Acts 15-16

So, there's a whole discussion about the law in these chapters.

This started in 15 verse 1 "unless you are circumcised ... you cannot be saved".

After a long discussion and council meeting where it was obvious that the grace of God and the Holy Spirit were being poured out on the Gentiles (uncircumcised), so they decided the main things from the law that they would 'do well to avoid' were food sacrificed to idols, blood, meat from strangled animals, and sexual immorality. Now, I don't at all know why these four things are emphasized and so many other things are not. but one thing is clear: they didn't mention circumcision.

In other words, circumcision isn't important which is firmly emphasized elsewhere: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." (Gal 5:6)

Good. That's all decided, wait, what is Paul doing to Timothy?!?

So, right after this Timothy (who is not a baby) gets circumcised, which I read (even with local anesthetics) is a half hour procedure involving much blood and stitches and a week or so of pain. >.<

So, if this isn't important, why go through all this?

My best idea is the old 'become all things to all people' (1 Cor 9:19-23). If being circumcised was what Timothy needed to show his dedication and resolve for following Jesus and going with Paul to the Gentiles; if that's what was needed to show the Jewish people who knew he was Greek, so be it.

"Therefore, circumcise your heart and stop being stubborn." Deut 10:16

If you know God is calling you to something seemingly unnecessary and potentially painful, stop fighting with Him and have faith in His plans.