NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS.
Some protest the need for baptism in Jesus name, 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 Christian song is absolutely correct: "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus."” Yes, it is true " Nothing but the blood of Jesus"!
According to HEBREWS 9:22-The application of the blood of Christ is necessary to remit sin. What then is the Bible way to receive remission of sins? The answer to this question will also be the way to get the Savior's blood applied.
"Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name" (Jesus) LUKE 24:47!
ACTS 2:38-'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins . . . " Now that we can see that,the blood of Jesus is applied through water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ- Acts 2:38; Also see I John 5:8 and Acts 22:16.
The Bible clearly states that baptism saves us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ ( I Peter 3:20-21; Mark 16:16; Gal 3:27; Col 2:12). This ties directly into Romans 6:3-6 which is how we become united with Christ. We also become clothed with Christ JESUS when we are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ ( Acts 2:38;Galatians 3:27). 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.
*******Remember! 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,”
Needless to say, 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.
• 1Corinthians 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.
Question: How do we become a part of His body (which is the church)?
The biblical Answer--- According to the New Testament--It is Through baptism in JESUS NAME –(Acts 2:38; Gal 3:27; Romans 6:3; I Cor 12:13; Gal 3:27-29!
• READ OUT! Galatians 3:27-29 and 1 Corinthians 12:13. Without baptism in Jesus name, you cannot truly called yourself Christian- because you are still under your sins- Acts 2:38;James 2:19-24; 22:16! Only After when one is baptized in Jesus name, he or she become part of His Body( Which is the Church)- Acts 2:38-47; Gal 3:27; Col 2:11-12; I Cor 12:13; Gal 3:27-29!
# Through baptism in Jesus name--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- ; Acts 22:16)!
REMEMBER! We gain access to Christ’s blood through His body. And We gain access to Christ’s body through baptism in Jesus name ( Acts 22:16; Acts 2:38).
“In him (JESUS) 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.
Question: How are we in Christ?
Biblical Answer: It is Through baptism in Jesus name- READ- Gal 3:27 \
“ ..Baptized into Christ, have put on Christ..”!
READ Col 2:12:
And you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
REMEMBER! Again, baptism in Jesus name is not our work, it is His!
In speaking about marriage, Jesus said, “So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together let not man separate." –Matthew 19:6.
So. Jesus sees marriage as something God does, not man. And so it is with baptism.Just as the Lord tells us it is God Himself who is the one who does the joining in marriage, so too, baptism is viewed in the same way. It is God who joins us with Christ in baptism. Just as marriage is a spiritual union between a man and a woman that God gets the credit for, so too, baptism is a spiritual union (between Christ and man) that God gets the credit for because it is God who does the joining.Ephesians 5:30-32 For we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church.And Christ frequently portrayed Himself as the Bridegroom. In the book of Revelation, the church is portrayed as the bride.
This indeed, is profound.
Key Point To Remember!
• The Epistles (letters) are written to Christians, i.e., people who have already been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Gal 3:27-29; Acts 2:38-47; Col 2:12; Romans 6:3-5, 1Cor 12:13).
• The Epistles contain instructions to Christians and give instructions on how to remain in Christ and grow in Christ. The book of Acts gives examples of people who are not Christians becoming Christians. This is a great mistake many people make. They take instructions in the epistles on faith and apply them to conversion. But these verses do not relate to conversion, but to the converted.
• Once a person has been baptized into Christ, all the passages about faith and grace then apply.
• In other words, once a person has been baptized in the name of Lord Jesus Christ, it can be said their faith is what continues to maintain their salvation.
Always remember! The work of the Calvary is God’s offer of life…
and Baptism in Jesus name is our acceptance- READ. James 2:19; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; John 3:5; Acts 19:2-5; Gal 3:27; Acts 22:16!
Truly the blood of Jesus is applied through water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ- Acts 2:38; Also see I John 5:8 and Acts 22:16!
Obey Acts 2:38 and Live Forever!
Amen and Amen!
The Wall