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Baptism and the
Blood of Christ
In the Scripture we read that sinners are saved by washing in the
blood of Christ (Rev. 1:5). This is the blood that Jesus shed in
his death (Jn. 19:34). Now, this is not a physical application of
Jesus' blood, but a spiritual one. The death of Christ, that is, the
benefits gained in his death must be applied to sinners.
This application of Jesus' blood takes place during baptism. The
Scripture says, "Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized
into Christ were baptized into his death?" (Rom. 6:3) In
baptism our sins are washed away or forgiven (Acts 22:16). This
forgiveness is possible through our faith in the blood of Jesus (Eph.
1:7; Col. 1:14).
Yet, the forgiveness of sins is a prerogative reserved only to God
(Isa. 43:25; Lk. 5:21). Forgiveness of sins takes place in his
mind and is likened to their being buried in the depths of the sea (Mic.
7:19). Therefore, we understand baptism as God's operation whereby
he appropriates to sinners the blood of his Son and forgives sin (Col.
2:12). It is in this sense that baptism saves us (1 Pet. 3:21).
Consider also that Jesus' blood was the purchase price paid for the
church (Acts 20:28). Also, we Christians are redeemed by his
blood (1 Pet. 1:18-20). Thus, the Lord adds to his church those
that are being saved by the blood of Jesus. These are they that believe
and are baptized (Acts 2:40; Mk. 16:16).
It should be evident that the blood of Christ is appropriated only
to penitent believers in baptism into the death of Christ. Friend, have
you been properly baptized into the sin cleansing death? If not, why
not?
--by Jeff Asher of
Amarillo, Texas
Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 17, p. 530
September 6, 1990
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