Q.  Am I wrong to believe that the rite of physical circumcision was abrogated in the 1st century a.d.?

A.  No you are not wrong, you are correct (assuming an adult New Covenant acceptance pre-requisite). There is no New Covenant pre-requisite for adult circumcision. Additionally, please see Hebrews chapter 8, especially verse 13 which shows the Old Covenant (priesthood) is obsolete for those who have accepted the New Covenant.

The Scripture, Phil. 3:2 (KJV), also has additional insight on this topic. The word "concision" comes from the Greek "Katatomay" (G2699) and means to mutilate. This is in contrast to the word "circumcision" which comes from the Greek "Peritomay" (G4061) which means to cut around. Paul disdainfully warns against those (Judaizers) that promote this practice as a prerequisite to accepting the New Covenant through Yahshua Messiah. It was common for some Judaizers to refer to the Gentiles as "dogs". But with a clever twist, Paul reversed the criticism. Specifically, Paul is making the point that adult circumcision is tantamount to mutilation and that only worthless men would promote such a doctrine. In verse 3 Paul teaches us that we worship in Spirit and should have no confidence in the flesh.

Also see Acts 15:19 (KJV). The Council at Jerusalem was specifically dealing with the question of New Covenant circumcision. James concludes "wherefore my sentence is that we trouble them not".

Clearly, Rom. 2:29 shows us that New Covenant circumcision is of the heart, not of the flesh.

The following link, from our web site, provides additional information on this subject, specifically the sections titled "A New Creation" and "What's a True Jew":
https://yaiy.org/literature/OrthodoxBelievers.html

It should be noted that infant circumcision on the 8th day (Gen. 17:12) is still a biblically sound practice and not to be confused with adult circumcision (as a New Covenant pre-requisite) as discussed in this reply.

 
                   
         
     
                   
               
                         
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