiritual effect of the latter. For just as circumcision removed a
carnal pellicule, so Baptism despoils man of carnal behavior.
Reply to Objection 2: The protecting pillar of cloud and the
crossing of the Red Sea were indeed figures of our Baptism, whereby
we are born again of water, signified by the Red Sea; and of the
Holy Ghost, signified by the pillar of cloud: yet man did not make,
by means of these, a profession of faith, as by circumcision; so that
these two things were figures but not sacraments. But circumcision was
a sacrament, and a preparation for Baptism; although less clearly
figurative of Baptism, as to externals, than the aforesaid. And for
this reason the Apostle mentions them rather than circumcision.
Reply to Objection 3: John's baptism was a preparation for
Christ's as to the act done: but circumcision, as to the profession
of faith, which is required in Baptism, as stated above.
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