阅读经文 

多年来，神赐给亚伯拉罕很多应许，祂甚至邀请亚伯拉罕进入一个特别的立约关系。现在神吩咐亚伯拉罕去做一件事来回应祂的约，亚伯拉罕需要藉着一个称为割礼的仪式，来表示接受这个立约的关系。亚伯拉罕和他的后裔将会在他们的身体上接受一个永远的记号——藉此不断提醒自己，他们的身体和灵魂都是属于神的。

这个仪式也代表他们不单归属于神，他们也是彼此归属的。割礼是一个加入蒙神拣选的家庭的仪式，参与仪式的人被视为蒙神拣选的子民的成员。这个仪式意味着参与者的归属和身份，它也代表需要离开或舍弃一切的不义，才能完全委身给神。这个仪式需要流血才能正式生效。

今天，我们仍然会使用象征的手段来有力地提醒我们所应许的身份和作为。当两个人进入神圣的婚约时，双方往往以亲吻和婚戒来确定双方的承诺，藉此宣告他们是彼此相属的。从某个角度来看，新约时代圣徒的洗礼，与旧约时代圣民的割礼一样，能够有力地提醒神儿女在基督里的合一和身份。

Over the years, God gave Abraham an armful of promises. God even invited Abraham into a special covenantal relationship. And now God asks Abraham to reciprocate. Abraham is to accept this covenantal relationship by means of a ceremony called circumcision. Abraham and his descendants will receive a permanent mark on their bodies—an ongoing reminder that they belong, body and soul, to their God.

The ceremony also symbolizes that they belong not only to God but also to each other. Circumcision was an initiation rite into the family of God, with participants considered part of God's chosen people. The ceremony spoke of both ownership and identity. It also symbolized the need for cutting or casting off all forms of unrighteousness in order to be wholly devoted to God. This covenant was to be sealed by the shedding of blood.

Today we still use symbols as powerful reminders of who we are and the promises we make. When two people enter the sacred covenant of marriage, they often seal their promises with a kiss and with wedding rings, declaring that they belong to each other. And in a way like circumcision for God's Old Testament saints, the baptism of New Testament saints is a powerful reminder of our unity and identity in Christ.