CONNECTING THE BLOOD OF CHRIST AND WATER BAPTISM

Bulletin Articles

Lanny Smith
01/26/20 - Article

The Scriptures teach that there’s a direct connection between the blood of Christ and baptism. Now, I realize that many deny such a connection, but it remains true, nevertheless. This article will demonstrate that connection.

The phrase, “for the remission of sins,” connects the blood of Christ and baptism. When our Lord Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper (Mt.26:26-29), He said these words with respect to the cup: “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (v.27-28). This clearly shows the reason that Christ shed His blood, i.e. the remission of sins. Indeed, the Hebrew writer affirms, “without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins” (Hb.9:22). However, in Acts 2, when the people asked Peter what they must do to be saved, He said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (v.38). Note that we are baptized for the very same reason that Jesus shed His blood. This connects the blood of Christ to baptism!

The phrase, “death of His Son,” connects the blood of Christ and baptism. Paul said to the saints at Rome, “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Rm.5:10). The death of Jesus via the shedding of His blood results in being reconciled. But just a few verses later, Paul continued, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Rm.6:3). Just as surely as we are reconciled to God by the death of His Son, we must be baptized into that same death. This connects the blood of Christ to baptism!

The phrase, “washed from our sins,” connects the blood of Christ and baptism. In the book of Revelation, John described Jesus as “Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (1:5). It is the bright red blood of Jesus Christ that washes away our sins! But don’t forget that Ananias told Paul, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Ac.22:16). Just as surely as Jesus washes away our sins by His blood, He only does so when we are baptized. This connects the blood of Christ to baptism!

The phrase, “hearts sprinkled… bodies washed,” connects the blood of Christ and baptism. The Hebrew writer said, “Let us draw near (to God, L.S.) with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hb.10:22). The sprinkling is a reference to the blood of Christ (1Pt.1:2). And the washing of water is a reference to water baptism (Ep.5:25-26; cf. Ac.22:16). These two seemingly different things are brought together in this one verse. This connects the blood of Christ to baptism!

The phrase, “shall be saved,” connects the blood of Christ and baptism. In Romans 5:8-9, the apostle Paul said, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” But when Jesus gave the “Great Commission,” He said these words: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk.16:15-16). So, while there is no doubt that Jesus saves us by His blood, He only does so when we are baptized. This connects the blood of Christ to baptism!

The connection is clear: Christ shed His blood on the cross to make salvation possible; and in baptism, we obtain the benefits of that shed blood. The only question that remains is, “Have you been baptized into Christ Jesus?” (Rm.6:3). If you haven’t but would like to be, let us know. We will be glad to help!

--Lanny Smith