Page 149 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

CIRCUMSPECT - CLIFT

his faith. See Romans 4:11. Circumcision signifies the deed” (Barnes). The homicide was required to abide
salvation. It signifies the death of the old life and the in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest.
birth to the new life. Circumcision was performed on “The atoning death of the Saviour cast its shadow before
the eighth day, which is the day of resurrection, the day on the statute-book of the Law and on the annals of
of the new creation. God rested on the seventh day of Jewish history. The High priest, as the head and
the old creation, and Christ rose from the dead on the representative of the whole chosen family of sacerdotal
eighth day or the first day of the new creation. When we mediators, as exclusively entrusted with some of the
are born again, we are born into the new creation. We chief priestly functions, as alone privileged to make
are raised with Christ to new life. God told the Jews to yearly atonement within the Holy of Holies, and to gain,
circumcise their hearts (De. 10:16; Je. 4:4). The true from the mysterious Urim and Thummim, special
reality of circumcision will happen to Israel when Christ revelations of the will of God, was, preeminently, a type
returns (De. 30:6). See also Romans 2:28-29. of Christ. And thus the death of each successive High
Circumcision is the same picture as baptism: it signifies priest presignified that death of Christ by which the
dying to the old life and rising to the new life in Christ. captives were to be freed, and the remembrance of
Romans 6:3-5 says that baptism is a “likeness” of transgressions made to cease” (Barnes). The cities of
Christ’s death and resurrection and of our spiritual refuge also symbolize Jesus Christ as the sinner’s refuge
death and resurrection with Him. No one has ever been from judgment. [See Avenger of Blood, Capital
saved by circumcision (Gal. 6:15). The Jews perverted Punishment, Kill, Vengeance.]
the doctrine of circumcision and made it into a saving CITY OF DAVID. (1) Jerusalem, the city where David
ritual, believing that all who were circumcised in the reigned (2 Sa. 5:6-9). (2) Bethlehem, David’s original
flesh were saved (Lk. 3:8). This is what false Christians home (1 Sa. 20:6; Lk. 2:4). [See Bethlehem,
have done with baptism and the Lord’s Supper. They Jerusalem.]
have perverted these simple ordinances that are CLAMOROUS, CLAMOUR. To make a noise; to
supposed to symbolize salvation and have turned them complain loudly; to make an outcry; repeated and
into “sacraments” or a means of salvation. This is true of urgent complaining (Pr. 9:13; Ep. 4:31). [See Anger,
the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Evil Speaking.]
Church, many of the Protestant denominations, and the
Church of Christ with its baptismal regeneration. New CLAVE. The past tense of cleave, meaning (1) to split
Testament believers are not obligated to be circumcised (Ge. 22:3; Nu. 16:31) and (2) to adhere to (Ru. 1:14; 2
(1 Co. 7:18). [See Born Again.] Sa. 20:2).
CIRCUMSPECT. Literally, looking on all sides; CLEAN. (1) Pure; undefiled (Pr. 20:9; Mt. 8:2; Lk.
looking round. Hence, cautious; prudent; watchful on 11:39). (2) Completely (Jos. 3:17; 4:1; Ps. 77:8; Is.
all sides; examining carefully all the circumstances that 24:19).
may affect a determination, or a measure to be CLEAR. (1) To be free; guiltless; innocent (Ge. 24:8).
adopted” (Webster) (Ex. 23:13; Ep. 5:15). The Greek (2) Bright; sunny (2 Sa. 23:4; Song 6:10; Is. 18:4). (3)
word translated “circumspect” (akribos) is also Transparent; like ice or crystal (Re. 21:11, 18; 22:1).
translated “diligently” (Mt. 2:8; Ac. 18:25) and CLEFT. Cleaved; divided; split (De. 14:6). The same
“perfect” (Lk. 1:3; 1 Th. 5:2). Hebrew word (shaca) is translated “clovenfooted” (Le.
CISTERN. A tank or reservoir for collecting and 11:3), “cleave” (Le. 1:17), and “rent” (Ju. 14:6).
storing water (2 Sa. 17:18; 2 Ki. 18:31; Je. 2:13; 38:6). CLERGY. The term “clergy” derives from a Welsh
CITIES OF REFUGE. Cities set apart in Israel for the word signifying teachers or learned men of the druidical
protection of persons who killed someone by accident order and from a Greek word referring to the lot or
(Nu. 35; De. 19; Jos. 20). “Inasmuch as to take estate of those who perform sacred duties (Webster). To
another’s life by any means soever is murder, and label church leaders “clergy” is derived from Roman
exposes the murderer to the penalty of retaliation; so, if Catholicism, whose priests hold a position similar to
the deed be done in enmity, it is in truth very murder, those of the pagan world from whence the term
and the murderer shall be slain; but if it be not done in originated. It signifies a special class of “holy men” or a
enmity, then the congregation shall interpose to stay the priestly caste. Though the term has come to signify
avenger’s hand. ... The homicide was safe only within ordained preachers in general, we do not use it because
the walls of his city of refuge. He became a virtual exile of its unscriptural signification and origin and its
from his home. The provisions here made serve to mark ecumenical overtones. [See Father, Holy, Laity, Liturgy,
the gravity of the act of manslaughter, even when not Rabbi, Reverend.]
premeditated; and the inconveniences attending on CLIFT. Cleft (Ex. 33:22; Is. 57:5). [See Cleft.]
them fell, as is right and fair, upon him who committed

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 149