History Research Assignment: Gentiles and Circumcision (Essay Sample)

Gentiles and Circumcision
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Gentiles and circumcision according to Paul from Galatians and romans
Paul in his own words did not require the Galatians to adopt the way of circumcision but rather he required them to follow the law. He began by telling them that God made a covenant with Abraham that all male Children should be circumcised, his emphasis was based on this and continues to argue that since Jesus came he wanted the Gentiles to live according to God’s law and as such the gentiles had to adopt the covenant that God made with Abraham. The main problem that Paul faced in Galatia was both social and theological, the theological part was that those who considered themselves demanded more to what God had done for Christ and on the other hand the social implications was that the gentiles could not share a table with the Jews unless they adopted the Jews ways of life. This plainly meant that gentiles who wanted to become Christians had to first become Jews then Christians. Paul justifies his argument in that he tells them that they don’t have to adopt Jews way of life to be justified since God had already justified them. Paul justifies this by telling the gentiles that they don’t need to be circumcised
Paul wrote the truth of the gospel (1:1-2:21)
In the letter to the Galatians Paul justifies why the Galatians don’t need to be circumcised. He explains that he was not taught the gospel but it was bestowed in him directly from God who revealed his son to Paul, he further states that he defended Titus from false brethren who tried to have him circumcised (2:1-10). Paul first justifies his role with the Jewish Christians who are convince that one is justified by God on the basis of Faith rather that from the works of the Law. In a certain instance Paul laments that Peter was convinced to withdraw from the table Fellowship yet they were trying to convince the gentiles to live like the Jews. He says that “how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews yet you live like Gentiles?” (2:15). In regard to this Paul was against the living of two ways of laws one law was the mosaic law that one has to be identified and live like a Jew to become a Christian and the other law which Identify a Jew as some one who is Circumcised and Dietary perceptions, he Paul equates this laws which he claims were abolished with the coming of the messiah and claims that it is God how justifies not the Jews laws.
Paul further claims that alre...