BLOOD OF CHRIST

Cannot go by Feelings or Personal Opinion in Religious Matters: Prov 16:25; Jer 10:23; 2 Cor 10:5; Acts 26:9

This brief study is about the connection between the blood of Christ, baptism and the remission of sins. We so often hear from others that baptism cannot be necessary because it is a work of human merit. This assumption is false, for when we submit ourselves to baptism, we are putting our faith in the working of God, not in ourselves (Col. 2:11-13). We are told that it is the blood of Christ that saves us, not baptism. We do not deny that the blood of Christ saves us (Eph. 1:7). That is not what is at issue. The issue is, does baptism have anything to do with remission of sins? Here is a very simple way to show others the connection between baptism, the blood of Christ and the remission of sins:

First, turn your Bible to Matthew 26:28, where Jesus said concerning the cup in the Lord’s Supper, "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Take special note of the phrase "for the remission of sins." The reason why Jesus shed His blood was so that people could have their sins remitted (forgiven).

Now turn over to Acts 2:38. In response to the question, "what shall we do?" Peter said, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." Again, take special note of the phrase "for the remission of sins." It is exactly the same as in Matthew 26:28. There is no difference. This is significant in that many people try to say that "for" in Acts 2:38 means "because of"; that is, they say that we are baptized because we have already received forgiveness. But this will not work. If "for" means "because of" in Acts 2:38, why wouldn’t it mean the same thing in Matthew 26:28? Did Jesus die "because" sins were already forgiven? No. He died in order to make forgiveness available. We opt for consistency. Whatever the phrase means in Matthew 26:28, it also means in Acts 2:38.

Now the argument is made that baptism has nothing to do with remission of sins because we are saved by the blood of Christ. Thus, the argument puts Acts 2:38 at odds with Matthew 26:28. But this is not necessary. They can easily be understood in harmony.

To see this, next turn your Bible to Romans 6:3, which says, "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" Take special note of the phrase, "baptized into His death." Here is where the connection is made between baptism and the blood of Christ. Where did Christ shed His blood? In His death. How do we come into contact with the blood of Christ, wherein is found remission of sins? In baptism. Thus, what Peter says in Acts 2:38 is in complete harmony with what Jesus and Paul said.

1. Christ shed His blood for the remission of sins.

2. We are baptized into the death of Christ, wherein Christ shed His blood for many for (in order that they might obtain) the remission of sins.

3. Therefore, we are baptized for (in order that we might obtain) the remission of sins.

The connection is clear and easily understood if we will let the Bible interpret itself. Now, while still in Romans 6, other points could just as well be made concerning baptism:

1. Baptism is into Christ. If we are going to be in Christ, how do we get there? We get there by submitting to the working of God through baptism.

2. It is in baptism where we are "born again" (see John 3:3, 5). From the grave of baptism (which is a burial), we are raised to walk in "newness of life." What phrase could better describe being "born again"?

3. Note verses 17-18. We told that we were slaves of sin, but that we "obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine." Verse 18 follows, "And having been set free from sin..." When are we set free from sin? When we "obey from the heart" what God told us to do. When we do this, we are not "earning" salvation through meritorious works, but we are submitting to the working of God. Study also Colossians 2:11-13.

By faith, we must submit to the grace that God has offered through Jesus Christ. Baptism is a part of what God has given. Note: Written by Doy Moyer.

Some protest the need for baptism, saying something like, “We are not saved by baptism, we are saved by the blood of Christ.”

“The objection is sometimes raised that to insist that immersion in water is a scriptural condition of salvation equals a doctrine of "water salvation." If that is the case, then it is such scriptures as Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16, etc., that should be blamed for the teaching, rather than those who believe it. However, such verses attribute no merit to water as a spiritual cleansing agent whatsoever. These verses do not say what the cleansing agent is. They only tell us when the cleansing occurs. It is plain from other scriptures that the blood of Christ is the agent of cleansing or forgiveness (1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 1:5, etc.). The old song is absolutely correct: "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus."

The Bible clearly states that baptism saves us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21). This ties directly into Romans 6:3-6 which is how we become united with Christ. We also become clothed with Him when we are baptized into Christ. In being united with Him in this manner, we become one with Him and the shed blood of Christ’s body now comes to cover us also, who are now members of His body.

1 Corinthians 12:27 - Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

►Through the sacrifice of Christ’s physical, fleshly body, His blood becomes available.

Hebrews 10:19-22 - Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

► “…since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by …his body,”

►It is through Christ’s body that we gain access to His blood.

►What is Christ’s body?

Besides 1Corinthians 12:27 quoted above, there are many other places in Scripture that teach the church is a spiritual illustration of the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:15 - Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself?

Colossians 1:18 - And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Colossians 1:24 - Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

Ephesians 1:22-23 - And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Ephesians 5:23 - For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

►How do we become a part of His body (which is the church)?

Through baptism: 1 Corinthians 12:13 - For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

►Through baptism we become a part of Christ’s body—the church, and we therefore gain access to Christ’s blood. (See also Romans 6:3-4-- take note of the phrases “into Christ“, and “through baptism.”)

Romans 6:4 - We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

We gain access to Christ’s blood through His body.

We gain access to Christ’s body through baptism.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. – Ephesians 1:7-8

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are IN Christ Jesus – Romans 8:1

WHAT DO THE BLOOD OF JESUS AND BAPTISM HAVE IN COMMON?

Body of Christ A phrase Paul used to describe the church. The picture conveys that each member of the body has a role or function to benefit the others.

If anyone can be saved outside the Body of Christ His church, then the following is true:

Saved outside of Christ – Eph 5:23

Saved without His blood – Acts 20:28; Heb 9:22; Eph 1:7

No Spiritual Blessings – Eph 1:3