The Sign of the Covenant

Joshua 5:2-8

Joshua is instructed to circumcise the men of Israel. This is the second general circumcision and occurs in the promise land.

Facts:

1. Circumcision was given to Abraham in Genesis, and not under the law.

2. None were circumcised in the wilderness.

They had broken the covenant with God, because of unbelief.

3. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant.

I. Baptism is the covenant sign given to every believer in Christ. Rom.4:11

A. Necessary for every believer.

Mark 16:16 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

B. The sign of identification

Romans 6:4 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

C. Not mystical or metaphorical, but a physical act of a sign of obedience.

Ephesians 4:5 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

II. Baptism indicates a surrendered life where the old man is buried and a new one raised. Rom.6:4

Col.2:10-12 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

1 Peter 3:21 21 T he like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: