Physical circumcision always prefigured, or foreshadowed, the true and greater circumcision God wanted, which was spiritual circumcision of the heart. Spiritual circumcision of the heart occurs when people repent and put their faith in Christ and are saved. Consider these verses:

* Colossians 2:11 says, " In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands (this means it’s not physical circumcision), by putting off the body of the flesh (this refers to the spiritual flesh), by the circumcision of Christ."* Romans 2:28-29 says, "No one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. " This means the letter of the law, which can’t provide spiritual circumcision. Only the Holy Spirit can circumcise hearts, by producing repentance and faith.

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Physical circumcision always prefigured the true and greater spiritual circumcision of the heart that occurs when people repent and believe.

Table of Contents* Sermon Lessons for Spiritual Circumcision of the Heart* Family Worship Guide for Spiritual Circumcision of the Heart* Sermon Notes for Spiritual Circumcision of the Heart* Lesson one: children must have circumcised hearts to be baptized.* Lesson two: (part one) salvation is the requirement for baptism (part two) but spiritual maturity is not.* Lesson three: don’t try to talk your children into being baptized.

Sermon Lessons for Spiritual Circumcision of the Heart

* Lesson one: children must have ______________________ ____________ to be baptized (Colossians 2:11, Romans 2:28, Leviticus 24:41-42, Jeremiah 6:10, Ezekiel 44:6, Deuteronomy 30:6, Acts 2:23, 36-41 cf. Acts 7:51-58). * Lesson two: (part one) salvation is the requirement for baptism (part two) but __________________ ________________ is not (Acts 8:30-39, 16:30-33). Note: part one is from a previous sermon: Evidences of Salvation | When Should Children Be Baptized – Part II.* Lesson three: don’t try to ________ ________ ________________ into being baptized.

Family Worship Guide for Spiritual Circumcision of the Heart

Directions: Read the verses and then answer the following questions.

* Day one: Colossians 2:11, Romans 2:28, Leviticus 24:41-42, Jeremiah 6:10, Ezekiel 44:6, Deuteronomy 30:6. What did circumcision always prefigure? was God upset with these Israelites about circumcision when they had already been circumcised? * Day two: Acts 2:23, 36-41 cf. Acts 7:51-58. When did the Jews finally experience the true and greater circumcision God desired for them? Although Peter and Stephen’s messages were similar, why do you think there were such opposing responses to them? * Day three: Acts 8:30-39, 16:30-33. When should people, whether adult or children, be baptized? Why was the Ethiopian eunuch able to be baptized? Why was the Philippian jailer and his family able to be baptized? What would have, but would not have, prevented them from being baptized?