Think about those in the first century who wanted to bring back circumcision as a law from God.
- They could have pointed to the example of Jesus, who was circumcised (Luke 2:21).
- They could have pointed to at least one example from an apostle, who had another person circumcised (Acts 16:3).
But we know that these examples were not to be used that way. Why? Because the Scriptures make it wrong to turn circumcision into a law again (Galatians 5:1-6).
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:1-4)
Look again at how Paul deals with this very matter: “I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law” (Galatians 5:3). Yes, Paul is calling for consistency. This is because the law of Moses is an undivided whole. It is not a menu from which individuals may pick according to their tastes. If we, as mere humans, seek to reinstate one part, then we should reinstate all parts. If something as important as circumcision cannot be brought back, then it is certain that other laws cannot be brought back.