Again, our opponents say that the apostle saith, " For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature,' Gal. 6, 15. ' Now if circumcision doth not avail any thing, then baptism cannot avail any thing, for it is in the room of circumcision.' To this I answer: Circumcision was abolished when the apostle wrote this ; hence it is evident, that it could not avail any thing. The apostle argued against the false teachers who taught the people, that they must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses in order to be saved. The apostle saith, ' Behold, I, Paul, say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing,' Gal. 5, 2. Now what reason can any person have to conclude, that because circumcision is abolished, and consequently cannot avail any thing, that therefore baptism, which is not abolished, is useless ? There is a very great difference between an institution that is done away, and one that is in full force. Circumcision is abolished, hence it cannot avail any thing ; but baptism is in full force unto the end of the world ; hence it avails very much.

Back: Although Abraham being justified without...

Next: Further, circumcision answered...